Chapter 1 — The Return
The plane descended through the clouds, and Seoul slowly came into view beneath me, buildings of every size stretching across the city under the pale sky.
When the wheels touched the runway, I reached for my carry-on and stepped into the aisle. A slow-moving line of passengers stretched ahead, and a quick glance behind showed it was no different there. A quiet breath escaped me.
Buzz. Buzz.
My hand slipped into my purse, pulling out my phone just as the vibration stopped. The screen lit up — ten missed calls. From Amy.
A soft chuckle left me as I unlocked my phone and called her back. Amy Lee, my best friend since high school. My ride or die.
"Hello?" I said when she answered. "We just landed. I'll be there soon."
"Hurry up. I've been waiting for four years. I can't wait another second."
A smile tugged at my lips. Amy had always been dramatic. And yes — it had been four years since I was last in Seoul.
I was happy to be back, but facing him was unavoidable. If I was honest with myself, I wasn't ready.
During those four years away, I kept in constant contact with Mrs. Huang. Aside from Amy, she was the only one who knew I was back.
After collecting my luggage, I made my way to the main floor and immediately spotted Amy scanning the crowd. Calling out her name, I lifted my free hand into the air.
Her face lit up like a child opening a long-awaited Christmas gift.
We closed the distance between us, stopping just a few feet apart.
"I'm back!"
She leaped forward and wrapped her arms around me, and I couldn't help smiling sheepishly at the curious glances from people passing by while gently patting her back.
"I am so happy you are back for good," she said cheerfully as she pulled away and placed her hands on my shoulders.
"Me too," I replied quietly as she led us toward her black Toyota Corolla. Once my luggage was tucked into the trunk, I slid into the passenger seat and buckled up.
"You're still coming to my place for the night, right?" she asked, settling into the driver's seat and starting the engine.
I nodded, rummaging through my purse in search of my lip gloss. When I couldn't find it, everything spilled onto my lap in frustration.
"Here," Amy said, handing me hers.
The ride to her apartment passed in laughter, broken occasionally by bursts of off-key singing to our favorite song on the radio.
Later that evening, she pulled into her parking lot. I gathered my things and followed her up to the fifth floor.
"You have a nice place," I said as I stepped inside, taking in the simple, cozy space that reminded me of my college days in England.
She led me to her bedroom to drop off my luggage before giving me a quick tour. Soon, we were settled on the couch with two cups of tea warming our hands.
Steam rose from the mug as I took a sip, warmth spreading through me while the sweet aroma filled the air.
The rest of the night was spent catching up on the four years we'd missed. Amy and Nicholas were finally together — feelings that had existed from the start but had taken time to surface. When she told me she confessed first, I couldn't stop smiling. She deserved every bit of happiness.
After shifting on the couch, she turned to face me. "What are your plans with Harley?"
Silence settled between us.
"Not to make things worse," she added gently, "but he's changed. He's cold. Distant. Maybe stay here a couple more days before seeing him."
I offered a weak smile, fingers twisting together in my lap. "Auntie Huang kept me posted. When she found out I was coming back, she told me I'm moving back into my old room."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Amy asked, concern softening her voice.
Truthfully, it wasn't. But after hearing Auntie's plea, I couldn't refuse. I had never been able to say no to her or Uncle — not when they had always been so kind to me.
"I'll be fine, Amy," I said quietly. "Besides, I can't avoid Harley forever. If he finds out I've been here and haven't seen him, it will only make things worse. It's better to face him now."
She finished her tea and set the empty cup on the coffee table. "After you settle in, we're going to our favorite restaurant."
I laughed softly. "I still can't believe you haven't been there since I left."
"It's not the same without you."
We went to bed soon after, sharing her queen-sized bed beneath the white duvet she had prepared for me. Within minutes, sleep claimed us both.
Morning came too quickly.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains, warming my face and pulling me from sleep. After stretching, I slipped quietly out of bed while Amy remained sound asleep.
The bathroom offered a brief moment of calm — shower, brushing my teeth, fixing my hair and makeup.
Standing before the full-length mirror, I took in my reflection: a yellow knee-length dress, hair styled half-up and half-down. Simple. Put together.
Behind me, Amy turned and resumed soft snoring.
In the kitchen, pancakes sizzled beside scrambled eggs and bacon while bananas and strawberries were washed and arranged in a bowl. Two plates were prepared — one kept warm in the microwave, the other carried to the table.
Just as I lifted my fork, my phone buzzed.
A message from Auntie informed me that my ride would arrive in fifteen minutes.
After replying, I finished breakfast quickly and washed the dishes before gathering my belongings from Amy's room. A short note was left on the kitchen table.
Then, with one steady breath, I stepped out of the apartment and made my way towards the main lobby.
"Hello, Mr. Lu," I greeted as I approached the silver BMW that was parked outside.
"Welcome back, Miss Huo," he replied warmly, taking my belongings and placing them in the trunk while I slid into the back seat behind the driver.
The drive to the mansion was quiet. My thoughts raced — running into Harley, trying to explain everything. A soft breath escaped me.
"Are you okay, Miss Huo?"
Looking up, I met Mr. Lu's eyes in the rearview mirror and offered a small nod, forcing a gentle smile.
Mr. Lu had always been quiet and observant. He knew when I was unsettled and would check on me from time to time. Sometimes I spoke. Other times, silence felt easier.
"The young master will be happy to see you."
A weak smile formed as my heart beat nervously against my ribs. Four years ago, Harley hadn't come to see me off. In fact, he had avoided me during those final weeks. Every time I tried to speak with him, he brushed me aside — cold, distant.
The BMW rolled to a stop at the entrance of the Huang mansion.
Stepping out, I stared at the house, a quiet ache settling in my chest, while Mr. Lu retrieved my luggage and carry-on.
I was back.
After securing my purse over my shoulder, I picked up my belongings and walked toward the door. Before I could press the bell, it swung open, revealing an excited Mrs. Huang.
She pulled me into a tight embrace. "Sophie, honey, welcome home. We missed you so much."
"I missed you all too."
Before I could protest, Mrs. Huang took my carry-on and guided me inside. Together, we climbed the stairs toward my room.
My face softened the moment I stepped in. Everything was just as I remembered — untouched, unchanged.
Tears welled in my eyes as I looked at her. "It's like I never left."
"Oh, honey," she said gently. "This will always be your home."
After wiping away my tears, I stepped inside and began unpacking while Mrs. Huang quietly excused herself.
Once finished, I made my way downstairs and found her in the kitchen cooking. Without a word, I tied an apron around my waist.
"What can I help you with?"
She smiled warmly. "You can help make the salad."
I nodded and gathered the ingredients. The soft rhythm of water and knife against the board filled the kitchen as my thoughts slowly drifted.
— phie."
"Sophie!"
I blinked and looked up to see Mrs. Huang watching me with concern.
"Yes, Auntie?"
"What's wrong, honey?"
For a moment, my grip tightened on the knife before I forced myself to relax. A slow breath filled my lungs, then left just as slowly.
"I was just thinking about how my first day at the hospital will go."
She laughed gently. "You will do fine."
I nodded, though guilt stirred quietly beneath the surface. I hated hiding how I truly felt. But since we were children, Harley and I had promised never to burden his parents with our problems. Instead, we leaned on each other for strength.
Only now — I would have to lean on myself.