CHAPTER 1: Wedding Anniversary Gifts (Part 6)

Moon-kyeong recalled the memory of wearing pointe shoes for the first time when she was adopted at the age of nine.

It was definitely fun for the first few months. It was so new to wear something so pretty for the first time and to have someone’s undivided attention.

The realization that she could no longer enjoy ballet as a hobby came about when Hye-ran, disappointed that Moon-kyeong only got second place in a competition, locked her in the practice room all day.

Even with her toes cramped and feet full of bruises from the pressure and brushing against the shoes, she had to stand on pointe shoes for hours.

Even in the middle of winter, she had to soak her feet in ice water for 10 minutes to prevent inflammation, and even when she felt like collapsing in the middle of the stage, she always had to smile and dance.

• I spent over ten hours a day in the practice room while going through over 80 pairs of shoes a year, enduring all sorts of criticisms my peers threw at me. Ballet is one of those things you can’t do if you don’t love it, but I endured it, and even though I hated it, I just did it.

Moon-kyeong’s voice was colder than ever.

Hye-ran’s gaze quickly became frigid. She coldly asked.

“So? What’s the point you’re trying to make?”

As if waiting for this moment, Moon-kyeong’s words pierced Hye-ran’s ears quickly and precisely.

• Do you know why I did something I hated so much? Because you liked it. Because you wished for me to live like this.

“Then, why don’t you continue to live like that? Out of gratitude.”

Interrupting her, Moon-kyeng’s sarcastic voice echoed.

• Gratitude. Haven’t I repaid enough at this point?

“What?”

• Is it still not sufficient?

“It’s late. Let’s talk about it again tomorrow.”

Hye-ran hung up the phone, and despite the late hour, she called Bora.

Bora, who had been attached to Moon-kyeong since childhood to control her daughter, served various purposes.

Bora was summoned to the Seongbuk-dong residence, she told Hye-ran everything that had happened the previous night at Moon-kyeong’s studio apartment.

Hye-ran’s face crumples slightly as she listens.

Buying food she doesn’t even like and secretly bingeing on it at night, exchanging private texts with a boy from the neighboring school.

Those things could be overlooked. Her eating habits weren’t always like that, and Moon-kyeong didn’t easily gain weight due to her sensitive constitution, so it didn’t matter. Such teenage escapades were expected to pass quickly. However, saying she would quit ballet was different. That was a pronouncement.

A clear announcement that she would soon stop playing the puppet.

“So, you’re telling me that’s what my Moon-kyeong said to you?”

“Yes, she said that if she had the chance to choose again, she would want to run away. She casually made such crazy remarks.”

Hye-ran looked a little disheveled from the early morning, but she still hadn’t lost her grace. Her face peeking out from under her cream-colored muffler, she seems to be lost in thought for a moment.

Hye-ran set her jaw impatiently.

“Why do you think Moon-kyeong suddenly said that?”

“I don’t know.”

“She doesn’t want to get married.”

“What?”

“She’s never been in a relationship before. If I knew it would turn out like this, I should have let her meet one or two people.”

“…”

“Enough of this.”

Bora hesitated as she stood up. When she saw Hye-Ran’s hand, the one that usually held her envelope, was empty, she raised a question mark.

“Um, Professor?”

“What’s wrong? Ah, the envelope?”

“Yes.”

Hye-ran took out an envelope containing money from the drawer and handed it to Bora. While doing so, she subtly scrutinized Bora.

“But when are you going to develop some shame?”

“What?”

“I’ve supported you this much, and you’re still in the same place. It’s different from Moon-kyeong. Somehow, my daughter succeeded in everything, right? Let me give you a warning. Watch your words. You were acting crazy earlier. You’re not the kind of person to talk like that, right? How dare you say such things about my daughter, the one I raised. You’re not someone worthy to criticize her.”

The insulting words sent a shiver down Bora’s spine.

In the end, Hye-ran was also Moon-kyeong’s person. A selfish mother who monitored her but kept her close to her heart.

It had been like this for a long time. People would criticize Moon-kyeong, but everyone admired her. They wanted to be like her. This constant comparison fueled Bora’s inferiority complex.

As she left the Seongbuk-dong residence, she spat on the ground. She vowed to herself that she would repay this humiliation someday.

The next afternoon, Moon-kyeong was summoned to Seongbuk-dong to see Hye-ran.

The walls were lined with priceless paintings, and Hye-ran’s love of tea ceremony and crockery was evident in her home. There was a noticeable increase in beautiful teacups and bowls imported from abroad.

Although their wealth was not on the scale of a conglomerate, after Seo Jaewoo became a member of the National Assembly, the couple’s assets grew like an ever-flowing spring.

Yet, Moon-kyeong’s adoptive parents were never satisfied. Seo Jaewoo, her adoptive father, had always been a man of action before words, and after becoming a member of the National Assembly, he enjoyed all kinds of power and privilege.

Through occasional arguments between her adoptive parents, Moon-kyeong had come to realize. Seo Jaewoo might be foolish, but he had so much money that he installed a few lights and paved the way for his child to enter prestigious universities.

Do Hye-ran, on the other hand, had the brains and intelligence to become a professor even though she came from a poor family.

In the end, it was all Hye-ran’s influence that manipulated and dominated Seo Jaewoo.

“You’re here. Have a seat.”

Hye-ran offered Moon-kyeong a warm cup of traditional Korean tea.

The earthy flavor of the tea was a bit much for a beginner, but she had already mastered the art of brewing the fragrant tea.

Since childhood, Moon-kyeong, who had always learned traditional Korean etiquette, cautiously lifted the teacup. After leisurely inhaling the fragrance, she brought it to her lips.

Contrary to the expectation of veiled threats carefully worded, Hye-ran’s first words were unexpected.

“Quit ballet.”