The next morning at the Adam estate, Mr. Adam had just finished washing up when the doorbell rang.
He paused, frowning. Who would come this early? Secretary Kim knew the security code. The only person reckless enough to forget after drinking so much was Williams.
He pulled on a robe and headed downstairs, checking the security screen on the wall.
Two young women stood at the gate.
Staring at each other as if they have been auguring, the housekeeper approached him quietly.
"Sir," he said with respect, "those are the young master's friends. The last time they met themselves here, they fought ."
Mr. Adam's expression darkened. "Williams didn't come home last night?" He asked.
"No, sir," the housekeeper replied, shaking his head.
Before Mr. Adam could asked another question, the sound of a car entering the compound drew their attention. Williams's car rolled in and stopped. He stepped out,
As he sighted the girls at the entrance,him frowned, drawing lily closer . Lily followed closely behind, her head lowered.
Seeing them walking towards him, He didn't stop. He simply pulled her closer, his hand around her waist, as they walked past them, entering the house without a glance. The girls were left outside, staring after him in shock. Williams, one screamed, trying to entered into the house, but the house keeper quickly lock the door. Out of anger to two girls Left.
Mr. Adam watched the whole scene with irritation.
"Good morning, Dad," Williams greeted casually as he walked in.
Lily bowed politely, clearly nervous.
"Welcome, young master," the housekeeper greeted.
Williams acknowledged him with a lazy wave of his hand.
"Williams."
Mr. Adam's voice sharpened. "Why didn't you come home last night? Haven't I warned you about sleeping outside?"
Williams didn't bother to explain.
Mr. Adam's eyes narrowed. "And what's wrong with you? You're injured." He said, pointing to where Linda hit him with her hills.
"I fell," Williams replied flatly, already moving toward the stairs.
Mr. Adam stood there for a long moment, unconvinced.
"Lily is a good girl," he murmured to himself. "But she's too gentle… too easily intimidated." He sighed deeply. "And Williams, he's becoming more reckless by the day. If Lilly was a bit tough, she could have been a good choice"
Shaking his head, Mr. Adam turned toward the dining room, his appetite already gone.
-----
The days passed quickly, and before Linda realized it, Friday had arrived again.
She had just finished getting ready for school. After locking her door, she headed to the garage to get her bike. She was about to climb on when her phone rang.
She checked the screen and smiled faintly before answering.
"Good morning, Dad."
"Good morning, Linda," her father's gentle voice came through the phone. "How was your night?"
"I'm fine," she replied. "How's Mom? And my siblings?"
"They're all doing well," Mr. Lee answered warmly. "How about school? Your classes and friends?"
"They're fine too, Dad."
"You've already prepared for school, right?"
"Yes," she answered. "I was just about to leave when you called."
"That's good," he replied. "Be a good girl, and listen to your teachers, especially Mr. Kwon."
Linda paused. "Mr. Kwon?" she repeated. "Why especially him?" And do you know him dad, she asked rising a brow.
"He knows Harrison, your father ," Mr. Lee said calmly.
"What?" Linda exclaimed, surprised.
"Yes," Mr Lee continued. "And he's willing to train you, so you'll be strong enough to protect yourself. We don't know what your uncle might be planning."
Linda went quiet for a moment, then nodded to herself. "Okay, Dad."
"Take care of yourself," Mr. Lee said gently. "I love you."
"I love you too," Linda replied.
As Linda ended the call, a memory from the past flashed through her mind.
----
For as long as she could remember, she had believed Mr. and Mrs. Lee were her real parents. She trusted every explanation they gave her, the way only a child could. Your skin is dark because we had you in Nigeria during the hottest weather. Your hair is different because you are special.
She believed them. Completely.
But as she grew older, people began to question. Their stares lingered. Their words became sharper. Even in high school, when she was already old enough to understand, her parents still refused to tell her the truth. By then, it was obvious, too obvious to ignore. She knew something was being hidden from her.
She still remembered the morning Mr. Lee finally told her the truth about her biological parents.
She had been sitting at the back of the house, her anger barely contained. That day, her parents had gone to her school to confront the teachers about the bullying she was facing. To Linda, it felt like betrayal.
"You promised me you wouldn't go!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Dad, did you see the way Yi Ji's father looked down on you today? Did you even think about how my days at school will be after you let his parents humiliate you like that?"
Her voice cracked as she cried.
"You know what? I'm leaving," she sobbed. "I can't stay with parents who lie and deceive their own daughter just because she's not their real child."
She ran to her room and began throwing clothes into a bag.
"Linda, please!" Mrs. Lee cried, rushing after her. "I carried you as a baby with these hands. I breastfed you even before my milk had fully come in. You were the first child to taste my breast milk."
She held Linda by the shoulders, her hands shaking.
"I taught you how to brush your teeth, how to bathe, how to take care of yourself until you became the woman you are today. How can you say I'm not your mother?" she asked, her voice breaking.
Mr. Lee stepped forward, his eyes red. "I taught you how to read. I bathed you and changed your diapers. I taught you how to speak. The first word you ever said was dada. You called me daddy before you were even a year old."
Mrs. Lee sobbed harder. "And a few days later, you called me mama. Those were the most beautiful days of our life."
By then, Linda had completely broken down, her body shaking with sobs.
"I'm sorry, Mum… I'm sorry, Dad," she cried, wrapping her arms tightly around them. "But I still want to know. I want to know about my past. About my real parents… please."
Mrs. Lee hesitated, tears running freely. "It's difficult, Linda. Saying it feels like admitting we are not really your parents."
"Please," Linda begged again, her voice barely more than a whisper.
They held each other, crying together, the truth finally pressing between them, heavy, painful, and unavoidable.