The morning sun cast its golden glow over the Shin Group Headquarters, the heart of the empire that had once been filled with the footsteps of a family, now empty except for the echoes of their absence. The Chairman's office, once bustling with activity and plans for the future, had now become a quiet sanctuary for Saejoon and his younger sister, Hana.
A Quiet Routine
Hana sat on the plush chair next to Saejoon's desk, her small hands scribbling away at a drawing. She had become accustomed to the stillness of the grand office, her giggles and light chatter the only sounds breaking the silence. Saejoon worked silently, his gaze fixed on the documents laid out before him, but his mind was never far from her. He had made a vow, to her and to himself: to rebuild everything for her, to keep the family legacy alive, and to protect her—no matter what.
The weight of his responsibilities pressed on his shoulders, but with Hana by his side, even in silence, there was a strange comfort. The office felt less like a mausoleum of his past and more like a place of hope for the future.
Time to Let Go
Despite their quiet routine, Saejoon knew there were some things he couldn't shelter Hana from forever. She was ten now, and her life had been disrupted by the tragedy of their family's death. But that didn't mean she should grow up inside the bubble of their mansion or the chairman's office. She needed to return to the world outside—to school, to be a child again, even if just for a little while.
Saejoon watched Hana for a moment, her pencil flying across the page as she lost herself in her drawing, completely oblivious to the turmoil of the world around her. His heart ached for the life she had lost. He knew it wasn't fair for her to bear the same burden he carried, but he couldn't shield her from everything. It was time.
"Hana," he said quietly, his voice soft yet firm, "It's time to go back to school."
Her head snapped up, her big eyes wide with surprise. "But... I don't want to go without you," she replied, a quiet hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Saejoon gave her a reassuring smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I know. But you need to go. You need to see your friends again, to laugh and play. I'll be here when you get home. You're not alone."
Hana hesitated for a moment, staring at him as if searching for any sign of weakness in his words. But after a long pause, she nodded, her small face a mixture of acceptance and reluctance.
"Okay," she said softly, "I'll go."
The Drive to School
The next morning, as the sun rose over the city of Seoul, Saejoon and Hana made their way to the car. The day felt strangely normal, a return to routine that seemed almost too surreal given the events of the past months. But Saejoon was determined. Hana would be okay. She would find joy again, even if it meant letting go, even if it meant sending her back to the life that once was.
As the black sedan drove through the city, the bodyguards, as usual, surrounded the vehicle—discreet, professional, but ever-present. Hana, sitting beside Saejoon in the back seat, gazed out the window at the familiar streets. She used to love these mornings, the hum of the car engine, the peaceful quiet of the ride. But now, it felt different. She wasn't sure why, but she felt a strange emptiness.
"Do you think I'll be okay?" she asked, her voice small and uncertain. Her question was barely audible over the engine, but Saejoon heard it clearly.
He turned to her, offering a soft, reassuring smile. "Of course you will. You're strong, Hana. You'll always be okay."
Hana didn't respond, but she smiled back. It wasn't a bright smile, but it was a start.
As they approached the gates of her school, the car slowed, and Saejoon's grip on the armrest tightened. His heart twisted in his chest, seeing the school grounds—the place where Hana had once been carefree, where she had laughed with friends and been just another child in the crowd. But that was before. Before the world had turned upside down.
The car came to a stop at the entrance, and Hana's door opened. Saejoon placed a gentle hand on her shoulder before she could step out.
"Remember, Hana," he said, his voice low and steady, "I'll be right here, waiting for you when the day's over. I'm always just a call away."
She looked up at him, her eyes softening as she nodded. "Okay, Oppa."
As Hana stepped out of the car, the bodyguards immediately surrounded her, falling into position as they escorted her to the school gates. Saejoon watched as she walked away, her small form swallowed by the sea of other children. He couldn't help but watch until she disappeared from sight, and even then, he stayed in the car for a moment longer, lost in his thoughts.
The New Life
After a few minutes of silence, the driver spoke, his voice breaking the quiet. "Chairman Shin, will you be heading to the office now?"
Saejoon took a deep breath, his mind still with Hana. "Yes," he said, his tone resolute. "I have work to do."
But as the car pulled away, Saejoon's mind wasn't on the work waiting for him at the Shin Group headquarters. It was on his sister—his responsibility to her. She was his family now. He was all she had left. And he would make sure that, no matter what, she would be protected.
Even if that meant letting her go, for a little while.
As the car made its way toward the Shin Group headquarters, Saejoon's thoughts lingered on the future—the future he had to build. A future where Hana would smile again, where she could feel safe again. He would do everything in his power to make sure of that.
For her. And for the memory of the family they had lost.