Marry the Billionaire's Daughter

13. Echos of a past

Chaeyoung sat on the edge of her bed in the small, sparsely decorated room she had been given in the Kim mansion. The walls were painted a soft white, the furniture elegant yet minimalistic, but her mind drifted far away from this place. As she gazed out the window at the sprawling gardens, memories of her life before the mansion began to flood her thoughts.

She could almost smell the fresh air of her old neighborhood, the scent of blooming flowers and the earthy aroma of rain-soaked streets. Chaeyoung had grown up in a modest apartment on the outskirts of the city, where the sounds of laughter and the chatter of children playing filled the air. It had been a tight-knit community, where everyone knew each other's names, and the neighbors looked out for one another. Her childhood was filled with warm summer evenings spent chasing fireflies, the vibrant colors of street fairs, and the comforting presence of her mother's cooking wafting through the apartment.

But those were memories tinged with both sweetness and sorrow.

Her father had passed away when Chaeyoung was just sixteen, leaving her and her mother to navigate life's challenges alone. Before his death, he had worked long hours at a local factory, and even then, they had struggled to make ends meet. Chaeyoung remembered the days when they had to skip meals or ration what little food they had. Her mother would always put on a brave face, insisting that everything would be alright, but the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.

"Chaeyoung, we can't have dessert tonight," her mother had said one evening, her tone gentle yet firm. "We need to save for your school supplies."

Chaeyoung had nodded, swallowing her disappointment. "It's okay, Mom. I don't need dessert. I'll just have some water."

After her father's death, everything changed. Chaeyoung took on the responsibility of caring for her mother, who was slowly becoming more fragile and ill. She had to grow up quickly, thrust into adulthood as she took on the role of caregiver. School became a secondary priority, and she found herself working odd jobs after classes: babysitting for neighbors, working at a local grocery store, and even doing odd jobs like cleaning and cooking for families in the neighborhood.

With every paycheck, she felt a sense of pride, knowing that it contributed to her mother's care. Chaeyoung's heart ached at the sight of her mother's frail body growing weaker, but she couldn't afford to dwell on it. She had to keep going, to push through the exhaustion that clung to her like a heavy blanket. Every hour spent working was a step towards securing the treatment her mother needed, the medication that was increasingly becoming harder to afford.

One evening, as they sat together in the fading light of their small apartment, Chaeyoung had asked, "Mom, will you be okay? I can get more hours at work if you need something."

Her mother had smiled weakly, reaching out to brush Chaeyoung's hair back. "You're my strong girl, Chaeyoung. Just keep studying. You're doing enough for me. I'll be okay."

Yet, there were moments of joy amidst the struggle. On weekends, they would have small celebrations for her mother's birthday, where Chaeyoung would save every penny she could to buy a cake from the local bakery. "This year, let's get the chocolate cake," Chaeyoung had suggested one year, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Her mother had laughed, the sound like music to Chaeyoung's ears. "Only if you promise to help me bake the rest of dinner, too!"

They would sit together on their tiny balcony, sharing stories and laughing as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.

Chaeyoung remembered the day they first heard about the Kim family needing a maid. She had been hesitant, feeling guilty at the thought of leaving her mother, but desperation clawed at her. They needed more money, and this job seemed like a chance to provide for her mother in a way she hadn't been able to before. After a sleepless night filled with worry, she had made the decision to apply, knowing that this could be a lifeline for them.

The day she left her old life behind was bittersweet. Chaeyoung had held her mother tightly, promising to come back with good news. "I'll make you proud, Mom. Just wait for me," she had whispered, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was afraid to leave her behind.

As the car pulled away, she had looked back at their small apartment, the familiar sights of her childhood fading into the distance. It was a heart-wrenching goodbye, filled with uncertainty about what lay ahead.

Now, as she sat in her room in the Kim mansion, Chaeyoung couldn't shake the feeling of nostalgia. She missed the simplicity of her old life, the warmth of her mother's embrace, and the way laughter used to fill their small apartment. But she also knew that she had come here with purpose. She was determined to work hard, to send money home, and to ensure that her mother received the care she so desperately needed.

With a deep breath, Chaeyoung pushed the memories aside. This was her reality now, and she had to make the best of it. Her heart felt heavy, but she also felt a spark of hope. In this grand mansion, she had found connections, like Lisa and the budding friendship with Jisoo, which reminded her that not all was lost. She was here to build a better future, not just for herself, but for her mother as well.

"Mom, I'm doing this for us," she murmured softly to herself, as if her mother could hear her. "I'll make it work. I promise."

And no matter the struggles she faced, Chaeyoung vowed to keep fighting, to keep moving forward. Because that was what her father would have wanted. That was what her mother needed. And for the first time in a long time, she felt a flicker of determination igniting within her.