“Good morning, pops” Kang Harin greet her dad soon as she saw him as dining table

“Good morning, my baby” Kang Seulgi answer his daughter with sweet smile

Harin takes a seat beside her dad and has breakfast before going to school. She lived with her father after her mom passed away 3 years ago. Harin is 16 years old and currently studying at elite high school. Her dad is a successful entrepreneur. Both of them live happily together and her dad is always by her side during the process of moving on from her mom passing

However, their relationship was shaken when Seulgi told his daughter that he was seeing someone. Harin doesn't like the idea of her dad dating. She doesn't want anyone else to replace her mom. Since her dad introduced his girlfriend to Harin, she never hesitated to show her dislike to that woman. Every time they meet, she always gives cold shoulder even in front of her dad. That woman trying hard to melt Harin heart but that girl is not easy to deal with

“Harin, today daddy has a meeting until night so daddy can’t pick you up. Park ahjussi also buy today so aunty Joohyun will drive you back” say Seulgi

Harin's face frowning upon hearing her dad's statement “Dad, I can ride a bus or taxi. She doesn't need to come to my school. I will call Aunty Wendy to pick me up”

“No, Wendy will go with daddy. Don't be stubborn, Harin. Just go home with Joohyun” Seulgi say firmly

Harin only groaned instead of answering. She doesn't like the woman named, Bae Joohyun or well-known as Dr. Irene Bae. No matter how much everyone around her praises Irene, Harin will never soften her heart and allow Irene to enter their family. Irene is nice to her. She does not hesitate to show her love to Harin. She also often comes to Harin’s school either with Seulgi or alone if Seulgi is busy. She still smile even Harin treat her coldly in front of her friends

…………………

School bell rings signaling it’s time to go home. All students packed up their belongings and bid goodbye to each other. Same as other students, Harin is also getting ready to go home. She walks leisurely to the parking lot where Irene is waiting for her. She walk towards Irene car and get inside the front seat

Irene smiles seeing Harin enter her car. She took a plastic back from the backseat and give it to Harin

“Your favorite bubble tea”

“Thank you” Harin say in cold tone “You know, if this is bribe…it won’t work” she stated boldly

Irene ignores the statement and focuses on driving while Harin sits silently on her side “How was your school?”

“Everything is fine”

“A lot of homework or another project?”

“Homework is loaded as usual”

“Okay, shall we eat first? Where do you want to eat?”

“I want to go home”

“Not hungry?”

“No”

“Okay then”

Both of them arrived at the house. Harin unbuckles her seatbelt then goes out without even saying thank you to Irene. Meanwhile, Irene only watching Harin’s back silently

“You can hate me as much as you want but I will never hate you, baby” she says then leaves the house. She not forget to text Seulgi so that he know that his daughter arrive safely at home

To: Boyfriend ❤

Babe, Harin just arrived at home. I already ordered food for her because she doesn't want to eat with me. Talk to you later. I miss you!

……………………..

Seulgi and his childhood best friend alias personal assistant, Wendy, having casual talk in his office after meeting with their client

“Seul, how is your relationship with Irene unnie?”

“We’re doing fine” Seulgi smile as he think about his girlfriend

“What about her and Harin?”

Now Seulgi's smile is replaced by a frown “That kid is so stubborn. I don’t know what I should do so that she accepts Joohyun. She really hard-headed, stubborn and ego like Soojung”

“Well, she is descendant of Soojung”

Wendy chuckled lightly. She’s sympathy at best friend. Seulgi's life gets lively after he meets with his first love but sadly his daughter is not helping at all. Since he met Irene, Seulgi went back to his old self. He spends less time working. He spends more time with his daughter instead of his business. Seulgi is also not as skinny as he was before. Irene always feeds him with good food when they are together. Despite her hectic schedule, Irene never neglects Seulgi and Harin. They are her top priority. She is always there when the father and daughter need her. She openly showing that she is serious in their relationship

“It has been a year since you and unnie are dating and 2 years since both of you reunite but sadly you two can’t take it to serious stage”

“We want to go to the next stage but Harin is the problem. When I talk about this matter to Joohyun, she doesn't want to make any decision if Harin is still unable to accept her. She doesn’t want Harin to hate her more than she already did. Joohyun respect her decision”

“I understand her feelings. If I am in her position, I also will consider the child's feelings. Just wait for a little longer, I believe Harin will open her heart for unnie”

“Yeah, I hope so”

…………………..

Seulgi visited Irene at her apartment on weekend as he usually did. They cuddle at the couch while talking about random topic

“Babe, how’s work today?” Seulgi Irene hair softly

“Hectic as usual. 2 patients need surgery and both are taking long time”

“Poor thing. I’m proud of you because you are doing your best saving people life”

Irene smile “My dream job”

“Babe”

“Hm?”

“When can we get married?” Seulgi staring at the ceiling

“We agree to wait until Harin accepts our relationship, don't we?”

“Yeah but I don’t know how long she want to keep her ego”

Irene caressed Seulgi's chest “Calm down, okay? Wait with respect. Sooner or later, she will open her heart for us. I’m not going anywhere. I always waiting for you because I’m yours”

Seulgi smile happily hearing that sweet words “I love you, babe” he kiss Irene forehead

“I love you more”

………………..

“Daddy, where are you from?” Harin asking when Seulgi arrive at their house

“Daddy just come back from Joohyun house”

Harin sighed deeply then tossed her phone to the table “Dad, why are you still seeing her? Why can't you consider my feelings at all?”

Seulgi stared at his daughter firmly “Why do you hate her that much? Does she ever hurt you? No, right?”

“I told you that I don’t want anyone else to be my mom and replace her even if she is not around anymore. I only have mommy Soojung. No one can be my mom”

“She will not replace your mother. She will never be but she will be my wife no matter what happens. Joohyun never does anything bad to you so don’t act like she is a bad person” Seulgi says seriously. He is upset but still do his best to control himself

“If you still want to marry her, I will…”

Seulgi cut off his daughter “You what? You want to run away? You want to go to your grandparents in LA?” he grunt

“Hey Kang Harin, if you ever have an idea to run to LA, you should think twice. No one in the Jung family cares about you. It has been 3 years since your mother passed away. Do they ever ask about you, visit you or call you? Never once, right? Don't be desperate for their attention. After Soojung died, you are nothing to them. They are denying you. If you leave this house, daddy will never ever take you back so that you know how it feels being homeless. Mark my words. Don’t ever threaten to run away because you will lose everything if you ever try to do it. I’m your father. The only one family member you have. I don’t want to say such things to you but you force me. Now go to your room”

Harin stomps her feet leaving the living room. Seulgi plop himself on the couch and massaging his temple

“Harin is really ego…just like her mother” he mumble

………………………..

Seulgi knocked on the door of Harin’s bedroom to call her for dinner. After waiting a few minutes, the girl opened the door. Her hair still wrapped with towel signaling that she just finished shower

“Can daddy come in?” Seulgi ask softly

“Yes”

Harin opens the door wider then she sits on the bed edge. Seulgi pull the chair then sit in front of his daughter

“Are you still upset at daddy?” Harin not answering the question. She looked away instead “Daddy don’t mean to snap at you but what daddy said is true. Jung family don’t acknowledge you as their family member anymore since your mom passed away”

“Why dad? Why do they do that?”

“Daddy will tell you but not now. You’re still so young to think about it. Daddy doesn't want to burden your mind with that unimportant issue. Right now, you are the only family that I have and so are you. We only have each other”

“What about the Kang family? Do they don’t want us too?”

“Yes baby, both families resent us because of certain reasons. Luckily I secretly started my own business using the money that I have. Now that we depart from Kang and Jung, our life is not miserable. If not, we don’t get to stay in this big house and you might not study at elite school. However honey, daddy doesn't want you to think about it anymore. Whatever you hear now will end here. One fine day, you will know everything about our family”

Harin nods obediently “Okay daddy” then she continues “But dad, I miss mommy. I want to visit her, can I?”

Seulgi sighs heavily “Alright, daddy will ask Wendy to drive you to her grave”

“Why not yourself, daddy? Aunty Joohyun won't allow you to visit mommy?”

“Baby, this is not about Joohyun. She has nothing to do with this. Don’t involve her. Daddy just doesn't want to go” Seulgi paused for a few seconds “Please soften your heart for Joohyun. Don’t hate her”

“Hm” Harin answer with hummed

Seulgi just smile shortly because he know Harin not accept the last one “Let’s go, our dinner is ready”

…………………….

Irene visited Seulgi and Harin on the weekend. She brought breakfast for them that she cooked at her house. Seulgi welcome her happily as usual

“Good morning, babe” Seulgi kiss Irene forehead then take the paper bag from her hand

“Good morning too”

The couple enter the house, heading to the kitchen to serve breakfast. Seulgi helping Irene to get the plates and bowl for her to serve their foods

“What do you cook today?” Seulgi hugging Irene from behind

“You requested kimchi fried rice so I made it. I bring kimbap and kimchi too”

“You’re the best” Seulgi tighten his hug on Irene torso

“Babe, Harin will see us”

“No, she is still in her room. Don’t worry. I miss hugging you like this” Seulgi says softly

“You’re so clingy” Irene chuckle

“I told you, I miss you so much” Seulgi buried his face on Irene’s neck crook

“We talked so long last night, yet you still miss me. Such a baby”

“I can’t help myself. I think you cast a spell on me that makes me crazy. You better be honest. What spell do you use?”

Irene turn her face to her right and kiss Seulgi lips “Love spell”

“I know, right”

“Our breakfast is ready. Go and call our baby” Irene shove Seulgi away from her

“Okay boss” Seulgi leave the kitchen but not before he steal a kiss

Seulgi, Irene and Harin have their breakfast in silence. The couple only talk occasionally while Harin just focuses on her food. She not interested to even just talk with her dad, not to mention the woman in front of her

“I’m done” Harin says dryly

“You don’t want to eat more? You just eat a little” Irene looking at Harin with worry

“Nope” then Harin looked at her dad “Pops, I will go to Chaeyoung house after this. We have study group”

“Alright, do you need daddy to drive you?”

“No, she and Tzuyu will pick me up”

“Okay”

Then Harin leaves the table. Seulgi feels bad for Irene. She looked fine but deep inside he know she’s sad and hurt

“Hyun, I’m sorry on her behalf. I already talk to her but seem like it’s not working”

“Don’t feel bad. I’m fine, honey. Sooner or later, she’ll soften her heart for me. Don’t force her”

“Okay, if you say so” Seulgi caressing Irene cheek softly “Any plan for today?”

“Grocery shopping…but I plan to go this evening”

Seulgi smirks as he looks over his shoulder then he turns again to Irene “So…can we…?”

Irene knows where that question is going so she gives him a teasing smile “No baby, I'm having a period today. Try again next time”

“Yaa~” Seulgi slump his shoulder disappointedly

……………………..

Harin and her friends get out of the stationary store after buying stuff they need for their school project. They decide to go to ice cream shop before leaving the mall

“Harin-ah, what flavor do you want?” ask one of her friends

“Mint choco”

“Okay”

While waiting for their orders, Harin played with her phone. She informs her dad that she will return a bit late because need to stop at the mall before going home and tells him that she will ride with her friend. Usually if her dad and Irene are both busy, Seulgi will ask their driver to pick up his daughter. He did not allow Harin to ride public transport alone. No specific reason but he just don’t want

Suddenly, Harin saw someone familiar at the café near the ice cream shop. She squinted her eyes to see clearly and she found out that the person was Irene. She is with a man that Harin sure is not her dad. Irene and that guy look so close to each other. They are laughing and teasing each other happily

“Tzuyu, I want to go to the toilet first. Let’s meet at the entrance, okay?” she said

“What about your ice cream?”

“Just bring it with you”

“Okay then”

Harin walked to the location with an evil smirk. In her head, she makes a plan to reveal the truth to her dad so that her dad knows his girlfriend's true color. She enter the café and sit at the table a little bit far so she will not busted

“Let see how long you could deceive my dad” she mumble while snapping few pictures

Done with her mission, Harin immediately leaving the café to meet her friends at the entrance

………………………

Seulgi arrived at home at 6 PM as usual. He greeted by his daughter who watching TV at living room

“Welcome home, pops” Harin welcome her dad with warm hug

“Thanks baby” Seulgi kissed Harin's scalp “How’s school?”

“Everything is good as usual”

“Where is Ahn ahjumma? Is she going home already?” Seulgi looking for their maid. They have a maid, driver and gardener but Seulgi only asks her to come on Monday until Friday only. On weekends, Seulgi and Harin will cook for themselves. Sometimes Irene will come and cook for them. Maids only cook and clean during weekdays. When they done with their work, everyone can go home

“She already go home after cook our dinner”

“Okay, daddy go upstairs and wash up then we have dinner together”

“Alright, take your time. It still early for dinner” say Harin before her dad go to his bedroom

She decided to tell her dad about what she saw earlier but after dinner. She know her dad will skip his meal if his mood is drop

…………………..

“Pops” Harin initiated their conversation. Right now both of them are sitting at living room after dinner

“Yes baby”

“I have something to tell you, pops”

“Go ahead”

Harin too her phone from coffee table then searching something “Here pops, look at these pictures”

Seulgi took the phone from his daughter then took a look at the gadget. His forehead creased as he saw the pictures of Irene and a certain man looking so happy together. Both of them looked closed to each other like they already meet for years

“When do you get these pictures?” Seulgi asking with firm voice

“This afternoon when I go to the mall with my friends” Harin answered casually “Now it’s up to you to continue going out with her or stop. You may not in a good term with late mommy but I believe she never cheat on you”

Seulgi did not respond. He give back the phone to Harin “Send that pictures to me”

“Okay dad”

……………………..

Irene jogged to the door when someone rang the doorbell furiously. She quickly opens the door and is shocked to see Seulgi in front of her. However, Seulgi's face is unlike usual. He looked tense right now

“Baby, come in” Irene still calm but nervous inside

Seulgi enters and bumps his shoulder with Irene. No smile, no hug and no kiss like usual. Irene follow Seulgi to the living room

“Baby, is something wrong?” she ask carefully

“Are you done playing around with me?” Seulgi ask with firm voice

Irene furrowed her eyebrows “What do you mean? I don’t get you”

“Don’t act clueless, Joohyun. Now I know why you keep giving me excuses when I talk about marriage. You have someone else behind me. You keep delaying and using my daughter as excuse to not settle down”

“Seulgi, I really don’t know what you are talking about. Please enlighten me” Irene getting puzzle

Seulgi fished out his phone from his pocket then showed it to Irene “You’re happy with that man, huh?

“Seul, this…” Irene want to explain but Seulgi cut her off

“Stop. I don’t want to hear any excuses. I thought when we meet again, we can end up together like we dream of but I’m wrong. I thought you sincerely accepted me and my daughter into your life. I made a big mistake. I regret not listening to my daughter. Luckily she saw you with that man and told me. If not, I guess I will be fooled forever” he chuckled bitterly then stared at Irene eyes with sharp gaze “From now on, we break up. We have nothing to do with each other anymore”

Irene was taken aback because of Seulgi's statement. She can’t believe what she just heard. It so easy for Seulgi to judge her without hear from her first

“Seulgi, please listen to what I’m going to say. Don’t make one sided decision”

“There’s nothing to explain anymore. I don’t want to hear anything. You will just give me lie”

Irene shut her eyes tightly while holding her tears “Okay, if you say so. If you seriously want to get out of my life then I will not force you to stay. I hope you’re happy with your decision and not regret when you know the truth” she chuckled bitterly “I thought when we meet again, I am not going to lose you for a second time. There is no one else between us but actually you ruin it. I’m grateful that this time I saw you walk away unlike in the past. At least I can talk to you for the last time. I hope you find someone better than me. Please take care of yourself and Harin. Don’t get hurt, okay? I’m not there anymore to take care of both of you”

“Done?” Seulgi asks sarcastically then Irene weakly nods her head. He leaves without turning back, leaving Irene alone in tears.

Irene cries her heart out o