933

 In the previous life.

The Luminous Group didn't exist.

Father Lee Jung-in was a person who couldn't be harsh to his siblings.

As a result, in the previous life, father was forced to step down from the successor position of the Saeyeok Group due to his older brother Lee Byung-in's scheming.

And he committed suicide.

Taking all the responsibility alone.

—...Dad?

It happened when Lee Yu-jeong was eleven years old.

The memory of that day was particularly vivid.

If she hadn't remembered it as the price of <Miracle >, she would never have been able to forget it.

Of course, that was inevitable.

It was the first death she had seen since she was born, it was her parent's death, and she was the first to discover it.

—Da...ddy...?

Due to the Saeyeok Hotel incident.

Lee Jung-in, who had become the target of public criticism, was mentally unstable and locked himself in his study.

What Lee Yu-jeong witnessed when she entered the study to comfort him was his remains after he had ended his life by hanging himself.

—...

Lee Jung-in was hanging in the air with his back turned.

A chair was overturned on the floor, and foul-smelling waste was dripping from his pant legs.

Lee Yu-jeong couldn't understand the scene she was seeing at all.

She just stood still in the study, staring at him for a long time.

It was when her mother's shrill scream echoed after entering the study that she came to accept reality.

—Kyaaaah!

Her mother, who had embraced her with love even though she wasn't her biological child.

Lee Yu-jeong saw for the first time her mother, who usually showed the demeanor and dignity of an upper-class woman, lose her mind and wail.

It felt like she had been hit on the head.

Shocked back to her senses by that impact, she soon cried loudly like her mother.

After that, what happened was.

—Your father's matter ended sadly.

—Uncle...

The nightmare began.

That's how it was from Lee Yu-jeong's perspective.

The responsibility for the Saeyeok Hotel incident and other events was vaguely resolved as Lee Jung-in had taken it all on and died.

There had been some kind of agreement between her grandmother Lee Yun-hee, who was the chairman of Saeyeok Group at the time, the Fairy government, and finally the darkness.

And Lee Byung-in took over as the next chairman in place of Lee Jung-in.

—If you have any difficulties in the future, feel free to tell me anytime.

Lee Byung-in tried to honor Lee Jung-in's death and treat his family generously.

However, it wasn't an action stemming from sincerity, but merely a calculated move.

For Lee Byung-in, he intended to treat them well and grasp the forces that had once been on their side.

It was also to keep a close watch on them who held succession rights.

Neither Lee Yu-jeong nor Lee Yu-cheon were unaware of this.

—Yes... Uncle...

Nevertheless, there was no suitable method.

They had to bow their heads to survive.

Even if Lee Byung-in might have been involved in Lee Jung-in's death.

The tide had already turned in his favor, and there was no one to support them who were so young.

They just hoped to live quietly with their family.

No, that was Lee Yu-jeong's wish.

Lee Yu-cheon's wish was different.

—I absolutely can't end it like this. There must be something we don't know. I don't want to send father off with a dishonorable death.

—But oppa, with our power...

—So we should live bowing our heads for the rest of our lives? Having everything taken away that should have been ours originally?

—...

—I don't want to live groveling under someone who might be father's enemy. Yu-jeong, you just stay put. I'll solve everything somehow. I'm your oppa, right?

If Lee Jung-in had lived and become chairman, the next generation's chairman could only have been Lee Yu-cheon.

Lee Yu-jeong wasn't interested in the Saeyeok Group's chairman position, and originally, as a child of a concubine, she lacked legitimacy.

So her resentment towards Lee Byung-in was inevitably less than Lee Yu-cheon's.

To her, family was more precious than power.

Despite her dissuasion, he tried to uncover the truth.

What came back in return was death.

—Jung-in was like that too, no, how on earth did this happen...

—Yu, Yu-cheon...? No, it can't be...

—Ah...

After Lee Byung-in became chairman, Saeyeok Group fell into a slump.

While their competitor YH Group started to thrive after forming a close relationship with Sirius Group through an engagement, every project he pushed forward repeatedly failed.

In such a situation, people who longed for Saeyeok Group's past naturally began to voice their opinions underground.

They tried to oust Lee Byung-in and put Lee Yu-cheon in the chairman's seat instead.

But the rebellion was discovered by Lee Byung-in before it could be realized.

They were purged or lost their lives for various reasons.

It was around that time that Lee Yu-cheon died in a traffic accident.

—Oppa...

For Lee Byung-in, Lee Yu-cheon, who had legitimacy, was a thorn in his side.

That's why he killed Lee Yu-cheon, disguising it as a traffic accident.

Lee Yu-jeong guessed the inside story.

There was no physical evidence, and he denied it, but it would have been strange not to think so.

It was a reasonable suspicion.

However, there wasn't much Lee Yu-jeong, who was dumbfounded in front of Lee Yu-cheon's corpse, could do.

—Sob...

—Yes, I understand your feelings, Yu-jeong. It must be very hard losing your only brother.

—Uncle...

—Even so, you should know your place. What's with those eyes? I'll be watching here, so go wash your face in the bathroom.

—...Yes.

At best, she could only glare at Lee Byung-in with reddened eyes.

Even that, Lee Yu-jeong had to lower her eyes at Lee Byung-in's warning.

This was her reality before the regression.

Meanwhile, with Lee Yu-cheon's death, her mother completely lost her mind.

—Kyahahahahahahaha!

Her mother's mind regressed to that of an infant.

Lee Byung-in sent her to a quiet countryside for her recovery.

It was said to be for recovery, but in reality, it was confinement.

Lee Yu-jeong nursed her devotedly until the day she suddenly passed away.

—...

That was when she turned thirteen.

Now, Lee Yu-jeong had no one left by her side.

She had lost all the family she held so dear.

The terrible sense of loss robbed her of her will to live.

However, she didn't have the courage to die, and yet she wanted to live.

She didn't want to die.

It was then that Lee Byung-in came to her.

—I've been thinking about what I could do for you, Yu-jeong...

—...

—How about creating a family you can lean on and rely on?

—Family...?

—Yes. As it happens, I recently heard some good news...

For Lee Byung-in, Lee Yu-jeong's existence had high value as a strategic tool.

In a situation where YH Group's influence was growing stronger day by day.

He wanted to use her.

Just like YH Group had done, he wanted to use her as a tool for a political marriage.

There were two candidates.

Choi Jung-hoon of Galaxy Group and Hong Jin-woo of Dangun Group.

—I'll do my best to ensure you can be with whichever one you want...

—I don't want to.

—...

—I don't want to do it.

Lee Yu-jeong firmly refused.

It wasn't that she had an aversion to political marriage.

As a direct descendant of Saeyeok Group who had enjoyed the benefits, she was prepared for the day when she might have to sacrifice herself for the group's interests.

But that assumption existed for Lee Jung-in, for Lee Yu-cheon.

'For whose benefit.'

Lee Yu-jeong didn't want to have a political marriage for Lee Byung-in's benefit.

But there was no way he would quietly consider her circumstances.

In the end, she had to choose.

—...So you're going to be like this. Yu-jeong, for you to continue as a person of Saeyeok Group...

—I, I'll leave.

—What?

—I said I'll leave and live on my own. I'll cut ties with Saeyeok Group completely.

Anyway, Lee Yu-jeong no longer had any attachment to Saeyeok Group.

With her mother's passing as the catalyst, her reason for staying with Saeyeok Group had completely disappeared.

That's why she boldly decided to cut ties.

She wasn't worried about her livelihood.

—What can you do at your age! Are you really sure you won't regret this?

—Yes, I won't regret it.

As for assets, there were things left by her father, mother, and Lee Yu-cheon.

She had also saved some on her own.

It might be difficult to live as abundantly as before, but it was enough not to starve to death.

Also, her survival skills had strengthened while nursing her mother.

—How on earth do you plan to live alone...

—I'm going to enter the academy.

—...

—I'm going to become a player.

Lee Yu-jeong understood Lee Byung-in's personality.

If she lived as an ordinary person, he would surely not leave her alone, using Saeyeok Group's power.

Therefore, she had no choice but to step into the world of players where his influence would be least felt.

And so.

—Goodbye, Chairman.

Lee Yu-jeong cut ties with Saeyeok Group.

After that, she entered the middle school academy as she had planned.

There, she was ostracized.

—Is that her? The fallen kite.

—Let's not get involved with her unnecessarily. What if Saeyeok Group retaliates if we make a mistake?

Even though Saeyeok Group was declining, it was still a business group ranked within the top 10 in the industry.

As a result, she was famous among students as a direct descendant of Saeyeok Group, and the story of her cutting ties with Saeyeok Group was inevitably famous too.

It was understandable for them to be reluctant to be friendly with her.

—...

Lee Yu-jeong also understood the circumstances.

She didn't try to get close to them either, fearing she might cause them harm by mistake.

That's how she became someone who shouldn't be mentioned, who should be hushed up.

The story that she had been a direct descendant of Saeyeok Group was only known by those who should know, and it was buried as it was.

Even more so when she advanced to high school academy as people with no connection to business groups increased.

That's why Eun-ha had no idea what kind of background she had before the regression.

Of course, if he had been more sociable, he might have heard about it by chance, but unfortunately, he didn't have any particular friends besides her.

* * *

It could be said that Lee Yu-jeong was drawn to Eun-ha because of her tragic circumstances.

At that time, she overlapped herself with him who had lost his family.

She felt sympathy, pity, and a sense of kinship towards him.

He might not think so, but for her who had no proper friends, he was also someone she could comfortably open up to.

Before she knew it, she found herself liking him.

'Because Eun-ha and I had no family, I used to think it would be nice if we could become family for each other to lean on...'

Looking back now, it seems Eun-ha also needed family implicitly, even if he didn't say it.

That's probably why he was obsessed with the Baby's Breath party and obsessed with Ha Baek-yeon.

Just like she had been.

"Yikes, I should get up now. It's time for me to go to work."

"Already? The tteokbokki will be out soon, why don't you eat at least a bite before you go?"

"I'd like to... I'll eat it next time when I have the chance. I'll be going now."

Around that time, Lee Yu-cheon, who checked the time, stood up from his seat.

Lee Yu-jeong waved her hand, regretting the parting.

"But now we can see each other whenever we want to."

She muttered to herself after seeing him off as he left the store.

Then she turned her gaze towards Noh Yu-rin and Ha Baek-yeon playing in the playground.

"Unnie, unnie."

"What is it, Yu-rin?"

"What's this?"

"This? Umm... I think it was called a trampoline? You get on it and bounce."

"Huh? Huh? Huh?"

"Should we get on and play ourselves?"

"Yes."

Ha Baek-yeon lightly bounces on the trampoline.

Noh Yu-rin, who was sitting on it, suddenly burst into laughter as her bottom started bouncing.

'To think there would be days like this...'

Taking in that scene.

Lee Yu-jeong naturally felt content.

Her daughter Noh Yu-rin, born from her and the person she loves.

And Ha Baek-yeon, whom she and he cherished like a daughter in their previous life.

Seeing the two playing together amicably made her feel strangely amazed.

Of course, if it was Ha Baek-yeon from the previous life, she would have protested, telling them not to treat her like a child.

'In my previous life, towards Baek-yeon... I had such complex feelings.'

In the previous life.

The reason Lee Yu-jeong became attached to Ha Baek-yeon was because she had also lost her family like herself and Eun-ha.

Also, taking care of her made herself and Eun-ha feel as if they had formed a family.

—I'm sorry to unnie... But I think I should say it. I, I like Eun-ha oppa. Not as my guardian, but as a man.

But she never expected that she, 12 years younger than herself, would say such a thing.

She thought she was raising a kitten, but it turned out to be a tiger cub.

At that time, when she heard her sincerity, Lee Yu-jeong was overwhelmed with a great sense of betrayal.

Eun-ha didn't know, but beneath the surface, the two of them often fought.

'But because you were there, Baek-yeon...'

Eun-ha could be led to have an attachment to life.

If only she had been by his side, she might not have been able to give him a reason to live.

That's why.

—Okay, I'll acknowledge it. But whether or not you can be acknowledged by Eun-ha is entirely up to you to resolve. I won't particularly help or anything.

—That's enough! Thank you, unnie. For acknowledging me. And don't worry, I have no intention of taking unnie's place. I like unnie too, you know? So I'm fine with being second.

Even knowing it was crazy.

Lee Yu-jeong had allowed Ha Baek-yeon's feelings for Eun-ha.

She decided to acknowledge her not as a daughter, but as a woman.

And she had envisioned a future where the three of them would live happily.

—I won't let you die, even if I have to turn back time.

That's also why her previous self participated in conquering the <Dungeon of the Abyss> following Eun-ha.

To prevent Eun-ha from dying.

To live happily, the three of them - herself, Eun-ha, and Ha Baek-yeon.

But her previous self ultimately failed to protect him.

All she could do then was use the <Miracle > gift to turn back time and make him regress.

And.

'You met us again.'

Even though he could have lived for himself.

 Eun-ha came to meet herself and Ha Baek-yeon who had lost their memories in this world too.

He silently kept all the past memories to himself and tried to change the gloomy future.

For herself and Ha Baek-yeon.

No, for Ha Baek-yeon's future.

'Perhaps if Baek-yeon wasn't there... Maybe Eun-ha wouldn't have tried to change the future, and maybe he wouldn't have met me either.'

Thinking like that, Lee Yu-jeong felt grateful to Ha Baek-yeon.

She felt a little jealous too, but.

"Kids, the food is here!"

"Okay, we're coming now! Yu-rin, let's go eat rose tteokbokki now!"

"Yes!"

But Ha Baek-yeon inevitably fell for Eun-ha in this life too.

Unlike how he sees her as a niece or daughter.

Although she didn't say it directly, Lee Yu-jeong and his other wives secretly guessed.

'How can this happen when Baek-yeon's circumstances are different from the previous life? It's so strange. When I think about how Eun-ha risked danger for Baek-yeon in this life, I can understand her falling for him... Maybe this is what they call fate.'

It would be a lie to say her feelings aren't complicated.

Nevertheless, remembering the memories from before the regression, her affection and gratitude towards Ha Baek-yeon took precedence.

So Lee Yu-jeong could accept it calmly.

"Mmm! Rose tteokbokki is really delicious! Huh? Aren't you eating, unnie?"

"Baek-yeon."

"Yes, unnie."

"Do you like Eun-ha?"

"What?"

"As a man."

"..."

Clatter.

Ha Baek-yeon, with her eyes wide open, dropped the fork she was holding on the floor.

She froze like that.

Like someone caught committing a crime.

Lee Yu-jeong spoke in a tone as if embracing her, who showed signs of fear.

"I'm not trying to say anything to you, Baek-yeon. I just want you to tell me honestly."

"..."

"Do you like Eun-ha romantically?"

"...Yes... I think so..."

Ha Baek-yeon bows her head deeply, unable to meet her gaze.

Lee Yu-jeong smiled warmly at her like that.

"I see, so that's how it is. I'll support you."

"What? Unnie, what did you just say..."

"Should I help you?"

"..."

Although she didn't know how Eun-ha felt.

She didn't want to interfere with Ha Baek-yeon's feelings for him.

Rather, she wanted to lend her strength.

Even while knowing it was strange.

'Is it because of the memories from before the regression? I didn't think this far before...'

At that moment, Ha Baek-yeon cautiously raised her head, looking around.

She asked in a trembling voice.

"Really...?"

"Yes, really."

Lee Yu-jeong nodded.