"We have to change the ingredients for the moisturizer. This time, why don't we replace the Marula oil with grape seed oil or jojoba oil?" Kiera suggested to the cosmetic formulators.
Kiera had grown into an independent, bold, and beautiful young woman. At just 23, she was now the CEO of her mother's company, V-Beauty.
She had followed her mother's footsteps, studying chemistry at NYU and later majoring in cosmetic science in her postgraduate program.
Kiera's childhood wasn't easy. As a little girl, she often asked about her father, but Carolyn always found ways to shut down the conversation.
One day in middle school, the school organized a "Father-Daughter Day," where everyone was asked to bring their fathers. Kiera couldn't go — she didn't have a man in her life.
She was surrounded by women: her mother, Kyung, and Aunt Kara (Carolyn's friend and best friend's mom).
That afternoon, she went straight to her mother and looked her in the eyes. "Mom, tell me about my father. I need to know everything."
Carolyn, clearly uncomfortable, took Kiera's hands and gestured for her to sit. Then she began their story.
"Your dad is in Seoul. It's hard to explain... We had a tough time there. His family…" Carolyn paused, recalling everything she'd been through. "To cut the long story short, your father said you weren't his child and sent us back here." She fought back tears.
From that day on, Kiera stopped caring about her father. She saw him as a coward and resented him deeply.
Right now, Kiera was in a meeting with V-Beauty's cosmetic formulators, discussing customer reviews of their gel moisturizer for face and body.
Because the moisturizer was formulated specifically for dry and sensitive skin, those with oily skin had complained.
Kiera needed to adjust the ingredients, replacing some with ones that would benefit a broader range of skin types.
"Hey, you're home early," Carolyn smiled at Kiera, then looked at Jack.
Jack was Carolyn's husband. They had been married for three years.
After Carolyn left Seoul with Kiera, dating again hadn't been easy. Jack, a course mate who had admired her for years but never made a move while she was in a relationship, started pursuing her when she returned single.
Year after year, Carolyn rejected him — until one devastating piece of news changed everything. She finally accepted Jack's persistence.
"What, did I interrupt something?" Kiera chuckled as she walked to her room.
Jack had fully entered Kiera's life when she was 17. Unlike many teenagers, she welcomed him, curious about what having a father figure would feel like. But surprisingly, she never called him "dad."
Carolyn thought it was because Kiera didn't want to feel estranged again. Kiera simply preferred calling him by his name.
"When will you tell her?" Jack asked Carolyn.
"When I feel it's the right time. He rejected her and disappeared for twelve years," Carolyn replied, resting her head on Jack's shoulder.
"That was because he didn't know the truth. Once he found out, didn't he contact you?" Jack asked, caressing her hair.
"I can't pretend nothing happened. He believed the child we had wasn't his. Even if he knows the truth now, I won't let him back into her life. It'll only bring harm. And now he says he's in critical condition and wants her to come? It could be a trap—from him or his family." Carolyn's voice broke as tears fell.
"You're thinking too much, dear. Kiera is 23 — a strong, bold, open-minded woman. She deserves the truth and to know her father. I'm sure she has many questions for him." Jack hugged her tightly.
Later, Kiera caught up with her best friend Mira, who had moved to Germany for studies and with whom she'd barely been in touch.
"Hey! Girl, how are you doing?" Kiera greeted excitedly.
"I'm great. Heard you're the CEO of V-Beauty," Mira whispered, making Kiera laugh.
"Yeah, thank God. It's been hectic. You know my mom married Jack, right?" Kiera asked.
"The stalker!" Mira whispered again.
"Hey! He wasn't a stalker, he really loves my mom, and I believe he'd never hurt her like my dad did," Kiera said flatly. They fell silent for a moment.
"I'm sorry, Kiera," Mira said softly.
"It's fine. I never really knew him..." Kiera was cut off by a knock.
"Mi, I'll call you later. Mom's at my door," Kiera said and ended the call.
"Come in, Mom! I know it's you. Kyung isn't back yet!" Kiera called from her bed.
"It's me, Kyung," Carolyn said, trying to mimic Kyung's tone. The door swung open.
"Mom, you're so good! But I know it's you." They laughed.
"Who were you on the phone with?" Carolyn asked.
"Mira. We haven't spoken in years—well, just three. At least it's not twenty," Kiera said with a sarcastic smile.
Carolyn, hearing Kiera's bitterness about her father, decided to follow Jack's advice.
"Kiera, I have to tell you something. It's about your dad."
Kiera let out a bitter laugh. "Mom, I don't want to hear anything about that man. We're happy, aren't we? You have Jack now, and I don't see him leaving."
"What I have to tell you is different, sweetheart. Your father has requested you come to Seoul." Carolyn watched as Kiera stood, anger flaring.
"Listen, Kiera, I understand how hard this is. I don't want you to suffer either. He had an accident and is in critical condition. At first, I didn't believe it, but Kyung recently went to Seoul and said it's all over town. He could die any minute. Whatever he wants to say is important. I feel so bad for not telling you sooner—they reached out to me a week ago." Carolyn sobbed, leaving Kiera devastated.
"Mom, stop crying. I'll go, okay? I hate seeing you in pain. I'll pack my things now—stop crying!" Kiera said, holding back tears and hugging her mother tightly.
The next day at the airport, Kiera dressed in matching sweats and white sneakers, carrying her black backpack and travel bag.
"It's time for my flight, Jack, Mom. I'll be back. And no baby sisters or brothers while I'm gone, okay?" Kiera joked, and they all laughed.
"I'm kidding. Do whatever pleases you. And Jack, please take care of Mom," she added with a gentle smile.
"You know that's my job," Jack said, spreading his arms for a hug, which Kiera gladly returned.
"Take care, sweetie," Carolyn finally said, tears held back as best she could. She couldn't believe Kiera was going to see that family again. She hadn't told Kiera the full story and feared how she'd react.
She hugged her only daughter tightly and kissed her forehead.
"Mum, that's enough. I'm tough, you know. Okay, bye! Time for my flight," Kiera said, waving until out of sight.
During the flight, in business class, Kiera couldn't stop imagining what her father looked like. Eventually, she grew tired and decided to nap.
"Salam-i eotteohge ileohge manh-i jam-eul jah suga issji?" [How can someone sleep this much?] a handsome Korean-American man said in an annoyed tone.
He had noticed Kiera when she boarded and admired her a little—but seeing her snore loudly irritated him.
Kiera woke up hours later—it was dark. The flight was 13 hours and 20 minutes long, and she had slept only four hours.
"What the hell! I'm so tired!" she yelled, startling other passengers.
"Do you need something?" an air hostess asked politely.
"What could she possibly need?" the man muttered, glaring at Kiera.
The air hostess ignored him and stared at him instead. He was indeed handsome: clear eyes, flawless skin, a defined jawline. Even Kiera looked twice but then remembered his sarcastic tone and turned back to the air hostess.
"Weren't you talking to me? Why are you so absent-minded? Is that a good work ethic?" Kiera snapped rudely, shocking everyone.
"I'm sorry. What would you like?" the air hostess asked nervously.
"Forget it. Go back," Kiera ordered, glaring fiercely at the handsome man.
"What are you looking at?" he asked coldly.
"Never stick your nose into my business. I'm ignoring your stupid comment from seconds ago," Kiera said, avoiding trouble.
"Why? I was just being honest. What could you possibly need? A pillow? An anti-snoring device?" he said sarcastically, glancing at his phone.
Kiera wasn't one to back down from rude remarks, though she understood why he was rude. Still, she felt snoring wasn't a valid reason to insult her, so she replied quietly.
"Listen, I get that you want to talk to me, but using snoring as an excuse is just cheap." She smiled and put on her headphones.
The man didn't reply; he just stared at her.
"She's beautiful but rude," he thought, returning to his phone.
Kiera went back to reviewing ideas her team had sent for the next product.
Soon she felt hungry and took off her headphones, waving at a nearby air hostess.
"You finally need something," the handsome man said sarcastically again.
"What's his deal?" Kiera thought and shook her head, ignoring him.
"How can I help you?" a different air hostess asked.
"I'd like dinner. Anything will do," Kiera replied.
The handsome man, Lee-Soo, had been sitting quietly with another young man, Eun-Sang.
"They say his condition is getting worse," Eun-Sang said to Lee-Soo.
"We'll get there soon, Eun-Sang," Lee-Soo replied coldly.
He then noticed Kiera watching them and said, "Look who says not to stick her nose into other people's business."
"I didn't say anything, Lee-Soo," Kiera smiled broadly.
Her charm caught both men's attention until, Eun-Sang whispered, "Don't get carried away. Remember, you're dating Aera."
"Also, I think she looks like Jung-Sik. Do you think she's the daughter he sent for?" Eun-Sang asked quietly.
Lee-Soo didn't respond. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Kiera again. There was something unmistakable—her eyes, the shape of her nose, even the way she furrowed her brows. Certain expressions mirrored Jung-Sik so precisely it was unsettling.
Could she really be Jung-Sik's abandoned daughter?