𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 | 𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘵𝘥 𝘹 𝘔.𝘺/𝘯 |

(50) Welcome To The Family.

"........," 

My fists clenched around the scratchy prison blanket.

Freedom.

I could almost taste it on the breeze whispering through the bars.

'It feels close,'

The day I'd finally walk out of here.

Then, as if on cue, Cheong-rim showed up, a cigarette dangling from his lips like always.

'Seriously, it's his lifeline.'

He looked like he'd been through the wringer, but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.

"Alright, kid," He said, his voice gruff but kind. "Time to go."

A wave of relief washed over me.

"Finally!"

I blurted.

Cheong-rim chuckled, a rare sound.

"Yeah, finally. Listen,"

He said, taking a long drag from his cigarette,

"It wasn't all bad getting to know you, you troublemaker."

My cheeks flushed a little at his words.

"Thanks, Ahjussi...I mean, Huyng. I, uh, I promise you next time we meet, I'll be taller than you so you can't mess up my hair anymore. Not in jail, of course."

He barked out a laugh, ruffling my hair again.

"You wish, kid."

Stepping out of the prison gates felt surreal.

I blinked in the sunlight, half-expecting to see Do-Hwa waiting for me.

But there was no one.

No familiar face, no comforting hug.

Just a social worker with a clipboard and a tired smile.

"Let's get you settled in, shall we?"

He said, leading me towards a van.

"Settled in? Where's everyone?"

I demanded, a knot of dread forming in my stomach.

The social worker's smile faltered.

"Everyone... well, no one came. Your father, well... Things changed. You're going to the Graceful Wings Orphanage for now."

A cold dread settled in my gut.

Father?

Changed?

What about him?

Did he possibly disown me?

The social worker's words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

Orphanage?

No way.

I couldn't stay cooped up like that, not when I needed to go back to my twin sister.

To Si-Yeon.

"Yona..."

I whispered the nickname, a new urgency burning in my chest.

What had they done to you?

The next few days were a blur of escape attempts and stern lectures from the orphanage staff.

Every time I tried to slip away, they caught me.

Frustration gnawed at me.

I had to go back to my little Yona!