Fallen Crown

Chapter 8

Eun Sang clasped her hands together after having filled the last box with her school books. She sighed and looked around. All of their belongings were packed and ready to be moved. It was almost surreal that they were finally leaving Tan's house. She remembered how angry she had been when they became another secret to be kept in that impressive mansion. She would no longer have to hide through the halls to remain unseen by those who thought her a nuisance. The Madam would no longer be able to remind her that she ought to be cooperative and docile because they were being charitable toward her. Eun Sang and her mother would be able to begin living as they had before becoming tangled with Jeguk Group. And while she wasn't completely liberated, Eun Sang hoped that one day she would be able to cut the tentacles that pulled her deeper into a world she longed to get out of.

Her mother left a framed photograph on top of the shortest pile of boxes. She took it in her hands. It was a photo of their family that had been taken before her father fell ill. They were all smiling. It felt like an eternity had passed since the day it had been taken. Back when her family had been whole, when her sister had been her inspiration and when Eun Sang had innocently believed they could always smile so easily. How quickly had that innocence been tarnished by reality. It seemed that fate was intent on taking all the things that mattered most to her. First it had been her father, then her sister, and now it threatened to take her future. She could at least fight for the latter.

When you are the sharpest weapon in his arsenal make him repent having made you so deadly.

Did she really want to live with that objective? Did she truly want revenge to be what powered her determination to keep moving forward? Was she willing to lose herself just to prove that she was more than a pawn on a game board?

Do you want to become the very thing you are fighting against?

As much as Eun Sang hated the way the Chairman treated her she didn't want resentment to drive her. She didn't want to become as bitter as the Chairman had become after living a life in which he could not even trust his family. That was the type of world these heirs lived in. A world in which the only person they could trust was themselves. A world where affections were a luxury that they couldn't afford despite their money. It was a sad, lonely world.

Dad. What should I do?

She ran her fingers over her father's smiling face. He had loved them with such devotion and dedication. He had been a spirited man. Always optimistic. Even at his deathbed he had never lost hope. She missed his gentle voice and the warmth of his arms. She missed the way he would console her and encourage her through trying times. She missed the way he lit the lamp of hope when the wind blew the flame out.

Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder and wiped a tear from her cheek. Eun Sang sniffled. She hadn't even realized she was crying.

"Mom."

Her mother's eyes were luminous with unshed tears as she longingly gazed at the photograph.

Sometimes Eun Sang forgot that her mother had also lost half of her family as well. She had lost her soul mate. She had lost a daughter. It wasn't a solitary pain; both shared the losses.

I didn't package it because I want to take it in my hands. To make sure it stays safe.

"We have to preserve the good memories."

Her mother held her hand. Though she could not speak, though she didn't sign her words, Eun Sang could hear them. It will be alright.

"Mom. I'll make sure that we're able to make many new memories from now on. Your daughter will work hard to make sure we can smile a lot."