The black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of Little Stars Academy ten minutes past nine. The moment the luxury car came to a stop, a staff member hurried to open the passenger door.
Jennie Kim stepped out in her signature heels—glossy Louboutins that clicked sharply against the pavement. Dressed in a sleek black suit with her hair pulled into a flawless bun, she looked completely out of place in front of a kindergarten. Her presence commanded attention, even among the teachers and parents lingering at the entrance.
She barely noticed their stares. Her focus was solely on the little girl in the back seat.
Kim Sohee, five years old, Jennie's entire world.
The child pouted as she clutched her tiny backpack. "Mommy, we're late."
Jennie sighed. "I know, baby. I'm sorry." She reached out to fix a stray strand of hair on Sohee's head, guilt twisting in her chest. "Come on, let's go inside."
Hand in hand, they entered the school. The brightly colored walls and the soft hum of children's laughter felt foreign to Jennie, who was more accustomed to boardrooms and press conferences.
She scanned the room, looking for Sohee's teacher—
"Mrs. Kim?"
Jennie turned at the voice.
And there she was.
Kim Jisoo.
The kindergarten teacher stood before her, wearing a soft pink cardigan over a white blouse, her dark brown hair cascading over her shoulders. There was something effortlessly warm about her, like a morning sunrise. But Jennie barely had time to process that before—
"You're late."
Jennie blinked. Excuse me?
Jisoo crossed her arms, her tone firm but not unkind. "Class started thirty minutes ago, Mrs. Kim. It's important that Sohee arrives on time so she doesn't miss morning activities."
Jennie wasn't used to being spoken to like that. She was the CEO of a billion-dollar company. People usually scrambled to please her, not reprimand her.
"I had an important meeting," Jennie replied, her voice cool, controlled.
Jisoo raised a brow. "More important than Sohee's first day?"
Jennie's jaw tensed. The worst part? She was right.
Before Jennie could reply, Sohee tugged at her sleeve. "Mommy, I'll be okay. You have to go to work."
Something softened in Jennie's expression. She crouched down, cupping Sohee's tiny face. "Are you sure?"
Sohee nodded, smiling. "Yes! And I like Miss Jichoo already!"
Jennie glanced up at Jisoo, who was watching the exchange with a gentle smile. It was the first time she really looked at her. There was something genuine in her eyes—something Jennie wasn't sure she knew how to deal with.
She stood up, straightening her blazer. "I'll be back for pickup."
Jisoo nodded. "Three o'clock."
Jennie walked away without another word.
As she exited the school, she found herself frowning. It wasn't the lateness that bothered her, nor the lecture.
It was Jisoo.
Because for the first time in a long time, someone had spoken to her not as Jennie Kim, CEO, but as Jennie Kim, a mother.
And she didn't know how to feel about that.
