The silence that followed felt heavier than thunder.
Kim Hwayeon stood frozen at the doorway, her small hands clenched tightly at her sides. She did not fully understand the meaning of the woman's words, but she understood the way her mother's body stiffened—as if struck by an invisible blade.
Her father appeared moments later.
The moment his eyes met the woman standing outside, his expression changed.
Not surprise.
Not confusion.
But guilt.
"Hwayeon," her mother said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. Her voice trembled despite her effort to remain calm. "Go inside."
Hwayeon hesitated.
She didn't want to leave. Something in the air felt wrong, frightening in a way she had never experienced before.
"I'll be fine," her mother added, gently nudging her toward the living room.
Reluctantly, Hwayeon stepped away, but she did not go far. She hid behind the corner, peeking out just enough to see.
The woman stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.
Her heels clicked against the floor with confidence that did not belong to a guest.
"This is my daughter," the woman continued calmly, resting a hand on the young girl's shoulder. "Her name is Seo Yura."
The girl clung tightly to the woman's side, her eyes darting around the house with thinly veiled curiosity. When her gaze landed on Hwayeon, something flickered within them.
Not fear.
But interest.
Hwayeon's father finally spoke.
"Let's talk inside."
That was all he said.
No denial.
No explanation.
No defense.
Her mother's fingers tightened slowly, nails pressing into her palm until her knuckles turned white. Still, she straightened her back and lifted her chin, her expression composed and dignified.
"Of course," she said quietly.
They moved into the sitting room.
Hwayeon slipped closer, her heart pounding as she listened.
The truth spilled out piece by piece.
The woman—Lady Kang—had been her father's lover long before Hwayeon was born. Kim Yuri was his child. He had hidden them away, providing quietly, waiting.
Waiting for what?
For the right moment.
"I didn't want this to happen," her father said, rubbing his temples. "But circumstances have changed."
"Changed?" her mother echoed, her voice sharp despite her restraint. "You mean now that everything is under your name?"
Silence.
That silence was an answer.
Hwayeon's chest tightened.
She didn't fully understand property or ownership, but she understood that her mother's voice had changed—cracked in a way she had never heard before.
"They'll be staying here," her father said finally. "It's only right."
Only right.
The words felt cruel.
Yuri suddenly stepped forward and grabbed her father's sleeve, her voice small and pitiful. "Father… will I have my own room?"
Her father's expression softened instantly.
"Yes," he replied without hesitation.
Hwayeon felt something twist painfully in her chest.
Her mother stared at him, disbelief slowly giving way to devastation.
That night, the house felt different.
Colder.
The warmth Hwayeon had always known disappeared like smoke.
At dinner, Yuri sat beside her father, obedient and sweet. Mrs Kang smiled politely, pouring tea as if she had always belonged there.
Hwayeon barely touched her food.
Across the table, Lee Dohyun sat stiffly, his brows furrowed. He kept glancing toward Hwayeon, clearly sensing something was wrong.
Beside him, Lee Taeheon remained silent, his eyes dark and unreadable as he observed the adults closely.
He noticed everything.
The way Hwayeon's father avoided her mother's gaze.
The way Lady Kang subtly took control of the conversation.
The way Yuri smiled shyly—yet glanced possessively at what was not hers.
That night, Hwayeon found her mother alone in the courtyard.
She was sitting beneath the dim lantern light, shoulders shaking silently.
"Mother…" Hwayeon whispered.
Her mother quickly wiped her tears and turned, forcing a smile. "Did I wake you?"
Hwayeon shook her head and walked over, hugging her tightly.
Her mother held her close, fingers trembling in her hair.
"No matter what happens," her mother said softly, "you are my daughter. Never forget that."
Hwayeon nodded, though she didn't understand why her chest hurt so much.
From that day on, everything changed.
Mrs Kang began acting like the mistress of the house.
Yuri followed Hwayeon everywhere, copying her, watching her.
And her father—once warm and affectionate—grew distant.
Only Lee Dohyun stayed the same.
He still waited for her outside, still shared his sweets, still smiled like nothing could go wrong. When Hwayeon felt overwhelmed, he held her hand and promised, "I'll always be on your side."
She believed him.
But Lee Taeheon watched quietly.
One afternoon, he found Hwayeon alone, staring blankly at the koi pond.
"They took your place," he said suddenly.
Hwayeon startled. "What?"
His eyes were calm, far too calm for a child his age. "Adults who lie don't stop at one thing."
She didn't understand his words then.
But years later, as her world crumbled piece by piece—
She would remember.
And she would realize…
This was the day her fate truly began to fall apart.