Chapter 21

A sudden crash echoed through the stillness of the mansion.

Hara, sitting on her bedroom floor surrounded by shattered glass and broken pride, stiffened at the sound. Her heart, already raging with betrayal, pounded harder.

She wiped her tears quickly, smoothing her hair. Not now… not again.

Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone and called Sora.

"Go check the storage room," she ordered coldly. "Someone's there."

"Yes, Miss," Sora replied nervously and hurried out.

Downstairs, in the dim, dust-covered storage room, Hena stood frozen. The music box—now tucked behind her back—still rang faintly with its lullaby melody. Her heart thudded against her ribs. She shouldn't have come this far inside. But she had to know the truth.

The creak of the door made her flinch.

Sora stepped in, eyes scanning sharply. "Miss Hena?"

Hena quickly slid the box behind a pile of old cloth and stepped forward. "I was just looking around," she said, forcing a nervous smile.

Sora blinked. "You shouldn't be here…"

Just then, another set of footsteps approached—fast and purposeful.

Hara appeared in the doorway, her eyes wild and bloodshot. Her gaze landed on Hena and the moment froze.

"H-Hara," Hena said gently. "I—I didn't mean to intrude. I just—"

SLAP! Before she could finish Hara slapped her in the face.

Hena's head jerked to the side, a sharp sting burning across her cheek.

Sora gasped. "Miss—!"

Before Hena could gather her thoughts, she slapped her one the face again, harder this time.

Hena stumbled back, tears stinging her eyes—not from the pain, but from the shock.

"Hara, stop!" Sora pleaded, stepping forward.

But Hara was already raising her hand again, her face twisted in anger. "How dare you?" she hissed. "You snake! You're trying to steal everything from me—my name, my life, and Damian! How dare you!"

She raised her hand and hit her in the face again ! A third strike landed hard, fueled by raw fury.

As Hara raised her hand for the fourth time, something inside Hena snapped.

She caught Hara's wrist mid-air.

"Don't think I'm weak just because I've been quiet!" Hena shouted, her voice shaking.

Hena not thinking twice slapped Hara in the face. She struck Hara across the face.

She then Angrily slapped Hara in the face Again—this time with all the pain she had buried for years.

Hara staggered back in disbelief, clutching her cheek.

"You—!" Hara shrieked.

"You don't own people, Hara!" Hena cried. "I didn't choose to be your twin. I didn't choose to be hidden away or erased! But I'm here now, and I deserve the truth—not your violence!"

Sora, overwhelmed, turned and ran toward the main hall. "I'm getting Madam Seo!"

But Hara wasn't finished. "You're heartless! Wicked!" she screamed. "How could you like my fiancé? Are you crazy? Damian is mine! You ruined everything!"

Hena trembled with disbelief. "You really think love is something you own?" she choked. "Do you think hitting me will make him love you more?"

The door slammed open.

Madam Seo stormed in, her expression thunderous. "What is going on here?!"

Sora trailed behind, clearly terrified.

Hara pointed at Hena. "She hit me! She came in here, snooping, and hit me!"

"She hit me first!" Hena shouted, her voice cracking.

"Both of you—ENOUGH!" Madam Seo roared.

But Hara wasn't finished. "She's trying to take Damian from me. Just like she tried to steal everything. I'm the real daughter, not her!"

Hena's hands balled into fists. "You slapped me three times, and you think you're innocent? I'm not a thief, and I'm done here."

She reached behind her, grabbed the music box from the bag, and with anger, threw it to the ground. It shattered into pieces, the lullaby abruptly silenced.

"I'm not your punching bag," she cried, her voice thick with pain. "I'm your sister—but you don't even see me as human."

Hara's face twisted in rage. "And you slapped me too, don't act like you're so righteous!"

"We're both guilty then," Hena replied back. "But at least I didn't start it!"

"You'll regret coming back into our lives," Hara hissed. "I'll get Damian back, no matter what it takes."

Hena turned away, trembling. "Then I hope he sees you for who you truly are."

She stormed out, tears burning down her cheeks.

Hara stood frozen, her chest heaving with fury.

Madam Seo turned slowly to her daughter. "You said she hit you?" she asked coldly.

Hara nodded.

Madam Seo narrowed her eyes and walked to the broken music box. Her lips curled in disdain.

"That girl has become a threat," she muttered.

"Mother?"

"She's a danger to everything we've built. She could ruin you, ruin this family." Madam Seo's voice lowered to a whisper. "I'll call the boys. We'll make sure she disappears again—for good this time."

Hara's expression flickered with hesitation.

But Madam Seo's next words sealed her resolve.

"Everything we've done… it's all been for you. And I won't let a Hena take the properties. You and Damian will be married, Hara. No one will stop that. Especially not her."