After months of meticulous planning, it was time for XX’s launch party of their new cruelty-free makeup line. It was a busy time for Nayeon; filled with photoshoots of editorial looks, commercials of her with the products, and even a Youtube tutorial featuring her and her sister using the products they liked best. In addition to her schedule with XX, Royal Midnight Galleria was rapidly coming together. As her company quickly agreed to the endorsement deals, Nayeon was backed up back-to-back with photoshoots from name brands across the country. She had been so busy, Wendy needed to take over her social media and upload her updates for her; which was something Nayeon always liked doing herself. No matter how long and tiring the days were, she always found comfort in her little lamb. Each day, Baby grew more and more. Nayeon was never the outdoorsy type, but she found herself lying in a small meadow with Baby, just caressing the fur of her precious animal. Their snuggle times were always her favorite; she knew Baby enjoyed it as well. Loneliness was absent when she had her little lamb with her.

As his wife was busy with her schedule, Jinki was also handling the business of his own. During this time, construction was quickly being done for the galleria. In addition to HG Construction, construction was being completed at a significantly faster speed. With both spouses busy with their own schedules, it was rare for Jinki and Nayeon to see each other. Whenever Jinki got home and saw his wife sleeping peacefully on their bed, he would routinely kiss her on the forehead; making his long days worth it. He knew Baby kept Nayeon company at home, and for that, he was grateful for the animal. 

On this rare occasion, both finally had time to be together. Today was the day. This was a huge ordeal, allowing more traffic and customers from overseas to seek interest in the brand. Now that animal rights activism is trending over the makeup industry, many American brands, companies, and influencers found interest in XX. This day was not only a huge opportunity for Aeyoung’s company to grow, but it was also a way for Nayeon to reach to the American audience. 

Jinki knew this was a huge deal for his wife, and he wholeheartedly supported her passion for her craft. He took the day off and got to experience the entire process. 

Initially, she wanted Baby to be there but Aeyoung told her it’ll be too much chaos for an animal to leisure around. She assured the model that her people would take care of her comfort animal and that Baby was in good hands. 

As he sat back behind the scenes and watched his wife get her hair, makeup, and wardrobe done; he knew that she was in her zone. She was born to be a model, and she was damn good at it. Nayeon’s gaze remained sharp at all times and her confidence radiated from the surface of her skin. She had a glow to her, and it wasn’t from the makeup. She wore a jade green, off the shoulder dress. Embellished at the hem of the sweetheart neckline, it tightly hugged her bosoms in a corset-like fashion. The silk dress fell in a beautiful river of fabric to the floor. Her hair was loosely curled and gently pressed back with an intricate design with bobby pins. Her neck remained bare, to show off her collarbones, and the look with finalized with dazzling statement earrings. She looked like a queen, and Jinki couldn’t stop staring. 

As they reached the red carpet, she effortlessly displayed her beauty and beamed her charisma to the photographers. Business was his forte as angles were hers. It was like she was translating her beauty to the cameras. Jinki couldn’t help but be in complete awe. His wife was damn amazing, a goddess could have taken lessons from her. 

He snapped out of his daze when he saw her gesturing at him. She pulled her hand out to him as if saying, ‘Come here; hold my hand.’ He came forward and she intertwined their fingers.

“This is my husband,” she told the American photographer in English. “Jinki Lee, I love him very much.”

“You two are very cute!” 

Nayeon laughed and pressed the palm of her hand to his chest as she held him close. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

“Well, you look absolutely stunning tonight Mrs. Moon. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

“Thank you, you as well, Nigel.” She turned to Jinki, “Let’s go, we’re done taking photos.”

“Wait,” Jinki looked back, “but I didn’t get to pose yet. Should I go back and do some rounds?”

Nayeon laughed than lightly smacked his chest, “Just help me with my dress, will you?”

He smiled then helped lift up the train of her dress. 

“I miss Baby,” she confessed.

“What? Why? It’s only been a few hours, you crazy lamb lady.”

Nayeon laughed, “I know but, you know, we’ve been so busy I just miss her more and more each day.”

“Just think, after this, we can go home to her. Let’s just push through.”

“You think I can get Aeyoung’s crew to let me see her for a few seconds?”

“I really doubt they brought her here, my lamb obsessed wife.” He gasped, “Maybe I should get an exact replica of her but in plushie so you can bring her everywhere.”

Nayeon chuckled, “Actually, that sounds really good. You should get started on that.”

The coordinator gestured to Nayeon. Jinki knew it was time for his wife to do her thing. She changed into a different outfit and the launch party began. While she,  Aeyoung, and their publicists talked to numerous people, Jinki found himself accompanied by the food section. 

Aeyoung walked up to Nayeon, “Hey,” she whispered, “so there’s gonna be a private after-party after this so don’t go anywhere.”

“Oh, okay. Let me tell Jinki first.”

“There’s no need,” the older said holding her arm back to prevent her from leaving, “I already told him. He said he’ll just meet us there. Come,” she pointed across the room, “that woman’s name is Eileen Chang from San Francisco, California. I think she told me earlier that she wants to collaborate with you on her new clothing line.”

Nayeon stopped, almost surprised how willingly Aeyoung was to support her. “Aeyoung, thank you. I mean, you didn’t have to give me the connections so I appreciate it.”

She smiled, “Of course, you’re my baby sis after all. Plus you’re the face of this new line so I had to pay you back.” Before Nayeon could say anything else, Aeyoung held her hand, “C’mon let’s go before she leaves.”

Jinki grabbed his small plate of finger food then looked back at the spot his wife was last in. She wasn’t there. He wasn’t concerned though. This was a business event, so he knew nothing would happen too much. Then at that moment, he was stopped by someone. 

“Hello,” the man said in English, “you are Jinki Lee, correct? The husband of Nayeon Moon?”

Jinki coughed then chuckled lightly, “Sorry, you caught me off guard. Hello, again. Yes, I am Jinki Lee.”

“Perfect! My name is Nigel Laurence and I am a reporter for a well known internet company called Soy Honey. I am doing a report on Nayeon and I would love to get to interview you as well.”

Jinki rose his brows, “A report? Wow, sure I would love to.”

“Great! Okay, my crew has found a small room for us to conduct the interview. If you just follow me here, we can get started.”

Jinki followed the man away from the ballroom then into a room where the cameras and lights were adjusted for filming.

“Hey.”

Nayeon turned to her sister. 

Aeyoung gestured for her to come closer. “Okay,” she began with a whisper, “so just between us, there’s gonna be a super private mid-party coming up soon. There’s gonna be a super small group of us so I wanted to invite you since you’ve been so helpful.”

Nayeon smiled, grateful for the personal invitation. “Thanks, Aeyoung. You didn’t have to do that.”

Aeyoung playfully nudged her, “Of course I did. You’re my baby sis after all, right?”

The older looked past the younger then nodded. “Okay, it’s been set up. Let’s go!”

“But what about the press? Shouldn’t we talk to some more people?”

“Nayeon, I know you’re only used to posing for the photos so I’ll fill you in. We basically don’t do anything but party. We talk to some people, get our photos taken to prove that we were here, get drunk, then our publicists do the talking. We’ll be fine, let’s go have fun. Plus,” Aeyoung gave her a cheeky grin, “I have a fun surprise for you.”

“Aeyoung, really?”

“Yes,” she chuckled, “I mean it when I said I appreciate all you’ve done.”

“This is the first time you’ve ever done anything so kind for me. Thank you, seriously.” She held her sister’s hand, “I know in the past we haven’t really seen eye to eye, but I hope that after this we can get closer.”

Aeyoung nodded, “I agree. Now,” she tucked her arm under hers, “let’s go! I can’t wait to see your reaction.”

She was pulled away from the crowd and entered a secluded room. The door was covered with a thick, velvet material in a deep black color. Nayeon was excited and adrenaline filled her. She had never received such a grand gesture from any of her sisters before. Aeyoung opened the door. It was a small ballroom, still on par with the elegance of the revenue. There was a small group of people, no more than fifteen, just conversing amongst one another. Aeyoung brought them to the center and Nayeon saw a familiar face: Chanyeon. 

“Oh, you’re here too? I didn’t see you all day.”

“Well, Aeyoung just invited me. Said something about a surprise.”

Aeyoung shushed them. “Both of you be quiet. We’re gonna begin right now.” She moved away from her siblings and grabbed a mic. “Hello friends and family,” she started with a beaming smile on her face. The lights turned down and a single spotlight shined on her. “I want to thank everyone for supporting our launch party. If you’re here, you know you’re the real ones so cheer for yourselves!”

The crowd whooped and hollered. Aeyoung laughed in pride. She loved the spotlight and was literally standing under one. She was in her primal setting, and she was living for it. 

“I gathered each and every one of you here as a token for my gratitude. Especially to my baby sister, Nayeon, the face of our new line.” 

The spotlight moved to her. Nayeon waved and bowed, thanking everyone for their clapping. 

“In honor of her, I present you all this.”

The two men shook hands.

“Again, thank you for agreeing to do this interview.”

“Absolutely, it was my pleasure.”

“How interesting, you know I never knew that she was vegetarian; the more to love her!”

“Yeah, she’s very kind about it. I can continue to eat my steaks and she wouldn’t chastise me for it.”

As they walked down the hall, Jinki heard a familiar voice. He knew that was none other than his sister-in-law.

“That is Ae’s voice. I think my wife is in here.”

“Oh? I guess they moved the location. I’ll follow you.”

Jinki held the door open for Nigel. Immediately, they saw the scene unfold. A foreign chef wheeled out a large platter covered in a white cloth. He lifted off the sheet and revealed the meal.

Aeyoung smirked, “I call this delicious main dish, Baby the Lamb!”

Nigel gasped then turned to his cameraman. “Start filming!” He shook his head and made a gagging sound. “Why the hell does she have roast lamb at a vegan and cruelty-free launch party?” He turned to the cameraman, “Wasn’t there a lamb or sheep or something for the media pics? What the hell is she doing?”

As everyone clapped, Nayeon’s heart instantly dropped to her stomach. She felt absolutely sick and horrified of the scene in front of her. The lamb, her Baby, was slaughtered, and roasted on a spit roast; skin was crisp and reflecting off the light of the ceiling. Her head was still attached to the body. Nayeon stared in horror. The eyes, she couldn’t look at it any further. It only made her feel even more nauseous. Immediately, she began to heave by a nearby trash can. The animal she loved so dearly for nearly a month, was displayed in front of her to be consumed. Broiled down to skin, bones, and flesh, Nayeon felt herself tremble in disgust.

Aeyoung proceeded to walk up to Nayeon with a mic and a piece of meat. The spotlight following her as she walked towards her younger sister. 

“Take a bite, it’s so delicious. I made it specifically for you.” She slowly inched it closer to her lips. 

Nigel grimaced and shook his head. He pulled out his phone to type down everything he was seeing. 

“How the hell is she gonna try shove meat down her vegetarian sister’s throat. I am appalled.” He turned to the cameraman, “Make sure you get all of this. We’re gonna drag this down to hell and roast the out of her company.”

Nayeon shuddered. Baby was the unfortunate plot of her sister’s sinister plan. She wasn’t a gift out of compassion, love, or even kindness. Nayeon slapped the meat away from her face. 

“How dare you,” she spat. “You purposely did this. This was all part of your plan, right? For me to love the animal only for you to consume it in front of me?” Tears ran down her face. “Just like you did to my rabbit when we were younger. How can you be this cruel!”

Nayeon pushed her away and brushed past Chanyeon. 

“Nayeon-ah.”

“What? Were you a part of this too?” Nayeon scoffed, “Both of you are horrible people.” She continued to walk past her and backstage, away from the small group of people.

Jinki couldn’t believe what he just saw. He recalled Nayeon telling him that this had happened to her when she was younger. Jinki was stunned. That lamb was her lamb. It was her Baby. It was the source of his wife’s happiness and now it was nothing but the main dish. Jinki looked at Nayeon and his stomach churned. He knew how traumatizing this was for her. He bid farewell to Nigel then went to comfort his wife. He looked back, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Okay everyone, dig in!” Aeyoung chimed, “I didn’t have an authentic Greek chef prepare this meal for nothing. Eat it up, es!”

The small crowd cheered then prepared to get in line for food distribution. Before Aeyoung could join in, Chanyeon grabbed the mastermind. 

“What the is wrong with you?”

“Dude, chill. I knew my friends would be hungry so I came prepared.”

“You don’t give her a ing pet then proceed to kill it when she’s developed an attachment to it, Aeyoung. Are you a crazy psychopath or what?”

“Dude!” Aeyoung scoffed then folded her arms, “It is not my fault she grew fond of a disgusting farm animal.”

“Aeyoung!” Chanyeon shouted, getting everyone’s attention. “Go apologize to her right now.”

“No.”

“You evil .” 

The eldest grabbed her younger sister and dragged her backstage. Nayeon was heaving over a trash can while sobbing. 

“Nayeon-ah,” Chanyeon began. “I’m so sorry for what happened. I promise, with all of my heart, that I did not know about this. Had I known I would have prevented this scheme from happening.”

Nayeon wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. “Really?” Her chest heaved from her immense emotion. “Why should I believe you? After all that she has done to me, you’ve always just sat back and watched. What makes this one any different?

“Nayeon, I really–”

“No!” Nayeon began to sob. “I am so sick of this torment. From you, from Aeyoung, from mom, from dad! What did I even do to deserve this? Huh?”

Aeyoung rolled her eyes, feeling like it was pathetic to even try to console her.

“This is a waste of time, Chanyeon. I’m leaving.”

“No!” Nayeon walked over to Aeyoung and looked at her in the eyes. “All my life you’ve always bullied me. You successfully made my life a living hell and for what?” She couldn’t help but cry. “After all you’ve put me through, the moment you came to me and asked me to endorse for you, I thought we finally hit it. I thought that the bitterness between us was over, but clearly I was a fool to think so.” Nayeon looked down and sobbed in her hands. “Unnie,” she cried, “why? Why do you hate me so much? Are we not sisters? Why do you work so hard to treat me like I’m worthless?”

Aeyoung laughed a drunken laugh. “Why? Why do I hate you, you ask? Simple. Because your life is easy and handed over to you.”

Nayeon’s brows furrow, completely shocked by the statement. 

Aeyoung continued, “With your perfect hair and your perfect face and your perfect body and your perfect modeling career and your perfect billionaire husband! All of your life you didn’t need to lift a finger to have it all. Why do you get to be married off to a hot, young billionaire while I have to work my off with XX, huh? Why can’t I rest for a change? Why can’t I be the one with no priorities in the family?” Her eyes were burning with a piercing heat of hatred to the younger one. “You, by definition, are worthless.”

“You think my life is so good, right? That everything was handed to me. Well, you’re wrong, Nayeon. I have nothing because I was single-handedly neglected by mom and dad.”

Aeyoung rolled her eyes. Nonetheless, Nayeon continued.

“At the very least your own mother and father love you. All my life I’ve been treated like and you really think it’s perfect, don’t you? At least you are acknowledged as a daughter to Moon Kyungjoo and Jo Chunah. To the public eye I am of the family, but do you know how lonely it was growing up being ignored by the people who I was supposed to call my family?” Nayeon took a sharp inhale. “Nothing was handed to me because in the home I was no one. No shares to call my own. No shares to verify that I am of the Moon family, just like an outsider forced to inhabit in the home. Mom and dad trusted you enough with a company of your own, while I had nothing given to me.” Nayeon shook her head, “You don’t work hard, Aeyoung; you’re just lazy!”

“You ing,” she lunged over to pull the model’s hair. “I’m going to up every good thing about you so there will be nothing left. Starting with that pretty face of yours.”

“Nayeon!” Jinki stepped in and tried to loosen Aeyoung’s grip on his wife’s hair. 

“Aeyoung stop!” Chanyeon demanded as she tried to pry her sisters away from each other.

Nayeon held her hands over Aeyoung’s then dug her nails into her fingers. Aeyoung screamed and pushed the younger away. Jinki held his wife, preventing her from falling. She looked at him with streaks from her tears stained on her face.

“It’s okay, I’m here now,” he assured.

Chanyeon held Aeyoung back. “Lucky as always, ,” she sneered to Nayeon as she got off of her. “Always had someone to protect you. First Sangwon, now your husband. Do you even have a backbone?”

“I don’t know about you but the nail marks on your hands say otherwise.”

“You wanna fight, ? I’ll roast the out of you like that ugly lamb of yours.”

Nayeon hiccuped from the instant memory of seeing Baby cooked. Instantly, Chanyeon slapped Aeyoung. Before she could protest again, Chanyeon sent a backhand slap to the other side of her face.

“You need to leave right now.”

Aeyoung pushed her older sister away. “Why are you helping her? She’s not even–”
“Aeyoung stop right now!” 

Chanyeon turned to Nayeon and looked at her then Jinki. Without a word, she gave them a deeply apologetic look. She dragged Aeyoung away.

“Get your hands off me,” she slurred a laugh. “Moon Nayeon,” she turned to the couple, “no, you’re just Nayeon,” she laughed while elbowing Chanyeon, like it was an inside joke between them. “If it wasn’t for that pretty face of yours, no one – and I mean no one, not even your hot husband – would care for you. You’re as useless as they come. If he really knew how much of a bastard you are, he wouldn’t care to look at you anymore. Please remember my words correctly, okay!”

Chanyeon pulled her away again as the two continued to shout at each other.

Jinki looked at Nayeon then hugged her. Nayeon held her husband close to her and squeezed him tightly. 

“Baby,” she cried. “She killed Baby.”

“I know, I’m so sorry Nayeon.”

She continued to sob into his chest. “Why is my life like this?”

“I’m so sorry, Nayeon. You don’t deserve any of this.” 

He kissed the top of her head and continued consoling her, apologizing for her circumstances. He looked over at the wall next to him, know that on the other side, they were consuming the animal she loved the most. 

poor nayeon )':