I still hold onto the hope that you will come to understand and accept my choice.

As I made my way to my room, my vision blurred from the tears streaming down my face. All I wanted was to show him that I could earn money on my own. It’s not about the money itself; it’s about proving to my dad that I appreciate everything he has done for me. Being his only daughter, I feel this immense pressure to demonstrate that I am not just a burden. I can achieve something meaningful. The tears kept falling, so I chose to sit in the hall for a moment to gather my thoughts. I began reflecting on my life with my mom, who always shielded me from my dad's reprimands. If she were still here, I knew she would support me without question. "Mom... why did you have to leave me? I miss you so much," I whispered through my sobs. Just then, I heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Uncle Yong standing beside me. "Why are you crying, princess?" he asked gently. I quickly wiped my tears and replied, "It's nothing, Uncle. I just didn't finish my assignment, and I have school tomorrow." He reassured me, saying, "That's not something to worry about." I admitted, "I was just missing my mom, that's all."

"Alright, let me share some stories about your mother," he said, and soon we were laughing and reminiscing together. Uncle Yong's stories brought a sense of warmth and comfort, reminding me of the joyful moments we had shared as a family. Each tale painted a vivid picture of my mom's spirit and love, making me feel a little less alone in my grief. It was a bittersweet experience, but it helped me realize that even though she was gone, her memory would always be a part of me. As we continued to talk, I felt a sense of connection and support that I desperately needed in that moment.

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TAEHYUNG'S HOME:

As I swung open the gate to my house, a wave of darkness greeted me, making me hesitate for a moment. I stepped inside quietly, trying to make my way to my room without making a sound. Just as I was about to reach my door, the lights flickered on, and I turned around to see my mom standing there, her face lighting up with joy. "Aww, my boy is home late for the first time... Does this mean I should start preparing for a daughter-in-law?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with excitement. I couldn't help but groan, "Come on, Mom... It's not like that. I just spent way too much time with this girl, and honestly, I'm too tired to talk about it right now."

Her expression shifted to one of surprise as she exclaimed, "A GIRL?! You were with a girl? My sixth sense must be spot on!" I rolled my eyes, trying to downplay the situation. "Mom, she was a bit too much for me. I can't even stand being around her for a minute, let alone think about spending my life with her." But then she chimed in, "But baby, it's great that she's a little childish! Just think of the cute kids you could have!" I was taken aback by her logic, feeling my cheeks heat up unexpectedly. "Okay, okay... I'm going to sleep now," I stammered, rushing upstairs to avoid her noticing my flushed face. As I dove under my duvet, I knew sleep would be hard to come by, especially with thoughts of finalizing the hotel for Jackson in Seoul swirling in my mind. I stared at the ceiling, wondering how my stepfather could be so harsh, and what she might be doing at that hour. The idea of bringing her home crossed my mind, but I quickly shook it off, reminding myself to just sleep. Eventually, I managed to close my eyes, hoping for a peaceful night despite the chaos in my thoughts.

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AT MORNING:

Yuna jolted awake at the sound of my frantic scream, her voice still heavy with sleep as she asked, "Ahh, what happened y/n?" I could feel the panic rising within me as I pointed to the dark circles under my eyes. "Yuna, look at these! How am I supposed to face everyone at school today? This is just ridiculous!" My anxiety was palpable, and I could feel my heart racing. "Aishh, y/n, just use some of my makeup and let me get back to sleep," she replied, clearly wanting to return to her dreams. But I was insistent, "No, Yuna! I need your help to get ready. Today is crucial for me; I have to go to the principal's office, and I need to look my best." I rummaged through her makeup and found a foundation, placing it on the table. "Wait... what did you do this time, y/n?" she asked, her finger pointing accusingly at me. I glanced at her through the mirror, trying to maintain my composure. "Annii, I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m just asking for a leave. Remember I told you I want to go to Seoul? I need a few days off for that."

"Y/N... are you really sure you want to go to Seoul?" she asked, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. I had thought about it a lot, but I was determined not to back down. Just the night before, Uncle Yong had encouraged me to pursue my dreams, reminding me that I shouldn't give up. My dream was to become wealthy on my own terms, not through someone else's connections. He promised to talk to my father about arranging a marriage with a rich boy, but I was adamant that I wanted to achieve success independently. "Yes, I've made up my mind. A wise person told me to chase my dreams," I said, a smile breaking across my face. "Okay, bestie, I’m with you all the way. Best of luck!" Yuna replied, applying concealer under my eyes, her support giving me the boost I needed to face the day ahead.

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TAEHYUNG HOUSE :

Taehyung was preparing for a significant day at the office, one that would determine the theme of the upcoming show and the choice of hotel. He carefully selected his tie and held his coat in his hands, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. As he made his way downstairs, he spotted his sister Eunbi sitting at the dining table. With a bright smile, he greeted her enthusiastically, "OHH good morning, Euniii!" She returned the greeting, saying, "Good morning, bro." Their conversation quickly turned serious when Taehyung asked for her passport, wanting to check its expiration date. When Eunbi questioned why he needed it, he revealed that she was supposed to attend the show in Seoul, which made her anxious.

Eunbi's reaction was one of surprise and denial as she stammered, "N-no... Bro... I am not going to Seoul..." Taehyung was taken aback, confused as to why she would miss out on her dream. He reminded her that he had even bought the ticket for her, only to hear her admit that she had lost it. His shock was palpable as he bombarded her with questions about how and when it happened. Eunbi, surprisingly calm, suggested that she would just wait for the next year, expressing her disappointment about not being able to show it to their friend Y/N. Taehyung, frustrated, wished ill on whoever had her ticket, but Eunbi quickly punched him in the face, insisting he shouldn't say such things about others. After a brief discussion about empathy, they finished their breakfast, and Taehyung left for the office, bidding farewell to his sister and mother.

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AT SCHOOL:

Y/n was sprawled on the grass, her gaze fixed on the vibrant butterflies flitting about in the warm sunlight. She always arrived at school early, a habit born from her anxiety about facing certain people, especially after the events of the previous night. As she watched the delicate creatures dance among the flowers, she felt a mix of tranquility and turmoil, knowing that her friend was supposed to meet her but dreading the conversation that awaited them.

Just then, she noticed someone approaching and her heart sank as Jaehyun settled down beside her. "What are you doing here? After everything that happened, you should be ashamed to even look at me," she said, her voice laced with hurt. He kept his eyes downcast, mumbling an apology and explaining how he had been coerced into his actions by others who threatened his family. Y/n listened, her expression hardening as he spoke. "You know what? I could retaliate even more, but I'm choosing to be nice," she replied, her tone firm. At that moment, Yuna appeared, interrupting the tension. "Y/N, I have something important to tell you—what are you doing here?" she asked, pulling Y/n away to the cafeteria. As they walked, Yuna shared news about her brother's connection to a show, and they discussed their hopes and challenges, with Y/n feeling a flicker of encouragement amidst the chaos.

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BAEK HOUSE:
AT NIGHT :

Y/N, Granny, and Yuna were enjoying a sunny afternoon on the terrace, where Y/N was sharing stories about her experiences at school. Granny, with a playful tone, remarked, "Y/N, look at these wrinkles forming on my face! When are you planning to get married? You're so adorable; I can't help but wonder what my grandchild will look like!" This prompted a fit of giggles from Yuna and Y/N, who exchanged amused glances. Y/N responded teasingly, "Granny, just wait until I head to Seoul and win that competition! I promise to buy you the best anti-wrinkle cream out there. What do you think?"

Mr. Choi, overhearing their conversation, chimed in with a hint of mischief, "Of course, why not? She won't even bother asking her dad, but honestly, do whatever you want!" Y/N turned around to see Mr. Choi watching them with a stern expression, but she couldn't help but smile at the moment. With a burst of excitement, she exclaimed, "Finally, Mr. Choi, you’re letting me go to Seoul!" The atmosphere was filled with laughter and anticipation as they all contemplated the adventures that awaited Y/N in the bustling city.

─── ⋆⋅TO BE CONTINUED ⋅⋆ ──

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN NEXT?