Hope's Child

Chapter 1: Surprise Visit

It's been 5 years since I packed my bags and left the home I shared with Jung Hoseok. 5 years since I've left Seoul.

Now I'm living in a three bedroom apartment with my beautiful daughter, Juyeon.

"Mommy, wake up, there's a someone at the door." Juyeon starts pulling at my covers.

"Mommy is up, go into the living room and wait for me." I tell her as I get out of bed.

The doorbell starts ringing. How did I miss that? I pull on some decent clothes and tie my hair up and head to the front door.

I open the door to see my younger brother Chungjae.

"Sis, hey." He greeted me with a smile.

"Come on in, I didn't realise you'd be visiting. It must of been a hassle to drive out so early." I opened the door wider for him to enter.

"Juyeon, uncle Chungjae is here. Come and greet him." I call Juyeon out of the kitchen.

Juyeon comes rushing out of the kitchen and latches onto her uncle's leg.

"Uncle, did you bring any cakes?" She smiled hopefully up at him.

"I'm sorry sweetie, the cake shops weren't open yet. How 'bout I take you out for cake later?" He crouched down and looked at her with a smile.

"Have you had breakfast yet? I just got up so I'll make us all some breakfast if you haven't." I head towards the kitchen and start preparing some omelettes.

"What brings you here to the outskirts of Seoul so early in the morning?" I looked at Chungjae. It was rare of him to visit, since he was so busy with work.

"Sis, I think it's best if we wait till you have breakfast ready." He stared at the countertop, with a sad look.

I set the omelettes down and called Juyeon in. I sat down across from Chungjae and looked at him.

Looking at him now, he had bags under his eyes and he looked tired. This wasn't like the little brother I knew who was always lively and looked so young and joyful.

"What's the matter, Chungjae? Did something happen?" I started eating while I waited for him to answer.

He took a bite of his omelette and then looked at me.

"Sis, mom is sick and isn't doing well. She is persistent on not going to the hospital and doesn't want to hire anyone to look after her. I'm too busy with work to be able to look after her all the time and there's no one else to look after her." He stared at his plate, playing with his food.

"I came here today to ask if you'd come back to Seoul and look after mom until she's back on her feet." I could feel my heart slightly shatter from the forlorn look on his face.

"I know it's a lot to ask to just drop your life here and come back to the city, but please, for mom." Chungjae loved our mother so much and I just couldn't bear to see him like that. Without a second thought I agreed and started packing that week.

Moving back to Seoul would bring back a lot of painful memories, but if it's to look after my mother, I would do anything.