Chapter Text
The bright afternoon sun shone through high double-paned windows, casting the opulent study room in light. Rays of sunlight reflected from the golden accents on the luxurious mahogany furniture, glimmering on the surrounding walls making everything look magical. The quiet chirping of birds, which could be heard from the half-open window, was overwhelmed by the constant typing sound of a mechanical keyboard.
A woman sat behind a grand desk, posture almost uncomfortably upright. Her dark grey blazer was completely fastened, not one button loose. The typing sound never ceased, seemingly getting faster with each moment. It was glaringly obvious that the woman was focused only on the task in front of her and nothing else.
“Miss Shim? Someone is asking for you at the front desk. Shall I let them through?”
Suryeon stopped typing and turned around in the chair to face her secretary. Her dark brown hair was perfectly styled, bangs showing just a sliver of a milky white forehead absent from any impurities or heavy make-up, just the smallest amount of foundation, and a light pink lip tint that brought out the natural color. The only thing that could be considered “heavy make-up” was the dark eye shadow on the crease and underside of her eye, reminiscent of one Na Aegyo. May her soul rest.
“Who is it? I don't have time for unprompted meetings. The new collection is supposed to be out next week. I need all the time in the world to make it happen.”
After the unfortunate event that took place almost two and a half years ago, Shim Suryeon had to do something to bring back her reputation and wealth that she lost during the collapse of Hera Palace. With Joo Dan-tae out of the way, and a near-death experience fueling her newfound determination, she decided to finally follow her long-term dream of being a fashion designer and started working on her own clothing line. After two years of hard work, she could proudly say that her wealth and prestige were hers and hers alone. Socialites, models, and fashion critics from around the world adored her designs, and she was now known as the “Future of Korean fashion”.
However, Suryeon never forgot the lesson that she learned from living in Hera Palace. She treated everyone that hadn't offended her kindly and never spent money carelessly. Even her children followed in their mother's footsteps. Joo Seok-hoon was currently attending a university in North America and planned to open a fine dining restaurant once he returned. Joo Seok-kyung, on the other hand, decided to pursue her love of singing by providing lessons for underprivileged children while helping her mother by being an on-and-off model for her collections. Even though they were all busier than ever, she could honestly say she is the happiest she's ever been and wouldn't change a thing.
“She says her name is Ha Eunbyeol. It seems urgent.”
Suryeon felt herself freeze. She hadn't heard that name in almost two years. The last time she saw the girl was just a few days before the Hera Palace collapsed. When Suryeon tried to find both her and Seojin after the whole fiasco, it was as if they disappeared from the face of the earth. At that moment, it unnerved her, as she believed that Seojin was planning something, but after not appearing for months, she concluded that they simply ran away, not wanting to deal with the consequences of their actions. Plus, she had plenty of her own worries at that time, so she quickly forgot about the mother-daughter duo. Now she grew worried. What could Eunbyeol possibly want from her? Why was she here personally, and where was Seojin? Each moment her questions went unanswered, the more she began to panic. Not wanting to seem scared in front of her secretary, she quickly composed herself, smoothing down her blazer.
“Let her in. Let's see what she wants.”
The secretary nodded and left the room with a bow, closing the door behind her. The office she resided in was on the fifth floor of her agency, so she had quite some time before Eunbyeol would be here. She used the moment to touch up her make-up and make herself look as presentable as possible. After a few deep breaths, she sat back down in her leather chair, trying to seem occupied, not wanting to show any signs of nervousness that came with Eunbyeol's return.
A quiet knock resonated through the room, followed by the silent opening of the heavy dark wooded door, through which Eunbyeol stepped inside. Her appearance almost shocked Suryeon. The girl looked almost unrecognizable from the one she remembered. Her hair was cut short and dyed a lighter brown, now brushing her shoulders slightly with every movement. Her face matured, and the baby fat in her cheeks was almost gone, yet she seemed almost younger as if there was no longer anything weighing her down. She walked with a lightness in her step, a small smile permanently on her face. Long gone was the young Eunbyeol that walked a tightrope between sanity and madness every day. As she sat down in front of Suryeon, she could see light traces of dark circles underneath her eyes, but they were not so deep as if she had never slept, just a light brush of purple that could be mistaken as a purposeful choice with a make-up brush.
“Long time no see, miss Shim. I imagine you must be quite confused as to why I'm here.”
“Yes, that would certainly be correct. It's not often that the daughter of your sworn enemy suddenly appears out of the blue after two years of radio silence and wants to talk to you.”
Eunbyeol smiled lightly.
“I understand your confusion, miss Shim, and I don't expect you to trust or believe me about what I'm about to say, but please let me finish talking first. Then you can ask all you want.”
Suryeon grew even more curious as to why the girl was here and nodded to confirm Eunbyeols request. After all, there was no harm in hearing her out.
“Almost three years ago, about two weeks before the Hera Palace collapsed, I did something very stupid. I can see that now. At that time, I was in a constant state of fear, anger, and delusion. I was angry at Joo Dan-tae. I was angry at Hera Palace. I was angry at the whole world for putting me in the situation I was in, even though most of it was my fault. I thought that if I could eliminate the reason why all my problems started, I could finally live happily with my mom as I've always wanted.
Back then, when I was thinking about what had started everything, I realized it was not just the fault of Hera Palace or Joo Dan-tae or my grandpa, but all of them combined. If grandpa never treated my mom as he did, if she never decided to live in the Hera Palace, if- if none of that ever happened she would've never become what was of her now in the first place.
I knew I wouldn't be able to get rid of all her problems…but maybe if she forgot all the bad memories, she would finally be able to live happily. Maybe she could get the new start she always wanted, a way out of the toxic cycle she was stuck in for so long…”
Eunbyeol paused for a second, and Suryeon could swear she saw a tear slip out of the corner of her eye, falling onto the luxurious white carpet beneath her feet.
“I had saved up all of my pills that my mom made me take in a secret hiding spot and decided that…I would take on the role of getting rid of all the memories that tormented my mother.
When I was preparing dinner that night, I…I dumped them all in my mom's wine glass and waited for her to drink it. At first, nothing happened. I thought I had somehow messed it up, but- about two days later, my mom started complaining about headaches. She couldn't remember small things, like where she put her keys or where the bathroom was. Then she went looking for me in Hera Palace, even though we didn't live there anymore and the place was full of people looking for her.
She caused a big scene, trying to search for me in a water fountain of all places. In her messed up state, she thought that I was Bae Rona and tried to take her by force. After a scuffle with Ha Yoon-cheol, she ended up falling from a small balcony, hitting her head in the process. I think that was the final nail in the coffin.
When mom woke up…she wasn't herself- she didn't know what was going on and even forgot who I was. Dan-tae's loansharks caught up to us, and since he was MIA, they tried to take everything from us due to him using my mom as his guarantor when he borrowed money from them. I didn't know what to do…so I took all the money we had left and ran away to Jeju, where I've been for the past two years, working every and any job to pay for my mom's medical bills.”
Eubyeol finished talking and gestured to Suryeon with her hand, inviting her to ask any questions that may come to her mind. If Suryeon was being completely honest, she was stunned. Yes, she somewhat remembered people talking about Cheon Seojin making a scene in Hera Palace all those years ago, but she thought that was just one of the woman's plots to gain something. Hearing everything about it now…she truly didn't know what to think. What happened to Seojin was awful, but…Suryeon still couldn't will herself to feel sympathetic. Cheon Seojin was her enemy, someone whom she truly despised with her whole being, someone who caused her some of the worst pain she ever felt. She couldn't understand why would Eunbyeol come all the way here to tell her about this, let alone now, two years later, after everything had already happened.
“Why are you telling me this? I don't see a reason as to why I should know this about Seojin. Need I remind you what she did to me? She may not remember it, but I still do, and I don't think I will ever forgive her for it.”
Eunbyeol nodded, bringing her hands together and squeezing them repeatedly in a nervous manner.
“I understand how you feel, and I don't blame you for i. It took me a long time myself to truly forgive my mother for everything she did to me, but you are my only hope. Mom is getting worse by the month, and the doctors aren't hopeful.
We may have been rich two years ago, but now even eating out is a luxury for me. The hospital, if I can even call it that, isn't well funded at all, and I can't pay them for any of the more effective treatments…we tried everything from the options that I could afford, but nothing seems to be working.
But…there is one last method that could bring my mom's memories back. Apparently, if my mom reconnects with someone from her past life, to whom she held a strong emotional connection, no matter good or bad, it could make her start remembering again. I understand if you don't want to do this, all you probably want is to take revenge on my mother…”
Eunbyeol paused, debating whether or not to say something. After a few quiet moments, she continued.
“But if you think about it, she doesn't even remember what she did to you. She won't understand how hurt you were. Revenge would be pointless. However, if she remembers, you can finally make her feel what you felt all those years ago.”
Eunbyeol knew this was a horrible thing to say about her mother, but she was desperate and would do anything if it meant having her mom back, and Shim Suryeon was truly her last option.
The room fell into a tense silence, the only thing they could hear being the quiet chirping of birds outside the still half-open window. Suddenly, it slammed shut due to a stronger wind current floating by, disrupting the stilled atmosphere.
“All right, I will do it…but, If Seojin regains her memories, I have the right to take revenge on her, and you have to promise me that you will not interfere in any way, shape, or form. Do we have a deal?”
Suryeon held her hand over the polished desk, waiting for Eunbyeol to decide.
“...Alright, you have my word.”
Eunbyeol grasped the outstretched hand with a tight grip and nodded, hoping she made the right choice.