Chapter 2: Problem

Someone's fake cough halted me as I was ready to kiss the guy I met on the dance floor. I forced myself to get up while clutching the man's shoulder.

Steven irritates me to no end!

"What?" I ask, my brow furrowed.

He shattered my euphoria! That was Joo Hyuk, the sexiest bachelor in South Korea! Oh, please!

"Your presence is important, and you will return home tomorrow," he said solemnly.

I believed my presence in the house was comparable to an ant. What's up?

I merely gave Steven a monotonous nod. I wanted to go home some days, but they wouldn't let me, and now that I don't want to go home anymore, they want me to return.

Isn't it funny how ironic it is?

I returned to my unit tipsy. Because I have limited tolerance for alcohol, I don't consume strong liquors.

I don't want anybody to get into my heart; therefore, I have nothing to lose. Since last week, I have not returned any of Mommy's calls or texts.

They adopted me when I was ten years old. I didn't remain long in their hearts since they immediately found their daughter. I was first envious of

Jillian, their biological daughter, but I realized later that they clothes, fed, and schooled me, so why can't I be grateful and glad for them instead of being envious?

I lived an extraordinary life for a brief period because of her.

She shook her head when I asked my foster mother where my biological parents were. I didn't want them to come back into my life; I only wanted to know where they were.

I can still feel her love for me now that she has discovered her actual daughter, which I am grateful for. She was never able to get rid of me. Since then, Dad and I haven't been close; he's always out of town, but I still cared for and loved him.

My mother sent me to South Korea when I was eighteen years old. I disagreed since I didn't want to be apart from them. They stated they wanted me to study here, yet they still didn't want me to return home after my studies.

Steven encouraged me, saying, "Call her."

I smiled as I phoned my mother's phone number, finally graduating after many years! I'm looking forward to that day!

Steven went out to get a corn dog since he wanted me to have some solitude.

After five rings, my mother picked up.

"Hello, Sweetie..." She welcomed me with her sweet voice.

"Mom, I can go home. Finally!"

My shoulder slumped when I sensed she was unresponsive to what I said. Instead, she responded with a long sigh.

"W-Why?"

"Sweetie, here's the deal: I want you to manage the real estate company my sister left me-"

"You promised, right? You're not going to go back on your word?"

She quietly laughed. "Sweetie, take a deep breath."

I had no idea I had raised my voice against her! That's why I don't particularly appreciate being disappointed. Seeing Steven carrying a corn dog made me cry, especially when he questioned me about Mommy's response.

Now that I'm 28 and old enough to raise myself independently.

I ended up sleeping in the bathtub the next day. I only intended to wash, but I fell asleep. Steven is pouting on his phone since I had a good night's sleep and was late for our flight to my nation, France. We had barely missed our flight.

When the conversation on his smartphone ended, he shrugged and said, "Look what you did, Jian!"

I bowed and let him rant, but we both knew his rage couldn't last much longer, and he couldn't remain furious with me for very long. Steven is my phony cousin and secretary, who is in charge of looking after me. We were first uneasy with each other, but now we're friends, not just friends, but best friends.

I was dressed in a bright pink coat with a bandeau dress that fitted my body wonderfully. I paired it with a matte black stiletto color.

"Why do I have to go home?" I inquired as we boarded the jet.

I could hear him sigh. "Because they're missing you-"

"We're both aware that it's not the case."

He almost stopped at the final line, "I don't know either..."

I attempted to put on a broad grin.

Our flight was pleasant. When we got to the airport, the driver welcomed us right away. His lips were full of compliments for me the whole trip.

"Oh, Jian, I don't know when I last saw you!" he said enthusiastically.

As our gazes met in the rearview mirror, I grinned. I can't help but look at Steven, engrossed in his iPad, oblivious to the praises.

"I remember when you and Sue helped me to get a job-"

He grinned uncomfortably, his sentence unfinished. It's much better because he's talking nonstop.

I can still recall where our house is, even if I've been lost in France for several years. So I was perplexed since we were on a different road. I didn't ask Steven, despite my confusion.

The driver stated, "Here we are."

"There's something wrong," I murmured in the air, my gaze fixed on the ancient mansion.

Where is Jones' home, which constantly leaves you speechless? Steven must have sensed my perplexity, but he didn't bother to inquire.

While holding our baggage, the driver led us inside. Meanwhile, this house is kind of...

"Jian..." said in a soft voice, making me turn around.

"Mom..." I can now see her small white hair and her deep eyes.

Is she anxious?

I approached her and hugged her right away. I unclasped our grip as soon as I heard her small cry... In the distance, I could hear Steven's sigh as he spoke to Jillian's handmaiden, who was sobbing and carrying suitcases.

What's the matter?

I stroked Mommy's shoulders on both sides. "Mom, tell me the truth about what occurred!"

"Jillian…"

With all that has transpired in the years that I have not been home, I have become an idiot.

Our firm is now on the verge of collapsing, and Jones is only expecting the company I manage today, but that isn't the point.

Jillian has killed someone and is now escaping to another nation. Her father had sent her there. When I left, a lot occurred, and Mom had to deal with it all by herself.

In my arms, she's sobbing. She was sleep-deprived. I'm so fucked up! If only I had known. All of her calls would have been answered by me!

"I'm sorry, Mom, if I wasn't there..." I sobbed. "Doesn't Jillian look after you while I'm gone?"

She wept and trembled even more. "Jian, Jillian has changed. She's connected with narcotics, a drug user..."

"What?" I exclaimed, my mouth gaping. How could a sweet young lady become something like that? It's unbelievable! Although Jillian and I were not very close, I knew she couldn't put herself in that situation!

I softly inquired, "What happened? Why did she kill someone?"

"I don't know either; your father told me that Jillian killed someone, and I have no idea how! He just sent your sister away..." she struggled to finish.

I immediately grabbed my phone, hoping she still had to delete her accounts.

"I'll attempt to call her..." I bid farewell to her before standing and searching the area for a signal.

"Oh, she responded!" I exclaimed, and Mommy's eyes filled up with delight.

"Jillian... this is Jian."

She chuckled. "I know," she said, a bottle cracking in the background. Is she drunk?

"Mom is concerned-" I said over the loudspeaker.

"S-So now you're home? My little impostor is now at home with my family." She's inebriated! "Will there be a welcoming party?"

Mommy and I exchanged glances before she groaned and gently removed the phone from my grasp.

"Jillian, sweetheart..."

"Oh, my dear mother!" she exclaimed, surprised. Are you satisfied now? Because your oh-so-called daughter is once again in your arms?"

What was she saying? She pretended to be envious of me!

"Hey there, Jian! I murdered someone," she muttered as she shattered the bottle, causing Mommy and me to cringe.

"Are you now pleased-"

"What are you talking about?!" I couldn't help but raise a voice at her.

"Shut up, Jian! Don't even clean yourself up! I know you're delighted with what happened to me today!"

I snatched Mommy's smartphone from her. I'm getting irritated! Mommy was unable to do anything but weep.

"Please give me a reason to be happy-"

"Because Mommy's attention is now on you! All the time you weren't there, Mom was constantly worried if you were sick! You had all her attention and forgot she's not even your kid! You badly forgot that you had a real daughter eager for your attention!" her voice cracked.

Mom's calm voice echoed, "That's not true, Jillian..."

"Don't lie to yourself any longer; won't you question why I'm like this? Because of you! I don't remember you looking at me like you gaze at Jian! God knows how hard I tried to attract your attention, but I failed in many ways! I'm sick of it! Sick of Jian!"

Tears began to run down my cheeks gradually. Is she envious of me? Isn't she aware that I'm also jealous of her?

"That's not true; I love both of you..."

"I don't want to be equal! I want more of me because I'm your legitimate child!" she screamed like a lion before crying like a baby.

It made my mouth open; that was terrible! That brought my mum to tears.

"I'm sorry, I was unfair."

I also wanted to communicate my feelings to her, but I didn't want her to suffer further. I know mom spent a lot of money on my international school tuition, and I know she just wanted the best for me, but I hope she realized that's not what I want! Being with them as a family was enough for me. I offered her comfort.

My father entered the living room, where we were weeping. Steven, who had a wounded lip, was behind him.