That morning, their small house was once again filled with the aroma of warm soup.Irene stood with her back to the dining area, slowly stirring the soup. Her eyes were still slightly swollen, but her hands moved as calmly as they had on any other day.When she heard footsteps coming from the bedroom, she turned off the stove and carried two bowls to the table."Sit."Kieran pulled out a chair without saying much.Breakfast passed in silence, interrupted only by the occasional clink of a spoon against a bowl.A few minutes later, Kieran set down his spoon."Mom, don't look for another job today. Our debt has been paid off, and life will be much easier from now on."Irene's movement paused for a fraction of a second. Then she scooped another spoonful of soup as though she hadn't heard anything unusual.She gently blew on the spoonful before continuing, "I still have to start looking again. Working through the night last time was quite exhausting."Kieran looked up."You don't have to."

The car door closed softly behind Kieran.He did not look back.His steps remained calm as he walked along the sidewalk in front of the school, as though the meeting that had just taken place had not left the slightest trace. The students entering and leaving through the school gate only spared him a brief glance before returning to their own business.Across the street, the car was still parked. Through the window, Elaine continued watching the teenager's back as he walked farther and farther away until he finally disappeared into the crowd.Meanwhile, Kieran continued walking without changing his expression. However, a question slowly surfaced in his mind."System, how much of what Elaine said about my mother is true?"For a few moments, the panel displayed only a single moving line of light. Then the answer appeared without the lengthy analysis it usually gave.[Verification complete.][All of Elaine's statements regarding Irene are false.]Kieran did not stop walking. However, his