“Yes. Thanks to the motherly treatment, I’ve been doing really well.”
Su Yeon lied without altering her expression.

She felt Young Sun’s arm tremble, but she boldly stared at Hye Kyung, pretending not to know.

Apparently, Hye Kyung hadn’t anticipated a retort from Su Yeon, as the corners of her mouth twitched in disbelief.

The atmosphere around them had rapidly cooled, not because Su Yeon had said something wrong, but because she had spoken up.

Despite that, Su Yeon held her smile and held her head high to the end.

She loathed the mother and daughter standing before her. They were detestable.

How could they behave this way until the end?

She knew well enough from the past years that they had no interest in her.

But now she was in the company of her motherinlaw, not anyone else.

Standing with the mistress of the TK Group, for whom her mother, Han Hye Kyung, had been lying and striving to arrange a good match for Su Jin, whom she wouldn’t even harm with a speck of dust in her eye.

But how could they show no signs of remorse at all?

How could they be so shameless until the end, without any guilt, Su Yeon couldn’t comprehend Hye Kyung no matter how hard she tried.

“Ah, is that so? I’m glad you’re doing well, really. Thank you for taking care of our Su Yeon, motherinlaw.”
After a long silence, Hye Kyung forced a smile and greeted Young Sun.

Even that made Su Yeon’s jaw tremble.

Hye Kyung’s gaze, attitude, and tone towards herself and her motherinlaw were too indifferent.

It wasn’t a bit curious, but it was customary to converse like this.

Su Yeon felt like she was about to burst into ironic laughter.

Expectations were low from the parents who had only instilled disappointment rather than respect, but this was the worst of the worst.

Hye Kyung, who was known for her extensive network, must have known about the revolving situation for a long time.

That Su Yeon’s adoption had spread widely in social circles, and that Young Sun had discovered the truth.

And that Su Jin was the source of the rumors.

This was not an issue that could be easily overlooked.

The head of the Taeshin Group and his wife had been desperate for a child, adopted one, and then went as far as to launder their identity because they wanted to hide the fact.

People who put on airs would not want their child bearing the unnecessary label of being adopted.

For nearly 30 years, they had been lying that Su Yeon was the biological child of the Taeshin Group, all to maintain a perfect family.

The fact that this was known in social circles meant that the gossip could spread like wildfire, and everyone in the world could know.

If that happened, the prestige of the Taeshin Group, which they had so wanted to protect, could become a laughingstock.

Yet, they could be so nonchalant because they believed without a doubt that there would be no media involvement, given the connection between the Taeshin Group and the TK Group.

Otherwise, it was either because Young Sun’s rigid expression did not boast about Su Jin’s achievements, or because they were annoyed.

Regardless of the reason, the bitter feeling couldn’t be erased.

Su Yeon took a deep breath.

She felt dizzy, probably due to the sudden stress.

She closed her eyes tightly and then opened them, but the vertigo persisted.

Eventually, Su Yeon carefully parted her lips.

“Mother, I’m sorry, but may I go to the restroom for a moment?”
She felt that Young Sun didn’t appreciate her barely spoken words, but she couldn’t take them back.

She felt like she would sober up if she splashed cold water on her face.

“……Alright. Go ahead.”
Young Sun nodded with a stiff face.

Su Yeon confirmed the response and without a moment’s hesitation, turned around and walked toward the restroom.

It was precisely at that moment.

An unpleasant voice struck the back of Su Yeon’s head.

“Mom. I’m going to the restroom with my sister.”
It was Su Jin.

((())) ((())) ((()))

Splish splash.

Water splashed onto the countertop.

Su Yeon wanted to splash the gushing water onto her face immediately, but she held back.

Because Su Jin was standing right next to her.

SuJin followed me all the way to the restroom, but she didn’t seem to have any intention of entering the stalls.

Neither did she wash her hands or touch up her makeup.

She just leaned against the bathroom wall, and stared at herself in the mirror with a jaundiced eye.

“You seem to be getting along well. Your brotherinlaw and parentsinlaw must be treating you well.”
A voice full of sarcasm reached my ears unanticipatedly.

SuYeon felt a sigh rise up to her throat.

Her stomach, which had been feeling unwell already, started to churn even more, as the nightmares she had forgotten began to come back to life.

The times when she could never escape from SuJin’s torment, and was unable to get out of all sorts of wrongdoings and persecution.

When she turned fourteen, it was after school when she returned home.

“I’m home.”