Min Ju exhaled deeply as she got down from the plane.

The air danced around her, giving her a warm, or rather, cold welcome.

She slipped on her dark sunglasses, the tinted lenses shielding her from prying eyes.

 A satisfied smile spread across her face as she scanned her surroundings, her gaze drinking in the familiar sights.

Dressed in a crisp white top and fitted blue jeans, Min Ju exuded confidence.

Her sleek black jacket and dark hat added an air of mystery, while her shades completed the badass look she'd carefully crafted.

 She knew her celebrity status made her a paparazzi magnet, and she wasn't ready for the spotlight just yet.

"Home sweet home!" she breathed, dragging her luggage box with her.

How long has it been?

It's been three hundred and sixty five days.

Exactly a year, since Jang Min Ju left the country for abroad.

"Mum, I really don't want to go" she had begged her step mum a year back, however she insisted.

"Make yourself useful," she snapped.

"You keep claiming to be the first child and yet you can't even run the business abroad?"

"I love it here. Even if you wanted me to go abroad, you could have told me sooner.

At least, that would have allowed me to make plans.

Everything I love is here.

My boyfriend-" she was still whining when Myung Hee, her step mother interrupted her.

"I really don't want to hear it. No objections. You are going there and that's final"

She had remembered how Myung Hee had forced her to go abroad, despite her reluctancy.

However, she is done with the project she had been sent to oversee.

She had nailed the project, wrapping it up faster than anticipated.

 A surge of pride swelled within her; she'd always delivered exceptional results when focused. The satisfaction of a job well done warmed her heart.

But beneath that professional triumph, a deeper longing stirred.

 She had missed her loved ones terribly – Tae Hoon, her boyfriend, and her family. The distance had been unbearable at times, but she'd persevered.

Last night's conversation with Tae Hoon replayed in her mind.

 His words, laced with affection and longing, had made her heart skip a beat.

 "I miss you so much, Min Ju. Every day feels like an eternity without you."

 She had bitten back the urge to reveal her surprise, savoring the excitement.

Now, as she stepped back into her homeland, Min Ju's excitement grew.

 She envisioned Tae Hoon's face lighting up when he saw her, the warmth of his embrace, and the love shining in his eyes.

 Her heart fluttered at the prospect.

"Jang's mansion, please," she said to the driver who had come to pick her up.

Who doesn't know Jang's Mansion?

The iconic residence of one of the country's wealthiest families, renowned for their business empire spanning across the globe.

But beneath the opulence and prestige, Min Ju's thoughts turned bittersweet.

 Her father's passing, a few years ago, still left an ache in her heart.

 She missed his warm smile, his wise words, and the comforting presence that only a father could provide.

Anyone watching Min Ju, could tell how happy she was as she looked at the environment.

"Can't believe I missed home this much," she mused to herself.

"Have a nice day, ma'am," the driver said, smiling gleefully as he counted the money Min Ju had given him.

He was lucky to have had a customer like her.

She stared at the mansion before her, and smiled.

Her smile, a bit of sadness and happiness.

Sad that her favourite person in the family, her dad is no more.

And happy, that she's finally home.

Away from the work and stress she had to go through, abroad, all in the name of a project.

She heard the distinct chatters of people, behind the closed gates.

She could also hear music as it played in the background.

"Did they already know that she was coming?" she thought.

She placed her palm on the fingerprint board.

"Welcome miss" the automated voice from the machine resonated, and the large gates opened.

The wide smile on her face as she stepped in, slowly disappeared as she looked ahead.

"Happy married life" the banner that was placed, just in front of the house read.

Min Ju's eyebrows furrowed, as she wondered who had gotten married.

The banner didn't give any particular information, and that only heightened her curiosity.

The chatters of people could still be heard in the house, and Min Ju shook the picture of the banner off her mind.

Probably, they knew she was coming and decided to invite people to welcome her.

As to why there was a banner with such inscription on it, she had no idea.

No one was on the ground floor, she took the stairs to the second living room and as she ascended, the hum of conversation, grew louder.

"I am home-" the words got stuck in her throat as she witnessed a scene she doesn't think she could ever forget.

The luggage she was holding, dropped right there, making a loud thud and all eyes turned to her.

Including the two people she had seen that had almost given her a heart attack.

She had come in to a scene of her step sister and her own boyfriend, kissing, and hugging each other.

Ji Ho's hand rested on Tae Hoon's chest, her newly-wed glow radiant.

 The sparkling diamond on her finger seemed to mock Min Ju, a harsh reminder of the betrayal.

The warmth of the welcome party now felt like a cruel joke.

The music, once joyful, now grated on her ears.

Min Ju's vision blurred, her heart shattering into a million pieces.

 The happiness she had felt just moments ago now seemed like a distant memory.

The thick silence was broken by the bride , herself.

"Welcome home, sis" the sneer was so evident in her voice, as she watched her sister, stare at them, in shock.

By her side was, Tae-hoon, her boyfriend who she had still spoken to last night.

"I miss you so much, Min Ju. I would be waiting patiently for your arrival. The girl that lights up my world, without you, my life is darkness. Total darkness" that was the last words he said to her, less than eight hours ago.

Tae Hoon looked away from Min Ju cold stares, a pang of guilt consuming him.

But Ji ho's comforting hands on his, reassured his.

"Ohh, there's my beautiful step daughter. Welcome home. Didn't know you were coming" Myung Hee smiled widely as she went to Min Ju, who is still shaken by the drama unfolding before her.

"How about you give your step sister here, your marriage blessings" she said, urging Min Ju.

"If your hands touch me, I'm going to slice them off" came Min Ju's voice, her breaths ragged and shaky.

Myung Hee was startled and she quickly retracted her hands.

She stylishly asked the guests to leave, since they weren't many anyway.

After everyone had left, Ji ho came to where she was, with Tae Hoon by her side.

Min Ju looked up at the person she had always loved with all her heart.

The person she had given herself to and her heart clenched bitterly.

"Daddy's girl" Ji ho mocked, a smirk on her lips.

"Dad had died, willing almost all his properties to you and you think you had go scot free.

How funny! " She laughed.

"Here with me, is a revised will, one in our favour...with your dad's stamp on it" Myung Hee added, slowly, with a sense of pride.

"The original copy?" she asked rhetorically.

"Burnt to ashes, alongside other evidence." Ji ho sneered.

"Now, let me let you in on a little secret" She said, putting Tae Hoon's hand on her waist.

"He has been mine all along," she smirked, with an air of triumph.

"You were just too foolish. You trusted him, you trusted me too. I'm your cute, little sister ain't I?" She mocked and hot tears, dropped from Min Ju's eyes.

"Sorry for deceiving you all along Min Ju. Though, I'm not so sorry. As our aim has been achieved" Tae Hoon said, pecking Ji Ho.

"It's a shame you had to find out like this. I might have used you. But don't worry, I'll personally give you a share of the money." He said.

"Now, you know all our secrets" Ji Ho said, walking towards her.

Min Ju, shifted back in fear.

She wasn't sure of what they would do to her.

It was three against one.

She continued retreating as Ji Ho advanced, till her heels reached the stairs.

"You don't need to run, our lovely heiress" Ji Ho taunted and Min Ju looked at the face of the devil she had always loved.

She had never taken Ji Ho as a step sister.

She had loved her like they were from the same mother.

Where it all went wrong, was what she didn't understand.

Then, bit by bit, it started to piece up.

Myung Hee had suddenly insisted she travelled, without any prior plan.

The project had kept her busy all through.

That was enough time to keep her away and perfect their already hatched plans.

They had openly rejoiced with her, when the will was read.

She had even been foolish enough to tell them how she plans on giving them enough money and investment, telling them her plans and goals.

She had dreamed of a fairytale wedding with someone she once called "mine"

They had drank with her and laughed with her.

She had been foolish all along.

"Dear sis. I hope you have fun in the afterlife" Ji Ho said, smiling wickedly.

And before Min Ju could realize it, Ji Ho gave her a not-so-light push.

"Die.

 Die with the the knowledge that I have taken everything you own, sis"

And down she came, crashing down the stairs.

Her body bleeding as she rolled down the king stairs of the Jang Mansion.

Her head hit the floor as she reached the last step.

And the last scene she saw was the three people she called family, laughing at her downfall.

And then, her eyes closed; the cold hands of death, welcoming her.