Fashioned For Love | Minsung AU

Forty

~~~~~~~~~ 40 ~~~~~~~~~

Jiho

Across the room, Jiho was taking everything in—the lavish decor, the glittering chandeliers, and the throngs of impeccably dressed guests. It was a far cry from the humble life she was used to in the countryside. Yet, despite the grandeur, Jiho remained unfazed. She was here for her family, for Jisung, and for Minho, the man who had opened his heart to her son.

As she moved through the crowd, she spotted Minho's mother, elegantly poised by a grand staircase. Dressed in a tailored gown that probably cost more than Jiho's entire wardrobe, Mrs. Lee stood out like a statue of grace and wealth. She was conversing with a group of equally posh women, their laughter light and polished, but there was a coldness in Mrs. Lee's expression that couldn't be hidden beneath her flawless makeup.

Jiho debated for a moment whether to approach but decided it was the right thing to do. She was, after all, Minho's family now, whether Mrs. Lee liked it or not.

As she neared, the group of women politely excused themselves, leaving Minho's mother alone. Jiho took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Mrs. Lee," Jiho greeted with a warm smile.

Minho's mother turned, her eyes flicking over Jiho's simpler attire before she offered a tight-lipped smile. "Mrs. Han, isn't it?"

"Yes," Jiho confirmed, her tone friendly but measured. "I'm Jisung's mother."

"Ah, yes," Mrs. Lee said, her voice cool and distant. "Minho has spoken about your family."

Jiho nodded, sensing the underlying tension. "I hope he's said good things."

There was a brief pause before Mrs. Lee responded. "Of course." Her eyes briefly flicked over to where Jisung and Minho stood together, their closeness evident even in a crowded room. "Though, I must admit, this whole... arrangement is a bit unexpected."

Jiho felt the weight of her words, but she didn't let it bother her. She'd dealt with her fair share of difficult people in life. "Love often is," Jiho replied kindly, her eyes soft but unwavering.

Mrs. Lee's brow furrowed slightly, as if the simplicity of Jiho's response was unsettling. She glanced again at her son, her lips pressed tightly together. "Minho was always supposed to marry someone from... a different world. Our world."

Jiho could feel the weight of judgment in her words, but she refused to take the bait. Instead, she smiled gently. "Our children have their own lives to lead, don't they? My Jisung, he's found happiness with Minho. And isn't that what matters in the end? That they're happy?"

Mrs. Lee's face remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—perhaps doubt, perhaps frustration. "Happiness," she repeated, almost as if the word tasted strange in her mouth. "That's such a... simple thing to say."

Jiho tilted her head slightly, her expression calm. "Sometimes the simplest things are the most important."

There was silence for a moment as the two women stood there, one from the world of wealth and status, the other from a world of simplicity and warmth. Jiho could see that Mrs. Lee wasn't used to people speaking to her so plainly, and she certainly wasn't used to someone like Jiho standing her ground with such grace.

"I'm sure you're proud of your son," Jiho said after a pause, changing the direction of the conversation slightly. "Minho's accomplished a lot. He's built something incredible and recently with Jisung at his side."

Mrs. Lee glanced at Minho again, her expression unreadable. "He's always been driven," she admitted, her voice softer now, though still guarded. "But he had a path laid out for him—a path in our family's business. A path he chose not to follow."