The airport was too bright.
The world inside Incheon International glimmered with polished glass, rolling suitcases, and voices weaving together like threads of noise — too loud for someone who had learned to live quietly.
Lia tightened her grip on the stroller.
Her daughter, little Ari, slept peacefully beneath a soft cream blanket, unaware of the chaos around them… unaware of the bullets, betrayals, and funerals that had filled her mother's childhood.
Thirteen years old.
Most girls her age were worrying about homework. Lia was here in Korea with a baby and a suitcase full of scars.
She inhaled deeply as she reached the trainee reception checkpoint. A sign read:
"Haneul Entertainment – Trainee Pick-Up."
Two staff waited there:
A woman with a warm smile, Manager Jieun, and a guy barely older than nineteen chewing gum like he was born to be unimpressed.
The guy spoke first.
"Uh… who are you picking up again?"
Jieun elbowed him sharply.
"She's Lia. The new trainee." Her eyes moved to the stroller. "And… this must be Ari."
Lia bowed politely. "Please take care of us."
Jieun softened immediately, her voice turning gentle.
"You've had a long flight, haven't you? Let's get you two somewhere warm."
As they walked, the staff whispered — but quietly enough that only someone with military-trained instincts could hear.
"She's so young."
"And she has a baby?"
"Is the company seriously taking her?"
"She must be insanely talented."
Lia's jaw tightened.
Good. Let them talk.
Let them assume her story was strange — because the truth was darker than any rumor they could imagine.
Inside the van, Ari stirred and opened her eyes, hazy with sleep.
"mom…?"
Lia kissed her forehead.
"We're here, baby. We're going to make a new start."
As the car rolled toward the tall glass building of Haneul Entertainment, Lia looked out the window and whispered a promise only the city lights heard:
"For them. For the ones I lost. I will create a life worth living… even in the shadow of what I used to be."