Secrets That Remain: The Untold [Book 1]

Prologue

TRIGGER WARNING:
USE OF ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AND GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF MILD VIOLENCE

"Sandra! I am asking you something! Look at me, now." A shiver runs down my spine as her loud command echoes in our small house — a house that once was my happy place but now is eating me alive— every bit of me.

"Omma. Please, let us have a conversation like normal humans. Screaming ain't going to solve anything for us. I mean, just look at her. Can't you see how scared Unnie* looks?" Ji Yoo— my sweet sister stands beside me, taking my side, which is of no use. "Just look at her Omma, Unnie can't even look at you. She is shaking. Your voice is echoing in our neighborhood. I am begging you, please let's sit down and have a conversation as peacefully as possible."

"Ahh... now your Unnie is all scared and 'a trembling mess' but where was this 'timid' Unnie of yours when she brought this bastard in my—"

"Omma?" I question her choice of words as my body loses its capability to withstand any more injustice and cruelty. Lifting my lashes, for the first time I raise both my voice and eyes to the woman in front of me quietly challenging her authority with a frown and that's when I notice rage and something else in those fearless brown eyes, something nerve-wracking — something that looks a lot like a priced canvas inked in the gorgeous shade of pain and regret.

"Look at her! Now, who's shouting, Yun? She's the 'timid' Unnie you were talking about, right?" she mocks Yoo.

Now both women were looking at me, shooting dirty death glares.

"Ani* Omma!" I beg but—

"Mwo?*" Omma's eyes weep as my heart breaks from our fight.

"Sorry Omma. I am really sorry. Please forgive me, please. Omma don't cry, please look at me. Omma!" I go down on my knees, partially bowing my body to her feet, begging for her forgiveness and understanding.

"How? How can you do this to me, Ae-Cha*? Just how? I know I wasn't the parent you deserved but am I that culpable for you to do this to me, to your Appa, to your Dongsaeng*? Why Sandra? Why are you so adamant about ruining your life and ruining the lives of everyone around you?" She screams at me, raising the decibels with each passing word.

Even when her throat dries up and she struggles to form any more words, she continues. Throwing years-long pent-up resentment and guilt onto my face with every ounce of energy that's left of her.

But as I comprehend shame and pain in her voice, all I can feel is sad pity for both of us— as I see her behold tears behind those deep brown-now red eyes as she helplessly tries to grasp on me knowing well enough that every moment, she is losing me like dry sand in the palms of the toddler.

In the midst of this miserable situation, even her helplessness gracefully resonates with mine.

"Omma... I am sorry, I am really very sorry. I only beg for your forgiveness and acceptance."

"You really want my forgiveness?"

"Yes Omma, you know I do. I will do anything, just forgive me please." I beg as it becomes hard for me to breathe with each passing second.

"Then take that 'trash', throw it out of my house and promise me that you will never come in contact with him or anything related to him. Kick that bastard out of your life — of our life, Sandra."

I look at her in disbelief. How can she say this? How can she ask me to do something like that? How can she call him trash and a bastard? How can she out of all the people?