Ah-rin was doing some paperwork when Maggie burst into the office room like a mad bull. Ah-rin looked at her once and then focused back on her work. Maggie seemed more frustrated and slammed her hands on Ah-rin's desk. Ah-rin flinched and looked at her. She put her pen down and gave Maggie her full attention. Noticing that Ah-rin was finally focused on her, Maggie calmed down a bit and sat on the chair in front of her. Both stared at each other silently until Maggie said in frustration—
"Will you ask me what happened? Why am I frustrated?"
Ah-rin raised an eyebrow.
"If I don't ask, will you not tell me?"
"How can you guys do that to me?? Poor me!!!" Maggie cried dramatically.
Ah-rin sighed.
"Now which poor soul got your attention, hmm?"
"Poor soul?" Maggie scoffed. It's your brother. That Junglebook. I will surely hit his jingle bell one day and stop his whole generation."
Ah-rin barely controlled her laughter.
"Why do you two look like an idol couple from university?"
Maggie scoffed.
"Me and him?? No way!! Even if there is only one boy left in this world and that's him, I'll stay single rather than being with that Junglebook."
Ah-rin smiled knowingly.
"Never say never, my dear Maggie. You never know what will happen in the future."
She winked, making Maggie huff in frustration.
"Whatever." Maggie rolled her eyes.
"Now what did he do?"
"Don't even ask!!"
"Okay, so—"
"You know yesterday Mr. Jeon called me and asked me to receive that Junglebook from the airport." She strated anyway.
"I mean, are you kidding me?! I was about to have my beauty sleep!!! And you know what he did?"
"How would I—"
"In the midway to his house, he asked me about you and I told him. Then he kicked me out of the car and left me there!! How can a guy do that to a young girl like me?! What if something bad happened to me?! He is such a—"
A deep voice interrupted her.
"May I know who that young girl is? Are you even a girl? I thought you were a boy."
Bohyuk entered the office, making Maggie roll her eyes in frustration. Ah-rin struggled to control her laughter.
"Noonaaa—"
Ah-rin composed herself.
"Behave, Bohyuk. You are a CEO here."
"Doesn't matter. I'm always your little bunny."
Maggie scoffed sarcastically.
"Little my foot!! Such a devil in that little body of yours."
"Excuse me?!" Bohyuk said, offended.
"You are excused."
"You Maddie-paddie, did you just say I have a little body?? Do you want to see how big my body is, huh? Should I show you?!"
"It's Maggie, not Maddie-paddie, you Junglebook."
"And it's Bohyuk, not Junglebook."
"Whatever."
As Maggie and Bohyuk continued their bickering, Ah-rin stared at the papers on her desk, but the words blurred.
They're so loud…
So alive.
Once, she used to laugh like that too—without restraint, without fear of consequences.
Now, even smiling felt like a calculated move.
She was about to stop them after being done with their arguing, when a phone call interrupted. All three pairs of eyes turned toward Ah-rin's phone, which was ringing continuously. She glanced at Maggie and Bohyuk before answering, her voice turning cold.
"Hello?"
"Ah-rinaa…"
Ah-rin's softness faded from her face the moment she heard the voice.
When Mrs. Kim's voice trembled on the other end, Ah-rin's fingers tightened around her phone. She stayed silent for a moment.
"Are you still angry with your eomma?"
Eomma…
That single word still had the power to crack something inside her chest quietly.
She remembered standing alone years ago infront of her father's house—pregnant, terrified, begging for protection.
And remembering how the doors had closed on her one by one.
You chose your reputation over my children.
Over me.
Her heart wanted to scream.
Her pride forced her to stay cold.
"I think you are misunderstanding, Mrs. Kim. I don't have any family now except my babies. My family disowned me years ago just because I wanted to save my babies from some monsters."
Mrs. Kim sobbed.
"Ah-rinaa, eomma is sorry. Eomma couldn't help you at that time. Forgive eomma."
Ah-rin closed her eyes, controlling her emotions.
"Who gave you my number?"
"Soo-jin told me she met you at the park a few days ago. You didn't tell us that you came back."
"Why should I tell you, Mrs. Kim? What right do you have to know my whereabouts?"
"Ah-rin!!"
"Why did you call me?"
"It's your father's birthday tomorrow. We decided to hold a small party. Just close family members. Please come with my grandchildren."
Ah-rin laughed bitterly.
"Now suddenly you remember your grandkids? You didn't remember they were your grandkids when your beloved husband and son wanted me to kill them!"
When she spoke about her babies, her voice didn't shake—but her heart did.
They wanted me to kill my own children.
How could a mother ever forget that?
Even now, the thought made her stomach twist.
Her heart clenched at the thought that she had almost lost her life—and her babies—to the very people who were supposed to protect her.
How cruel fate could be.
She had survived.
Her children had survived.
But the scars never left.
"Ah-rinaa!! You know I can't do anything against your dad!"
"Whatever, Mrs. Kim. I have a busy schedule. I don't have time for your family drama. Your husband might get high blood pressure seeing me with my kids, so it's better if we stop pretending nothing happened in the past."
"At least think about your old mom. I want to see them before I die. Your eonni also wants to see them."
Before Ah-rin could refuse, Soo-jin took the phone and cut the call. Ah-rin sighed and put her phone down. She looked up to see Bohyuk and Maggie staring at her intently.
"What?"
"Are you going there?" they asked together.
"No way."
"Good. I don't want you to go to that hell again." Bohyuk said firmly.
Maggie crossed her arms.
"But I think you should go and confront them about what they tried to do to you and your children years ago."
Both Ah-rin and Bohyuk looked at her in shock.
Ah-rin looked calm on the outside, but inside, chaos stirred.
Strong?
Yes, she was stronger now.
But strength didn't erase longing.
A small, foolish part of her still wondered—
What if they had chosen me instead?
What if they had protected us that day?
She hated herself for still caring.
"What? You were young and weak back then. But now you're strong. So go and fight them." Seeing them silent Maggie said her thought.
Bohyuk sighed.
"Do you think this is a drama? It's her real life. You want to send her back to those monsters?"
"Oh, come on. She's not some rich parents' spoiled brat like someone."
"Are you calling me that?" Bohyuk pointed at himself.
Maggie widened her eyes mockingly.
"Omo!!! Congratulations, Junglebook. Your brain finally started working!"
"You—!!"
Ah-rin had enough. No matter how strong she was now, her heart still ached for the love she never received when she needed it most. The memories flooded back—being abandoned, disowned, blamed for protecting her own children.
And amid all that pain, Bohyuk and Maggie kept arguing.
She quietly stood up and left the office, leaving the chaos behind.
As Bohyuk and Maggie's voices clashed behind her, Ah-rin stood up without a word.
No one noticed.
She walked out silently, her heels steady, her back straight.
Inside, her heart felt unbearably heavy.
No matter how far I run,
the past always finds me.
And this time…
it was knocking again.
To Be Continued…