Breakfast had barely settled when Madam decided to become destiny again.
She placed her napkin down with executive authority and looked directly at Ji-Ah.
"You."
Ji-Ah froze mid-bite.
"…This tone never brings joy."
"You are staying home today."
Ji-Ah nearly dropped her spoon.
"What?"
"You will help take care of Nisa."
The room paused.
Ji-Ah blinked twice.
"Excuse me, I have employment. I have schedules. I have stress waiting for me."
"You have legs," Madam replied. "Use them inside this house."
Yoo-Na snorted into her coffee.
Halmoni looked delighted already.
Ji-Ah turned to Arisoo.
"Say something."
Arisoo smiled sweetly.
"She'd be very helpful."
"Traitor."
Nisa immediately protested.
"No, no, I have to go to the restaurant. They need me."
Do-Hyun, who had become permanently attached to her side, shook his head.
"They need oxygen too, but they survive without complaint."
Nisa stared at him.
"That sentence was nonsense."
Ha-Joon set down his cup calmly.
"They do need you," he said, "but you need rest more."
Everyone looked at him.
He looked mildly confused by the attention.
"What?"
Ji-Ah pointed dramatically.
"He used concern in a sentence."
"I use concern regularly."
"No witnesses," Ji-Ah replied.
Then she turned to Nisa and nodded with fake professionalism.
"As acting temporary nurse and emotional supervisor, I agree."
"I did not appoint you," Nisa said.
"I appointed myself."
Seo-Yeon glanced at the clock and stood immediately.
"I need to go to work."
Min-Hyuk blinked like sunrise had offended him.
"…Work."
"Yes."
He looked personally betrayed.
Then quickly grabbed her hand.
"Then I shall accompany you."
"You work there too."
"That feels secondary."
She tried to pull her hand back.
He held on tighter.
"Come on."
"Min-Hyuk."
"Yes, beloved executive?"
"You are embarrassing."
He grinned.
"Then we're late."
And with that, he pulled her out of the dining room.
Seo-Yeon walked with perfect dignity despite being dragged.
Arisoo stood next and ruffled Nikki's hair.
"Time for school."
Nikki gasped in outrage.
"No."
"Yes."
"I reject."
"That is not available."
He slid under the table dramatically.
"I live here now."
Type and Yuki followed him like loyal idiots.
Ji-Ah bent down.
"If you go to school, I'll save you dessert."
Nikki considered.
"…Two desserts."
"Negotiator," Halmoni murmured proudly.
Arisoo sighed.
"Fine."
He crawled out instantly.
Yoo-Na stared.
"That child will own companies."
Madam stood, collecting her bag.
"I also have work."
Ji-Ah looked shocked.
"You?"
Madam gave her a dangerous glance.
"I have managed three businesses and this family for years."
Ji-Ah nodded slowly.
"…The family part deserves awards."
Madam ignored her and left.
Do-Hyun carefully helped Nisa stand.
One arm around her waist, the other steadying her hand.
"Come, mother of greatness. Second bath of the day."
"I can walk."
"Yes, but I enjoy escorting you."
She rolled her eyes fondly.
"You're dramatic."
"I'm evolving."
He guided her upstairs with absurd gentleness.
Everyone watched them go.
Even Halmoni softened.
Then quickly unsoftened.
Soon the dining room emptied.
Only Ji-Ah, Ha-Joon, Min-Ji, and Halmoni remained.
And tension, naturally.
Ji-Ah was eating the last pastry.
Ha-Joon reviewed something on his phone.
Min-Ji sat elegantly, simmering in silence.
Halmoni drank tea like it was front-row entertainment.
Ji-Ah looked over.
"Are you going to work or marrying spreadsheets today?"
Ha-Joon didn't look up.
"Both."
"Condolences."
He glanced at her.
"You're staying home."
"I know. I've been sentenced."
"To helping."
"To imprisonment with cushions."
"You complain a lot for someone eating free pastries."
She gasped.
"You wound me."
"You recover quickly."
"I'm resilient."
That almost-smile appeared again.
Small.
Annoying.
Ji-Ah narrowed her eyes.
"Did you just nearly smile?"
"No."
"Liar."
"You imagine things."
"I imagine better smiles than yours."
Halmoni chuckled into her tea.
Min-Ji's fingers tightened on her cup.
Ji-Ah stood and leaned across the table slightly.
"There's a crumb in your hair."
"There isn't."
"There is."
"There isn't."
"You're impossible."
Before she could continue, Ha-Joon reached out casually and ruffled her hair once.
Lightly.
Quickly.
Like it meant nothing.
Like it meant too much.
Ji-Ah froze.
Her hair puffed slightly.
The room went still.
Min-Ji's face changed so subtly it was almost elegant rage.
Halmoni nearly choked with joy.
Ji-Ah stared at Ha-Joon.
"…Did you just touch my head?"
He returned to his phone.
"There was a crumb."
"There was no crumb."
"It's gone now."
"You're insane."
"You're loud."
She fixed her hair furiously.
"You ruined my style."
"You didn't have one."
Halmoni slapped the table laughing.
"Ohhhh! Again. Do it again."
Min-Ji stood abruptly.
"I think this atmosphere is inappropriate."
Halmoni looked up.
"Ooooh. Someone is burning and no smoke this time."
Min-Ji forced a smile.
"I'm going upstairs."
"Take water," Halmoni advised. "Cool your spirit."
Ji-Ah covered her mouth to hide laughter.
Ha-Joon finally stood too.
"I'm leaving."
Ji-Ah crossed her arms.
"You caused damage and now run?"
"Yes."
"Coward."
He leaned closer as he passed.
"Fix your hair."
Then walked out.
Ji-Ah gasped.
Halmoni laughed louder.
And upstairs, somewhere behind a closed door, Min-Ji was absolutely furious.
---
Min-Ji's room was quiet in a very different way.
No laughter.
No warmth.
Just stillness… and calculation.
She stood by the window, fingers tapping lightly against her phone, her reflection staring back at her like someone she was slowly becoming.
Downstairs, the house had already moved on.
Moved on from her engagement.
From her.
Her jaw tightened.
"…fine," she murmured. "Let's see how long that lasts."
She dialed.
The call connected quickly.
"Unnie?" Hea-In's voice came through, soft, curious. "You called?"
Min-Ji's tone shifted instantly. Gentle. Controlled.
"Hea-In. Are you alone?"
"…yes. Why?"
"Good."
A pause.
Then—
"I need your help."
Hea-In sat up straighter on the other end.
"With what?"
Min-Ji turned from the window, walking slowly across the room.
"With fixing something that's getting out of hand."
"…Ji-Ah?" Hea-In guessed.
Min-Ji smiled faintly.
"She's becoming a problem."
There was hesitation.
"What do you mean… fixing?"
Min-Ji stopped walking.
Her voice lowered.
"I mean reminding her of her place."
Hea-In swallowed.
"…you already accused her once. It didn't go the way you wanted."
Min-Ji's eyes hardened.
"That's because it wasn't enough."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Hea-In asked carefully:
"What are you planning?"
Min-Ji moved to sit down, crossing her legs elegantly.
"Nothing reckless," she said. "I'm not stupid."
Hea-In didn't sound convinced.
"That doesn't sound reassuring."
Min-Ji exhaled slowly.
"Listen. Ji-Ah is getting too comfortable. People are starting to believe her. Even Ha-Joon…"
Her voice tightened slightly.
"…is changing."
Hea-In stayed quiet.
"So?" she asked.
"So we make sure she can't stand here anymore."
"…how?"
Min-Ji's tone became colder.
"We create a situation."
Hea-In's heart dropped slightly.
"What kind of situation?"
"One where she's blamed again," Min-Ji said. "But this time… it sticks."
Hea-In hesitated.
"…Min-Ji."
"I'm not asking you to hurt her," Min-Ji added quickly. "Just help me set things up."
"That still sounds bad."
"It's necessary."
There was a long pause.
Hea-In's voice softened.
"…what exactly do you want me to do?"
Min-Ji leaned back, satisfied.
"There's going to be a small gathering later. Staff moving around. People distracted."
"Yes…"
"I need you to make sure Ji-Ah is… in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Hea-In frowned.
"That's vague."
"It needs to be," Min-Ji said calmly. "Less details, less risk."
"…and then?"
Min-Ji's fingers tapped lightly again.
"Something will go missing. Or break. Or cause a scene."
Hea-In inhaled sharply.
"You're setting her up again."
"I'm giving her an opportunity to ruin herself," Min-Ji corrected.
"That's not the same thing."
"It is if she's already unstable."
Hea-In didn't answer immediately.
"…and if it goes too far?" she asked quietly.
Min-Ji's expression didn't change.
"It won't."
"That's not a guarantee."
Min-Ji's voice sharpened just a little.
"Hea-In."
A warning.
Then softer—
"You're part of this family too. You've seen how she talks. How she behaves. Do you really think she belongs here?"
Hea-In hesitated.
"…no."
"Exactly."
Silence again.
Then finally—
"…fine. I'll help."
Min-Ji's smile returned.
"Good."
As the call ended, Min-Ji lowered the phone slowly.
Her reflection met her eyes again.
Calm.
Collected.
Certain.
Down the hallway, faint laughter echoed from Nisa's room.
Ji-Ah's voice carried the loudest.
Min-Ji's gaze darkened slightly.
"Laugh while you can," she murmured.
Then she turned away from the mirror…
already thinking three steps ahead.