Taeyeon was still staring at her daughter when she confessed that she has a girlfriend. She has been doing that for the last 10 minutes. Yongsun was feeling worse by the second because her mother was too quiet; unlike her usual self.

“Omma, if you’re mad at me, please yell or do something. This silence is uncomfortable.”

Yongsun spoke softly. She knew she was being selfish; she was just pushing all this to her mother; expecting her to accept the reality. But she was desperate to keep Wheein by her side.

“What do you expect me to say?”

“Omma, I can’t help it. I really like Wheein a lot. I have never like this towards anyone before. She’s my first.”

“The world is unforgiving. They won’t accept this.”

“Omma, I don’t need the world to accept us. I need you to understand my feelings. I know this is wrong. But I really really love Wheein so much.”

Yongsun started tearing up; the thought of losing Wheein was haunting her. Just then, Heechul stepped into the room and was surprised to find Yongsun crying. He went up to her and patted on her head.

“What’s wrong, Yongsunnie? Taeyeon?”

“Oppa, I need to talk to you for a second.”

“Hmm? About?”

“Yongsun.”

Taeyeon just left her daughter’s room without looking at her. A throbbing headache came on and Taeyeon had to sit down before she faints or something. Heechul sat in front of her.

“What’s wrong? Yongsun’s crying. I got Yoona to talk to her.”

“Oppa, history is repeating itself.”

“What history?”

“Yongsun is in love with a girl.”

Heechul’s eyes grew larger and he immediately understood Taeyeon’s worry. He knew Taeyeon’s bad memories probably flooded her mind now. Her painful expression was evident on her face.

“Is the past haunting you?”

“It does. Every single day. Sometimes I wish I was married to you or some guy and Yongsun was a product of the reunion between a man and a woman. I kinda regretted going through that procedure and now, my daughter has to suffer.”

“But you loved Soo Yeon. And you wouldn’t marry any man because your heart is filled with Soo Yeon. And up till now, the reason why you’re still single because you couldn’t erase Soo Yeon completely.”

Taeyeon kept quiet.

“I’m just curious. Why are you worried about Yongsun?”

“Oppa, didn’t you just hear the reason why?”

“Yes, I did but I want to know why. You were once in love with a woman too.”

“I’m just afraid that she would go through the same as I did.”

Heechul smiled before he stood up and walked over to Taeyeon. He hugged her tightly and then spoke up again.

“You can make a difference this time.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were afraid that your parents would hate you because you liked a girl, but they didn’t. They embraced you and even when they found about Yongsun’s real parentage; they embraced her; raised her and loved her – your daughter grew up in a proper and happy family.”

Taeyeon paused for a second as her thoughts ran through her mind. Heechul had a point and it was the strongest one yet. Who was she to judge her daughter? Why should she restrict her precious baby girl?

“You don’t have to tell her about your past. Just support her; give her that peace of mind that you won’t shun her because she’s in love with another girl. You should know how it feels to be in love.”

“Yeah, I understand. But I was just afraid that she might face the same as I did.”

“Then stand by her side. Give her the comfort. You didn’t have anyone back then but now she has you. And I think you and Soo Yeon are just so in love; your daughter has that same genes too. You cannot expect to like a man if both of her mothers are lesbians in the first place.”

Taeyeon rolled her eyes while Heechul stuck his tongue out. But he stood up and tapped on Taeyeon’s shoulder.

“I’m not going to tell Yongsun anything. Whether this is wrong or right. Whether she should or should not. I’m just going to be the same supportive god-father and gives her the support she needs.”

-

Yongsun was still sobbing. This confession didn’t go well. She had never seen her mother being so furious before. It was not what she expected. Yoona and Seolhyun were still comforting her; Yoona found out what happened. Heechul texted her so that she knew what was going on.

“Yongsun ah, give your Omma some time, okay? It must be shocking for her. You know she won’t stay mad at you for long.”

“I have never seen Omma like that before.”

“She was just taken aback. Your god-father is talking to her now. So, don’t worry so much, okay?”

“Did Appa tell you what happened?”

“Yeah, he did.”

“Aren’t you ashamed of me? Or felt like I’m a sinner or something?”

“Whatever for?”

“I don’t follow the norm.”

“So what? Everyone’s different. I won’t judge you. You’re kind and generous. You do plenty of good deeds and people like you. Don’t care about those minority. Their lives are as bad too.”

Yongsun was moved by Yoona’s words. She hugged her god-mother tightly. At least, someone was supportive of her. Just then, Taeyeon appeared at the bedroom door. Yoona signalled to her before pulling Yongsun away. Taeyeon nodded and walked over; Yoona took Seolhyun with her and left the room for privacy.

Yongsun didn’t dare to look up. She knew her mother was in the space with her but she couldn’t bear to look at Taeyeon’s face. Taeyeon sighed; before she moved closer to her only child.

She then wrapped her arms around her daughter; kissing her forehead which led to Yongsun to have another round of fresh tears. Taeyeon chuckled softly. She’s such a cry-baby; just like her; just like Soo Yeon. Soo Yeon was the worst cry-baby among the two. And Yongsun is her flesh and blood so the girl inherited that from Soo Yeon.

“Stop crying.”

Yongsun tried but she couldn’t. She cried even harder.

“Kim Yongsun, stop crying.”

Taeyeon spoke sternly. Yongsun ended up with hiccups; desperately wiping her tears away. Taeyeon was smiling; but Yongsun was facing down so she had no idea that her mother was playing a joke on her.

“So, you’re telling me that you’re a lesbian?”

“Omma, I – I’m sorry.”

“Yongsun ah..”

“I’m really sorry, Omma. I didn’t mean to make you mad. I – I just wanted to be honest with you. You know how much I love you, right?”

“I know.”

“But I cannot leave Wheein. I love her too much to do so.”

“Yongsun..”

“Omma, forgive me. I promise I’ll listen to you and do everything you ask me to! But please don’t make me leave Wheein.”

“Then don’t leave.”

Yongsun was stunned; was wide open. She heard her mother’s words but wasn’t too sure if she heard it correctly.

“What did you say?”

“Don’t leave Wheein. Stay with her.”

“O.O”

“You did well. You did well for being honest with me. And you did well because you’re so willing to protect Wheein despite everything else.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means I’m not against your relationship with Wheein. I was just surprised at first but I know how love can make you feel. And I like Wheein. She’s cute. You made good choice.”

“OMMA! YOU’RE NOT ANGRY WITH ME?!”

“Which part of my sentences do you not understand?!”

“OMG! THANK YOU OMMA! THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO ME!!”

Yongsun hugged her mother tightly.

“Bring Wheein home one day. Introduce her to me properly. I haven’t really given a green light yet. Let me get to know her first.”

“Yes Omma! I will! I love you!”

Taeyeon smiled widely before smacking her baby girl’s forehead. She was crying like a baby now.

-

“From today onwards, you’re not going back to the dorm. Ahjussi will send you to and fro. You will go home after your lectures and stay at home. You’re grounded!”

Great. She’s 21 and yet she was grounded. Even her step-father couldn’t help her this time.  As expected, her mother flipped. Wheein was lucky that her mother didn’t throw her out of the house. But the words stung.

“This is what happened! I should have known! Oppa, what did I say? She’s not ready to be on her own! See, what happened! She found herself a girlfriend! I don’t send her to school to find love!”

“She’s old enough to decide what she wants to do.”

“No way. I’m her mother. I have the right to dictate her life!”

“Jessica, you’re being unreasonable. Did you even give her a chance to explain herself?”

“She’s still young!”

“STOP TREATING THE GIRL LIKE AS THOUGH SHE’S 10 FOR GOD SAKE! SHE’S A FULL-GROWN ADULT NOW. SHE HAS A MATURE MIND; SHE CAN THINK FOR HERSELF!”

“SHE’S MY DAUGHTER NOT YOURS! DON’T GET INVOLVED!”

“I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU TREATING WHEEIN LIKE THAT!”

Her step-father was beyond pissed. He left the room immediately; leaving Wheein and her mother. The girl hasn’t spoken a single word; she wasn’t too sure if she should. But she was stunned when her mother slapped her across the face. Wheein almost fell.

“You’re not going back to that dorm. Cut your ties off with her. I don’t approve and I will never be. If you want to continue to be my daughter, you better listen to me!”

Her mother left the room and even locked the door from outside. She meant it when she said Wheein was grounded. Wheein immediately slumped to the floor; tears were falling from the corner of her eyes.

This was disastrous. She wished it was just a nightmare, but she knew this was her reality. She crawled towards her bed and climbed under the covers. Her cheek felt a stinging pain; her mother had slapped her hard. She felt blood on her lips; it was slightly torn too.

Wheein cuddled under the blanket; she couldn’t stop tearing up. Yongsun, she had to give her up. Her mother would force her to. And Wheein started to worry for Yongsun’s safety. Her mother may not be capable of violence but she was still terrified.

What if her mother confronted Yongsun without her knowledge? What if her mother did something to Yongsun and she would lose Yongsun completely? Wild thoughts ran through her mind; she was really terrified for once.

“No, I cannot let this happen to Yongsun.”

So, Wheein was determined to leave Yongsun. She needed to protect her love. Yongsun might be heartbroken now but at least she would be safe.

Wheein rather hurt herself than to see Yongsun getting hurt from her protective family.

-

Jessica folded her arms and sat on her bed. Her palm was red as a result from the slap she had given Wheein. Her heart ached but she couldn’t control herself.

The truth was, Jessica was terrified that the history would repeat itself. She was not willing to put Wheein through the same pain she had went before. It was too tough; felt like she had to go through hell just to be where she was now.

But seeing Wheein’s broken expression, Jessica knew she had gone overboard this time. She probably knew that this time, Wheein would always be afraid of her. Just then, Taecyeon walked in; ignoring her presence.

Jessica watched as Taecyeon grabbed his car keys and wallet then his jacket from the cupboard. She felt remorseful for those words she said to him. She knew he meant well. She needed to apologise.

“Oppa, I’m sorry.”

Taecyeon kept his silence.

“Oppa, I know I was too much earlier on. I was just afraid.”

“Then stop being afraid. Embrace it. You know this well why Wheein falls for a girl. Why she fell in love with a girl.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“She has Taeyeon’s genes. Both of you created her. So, who do you think you are to stop her from being who she is; or telling her what to do? She will never be in love with a man because she came from a lesbian couple.”

Taecyeon didn’t mean to be harsh but he really had enough of Jessica’s unreasonable behaviour. But Jessica kept her silence. Taecyeon’s words went through her head and then her heart.

“Jessica, Wheein is like her mother. She didn’t fight back because she knew she couldn’t. But it was just too much of you to think that you had the right on her life. You planned everything from her; from the day she was born until now. That girl has her own goals; her own dreams and her own inspirations.”

Jessica couldn’t really fight back. Taecyeon made sense.

“If you don’t want to lose your daughter one day, you better change your stance. Wheein is a lady now. She’s not a child anymore. You will lose her; trust me if you continue to be this hard-hearted.”

Taecyeon left immediately after that.

-

Yongsun was in her room; she felt elated. Her mother approved of her relationship with Wheein; her mother was supportive. She climbed on the bed and snuggled against her pillow. She grabbed her phone.

But her expression changed when she saw a preview text message from Wheein. She was confused; she was even lost when she read the rest of the message. She tried calling her but Wheein didn’t pick up her call.

She left a voicemail instead.

“Jung Wheein, what are you talking about? What do you mean by let’s break up? What happened? Did something happen to you? Wheein ah, my mother is supportive of us. She said she wants to meet you. Jung Wheein, ANSWER MY CALLS!”

Wheein let her phone rang a million times. Yongsun has been calling and sending her messages. But Wheein refused to answer.

She didn’t want to because she was afraid. She was a coward. She didn’t want to hurt her mother; so she chose to hurt Yongsun instead.

AN hour later, Yongsun finally stopped. She left one last message before the phone was finally silent. Wheein then reached out for phone and looked at the last message.

Her heart ached so badly; she was crying. She broke Yongsun’s heart. She knew she had broken the girl now.

“Jung Wheein, please don’t do this to me. I love you so much. Please, please text me or call me or do anything – just to let me know that you’re somewhere alive and fine. Don’t break my heart this way, Jung Wheein. It hurts like .”

Wheein was dying.

-