Enemy of a friend

Melly had found her target—Mr. Nim. He was her prime suspect, and she had to uncover the truth.

She returned to the neighborhood where she once lived, the place that held her tragic past. It took every ounce of courage to step foot there, knowing she was surrounded by her mortal enemies. But to her surprise, no one noticed her.

So, they all think the daughter of the sorcerers went missing and was never found? she thought. Well, my return will be a shock to you all. A small, satisfied smile crossed her lips.

Asking around, she discovered that Mr. Nim had moved to the city and was now the manager of the company owned by Nabi's parents.

"Oh, so the devil was right under my nose," she muttered.

But something felt off. Mr. Nim had once been a simple food stall owner, struggling to feed his family. How did he suddenly become a manager? And why that company, of all places? What connection did he have with Nabi's parents?

A chilling thought struck her.

Could the family that raised me be responsible for my family's death?

Her mind was heavy with questions as she made her way home.

A Dinner of Deception

As soon as she stepped inside, her heart nearly stopped.

There, seated comfortably at the dining table, laughing and enjoying their meal, were Nabi's parents—alongside Mr. Nim.

The moment they noticed her, the laughter died. The air in the room grew thick with tension.

"Oh, Melly, my dear! Come, join us," Nabi's mother said with a warm smile. Too warm.

She gestured toward Mr. Nim. "This is Melly. I raised her myself, and she's our treasure. So smart and intelligent. Say hi, dear."

"Hi, Melly," Mr. Nim greeted with a smile.

Melly forced herself to stay composed. "Hi," she replied, carefully masking her emotions as she took a seat at the table.

Why was she being invited to dinner? This never happened. She always ate alone in her room.

Nabi's mother continued, her voice sweet yet sharp. "My husband and I have decided that you should join Nabi in America. Since you're so intelligent, you could pay us back for raising you by becoming Nabi's personal assistant and working as a manager in this company."

She smiled wider. "You're like a daughter to us, after all. We care about you, don't we?"

Melly clenched her fists beneath the table.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested in studying in the U.S. Maybe later," she replied.

The warmth in Nabi's mother's eyes instantly faded.

"Well, we can't guarantee that we'll allow you to attend college here, then," she said coldly. "After all, you were only brought into this house for Nabi's sake. Without her, you're nothing."

Melly sat there, listening in silence as they continued to eat, as if her existence was nothing more than a topic of casual conversation.

That night, as she lay in bed, she made her decision.

"Is this all I'm capable of? Just being a servant to a friend?"

She had never touched the monthly allowance they gave her. It was enough to get her a house, a car, and even pay for college.

"I'll move out right after high school. I'm no longer Nabi's playdoll. That era is over. I am Melly—the girl who will take revenge for her family's death."

The Curious Friend

The next morning, Arkins surprised her by offering to pick her up for school.

"Wow! Your parents must be rich," he commented, glancing at the mansion.

Melly scoffed. "You must be mistaken. What's the point of having rich parents if they're not responsible?"

Arkins frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Haha. By the way, I should know where you live too, since we're friends now."

Arkins didn't miss the way she quickly changed the topic.

"Why are you avoiding the question?" he pressed.

Melly hesitated, then sighed. "Actually, I'm not their daughter. I was just raised here as their daughter's playmate."

Arkins' eyes darkened. "There's no way. You're the only girl in that house. How can you not be their daughter?"

Melly finally told him about Nabi—how she was sent to the U.S. because her parents found out she had a boyfriend and refused to break up with him.

Arkins narrowed his eyes. "And what about your real family?"

Melly froze. Then, without another word, she got out of the car and ran to class.

During lunch, Arkins sat beside her, his curiosity still burning. But Melly expertly dodged every attempt he made to bring up her past.

Later that day, as he walked through the school hallway, he overheard two girls talking.

"Poor girl! She practically raised herself, even though her family is rich."

"I would kill myself if I came from a family like that."

Arkins stopped in his tracks.

"So, she is their daughter?"

His mind raced.

After school, he rushed to an internet café to search for information about the family. But no matter how deep he dug, there was no mention of Melly. Only Nabi and her parents.

"So, maybe she was telling the truth… Maybe she really isn't their daughter."

Then his expression darkened.

"Damn it. This stupid family…"

His fists clenched.

"I will make sure they pay for my mother's death."

Arkins stormed home and went straight to his father.

"Dad, I got close to the family's daughter like you asked. But guess what?"

His father barely glanced at him. "What? Don't tell me anything stupid."

"She's not their real daughter," Arkins revealed. "Her name is Melly. She was just Nabi's playmate."

His father's face twisted in fury. "What!?"

"Nabi is in the U.S. So there's no way we can use the girl at school for revenge. She's completely innocent."

His father slammed his fist on the table. "Don't be stupid, you punk! Whoever she is, she lives in that house. That makes her our enemy."

Arkins' stomach twisted. "Dad, Melly has nothing to do with them. I promised to get close to her, but I can't promise I'll hurt her."

His father's voice dropped to a deadly whisper.

"You listen to me, boy, and listen well. That family murdered your mother in cold blood and walked away like it was nothing. They live in luxury, enjoying the life she should have had, while we were left with nothing but pain and loss."

He took a slow, threatening step closer.

"You think I care who that girl really is? She eats at their table. She sleeps under their roof. She breathes the same air as those murderers. That makes her one of them."

Arkins clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.

"But Dad, she's—"

His father cut him off sharply. "Don't test my patience, Romeo. I raised you to be strong, not weak. If you dare defy me… if you choose that girl over your own blood… then you are no son of mine. Do you understand?"

Silence.

Then, in a chilling, final tone, he added, "Do what you're told. Play your part. But don't overplay it, or you'll regret ever being born."

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Arkins standing there, fists shaking, as the weight of his father's words crushed him.

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