023

Chapter twenty three

"Is your friend almost here?" my mum asks as I help her set the table, the clatter of dishes failing to cover the tightness in her voice

"He should be here soon" I reply casually

"He?!" My dad's voice booms as he strides into the room

"You're bringing a boy? Who said you could have a boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend—" A knock cuts me off. I'm relieved. I hurry out of the kitchen to answer the door

"Hi" Heeseung says with a soft smile "You doing okay?"

"As good as I can be," I reply, brushing it off with a laugh that feels too thin and I lead him into the kitchen

"Mum, Dad—this is Heeseung," I introduce, my voice polite, almost robotic

My dad glares at him immediately, my mum manages a smile, but it's so forced it's almost painful to look at

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Kim" Heeseung offers gently

"Yeah," my dad mutters coldly as we all sit down

I glance at the table, it's beautifully laid out—Galbi, Doenjang-jjigae, steamed white rice, kimchi, spinach namul, japchae, it looks like the kind of meal that says "family" "home" "love"

Funny. I've never liked Galbi, and yet somehow, it's there like it always has been, like this family always has been, but they've never even made me dinner before

"This all looks amazing,Thank you," Heeseung says, breaking the heavy silence, my mum smiles again—this time, it seems real

"I'm just going to get straight to it" my dad says, pouring himself a glass of soju and downing it in one gulp

He sets the glass down with finality, "Me and Haerin are moving. The flights are booked for next week"

"Flights?" I echo, eyes narrowing

"Yes. To Australia"

"WHAT?!" My mum and I shout in unison

"You never told me you were taking her to Australia!" my mum says, panic rising in her voice

"You knew he was planning to take me?" I turn to her, stunned

"Dad, I can't move. I like my life here. I mean—I don't even know English! How am I supposed to see Mum—?"

"I'm your father, and you will listen to me!" he shouts, slamming the glass on the table

The room freezes

"But—" I try again

"I don't know what's gotten into you lately" he interrupts, his voice rising, "The old Haerin would never have spoken back like this, Is this your doing?" He turns to Heeseung, eyes sharp with blame

"No, Mr. Kim. I swear, I—" Heeseung's voice falters, barely above a whisper

"Well, the decision is made. I've hired someone to teach you English. The flights are next week. There is no discussion"

"That's not fair!" I yell, shoving my chair back as I stand

"How dare you speak to me that way! I am your father—!"

"And I am your daughter!" My voice cracks, and I can feel it all bubbling to the surface—years of it

"You say the old me wouldn't talk back. Did you ever even know the old me?" My eyes sting, my jaw clenched so tight it hurts. "You were never there to see who I was."

"Of course I knew you! You're my daughter!" He stands too, towering, furious. My mum reaches out to calm him, but he turns on her, snapping, and she flinches back

"No, you didn't," I whisper, voice trembling

"You knew the version of me you wanted—the quiet, perfect daughter you could show off at dinners and brag about at work. But not me!"

"I've worked my entire life for you! Everything I've done has been for you!"

"No," I say, shaking now. "You did it for you. For your pride. For your image. Never for me."

Tears spill down my cheeks—not just sadness, but fury. Exhaustion. All the words I've never said crash out of me at once

"You never saw me. You never asked what I wanted. You didn't even notice that the girl you once called your daughter was slowly disappearing"

"I mean... all you ever did was tear me down." My voice is shaking, but I keep going. "You made me believe I was never enough. Not smart enough, not quiet enough, not perfect enough. Why? What did I ever do to deserve that?"

The silence that follows is brief—and then a sharp crack echoes through the room, my face snaps to the side and my cheek burns violently

I clutch it, stunned, my eyes wide as I look at him—really look at him

My father. The man who once held my hand when I was small, now the same hand has just struck me

Before I can even catch my breath, Heeseung moves.

He steps between us like a wall, and gently, but firmly, he takes my hand

"We're leaving" he says, voice low but steady

"You're not going anywhere with her!" my father growls, stepping forward

"I'm not going to stand here and watch you destroy your daughter" Heeseung fires back

"Not again"

"Don't act like you know her!" My dad scoffs, eyes burning with rage, "You don't know anything about her"

Heeseung turns, glancing back at me, and for a second, everything stops

"I do," he says. His voice softens, but it doesn't waver

"I know her because I'm in love with her. And I'm not going to let you drag her away from the life she deserves. Not without a fight"

My breath catches. The room spins for a moment

"W-what?" I whisper, staring up at him

He doesn't look away. "We're leaving," he repeats

And just like that, we're gone

The next thing I know, the wind is rushing past me, my arms wrapped tightly around his waist, the engine of his motorcycle roaring under us

My heart is pounding—not from fear, but from the terrifying relief of finally leaving

Of finally being seen

Of finally choosing myself