Despite the endless upheaval piling up before them, and an infinity of challenges begging for a concession, they did not allow the situation to overthrow their ability to reign above it. Through perseverance, a seamless ocean of tears, and people losing and discovering themselves, they managed to overcome it all. Greater changes awaited at the end of every battle fought.   The orphans nearly forgot to express their surprise when Hyunmi had appeared with Woohyun the other day, as if their temporary separation had never taken place at all. The two belonged together, it was a fact they came to acknowledge after numerous endeavors endured together.   Perhaps there was a manner to identify whether a couple was meant to be or not. Firstly, they bore the ability to change each other into a better person. Indeed, Hyunmi learned to forgo her prejudice about the rich and treat them with unbiased kindness, whereas Woohyun learned that joy was obtained in the company he was with instead of the goods he owned.   Secondly, they bore the ability to inspire the ones around them. Their union managed to transform the orphans into having two paternal figures in their life. They even managed to melt Sungjong’s arrogance, convince Seulyi to look past one’s low rank class, and taught Myungsoo to love an orphan as his own family member. A pair that became an inspiration wherever they went was a pair who could change the nation.   Therefore, they had all been confused when, upon the return at their house, Hyunmi’s first command was for them to pack up. They did not understand the need to leave, but exhaustion depleted their energy from questioning her. They took their individual suitcases and began packing their things. Rika, Daeyeol, and Sungjong—who were permitted a visitation—patiently aided the others. When the next morning arrived, they continued where they had left off. The children exchanged puzzled glances with each other, only whispering their perplexity without Hyunmi overhearing it.   Apparently, they hadn’t been the only ones bathed in confusion. When the doorbell rang that morning and Woohyun appeared, the frown was a stark indication of his bewilderment. He stared at the collective group of suitcases at the foot of the staircase, then turned to Hyunmi who answered the door.   “Are you traveling somewhere?” he asked.   “Yes, permanently,” she answered.   Woohyun let out a small chuckle, tilting his head sideways with squinted eyes. “What a peculiar timing you have chosen to go on a voyage.”   “Oh, but our departure isn’t one of entertainment. We need a new home to settle in,” she replied, keeping her lips in a firm line.   This time, Woohyun laughed even louder, wondering whether she was jesting him. “Hyunmi, have you forgotten yesterday’s affair? I visited Myungsoo this morning and officially signed the document Dongwoo issued me with. This house belongs to me now. It is a property under my name.”   “I am very well aware of it, you do not have to come and brag,” Hyunmi said, her lips almost forming a smile. “Congratulations, Mr. Nam. I believe this house shall be in good hands under your ownership. Do take care of it well; it is the final heirloom my parents left me and my brother with.”   Woohyun blinked his eyes, beginning to see the absence of humor in her voice. He shook his head at the absurdity of her mindset. “Hyunmi, what are you implying? Do you honestly believe I want you and all the children to evacuate this house?”   “It is your property, and we cannot afford staying here under the basis of your kinship. It is only proper that we depart to find a new place.”   “And where will you go?” Woohyun asked, grabbing her by her arm, preventing her from running away again. “Don’t I, as the new owner of this house, bear the authority to decide who is allowed to stay under which terms and conditions?”   “Certainly. However, we do not have enough money to afford your accommodations. You seem to have forgotten our destitute situation, and we refuse to accept your eleemosynary kindness.”   “And you seem to have forgotten I care for you and all the children. Do you honestly believe I signed my name on that document to chase you out of here? Nay. I signed it to ensure you and the others are allowed to stay here without anyone daring to bother you ever again.” Woohyun could not believe the shallowness of her mindset, even after all this time. He pulled her to lean against his chest. “What good is this house without your presence residing in it? I let you go once, and I shan’t repeat the same mistake again. If you move, then I shall move and sell this house.”   “Woohyun, you can’t threaten me like this,” she huffed against his chest.   “You can’t abandon me like this, either,” Woohyun insisted. From the side of his eyes, he noticed the children had gathered in the living room, spectating their little dispute. It was the perfect timing to make his confession. “Listen, I purchased this house without the intention of owning it. Let us consider my name on paper a legal procedure we have to conform to, however, this house is yours to keep. It is a gift from your parents. How could I possibly take something so precious away from you?”   “Nay, that is against the law,” Hyunmi bit her lips while shaking her head. As a law abiding citizen, he was requesting too much of her. His hold was suffocating and she pushed herself away. “It is signed under your name, and therefore it is rightfully yours. It shall never be mine. We aren’t even related to begin with.”   “Then marry me.”   Hyunmi froze, turning her gaze abruptly on him. Words escaped , but a chorus of gasps resounded behind her from fellow orphans. Her heart began to prance louder, and she could hardly differentiate it as panic or excitement. As he threaded his fingers with hers, it was dubiosity that settled in her heart. She couldn’t believe this was happening.   “Marry me, become my wife, and the house shall rightfully be yours,” Woohyun spoke, a faint smile curving those eloquent lips into a nervous grin.   Hyunmi scoffed, worrying her bottom lip with her upper teeth. After a few seconds of anticipated silence, she smiled, and retracted her hands. “It seems you have completely lost your mind, Woohyun. I can’t marry you for the sake of keeping this house. Have you forgotten our first encounter? I despise marriages. I despise being bound to one person. I despise the confinement that would chain me should I choose to become someone’s wife.”   “But—”   “Above all,” she continued, holding her glare that jolted him to a pause, “I despise you for thinking I’d easily agree to your proposal because I am a mere low class, poor, female orphan. Money can buy you anything in this world, Woohyun, but it can never buy my affection.”   With her sudden outburst, Hyunmi flounced past him and left the house. Woohyun was left in bewilderment, staring at the orphans who showed pained expressions—except for Youngtaek and Jineul, of course, who seemed a little amused at the rejection.   “Who would’ve thought the infamous Nam Woohyun would be denied by the only woman he had ever fancied?” Sungjong spoke with a sardonic smile, all too delighted at this awkward turn of events. His adoration toward Hyunmi elevated through her merciless rejection of the notorious gal sneaker.   “I thought she adored me,” Woohyun said, blinking his eyes in confusion.   “She does, Mr. Nam. That is the only reason she hasn’t outrightly rejected you yet,” Rika exhaled loudly, her lips protruded on a smile. In situations like these, it seemed having feminine instincts worked to her benefit.   “That was not an outright rejection?” Daeyeol questioned, staring at the other boys who all shrugged.   “Nay. Haven’t you noticed the detail in her speech? She never expressed her unwillingness to marry Mr. Nam, but did indicate the reason why she couldn’t marry him,” Rika spoke, proudly holding the key to Hyunmi’s emotion which all the men—and Jineul—weren’t privy of.   “I am utterly confused right now,” Joochan spoke. “Mr. Nam’s heart is as barren as the withered tree branch during autumn. Are you to say there is a chance at rekindling this rejection?”   “Why most definitely! The fault lies with Mr. Nam, truly,” Rika nodded.   Woohyun’s mouth hung agape, opening and closing to utter a word, but not knowing how to properly assess the situation.   “It is every woman’s dream to marry a man who loves them,” Rika fluttered her eyes. But in an instant, a grim frown took over her face, and she pointed at the culprit. “However, you, Mr. Nam, had the audacity to propose to our beloved mother for the sake of a contract? Instead of placing a ring, you offer her the ownership to his house? If I didn’t like you well enough, I would have asked Jineul to beat you to pulp.”   Jineul growled at this, cracking her knuckles to i