Yujin’s face turned pale.

“The shoes you’re wearing. The bag on your shoulder. Skincare. Nail care. Makeup on your face. Even your underwear. You’re enjoying everything with embezzled money, aren’t you?”

“What are you talking about? No! I bought this with my allowance!”

“Yujin.”

Lajin’s calm and serene voice calling my name sent chills down my spine for some reason.

“You’re well past the age to be stubborn like this even after entering society. If you continue to be stubborn like this, you’ll face ruin.”

Yujin’s mouth hung open at Lajin’s elegant voice. Ruin? Is she saying that to me now?

“I regret that you still don’t seem to know that much at your age.”

“How dare you… how dare you bring up the topic of adoption!”

Even with Yujin’s trembling fist and angry words, Lajin remained unfazed.

If the word ‘adoption’ had been mentioned in the past, I would have surely felt a pierced heart and couldn’t have stood up, knowing the sense of caution in her eyes.

If back then, I had still felt the loneliness from just hearing the word ‘adoption,’ it would have undoubtedly left a deep wound.

But now, things are different.

It’s much better to be connected by an adopted family than by blood with them.

For a brief moment, I considered keeping the family relationship for the sake of the child.

However, the path truly for the well-being of the child was to sever ties with them.

I couldn’t create any connection between these people and my child.

Fake family is worse than having no family at all.

I finally realized that.

“That’s right. I am adopted. That fact will not change until I die.”

Yujin was taken aback by her indifferent response.

The Lajin she knew would turn pale and tremble just by hearing the word ‘adoption,’ but now she remained composed.

Yujin knew.

The smart and resourceful Lajin, who excelled in everything on her own, was actually quite lonely.

That’s why, occasionally, when I called her sister, she subtly became emotionally fragile, and I knew that when I asked her for help, she mostly complied.

I thought it would be the same this time too.

However, in Lajin’s eyes, all the lingering feelings, affection, and admiration towards our family were completely gone.

“Lajin doesn’t want to see our faces, so Yujin, you deal with her. At least she might be a bit lenient with you.”

“Yeah, don’t provoke her like you did with Chairman Jo Min-chan last time. You need to humble yourself this time.”

“I don’t know! It’s annoying, really. What’s this? Do I have to beg to that kind of woman?”

“Just endure a bit, our daughter. Think of it as an investment for the future. This will be a good experience and an asset.”

I did give a vague agreement to kneel down and apologize.

But when I actually spotted Lajin in front of the company building, my heart twisted.

Lajin, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, was still beautiful.

Her body was irritatingly delicate, and even without wearing high heels, her leg line was smooth. The belted dress accentuated her waist elegantly, and her somewhat withered face surprisingly evoked a maternal feeling.

She didn’t notice, but passing men’s gazes turned towards Lajin, who was walking this way.

Anyway, that coolness. Even though she seemed like the most miserable person in the world, her atmosphere made men swoon.

No matter how much Yujin managed her hair, skin, nails, from head to toe, and wore glamorous clothes, she couldn’t attract attention like Lajin.

I might only care about appearances, but even in that regard, Lajin outshone her, and seeing that always made me angry.

What angered me more was her indifferent attitude, as if she had no interest in that attention. Even when handsome and capable men approached, Lajin would dismiss them as if saying, ‘It’s not the right time.’ So I thought it would be the same today.

I thought she would lose this time too.

When Chairman Jo Min-chan was invited to dinner, Lajin showed an unusually cold attitude. I was a little nervous, but I still had faith.
The word that triggered a reaction from Lajin more than adoption was “exposure.”

Even if I protested and caused a commotion, I thought I would eventually kneel before the threat of being exposed.

So, even when I went down to the private academy run by my lover’s family, causing a scene, I secretly felt relieved when the message demanded clearing up misunderstandings and offering an apology.

I never expected she would be prepared for this.

“I realized too late. It’s like you’re right here as an example.”

“What nonsense have you been talking about!”

Lajin furrowed her brow. She resisted the urge to raise her hand toward her forehead.

“Baby, sleep. Got it? Don’t listen to such nonsense. Mom is struggling to protect you, so just let strange words pass.”

To avoid startling the baby, she slowly breathed and calmed herself.

Then, looking directly into Yujin’s face, she spoke with an unwavering voice.

“Even healthy people’s families operate like this. Why were you so obsessed with the term ‘adopted’ all this time?”

“Hey, are you cursing at me right now!”