"Son, calm down. I only did what was best for you. Family comes first, and our family forbids—"
"Spare me your bullshit!" Jung-Sik cut his father off. "I will still marry Ji-Won, but from today, I am no longer your son!"
He got into his car and drove off without looking back.
"I had already married Ji-Won, but I decided to make things right. So, I came to America to meet you and your mom. But when I got there, she drove me away."
Flashback
"What are you doing here?" Carolyn asked, stunned.
Jung-Sik knelt down. "Carolyn, I know I've hurt you and our daughter. I was so caught up in my own world that I didn't realize what you were going through—"
Carolyn's eyes dropped to his hand. She spotted the ring. "Are you married?" she asked coldly.
Jung-Sik nodded.
Tears streamed down Carolyn's cheeks. "You never loved me, Jung-Sik. You used me. Your daughter hates you. She wants nothing to do with you. She's finally doing well—really well—for the first time in years. If you truly love her, then stay away."
With that, Carolyn turned and walked away.
"I wanted to keep pushing... but after what Carolyn said, I gave up." He looked at Kiera and smiled weakly. "I'm just so glad you're here, and that I can finally explain everything. I don't have much time left..."
"No, don't say that. You'll live. I'm here now, and I'm ready to forgive you."
Tears rolled down Kiera's cheeks as she held his hand, staring into his teary eyes.
"Let's spend the day together. What do you want to do?" she asked, trying to smile. Deep down, she didn't want to hear any more stories. She wished her mom had just told her everything years ago, instead of hiding it all.
Jung-Sik wept quietly—this time, tears of joy. He never expected her to forgive him.
"Maybe it's because I'm ill... Well then, I'll fight to live," he thought.
"Jung-Ha, do you know anything about the Korean language?" he asked suddenly. "I heard Ji-Won ask you a question, and you were silent." He chuckled lightly.
Kiera laughed. "I've always loved South Koreans, but I stopped learning at some point. The only thing I know is how to say 'hello'—Annyeong haseyo." Her smile was broad.
"Great! Let's spend today together. I'll teach you the basics, and give you some books too."
But before he could say more, a fit of coughing overtook him.
"Dad! Doctor! Doctor!" Kiera screamed.
Doctors rushed in. "Please wait outside, we'll take it from here."
Just then, Mr. Kim arrived. He saw Kiera hesitating.
"Madam, let's go. This happens sometimes—he'll be fine," Mr. Kim said reassuringly.
Reluctantly, Kiera stepped out. Outside the room, she saw Kyung and ran into her arms, sobbing.
"Kyung, please tell me my father will be okay. I forgave him, Kyung. I forgave him. He was going to teach me Korean..." she wept.
Kyung's eyes welled up with tears too. She gently rubbed Kiera's back.
A few hours later, the doctor came out. Kiera rushed to him.
"How is he?"
"He's stable. Looks like he was just stressed. You're Jung-Ha, right?"
Kiera nodded.
"Your name is all he talks about. Ever since the accident, it's the only thing on his mind. I know he must've said a lot, but please avoid deep emotional conversations for now. His condition is delicate—any emotional stress could worsen things. Still, I must say, your presence has helped him. Just keep making him happy."
Kiera nodded gratefully and ran into the room.
"Kiera," Jung-Sik called faintly.
She rushed to him and held his hand.
"Jung-Ha, uljima—don't cry," he said, wiping her tears.
She stayed by his side till 10 p.m. They played chess, laughed over Korean slang, and enjoyed traditional dishes Mr. Kim and Kyung brought in.
Before falling asleep, Jung-Sik whispered,
"I know how it feels to grow up without a father. But everything we did today... I've never done any of that with your stepmother or stepsister."
"What about Jung-Woo? Your son?" Kiera asked curiously.
"He's not my son. He's the child of the man Ji-Won left me for years ago," Jung-Sik replied, eyes closing.
Kiera smiled gently and tucked him in.
Knock! Knock!
Kyung peeked in. "I see you're glowing," she whispered.
Kiera smiled and collected the sleeping items Kyung brought.
"Your mum wants to speak with you," Kyung added.
"I don't want to talk to her now," Kiera said coldly.
Kyung sensed tension but said nothing more. "I'll head back to the hotel," she said and left.
The next day, word reached Jung-Su.
"Why am I just hearing this?!" he snapped at Ji-Won.
"I wanted to give them a little time—" Ji-Won began.
"She's here to destroy everything!" Jung-Hyun interrupted.
Ji-Won glared at him. Deep down, she suspected he was behind Jung-Sik's accident.
"That's all I have to say. If you truly love your son, stay away from his daughter. She's the only one keeping him alive. Let's make the right choice this time."
She gave a bitter smile and turned to leave.
"Are you not scared she'll inherit everything your husband owns?" Jung-Hyun said behind her. "Ji-Won, I know you're accomplished, but your husband has more. If Kiera takes control, she'll be hard on you."
Ji-Won didn't reply. She kept walking.
"Abeoji, what do we do? He hasn't spoken to us in over ten years. Kiera's here for revenge. Don't forget—I lost my left eye because of her," Jung-Hyun said, desperate.
Jung-Su remained bitter. He blamed Carolyn and Kiera for everything.
"Let's go see her," he said.
"Okay, Abeoji. Oh! When I went to Australia, I got this herbal plant. They said it cures all pains and diseases. I'll take some for him."
"Drop that nonsense. Let's go. When are your mother and sister returning?"
"Who knows? Starting a fashion line in Paris isn't easy."
At the hospital, Kiera was feeding her dad when Ji-Won and Jung-Cha barged in.
"Don't you know how to knock?" Kiera asked coldly.
Ji-Won ignored her and went straight to her husband.
"Yeobo, jal jinaesseoyo?" (Honey, how are you?)
"I should really learn this language," Kiera muttered to herself.
"Where's your son?" she asked Ji-Won.
Ji-Won remained silent.
"Both of you—leave," Kiera ordered.
"No. I'm his wife. That's his daughter. We can't leave—"
"Leave, Ji-Won. Take Jung-Cha with you," Jung-Sik snapped.
Ji-Won wasn't surprised but felt hurt for Jung-Cha.
"You can send me away, but not your daughter."
"Do as you're told," Kiera said coldly.
Jung-Cha stomped out. Ji-Won followed.
Suddenly, the door slid open again. It was Jung-Su and Jung-Hyun.
"What are you doing here?" Jung-Sik barked, sitting up.
"Hyung, we came to see you. Eomeo! Are you Jung-Ha?" Hyun asked, stunned.
Kiera's Korean features were unmistakable—flawless skin, striking eyes, and glossy black hair.
"You must be Jung-Su, and you—Hyun," Kiera said coldly.
The two men froze. She was beautiful, yes—but her authority was intimidating.
"My long-lost granddaughter!" Jung-Su said, arms outstretched.
Kiera shoved him back.
"Don't call me that. I know everything. Now leave."
Jung-Su stepped back, stunned. No one had ever disrespected him like that.
He tapped Hyun. They both left silently.
"Dad, I'm so—"
"You did the right thing," Jung-Sik interrupted.
"Have you talked to your mom?" he asked.
"No. I'll talk to her later," she said, avoiding the topic.
He noticed, but let it go.
Knock! Knock!
Kiera opened the door, ready to snap again—only to find Lee-Soo.
"You looked ready to eat me alive," he teased, stepping inside.
"Sir, how are you feeling now?" he asked Jung-Sik.
"I'm okay. Have you two met before?"
"Yeah, on the plane. He's done nothing but insult me since," Kiera pouted.
Lee-Soo grinned mischievously. "I've been nothing but kind."
"Dad, did you see that smile? He's lying," Kiera said, pouting again. They all laughed.
Outside the hospital, Jung-Hyun wouldn't stop ranting.
"Enough!" Jung-Su snapped. "If you had anything to say, you should've said it to them—not me!"
Jung-Hyun quieted down.
"It's only a matter of time, Abeoji," he murmured, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
Back in the hospital room, Jung-Sik sat between Kiera and Lee-Soo, feeling happiness he hadn't felt in decades.
But he also felt fear.
He feared his family might hurt Kiera.
He feared... he was running out of time.
"Why don't you two take a stroll outside?" he suggested, struggling to breathe.
He didn't want Kiera to see what was coming.
Thankfully, Kiera agreed—she had been indoors all day, and the room had grown stuffy and uncomfortable. Just then, Lee-Soo spotted a leaf beside the bed. He picked it up as he walked out with Kiera.
"What's that?" Kiera asked, noticing him pick it up.
"I've seen this plant somewhere before," Lee-Soo murmured.
Cough. Cough.
Kiera suddenly started coughing violently. Alarmed, Lee-Soo threw the leaf away—and then it hit him.
Two years ago, someone had tried to poison Jung-Sik. A similar plant had been sent to him as a gift.
Just thirty minutes after entering his office with the mysterious gift, Jung-Sik began coughing severely and had to be rushed to the hospital.