The tea splashed against the wall and onto Baby Doll's shoulder.
A faint stain spread across the soft grey sleeve of the oversized zip-up sweatshirt she had thrown over a simple white T-shirt.
Gasps rippled across the room.
For the first time, Kang Chin Mae moved.
But before he could take a second step, Baby Doll lifted one hand, the same hand that had tea spilt on it, and gestured to dismiss his advance. A quiet, effortless command.
Kang Chin Mae stopped and stepped back. Even though he stood frozen in his place, his jaw tightened. Helpless anger radiated from him as he glared at Sung Kyung with open hostility.
Tea dripped slowly from her sleeve.
Baby Doll glanced down at the damp fabric, observing detachedly as if it had nothing to do with her. She closed her novel gently, without even placing a bookmark, and placed it next to her on the sofa. Then, without hurry, she reached up and removed the sweatshirt.
The room watched in silence.
