CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Eun Ae sighed as soon as she saw her reflection from the glass window of the restaurant. She turned away, but was caught immediately by Jiyong. He looked at her, concerned. He sighed and held on tightly to her hands and gave them a small squeeze of encouragement. He smiled at her and caressed her cheeks, "You can do this, Eun Ae. They're your parents, I know they'll forgive you." Eun Ae shook her head and looked down, not really convinced. 

"I-I know they're mad... especially oppa." Eun Ae stuttered, holding back her tears. 

Jiyong shook his head and lifted her chin, making her look at him straight in the eyes.

"Do you trust me?" Jiyong asked her sincerely and Eun Ae nodded, not even hesitating. Jiyong nodded and looked towards the entrance, "Then promise me you'll be able to go inside this restaurant and make it out alive and happy. You got me? If something happens, always know that I'm right outside, waiting for you. Alright?" Eun Ae let out a sigh and nodded, "Okay, thanks Jiyong." Jiyong smiled and leaned forward, kissing her on her forehead. 

Eun Ae was now somewhat feeling at ease, knowing at least one person was there for her no matter what. She looked down at her daughter who was simply looking at her parents with much amazement. Eun Ae chuckled and held out her hand to her daughter, "Are you ready to meet your grand parents, Jinae?" Suddenly, a wide grin was seen from Jinae's face. She nodded frantically and squealed. 

"Neh! Halmeoni! Harabeoji! Yay! Let's go omma!" Jinae exclaimed as she pulled her mother towards the entrance of the restaurant. 

Jiyong looked at them and couldn't help but chuckle at his little family. 

When Eun Ae and Jinae went inside, a waitress smiled at her, recognizing her in an instant, "Omo! Y-Y-ou're Emi, the author r-right? Y-You wrote Always and Forever?!" Eun Ae chuckled and nodded, feeling quite good that someone actually recognizes her as the author, not being Moon Eun Ae, the lunatic daughter of the Moon Corporation. While she was away, something unintended happen and that was, unfortunately, Eun Ae being the daughter of the large corporation leaked across the whole country. 

It didn't turn out good because various unreliable sources said that Eun Ae wasn't fit to be the next heiress of the company — nor to be a part of the Moon family. 

It hurt her; that was why her desire to hide and never come back grew. She stayed out of their sight for years, and found what she had always wanted to do. She didn't need education to become what she dreamt of. She just needed inspiration, and what was her inspiration exactly? It was her daughter. Kwon Jinae. 

That being said, Eun Ae held on tightly to Jinae's hand as soon as she gave the fan girling waitress her autograph and after she guided them to their designated room. She sighed heavily, knowing that this was it. This was the time that she's going to face reality, and her family. She looked down at her daughter and smiled, "You ready, baby girl?" 

Jinae beamed at her mother and nodded, "Neh!" 

Eun Ae let out a huge sigh before touching the golden plated handle doors and opened them, revealing her now-old-parents and her siblings including her brother. They all stopped talking and turned to look at the person who opened the door of their room. They all gasped when they saw Eun Ae, not really taking notice of the little child she was holding onto. They all stood up from their seats, her sisters were happy to see her, including her brother. 

"Eun Ae? Is that really you? Oh my go-," she was cut off when a little girl tugged on her arms. The old woman looked down and saw a little innocent girl looking up at her with curiosity. 

"Halmeoni?" The little girl called, causing the elder to gasp. She looked from the little girl, then to her eldest daughter. Shock was evident in her eyes. "E-Eun Ae? I-I have a grand daughter?" She asked desperately. Eun Ae couldn't help but let out a bitter smile before she nodded her head, confirming her mother's assumption. 

"Neh, she's your grand daughter. My daughter." And when she thought everything was going to be alright, she didn't notice that a hand came in contact with her cheeks. She was shocked and so was Jinae, and Mrs. Moon and the rest of the family. 

"Yeobo!!" Mrs. Moon exclaimed. 

Eun Ae looked at her father with disgust and hatred. "How dare you come back with a disgrace!" Eun Ae could only scoff at her father's hypocracy. She looked away and closed her eyes, feeling every inch of the pain he caused her. She sighed heavily before opening her eyes and looked straight at him. 

"Don't be such a hypocrite, appa. I know I'm a child before marriage. I know I'm a disgrace. You don't have to rub it in, but calling my daughter a disgrace? Don't look at yourself as if you're a saint. Hell, you'll never be one. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. If you're going to be like this when I came back to reconcile with my abnormal family, then I'd like to take it back. I'd never want my child to look up to a disgusting man like you." 

"EUN AE!" Now, it was time for Dong Wook to jump in. 

Dong Wook walked towards them and shoved his step-father away