As Seokmin's eyelids finally succumbed to exhaustion, his chest rising and falling with a gentle rhythm, Areum slipped out of her room, her small feet making barely a sound on the floor.

She wrapped her favorite blanket tightly around her, the soft fabric a comforting shield against the darkness.

Her eyes shone with a quiet affection as she gazed at Seokmin's sleeping form, her small face set in a determined expression.

She stood there for a moment, drinking in the sight of her father, before gently spreading the blanket over him.

The soft whisper of the fabric was the only sound as she tucked the edges around him, her small hands moving with a tender care.

A soft smile played on her lips as she turned to make her way back to her room, the darkness swallowing her whole. But as she settled into her chair, her eyes sparkled with a newfound determination.

She opened her books, the pages rustling softly as she began to study with a fierce intensity.

Normally an academic ace, Areum's motivation had never been stronger. She was driven by a singular focus - to come first in class, to hear her mother's story, to unlock the secrets that her father kept hidden.

The promise Seokmin had made earlier that night echoed in her mind, a tantalizing carrot that dangled just out of reach.

With each passing minute, Areum's resolve hardened, her eyes burning with a fierce determination.

She would do whatever it took to hear her mother's story, to understand the mysteries that shrouded her family's past. The darkness outside seemed to recede, pushed back by the warm glow of Areum's determination. She was a girl on a mission, and nothing would stand in her way.

As the morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the room, Seokmin's skilled fingers worked their magic, weaving Areum's hair into a neat ponytail.

Areum, meanwhile, remained engrossed in her studies, her eyes scanning the pages with a fierce intensity.

Once Seokmin finished, Areum closed her book, her eyes sparkling with a sense of accomplishment.

She stood up, her small body unfolding from its concentrated pose, and Seokmin's face lit up with a warm smile.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against her nose in a gentle kiss. Areum's face scrunched up in delight, her eyes shining with happiness, as she returned the kiss, her small lips pressing against Seokmin's nose.

Byunghan, who was arranging Areum's shoes by the door, couldn't help but smile at the tender exchange.

His eyes, warm with affection, lingered on the duo, his heart swelling with love for the little family.

The air was filled with a sense of warmth and contentment, the morning sunlight casting a golden glow over the scene. It was a moment of perfect domestic bliss, one that Byunghan felt grateful to witness.

The days blurred together in a whirlwind of study sessions and work hours, doctors appointments as Areum and Seokmin both focused on their respective goals.

The weekends offered a brief respite, with occasional outings to restaurants or movies, but even those were tinged with a sense of purpose, as Areum's exam day loomed ever closer.

Seokmin's eyes lingered on Areum's determined face, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and concern.

He had promised her that he would tell her mother's story if she came first in class, and now, as he watched her pour her heart and soul into these exams, he couldn't shake off the feeling of trepidation.

Seokmin's concern deepened, his heart heavy with the weight of his promise.

He knew that he had to be prepared for any eventuality, that he had to find a way to tell Areum the truth, no matter what the outcome of the exams might be.

The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but he steeled himself, knowing that he owed it to Areum to be honest with her.

As the teacher began to hand out the exam sheets, Areum's eyes blazed with determination, her gaze locked onto the paper as if willing herself to succeed.

Her eyes flicked up, her gaze arrowing towards Sunghan, who sat a few desks away, his face a picture of calm focus.

Areum's glare was a challenge, a silent declaration of her intent to surpass him. Sunghan, sensing her gaze, turned to meet her eyes, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

He shrugged, a confused look on his face, before turning back to his paper, his eyes scanning the questions with a practiced ease.

The air was electric with tension, the silence in the classroom punctuated only by the soft rustle of papers and the quiet scratch of pens on paper.

Areum's eyes narrowed, her jaw setting in a determined line, as she dove into the exam, her mind racing with a fierce intensity.

The cafeteria's gentle hum of conversation and the soft clinking of utensils on plates created a soothing background melody, as Areum sat engrossed in her book, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Mingyu, sensing her focus, quietly ordered a selection of snacks for her, his eyes scanning the menu with a thoughtful expression.

But Areum's absorption in her studies was shattered by the hushed tones of two women sitting nearby.

Their conversation was like a whispered secret, but Areum's ears picked up on the words, her heart skipping a beat as she heard them mention her mother.

"What happened to her mother?" one of the women asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

The other woman's response was like a slap in the face, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.

"Who knows? The rumour is that he left her. The poor wife must have suffered because of Seokmin."

Areum's pencil hovered above her book, her hand frozen in mid-air as she felt like she'd been punched in the gut.

Her eyes, once focused on the pages of her book, now stared blankly into space, her brain racing with a million thoughts and emotions.
Her mind whirled with questions, each one tumbling over the other like a landslide.

What did they mean?

Did her father really leave her mother?

Why would they say such a thing?

The whispers seemed to grow louder, the words echoing in her mind like a mantra of doubt and uncertainty.

Mingyu's noticed Areum's expression, his eyes blazed with fury as he spun around to face the two gossiping women, his voice low and menacing.

"Ms. Baek Hana, you're fired, effective immediately. Pack your things and leave the premises. You're no longer welcome here."

The woman's face paled, her eyes widening in shock as she stuttered out a feeble apology. But Mingyu was unmoved, his expression unyielding as he turned his back on her and strode over to Areum.

His face softened as he approached her, a warm smile spreading across his features. He reached out a gentle hand, his fingers stroking her hair with a soothing touch.

Mingyu's eyes twinkled with mischief as he asked, "Areum, do you want to try a piece of cake we bought for Christmas?" His voice was warm and inviting, the promise of a sweet treat hanging in the air like a tantalizing whisper.

Areum's face scrunched up in hesitation, her mind still reeling from the harsh words she'd overheard. "But, uncle...Dad won't let me," she pouted, her lower lip jutting out in a adorable expression of disappointment.

"Who said he needs to know?" he whispered and winked, a conspiratorial whisper, a silent promise of a secret shared between them. his eyes glinting with amusement.

Areum's face lit up like a Christmas tree, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she clapped her hands together in a joyful burst. "Yes! Yes! I want to try it!" she squealed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mingyu chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he handed her a small slice of cake. He watched with a careful eye as she took a delicate bite, her eyes widening in delight as the sweet flavors danced on her tongue.

As they shared the cake, Mingyu made sure she didn't eat too much, his protective instincts kicking in as he monitored her every bite.

But Areum didn't mind, too caught up in the magic of the moment, the sweetness of the cake, and the warmth of Mingyu's smile.

Seokmin's voice thundered through the phone, his words dripping with frustration and anger. "Just cancel the whole goddamn event!" he exclaimed, his footsteps echoing through the house as he entered, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"Yes, you heard it right," he growled, his teeth gritted in annoyance.

"It's not about the money, it's about our reputation! If we go ahead with this, we'll be the laughing stock of the entire industry."

As he spoke, he noticed the maid slipping out of the house, her eyes cast downward in a discreet departure.

Seokmin's gaze narrowed, his mind momentarily distracted from the conversation.

Hsi eyes still fixed on the maid, his expression softening slightly as he asked, "Did Areum take her pills?" His voice was monotone, but a hint of concern crept into his tone.

The maid hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Y-yes, sir. But...she isn't sleeping yet." She spoke slowly, fearing Seokmin's irritation, her eyes darting nervously towards the door.

Seokmin's expression remained neutral, but a faint sigh escaped his lips. "It's okay, you can leave," he said, his voice a little softer, a little more weary.

The maid nodded, as she gathered her things and made a hasty exit.

Seokmin's voice boomed through the phone, his words exploding in a burst of frustration. "I said I'll talk to the client!" he shouted, his face reddening with anger.

But as he glanced up, he saw the maid flinching, her eyes wide with alarm.

Seokmin's expression softened, his anger momentarily forgotten. He gestured towards the phone, his hand waving in a dismissive motion. Then, he nodded towards the door, his eyes locking onto the maid's.

"You can go," he mouthed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just cancel the event!" He said, more like ordered and ended the call.

The maid nodded, her face still pale, as she quickly turned and made a hasty exit. Seokmin watched her go, his expression a mixture of regret and frustration.

He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself before returning to the phone call, his voice still firm but slightly more controlled.

As he heard the familiar bark of their dog, Seokmin's fatigue momentarily lifted, and he made his way to Areum's room with a sense of anticipation.

He pushed open the door, and a warm smile spread across his face as he took in the sight of Areum waiting expectantly, their dog by her side.

The room was bathed in a soft, golden light, and Areum's face shone with a bright, eager smile. Seokmin's eyes, heavy with exhaustion, crinkled at the corners as he leaned against the doorframe, his tone laced with a mix of concern and weariness.

"You haven't slept yet?" he asked, rubbing his eyes in a futile attempt to shake off the tiredness.

Areum's smile never wavered as she walked a few steps forward, her small hand extended, clutching her report card.

Seokmin's gaze dropped to the card, his eyes scanning the contents with a sense of trepidation. He took a deep breath, his heart swelling with a mix of emotions, as he walked closer to Areum and gently took the card from her hand.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Seokmin's eyes scanned the report card, his face a mask of calm anticipation.

Areum's eyes never left his face, her smile faltering for a moment as she awaited his reaction. The air was thick with tension, the only sound the soft rustling of the report card as Seokmin's eyes devoured the contents.

As Seokmin's eyes scanned the report card, his face transformed, a small, proud smile spreading across his features. "Class first," he murmured, his tone dripping with admiration and pride.

Areum's eyes sparkled with excitement as she bounced up and down, her small hands clasped together in triumph.

"Not just one, I beat Sunghan by two percent!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in a thrilled squeal. She raised two fingers in a victorious V-sign, her face aglow with pride.

Seokmin's tired smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a warm, genuine grin. He knelt down to Areum's level, his eyes locking onto hers with a deep sense of pride and affection.

"I knew you could do it," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "Congratulations, my little star."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently pinched Areum's nose, his own nose scrunching up in a playful gesture.

Areum giggled, her eyes shining with happiness, as she wrapped her arms around Seokmin's neck, pulling him into a tight hug.

The report card, forgotten in the moment, slipped from Seokmin's fingers, drifting to the floor as the two shared a warm, triumphant embrace.

"Thank you, Dad!" Areum beamed, her smile radiant with joy.

Seokmin's weary face creased into a warm smile as he stood up, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Dad had a very long day. I'll go take a shower?" he said, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Alright! Come back quickly. I'm waiting!" Areum chimed in, her excitement still bubbling over, her voice sparkling with anticipation.

Seokmin's eyebrows arched in query as he paused near the door, the report card fluttering to the table. "Waiting? Why?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

Areum's smile faltered for a moment, her tone dropping to a soft whisper. "Because I came first in class..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and expectation.

"And I congratulated on that." Seokmin's smile broadened, his eyes twinkling with amusement. The door creaked softly as he closed it behind him, the sound echoing through the room like a promise of secrets to be revealed.

"Congrats are fine! But what about Mom's story!?" Areum exclaimed, her voice rising in a sudden burst of enthusiasm, her eyes shining with a deep longing. Her smile slowly disappeared as he saw him closing the door.

Seokmin's smile froze, his eyes locking onto Areum's with a mix of surprise and trepidation. He took a deep breath, his shoulders squaring as he prepared to face the conversation he had been dreading.

Seokmin pushed open the door, his eyes locking onto Areum's face, her expression a mix of sadness and anticipation. But as their gazes met, her face brightened, a small smile flickering to life on her lips.

"I told you, Areum. Dad's really tired. And I have a lot of work to do. I'll tell you some other time," Seokmin said, his exhaustion evident in the deep lines etched on his face, his tone laced with a weary resignation.

But Areum's face fell, her small brows furrowing in disappointment. "But Dad, you promised...I even got the first rank!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion, her eyes shining with a deep longing.

Seokmin's gaze wavered, his eyes drifting upwards as if searching for strength. He took a deep breath, the air filling his lungs slowly, before his gaze dropped back to Areum's face.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the air thick with unspoken words, the weight of Seokmin's promise hanging precariously in the balance.

Seokmin's tone sounded reassuring, but his words only seemed to falter against Areum's determined expression. "I know, Areum. But please try to understand...Dad had a really bad day at work. Some other time for sure," he said, his eyes pleading for her comprehension.

But Areum's face remained set, her voice barely above a whisper as she trailed off. "But, Dad...you promised..." Her words hung in the air, unfinished and unspoken.

Seokmin's composure snapped, his tone growing louder, his words more forceful. "What promise?!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the room, making Areum flinch.

Pluto, sensing the tension, let out a loud bark, as if trying to intervene. Seokmin's face twisted in annoyance, his teeth gritting together. "Can't you understand?!" he yelled at Areum, his anger boiling over.

The dog's barking grew more insistent, and Seokmin's anger turned towards the animal. "How many times I've told you not to come into this room!" he exclaimed, his face red with rage, as he pulled the dog out and shut the door, making Areum flinch again.

Later, after a relaxing bath, Seokmin sat on the couch, the laptop and a wine glass in front of him. He glanced towards Areum's room, feeling a pang of guilt for his earlier outburst. He got up and walked towards her room, pushing open the door slowly.

Areum's back was turned towards him, her small body motionless. Seokmin assumed she must have fallen asleep, exhausted from the day's events. He closed the door slowly, trying not to disturb her.

But what he didn't notice was Areum's slow, deliberate breathing, her body tense and rigid, pretending to be asleep. Her eyes, hidden from Seokmin's view, shone with unshed tears, her small heart heavy with the weight of her father's broken promise.

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