Colors Of Warmth | Seulrene

EIGHTEEN

THROUGH THE FIRE AND FURY

In the face of betrayal, we found our strength. They thought they could shatter us by exposing our wounds, but they forgot—our scars are where we draw our power. We will fight with love in our hearts and fire in our souls, for our family is unbreakable, and those who seek to harm us will feel the full force of our vengeance.

Mrs. Bae’s hands trembled as she frantically stuffed her belongings into suitcases, her every move marked by a palpable fear. She couldn’t afford to leave anything behind—every piece of jewelry, every designer dress, every expensive pair of shoes had to be packed. Her breath came in short, panicked gasps as she darted around the room, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. The luxurious life she had so meticulously curated was crumbling around her, and she could feel the walls closing in.

The door to the bedroom creaked open, and Mr. Bae stepped inside, his face a mask of resigned despair. He wasn’t surprised by the scene before him; he had expected this. He knew his wife’s schemes had finally caught up with her, and now, there was no escape. He stood silently, watching as she tore through the room like a woman possessed, her desperation evident in every hurried motion.

Mrs. Bae glanced up at him, her eyes wide and filled with a mix of terror and defiance. She knew what was coming—she could almost feel Irene’s fury bearing down on her like a freight train. The thought of facing her stepdaughter’s wrath sent shivers down her spine, and she quickened her pace, determined to flee before it was too late.

“Are you just going to stand there?” she snapped, her voice shrill with panic. “Help me! We need to get out of here before she arrives!”

But Mr. Bae didn’t move. His expression remained unchanged, his gaze distant as he took in the sight of his wife, once so proud and untouchable, now reduced to a fearful shell of herself. He had loved her, supported her, and tried to protect her from her own worst instincts. But now, as he saw the madness in her eyes, he realized there was nothing left to save. She had crossed a line, and there was no going back.

“She’s coming for you, and there’s nothing I can do to stop her,” Mr. Bae said quietly, his voice heavy with regret. “You’ve brought this on yourself, and you know it.”

Mrs. Bae froze, the truth of his words sinking in like a stone. Her hands clenched around the handle of a suitcase, her knuckles white with tension. She had underestimated Irene, thinking she could play her games and emerge victorious. But now, as the reality of her situation hit her, she felt a cold dread settle in the pit of her stomach.

“I did what I had to,” she muttered, more to herself than to him. “She deserved to be brought down a peg. She took my son away from me, she destroyed everything!”

Mr. Bae shook his head, his heart heavy with the weight of what his wife had done. “You involved my granddaughter in your schemes,” he said, his voice laced with seriousness. “You used an innocent child, exposed her vulnerabilities to the world, just to hurt Irene. Now, you’ll have to face the consequences.”

Mrs. Bae’s bravado crumbled, and she collapsed onto the bed, her breath hitching in her throat. The thought of Irene’s vengeance terrified her to her core. She had seen the cold, calculating side of Irene before, but this—this was something different. This was personal, and she knew Irene would stop at nothing to make her pay.