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“I have been offered the opportunity to head a new association for the development of women-owned small businesses. It is a place where I can do good work. Yujun will be promoted to vice president of operations to be groomed to take over my old role.”
“Why? What?” I can’t even put a whole sentence together.
“I saw our family at Chuseok and how they looked at you. They made you feel like an outsider and you are not. You are my blood, my daughter that I birthed, and while I gave you up, I have always held you in my heart.”
“I know.” I have accepted that, so her proposed plans confuse me.
Suddenly, she reaches out and grasps my hand. “You have never asked me for more, but you deserve it. As long as I am a Choi, you and Yujun cannot be together and that is not right. I would like you to be part of my family, Hara. To have you be legally recognized as my daughter. I have asked Ellen for permission and she has agreed to this.”
Her hand feels hot in my grip. “You’re divorcing Sae Appa, giving up IF Group, all so that Yujun and I can be together? We are together. We don’t have an official document to say that, but I don’t need it.”
“I do. It’s not a sacrifice.” Her hold tightens. “My favorite drama heroine has always been Sim Cheong. I loved her selflessness and her resilience. I imagined I was like her, but while I was strong, I was never selfless.” A ghost of a smile wisps across her mouth. “We admire in others that which we lack in ourselves. My hyo, my filial piety, wasn’t to my own parents, but to survival. That was what birthed me, and that was the altar at which I worshipped. I thought I had received the emperor’s blessing when Yujun’s appa asked me to marry him, but the true blessing was when you were returned to me. I was given a second chance despite all I had done in the past. I will not waste that chance and I will not ask more from you than you have already given. This company has always been meant for Yujun. I was only the chatelaine holding the keys until he was ready for them.”
It makes some sense as she lays it out, but it feels like the sacrifice is too enormous and that I am not worthy of it. “I don’t want you to look back in regret.”
“I will not, but neither should you.” Wansu releases me and picks up her cup of tea. “You should call Ellen. She will tell you that what I am doing is right. And then, Hara, our Yujun will need you.”
My gaze lifts toward the second floor as the realization of what is happening sets in. Yujun is saying goodbye to his father. Wansu has given me only a little window to process things, likely realizing that if I had too much time, I’d turn myself into a pretzel trying to convince Wansu that her solution isn’t everything I wanted.
I hurry into my bedroom and make that call.
“Mom, Wansu told me she’s divorcing Sae Appa.”
“Is that what you call him? Yes, darling, I think it’s the right thing for her to do. She has clung to him for so long, but it’s time for her to move on. Taking back her old name is a power move. I’m so proud of her.”
“Proud?”
“Yes. She’s reclaiming her past, the one that she didn’t like, and transforming it into something she’s no longer ashamed of. I hope you support her.”
“Of course.” I hadn’t looked at it that way, not from Wansu’s point of view.
“We’re going to have a ceremony. Did she tell you that?”
“No.” A lot is happening.
“Yes. I’m coming back to Korea and we’re having a registry ceremony. Wansu is creating a new registry for her and you. It’s exciting, isn’t it? You’re starting a new clan.”
These aren’t terms that Ellen would ordinarily use, so it must be from Wansu. She’s a good salesperson, I’ll give her that. “I’m excited to see you again. I’ve missed you.”
“Darling, I’ve missed you, too. Having two mothers is really a blessing. You’ll always have someone watching over you.”
“You mean spying on me?”
“You kids always use such funny terms. Ah, she’s calling me. We’re going to make plans. I’ll chat with you later, okay?”
“Okay.” Wansu is ever the mastermind, but in this instance, I’m not irritated. I need to prepare for Yujun.
“He will be down in about fifteen minutes,” Wansu informs me as I pass by her on my way to the kitchen. It’s enough time for me to prepare hotteok, this time with the traditional filling of brown sugar, butter, and walnuts. I wrap them up in paper and place them in a sack along with two bottles of soju.
