A second chance at vengeance

"My mother gave this to me on my wedding day," the grandmother explained, her eyes softening as she remembered her own past. "She believed it was a lucky charm, something that would bring blessings and protection to her marriage. She told me that her mother gave it to her when she was married, and my grandmother had worn it too. She believed it was an heirloom of sorts—something that carried the strength of all the women in our family who wore it."

Yuna felt a lump form in her throat as she listened. There was a heaviness to the grandmother's words, a depth of love and devotion that Yuna could feel with every passing second. This wasn't just a bracelet. It was the symbol of generations of women who had gone before her, of love, sacrifice, strength, and resilience. It was an heirloom, yes, but it was also a testament to the enduring power of family, and to the belief that, in some way, this bracelet had been a silent witness to countless marriages, to struggles and triumphs, to the passing of time itself.

The bracelet gleamed in her hands, but it was the weight of its history that truly took her breath away. Yuna's fingers brushed over the delicate links, feeling the smoothness of the gold, the way it seemed to hum with a quiet power. She could almost imagine the women who had worn it before her—the way it must have looked on their wrists, the way it must have felt to them on their wedding days, and the way it had passed from one woman to the next. It was a connection to her ancestors, to the very heart of her family's lineage.

Her grandmother smiled, her eyes crinkling with wisdom and affection. "Here," she said gently, "have it. My mother said that her mother gave it to her when she was also getting married. She believed that it was her lucky charm. And now, I pass it on to you."

Yuna swallowed hard, her chest tight with emotion. She wasn't sure if she deserved such a gift. She wasn't sure if she was ready to carry the weight of all that history, of all the dreams and hopes that had been attached to this small piece of jewelry. But in that moment, as she looked at the bracelet and felt its weight in her hands, she realized that it wasn't just a symbol of the past—it was a symbol of the future as well. Her future.

The future she was now building with Heeseung. The future she would create from the ashes of her heartbreak, the future where she would not let betrayal define her, where she would stand strong and unyielding, just as the women before her had done.

Yuna carefully took the bracelet from her grandmother's hands, her fingers trembling slightly as she clasped it around her wrist. The moment it settled against her skin, she felt an unexpected warmth, a sense of peace that spread through her, as if the bracelet was embracing her, comforting her in a way that words never could.

"I... I don't know what to say," Yuna whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you. Thank you so much for trusting me with this."

The grandmother's smile deepened, her eyes full of a knowing kindness. "You are worthy, Yuna. You are more than worthy. This bracelet is not just a gift—it's a blessing. It carries the strength of the women who came before you, and now it will carry your strength as well."

Yuna nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude, a sense of purpose filling the empty spaces within her. She had been given a gift—one that transcended the material, one that was woven with the threads of history, love, and legacy.

As she looked down at the bracelet on her wrist, Yuna knew that this was her new beginning. She would wear it with pride, with honor, and with the determination to carve her own path, to create a life filled with love, resilience, and strength. And as long as she wore this bracelet, she would always remember the woman who had given it to her, and the generations of women who had trusted in its power to guide them through life's trials.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a soft knock on the door, followed by the arrival of one of Heeseung's men. The suited gentleman stepped in with a respectful bow, his presence calm but purposeful.

"Sir," he began in a measured tone, "the car is ready to take you both to the airport."

Heeseung nodded with his usual quiet authority, his hand instinctively finding its way to the small of Yuna's back, a subtle yet protective gesture that hadn't gone unnoticed by his grandmother. Yuna, still clutching the delicate gold bracelet around her wrist, glanced at Heeseung, a mixture of anticipation and lingering nerves flickering in her gaze.

"Grandma," Heeseung said warmly as he turned his attention back to the older woman. "We have to get going. The car's waiting."

His grandmother, ever the lively spirit despite her age, sighed theatrically as if reluctant to let them go. She stood, her sharp eyes twinkling mischievously as they landed on the pair. "Ah, so soon? Well, I suppose I can't keep you here forever, even if I'd love to meddle a little longer."

Yuna offered her a small bow, her heart swelling with gratitude for the kindness the older woman had shown her. "Thank you for everything, Grandmother. Your blessings mean more to me than I can ever express."

"Oh, nonsense," the grandmother replied with a dismissive wave, though her face softened with affection. "You're part of the family now, Yuna. And family takes care of each other."

Heeseung chuckled softly, amused by his grandmother's teasing nature. He reached out and clasped her hands briefly. "Take care of yourself while we're gone, okay? And try not to cause too much trouble while we're away."

His grandmother smirked, leaning slightly on her cane as she peered up at him. "You should worry about yourselves, not me. Have a great honeymoon—" she paused dramatically, letting the room fill with anticipation, before adding with a wicked grin, "and don't forget to use some condoms!"

Yuna's cheeks instantly flushed a deep crimson, and she nearly choked on air as her mind scrambled to process the audacity of the statement. She stared at the older woman, mouth slightly agape, while Heeseung burst out laughing—a deep, genuine laugh that filled the room and caught Yuna off guard. It was a sound she hadn't heard before, and for a moment, she forgot her embarrassment as she took in the sight of his unguarded joy.

"Grandma!" Heeseung managed between his laughter, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "Really?"

"What?" the grandmother replied, feigning innocence but clearly reveling in their reactions. "I'm just giving good advice! You don't want to come back with surprises, do you?"

Yuna pressed her hands to her burning face, her embarrassment only growing as Heeseung's amusement deepened. "Grandmother, please," she muttered, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips despite herself.

Heeseung gently took her hand, his touch grounding her as he turned back to his grandmother. "Don't worry, we'll take care of ourselves," he said with a wink. "And we'll be back before you know it."

The grandmother cackled softly, clearly pleased with herself as she waved them off. "Go on, then! And remember, Yuna, no matter what, you're always welcome here."

Yuna felt a surge of warmth in her chest, her earlier nerves melting away as she held onto Heeseung's hand. Together, they made their way out of the house, leaving behind the sound of the grandmother's laughter echoing in the background.

As they stepped into the waiting car, Yuna leaned back against the plush seat, her mind swirling with everything that had happened. She glanced at Heeseung, who still had a faint smile playing on his lips, and for the first time, she allowed herself to relax. Despite all the chaos and betrayal, perhaps—just perhaps—this unexpected turn of events could be the start of something better.

Sohee stood before the grand, ornate mirror in the luxurious bathroom, her reflection a picture of elegance with her pristine white gown and perfectly coiffed hair. But her eyes betrayed her—a gleam of malice simmered just beneath the surface. Her hands, adorned with delicate rings, clenched into fists as she glared at her own image.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, her voice low and venomous, filled with frustration and disbelief. Her nails bit into her palms, the sting fueling her resentment. "I wasn't expecting that move from her. That smug, little twist of hers to marry Heeseung..." Her lips curled into a bitter smile as she shook her head, chuckling darkly.

"Oh, Yuna, Yuna, Yuna," she mused mockingly, tilting her head to one side as though addressing her absent nemesis. "You think you've won, don't you? You think stepping into that altar with Heeseung means you've escaped the humiliation you deserve. But oh, how wrong you are."

Her reflection stared back at her, the smirk on her lips widening as her mind churned with sinister possibilities. "You don't know what you've gotten yourself into. Heeseung?" she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Please. He's just pretending. I know him. I know his type. A girl like you? Weak, soft, naive—you're nothing but a temporary distraction. After a few days, maybe a month if you're lucky, he'll get tired of playing the dutiful husband. And when that happens..." Her smirk deepened, her eyes glittering with malevolence. "When that happens, you'll be out of his life for good."

Sohee took a step closer to the mirror, adjusting the sparkling earrings dangling from her ears as if to emphasize her own perceived superiority. She let out a slow, deliberate breath, calming the whirlwind of jealousy that bubbled beneath her composed exterior. "And me?" she whispered, her voice dripping with self-satisfaction. "I have everything I need. I'm carrying the first grandchild of the Jeong family. The heir. The heir." She placed a hand over her stomach, her fingers brushing the fabric of her dress. "As soon as this baby is born, all the wealth, the power, the influence—it'll be mine. And you, Yuna? You'll be nothing. Less than nothing."

Her gaze darkened further as her thoughts twisted, venom pooling in every word that echoed in her mind. "But I'm not just going to wait for you to crumble on your own. Oh no, that would be too easy. You deserve to feel every ounce of pain, every bit of shame and misery I can bring you. I'll start small. Something to get the ball rolling."

She reached for her phone, the polished device gleaming in her hand like a weapon ready to be wielded. Her fingers danced over the screen as her wicked plan took shape. "The internet," she whispered, her voice laced with glee. "That's where it begins. A few well-placed posts, a little spin of the truth—let's see how perfect little Yuna handles a public scandal. A bride who steals her ex's brother? Oh, the headlines will love that."

Sohee's smirk widened into a full-blown grin as she imagined the chaos she could unleash. "And that's just the beginning," she murmured, her mind racing with ideas. "I'll chip away at your reputation, destroy every shred of dignity you have left, until you're nothing but a shadow of the girl you used to be. By the time I'm done with you, Yuna, you'll wish you never crossed me."

She held her phone up, angling it like a mirror as she admired the predatory expression on her face. "But first," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness, "I have a wedding to attend. After all, I wouldn't want to miss the show. I'll smile for the cameras, bask in the glory of being the soon-to-be mother of the Jeong family's heir, and watch as you stumble and fall."

With that, Sohee tucked her phone back into her clutch, her confidence radiating as she smoothed the fabric of her gown. She took one last glance in the mirror, straightening her posture and perfecting her mask of charm and grace. "Let the games begin," she said softly, a sinister edge to her tone as she turned and walked out of the bathroom, ready to play her part in the unraveling of Yuna's world.