POV: AVA
I get out of the car and look at the house on Westchester Place. It's the same as always: red brick, two stories, a perfect lawn, and a ten-foot wall lined with security cameras. A fortress for rich, spoiled families. Just blocks from Koreatown.
Not even America could change its ways.
A young Asian man in uniform approaches and asks for the keys. I shake my head and put them in my pocket. I won't stay long.
I walk down the path, pass under the brick arch, and step onto the porch with its damask lounge chairs.
My hand touches one. A wave of memories washes over me: children running, whispering, hiding.
I push her away, my fists clenched in the pockets of my black military-style pants.
We shouldn't have come. I tried to dissuade Roori.
I look back. She's catching up with me, smiling at the house. When our eyes meet, she quickens her pace and grabs my arm. I wink. I smile. The door opens before we can knock.
A woman stares at us. She bows her head and ushers us in.
"Mrs. Park..." Roori murmurs. Her voice trembles. I take her hand and lead her forward without stopping.
The waitress lowers her gaze and disappears into the kitchen.
Fantastic. This is going to be harder than I thought.
"I'm sorry," Roori whispers.
"It's nothing," I say, touching her shoulder. "But once we're inside, I'll do the talking. Got it?"
She nods, her eyes fixed on the floor.
Voices buzz from the living room. I stop to listen.
—"She's not part of this family anymore!"
—"It's funny how everyone introduces themselves when it comes to money..."
—"Look who's talking."
—"Say that again, I dare you!"
I open the door. Silence falls.
A dozen eyes settle on me. Some curse. Others glare at each other.
I smile coldly and enter.
"Just in time, huh?"
"Like the devil by your side," hisses Min-Jun.
"I'm flattered, heartbreaker. The feeling is mutual."
Min-Jun.
Almond eyes, golden skin, full lips. That body. He still looks like a model. Still arrogant, still irresistible.
Only now he's in a suit and tie, not the boy who ruined me.
I ignore him.
"What are you doing here?" Seo-Yun snaps.
"Go away! You're not welcome!"
"Shut up, brat," I retort. His face turns purple.
"How dare you talk to my sister like that..."
"You too, idiot. Shut up."
The air crackles. Menacing glances. Old wounds reopening.
"Miss Allen, welcome," says Mr. Jung, the lawyer. "Did you bring everything?"
I nod.
"Why the hell are you here?" croaks Susy, the youngest.
I blow her a kiss. "To kick your ass, honey."
Min-Jun laughs. The others grumble.
They love decorum. And I love destroying it.
They can't fight back: they've been trained far too well by the old man.
"You have no right," says a man who has just entered, his back stiff and his gaze withering.
"I'm not here as her sister. I'm here as her lawyer. Dad Tae-Hyun's last gift: a law degree. He's always had a knack for spotting trash."
Center. The tension is skyrocketing.
"Come on, Roori."
She steps forward slowly, remaining behind me. I take her hand and pull her to my side.
"Greet your dear family," I whisper with a small smile. "And let them know you didn't come empty-handed."
Roori raises her chin.
"Good morning. Attorney Allen will represent me. I do not wish to have any contact with the Kim family. Mr. Jung, please forward my decision."
Silence.
Shock.
They expected a broken teenager.
They find a fragile woman, but standing strong.
Because life destroyed her.
But it didn't kill her.
It took everything... except one thing: me.
Its secret weapon.
And I'm ready to raze the Kims to the ground: heirs, house, and all.