“Why, did you think I came because of you?”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
After seeing Nam Da-un with that expression, he waved his hands and said,
“Hey, I’m just joking, okay? Don’t look so scary… No, it’s really scary though?”
Seeing me glare at him seriously, Nam Da-un shivered and said,
“I know you don’t have those feelings.”
“…Could it be because of that talent?”
“Well, that’s part of it. It seems like you already have someone you like.”
“…….”
“Seeing that reaction, it must be true.”
I unknowingly blushed, and Nam Da-un shrugged, saying,
“Whoever you like, I won’t intentionally get in the way, so don’t worry.”
Even if he said he would interfere, I had no intention of being impeded.
Because there was someone who was already trying to interfere.
The fact that this person was my mother was quite unsettling in various ways.
Just like when he sat down, with an uh-huh, Nam Da-un stood up and said to me,
“Should we go now? I think if we stay any longer, those people over there will start misunderstanding our relationship.”
When I looked in the direction Nam Da-un pointed with his chin, once again, the people who had been focusing on their work began moving in a hurry.
Did they really think no one would notice something so obvious?
“…Okay.”
I didn’t have anyone around me who could see through someone’s lies. But I didn’t feel like Nam Da-un was lying to me.
…His face was shining like the people around me.
Now, I clearly understood the meaning of this light. The people who would change my life. Whether that direction was positive or negative.
On the other hand, my mother’s face no longer shone. My mother would no longer be able to interfere significantly in my life. At least, it would be hard to ruin this moment.
Of course, this ability couldn’t predict such ‘prophecies’, but… still, this time, I decided to trust my instincts once.
To be precise, I decided to trust myself.
That person inside me believed in me. So I thought they would return my life to me, even if it meant sacrificing themselves. The reason they entrusted their body to me this time was that they believed I would get things done right.
Then, I had to believe in myself. If I couldn’t believe in myself, that meant I couldn’t trust that person.
I didn’t want that.
So, I would trust myself.
It was a rather messy logic, but that was the principle behind my actions right now.
…And, of course, my friends around me had to believe in me too.
Trying to hide such a difficult situation like Ha Neul and dealing with it alone was also problematic.
Seeing Nam Da-un stand up and walk first, I lifted my body from the chair and walked towards the kids.
*
“How’s it going? Any success—Oops.”
As Nam Da-un walked over to where the club members were gathered, the president said that and barely blocked a soccer ball that was clearly aimed at his face with his hands.
“I told you, that’s not what’s happening.”
The president grinned as he deflected the soccer ball with his hands.
“Come on, they say she’s the prettiest in the grade…”
“President, just not long ago, didn’t you call her the ‘walking embodiment of misfortune’?”
At Nam Da-un’s words, the president instantly turned into a mute with honey in his mouth.
“No, hey, I did say that, but…”
While making excuses and scratching his head, Nam Da-un let out a deep sigh, unable to believe he was a senior, graduating next year.
This kind of person will be going to college next year and can drink and smoke. He seems like a person who wouldn’t smoke, at least.
“I was just talking, so you don’t have to worry about it.”
“Oh, really…?”
In response to Nam Da-un’s firm statement, the president said that while still asking unyielding questions,
“Hey, are you really feeling nothing? You’re the closest to those kids over there.”
He kept persisting like that.
…Is this person perhaps interested in them?
I guess it’s odd not to have any interest with such suspiciously attractive girls gathered around.
However, if I approached them, I’d only be hurt in the end.
“I’m close and all, but I have no such feelings.”
Well, I might have had those feelings a long time ago.
A very long time ago.
So, around ten years old.
But now, it’s a little too late to like them.
*
So, anyway, if my mother is trying to hurt someone, she can do it somehow. But crossing the line with something ridiculous is impossible. Wouldn’t that be the right way to think?
Up until now, whenever my mother acted that way, there probably wasn’t anyone to stop her. She is the chairwoman of the largest company in the country, no, in the world. Just by moving her personal assets without even touching the company, it would be like a giant kicking up dust.
Not even a trace remains after brushing past. Just like Nam Da-un’s father’s company.
Of course, it might leave some scars in its own way.
Someone said they spread rumors.
If that was my mother’s scheme, using me as a pawn to isolate me by tarnishing her own image, you could say she used it well.
Of course, there would have been a severe blow to secure ‘her position in the company’.
However, the reason my mother still holds the chairwoman position is probably that my shares are treated the same as hers.
Together, they almost hold 15% of the stocks. And if you add in the stocks of Yu Jin Life under my name, it wouldn’t be strange to manipulate the entire group.
It’s not so much about justification, but rather, having the reins of the company in hand makes it possible.
Threatening someone, even if it means getting hated by consumers in that process, and carrying out acts that damage the company…
All because my mother has the assets given by my father.
……
I feel nauseous.
Part of me is still accepting my mother as ‘mother’. No matter how much the person I love has changed, that feeling doesn’t easily shake off.
And if I think the reason my mother approached me was just for the ‘wealth’—
I couldn’t feel good thinking that my life was ruined for such a reason.
…Right.
My father’s wealth also went partly to my mother.
But my father did his best for me.
Assets that are safely stored away, untouched by my mother’s reach.
Those are ‘completely mine’ that I didn’t know about until that person revealed them.
If I utilize those, I could properly stand up against my mother.
What kind of expression would my mother make when I blocked her path?
When someone finally blocked a path that has never been truly obstructed,
And if that person happens to be me, what kind of expression will she make?
“…….”
I shiver with goosebumps.
It’s not the kind of goosebumps that arise from fear or disgust.
This is anticipation.
Finally, I had a means to attack my mother.
Moreover, now I have justification.
“……Sara.”
“Yes?”
On the way back home.
Now there won’t be any crossing of boundaries. Ever since I took over the mansion, I haven’t had people following me to monitor my movements, and when I told them not to come for me, they didn’t.
We just had to step out through the main gate confidently and walk together.
“Is something wrong?”
Something’s probably wrong with you.
I still hadn’t heard if anything’s wrong with Ha Neul. I don’t know why. Does she not want to trouble me, or does she think it’s better not to owe ‘me’ anything?
But when she hugged me after hearing my words, it didn’t seem that way.
For now, I’ll just wait. Can Ha Neul really believe in me?
If she can’t trust me, well.
I’ll have to make her trust me.
“No, nothing’s wrong.”
Right, it’s really nothing.
On the contrary, my steps felt lighter than ever.
“Really, nothing’s wrong.”
I spoke with a smile to Ha Neul, who looked at me with concern.
Strangely, when Ha Neul saw my expression, she looked somewhat scared.
Even if I say there’s nothing to worry about.
There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore. I won’t lose the ‘things that money can’t buy again’, whether it’s my friends brutally tearing apart, Sohee’s family suffering injustices, or Ha Neul facing harm, or Sua being kidnapped—
So, thinking that I wouldn’t lose those ‘things that can’t be bought with money’ filled my heart with lightness.
Because to me, money was overflowing.
Above all, ‘my greatest asset’ is something no one can steal or take away from me anyway.
Lightly, for the first time since childhood, I took such light steps.
Mother.
Please wait.
Just as you tried to take everything away from me, I’ll come to take everything from you.
And at the very last moment,
I’ll hand you the letter I’ve written for you.
I thought that moment would be when
my relationship with my mother truly ends.
I was excited about my mother’s expression.
