𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐑! | ha do-yeong

☾ 𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ☽

Myung-Hee called Ha Do-Yeong rather quickly. She didn't say much though, just that Ye-Sol started to get sleepy and she should come back home. When he appeared in front of her doorstep and saw her friend, he knew something was wrong. Of course he asked about it but she played it cool. She couldn't tell him the truth, not when she didn't even have a proper proof for it. What would she even say? Your wife is cheating on you with my boyfriend and they have a child that you believe is yours. He loved Yeon-Jin with his whole heart. He wouldn't believe her. His world would fall apart.

Exactly like Myung-Hee's did.

Jae-Jun had his flaws, she knew about some of them, and she accepted them. Later she met Dong-Eun, found out about what he did to her, and still loved him, but he turned out to be worse than she would ever imagine. He was a liar and a really good actor. He made her feel special, but now she was disgusted by it.

Because the real Jeon Jae-Jun was a monster, and what is worse, he turned out to be one even for her.

If she would ever mean anything to him, he would at least be honest with her.

So little and so much.

Yeon-Jin wasn't better. They both made her feel empty. She wasn't mad, nor sad, just still in shock. How couldn't she notice that had an affair?

- Is this everything?- her father asked while picking up her beige suitcase.

- I hope so - she looked around the apartment - If not I will send someone for my things, don't worry about me. I just want to leave.

She took her bag and followed her father to his car in the parking lot. It was late after midnight and Jae-Jun still hadn't come back home. He didn't care. So why would she?

After Ye-Sol and Ha Do-Yeong left, she called her father and asked if she could come back home. Of course he agreed.

Myung-Hee was incredibly grateful that he didn't ask her too many questions. If his daughter needed him, that meant she needed him. He knew her. She'll tell him everything when she is ready. He would never pressure her to do so.

The ride was silent. The music played quietly on the radio but no one of them felt uncomfortable. That was just the way they were.

- I'm sorry for waking you up - Myung-Hee looked at her dad as he laughed shortly.

- Don't be. Nothing bad happened.

- I'm a grown up. I could've gone anywhere else instead of calling you.

- You will not sleep at hotels when your home is waiting for you. Don't be so hard on yourself, Myung-Hee.

She closed her eyes. The last few hours were rough. She had every right to be tired, but she still tried to fight it. Her head was starting to get heavy but then the car stopped. She opened her eyes realizing that the ride home should take longer than that.

- Seven eleven? - she asked, still sleepy.

- Yeah, I thought you might be hungry.

He stepped out of the car, his daughter following him.

She watched as he was picking up a quick meal for both of them. The last time they both ate there was years ago. Yet, it still felt like yesterday.

Their instant noodles were ready in a blink of an eye. They sat outside and let the hot meal warm them up.

- We should do this more often - the man said happily - I keep forgetting how good these can be.

- You'll have a stomach ache if you keep eating them all the time - she took a bite of her food and let herself get lost in her thoughts.

Today she felt just like all these years ago - when her mother ran away from her and her father. That emptiness, fear of what's about to come, doubts if she's strong enough to go through this. She sat next to her father and felt like she was a fourteen year-old girl again.

- Stop being so worried about me, I am the parent here - he said seriously, but with a smile.

Lee Dae-Seong was a great man. His life was full of ups and downs, but he always managed to find at least the smallest amount of happiness in it. When Myung-Hee was born, she became his little world. His money, business, any of it mattered when she would ask him to spend time together. She meant everything to him. She was the only reason he didn't give up when his business went bankrupt, or when he had no money to pay the bills, nor basic needs, and when soon after that his wife ran away from them. He wanted to be strong for her. And he was. After some time, with some help, he started a new business. 

And he made them wealthy.

He was the best father Myung-Hee could ever have, and Myung-Hee was the best daughter he could ever dream about.

- You're my dad, I will always worry about you.

- I raised you well, didn't I?

They laughed and something in the atmosphere changed. It was lighter. Much lighter.

- You brought me here when I had nothing, do you remember? - he started suddenly, and she could feel her eyes water up. Her past wasn't as colorful as many people would think, and despite the time that passed it still was a hard subject. Especially after a hard day like the one she had - You found some money on the street, we have even eaten the exact same ramen - he laughed shortly - What I mean is, Myung-Hee, whatever happened between you and Jae-Jun, and whatever doubts you are having right now - you will be fine. And I know that better than anyone.

She bursted into tears. For the same reason her dad did the first time they came here - because she understood that no matter what, they had themselves. And they would never treat each other the way other people treated them.

- He is an awful person, dad - she cried into his arms - They all are. And I never noticed that.

- You did now - he said - So show them how easy turning the pain into power is.

And with these words being said, she wasn't crying anymore. She wasn't the one who should be.

She wanted them to feel like she did, like Dong-Eun did, like everyone else they ever had a chance to hurt did.

Because evil people deserve evil treatment.

And Myung-Hee was ready to give it to them.