"She must be doing well, then, in those movies. Probably doesn't have time for anything proper, does she?" one of her aunties muttered, her voice barely hidden under the pretense of a conversation.
"Honestly, acting," another cousin added with a smirk, "that's hardly a stable career, is it?"
Mingwa stiffened, hearing the familiar criticisms creeping up again. The whispers had always followed her, growing louder each year as she pursued her career. She had tried to build an armor against them, but it still stung.
Her mother's subtle barbs weren't far behind. "It's such a shame you don't see your sister more often, Mingwa. You know she's always busy, but she still manages to make time for family. Unlike some people…"
Mingwa forced a tight smile as her mother's subtle jab landed. She could feel the eyes of her aunts and cousins on her, waiting for her response, but she refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing her falter.
