"courage comes in all forms and sizes-"

Migyung wasn't a stranger to hospitals. For almost a year she had been in and out of hospital. First, because of the accident, then suicide attempt. She remembered the fake flowers and overly colourful room that she laid in with her wrists bandaged and her blood pumping with anti depressants.

That was the first time she had tasted the high. The clinical, morphine high she had bribed a nurse to give her. She clearly remembered everything and how she had been at her lowest, selling her body to be able to lessen the pain, to feel something other than the pain.

She had never regretted doing it until Hoseok held her in his arms. She had never been so ashamed of herself.

She had done a lot of shady things, almost tipped over the edge twice but that first time...she didn't expect to feel so ashamed about it ever. She didn't like feeling that way and so, she forced herself to sit through the hour long session with the psychiatrist and get over it.

When she came out of the cabin, her eyes went to the person waiting for her in the waiting room. She felt her shoulders relax even as guilt seeped in for putting her mother through this again but she didn't think she would make it without her.

When her mother looked up, she smiled so brightly, Migyung instantly smiled back and went to hug her. Her mother patted her back gently, saying, "You did good. This is good."

Eyes stinging, she took a deep breath, letting her mother's scent bring her comfort and calm.

"He seems good for you," her mother said out of nowhere over lunch.

They were sitting in a small but crowded Italian restaurant and at her words, it seemed as if the world quitened down. Migyung stared at her mother's sacharine smile that clearly said, 'I know your secret.' There was no way she could lie her way through this one.

She sighed, looking down with her cheeks warm. "I don't know. Maybe. Why do you say that?"

Mrs. Kim put her fork down, her face getting solemn as she gave her daughter her full attention. Her eyes rove over her face which a few months ago had started looking gaunt. Now, her cheeks looked fuller. Her skin still looked too pale, the viens under her eyes highlighting her dark circles that she tried hard to hide with make up but her eyes were a little less red and the marks on her neck weren't scratch marks but love bites, she was sure.

She knew what self harm looked like. She had been through it and knew only the right people could bring a change in someone bent on not living. Migyung had finally started living again and she believed getting professional help was the first step towards recovery.

"You refused therapy two years ago," she said now, remembering the tears, the blood and the smoke. She would never be able to forget it. "Now you suddenly call me in the middle of the week, right after creating a scene in the academy. You turn up with such bright colours on and your make up perfect but not hiding those hickeys, like you don't give a fuck and you ask me why I say that?"

Migyung looked away, biting her lip, trying to not laugh. But her smile fell away when she recalled all her words. With her hands suddenly sweaty and her skin itchy, she looked at her. "Are you mad about what happened at the academy?"

The older woman took her time answering. She chewed her bite slowly, her eyes steady on her daughter who looked more jittery than ever. She wondered when those would stop, when her daughter will be able to sit peacefully without picking on her skin.

"I'm not mad at you or Mijung," she said finally, dabbing at her mouth with the tissue. "I knew the confrontation was coming. You girls should have done it a long time ago but well, there's no point in lamenting over the past. I'm just sad it happened in public, in front of people who will ruin both of your images. I know for a fact that Mijung won't be able to dance for the academy ever again and even if she does, she won't be able to handle the gossip and the humiliation. I just feel so bad about it.

"I know you were mad that she took your choreography without your permission and you are rightfully upset but I do wonder if you could have talked it out privately. No matter what, family must stick together and we must look after each other."

Migyung frowned, the gears in her head turning and trying to find an excuse even as she knew everything her mother said was true. There was no point denying that she might as well have ruined Mijung's career the same way she had done to her.

Or maybe, it was all her and she was just victimizing herself because she couldn't accept the fact that Mijung wasn't really the one who made her jump. She could have resisted.

She should have resisted.

Shaking her head, she looked at her mother and said in a firm voice, "I can't change anything now and I'm not going to ask for forgiveness. I just want to be left alone. I don't want to be a part of all this drama. I just want to be normal and just live, you know?"

Her mother gave her a thin smile and agreed, not wanting to jeopardize the progress she had shown in the last few months. The lives of her children were more important to her than anything else.

Mijung walked with confidence. Her heels made that clicking sound, the one that made her feel like a badass. Her makeup was done to perfection, with a bold red lipstick to go with her red dress which was extra short today, the cleavage dipping low and attracting attention. It didn't matter though, people would stare anyway.

But she'd be damned if she appeared as anything less than perfect in public. She had a reputation to uphold.

The crazy villainess.

Bathilde who stole Albrecht from Giselle.

If that's how people recognised her, she might as well rock it.

Heejung hadn't been too happy with her dress choice. It came with the territory, she guessed but then a steamy kiss and a murmured promise had calmed him down enough.

Remembering how he looked at her with eyes full of love and care, she felt herself calm down from within, a smile overtaking her lips. He had always made her feel giddy but now, with their relationship taking a turn for good, she was positively happier.

It was that happiness that truly attracted people but Mijung couldn't care. She went straight in through the door without caring about courtesies. The woman sitting at in the office didn't look too surprised, but then, nothing much made Kang Hei Ryung react.

The chairwoman, smiled at her, relaxing back in her seat as she waved her hand, calling her to sit down in front of her.

"Good to see you in high spirits, Mijung. I was expecting you sooner or later," the chairwoman said.

Mijung smiled back and sat down in the chair. Although she wanted to snap at the woman like her sister had days ago, she couldn't. She was her Heejung's mother.

"I'm sorry for coming without an appointment but I guess this was urgent," she started and pulled out an envelope from her handbag, sliding it forward. "I'm resigning, Miss Kang."

Hei Ryung took the envelope and sighed deeply before looking at the younger woman. "You don't have to do this because of what happened that day. It's not your fault and no one will harass you because of it. Believe me."

Mijung grinned, the note of desperation clear in her voice. "No, Miss Kang, I have to do this and truly, it has nothing to do with what happened the other day. I'm just over it. This is the end of one chapter in my life and I wish to be done with it as soon as possible."

Hei Ryung stayed silent for a moment, watching her, evaluating her and noticing the sudden changes in the younger woman. It all reminded her of her daughter whom she was trying to win back desperately.

Finally, she nodded and said, "Fine, I will let you go. All the best for your future, Kim Mijung. You have been a great asset to our foundation."

Mijung bowed her head. "Thank you, Miss Kang. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of the foundation."

The older woman smiled warmly, taking Mijung by surprise as she said, "The pleasure was all ours, though, I believe I should be asking forgiveness from you and Migyung for what I did all those years ago. I never knew my words would cause a rift between you two. I never understood how it would hurt you girls and for that, I apologise from the bottom of my heart."

Mijung's jaw dropped as the tall, proud woman in front of her bowed her head down. Shock wasn't even the beginning of what she was feeling.

"I'm sleeping with your son," Mijung suddenly blurted out, wanting to hit herself as soon as she uttered those words but it successfully made the woman look up.

Hei Ryung took pleasure in the way the younger woman's cheeks warmed and her eyes averted to the side. "You are good person, Mijung. Sleeping is kind of a harsh word to use for your relationship with my son, don't you think?"

Her cheeks warmed further. "I- uh-yes, I guess. I'm-I don't know what he wants. We haven't discussed our relationship in depth yet."

Hei Ryung chuckled seeing her all flustered, pleased to know her son had chosen the woman she had been hoping he would unlike her daughter. But well, her daughter hadn't chosen too bad either.

"I hope you do discuss it in depth sooner rather than later. Come over for dinner this weekend, I'm inviting Heejae and her boyfriend. I think I can finally arrange a big family get together now."

Hei Ryung laughed heartily as she watched Mijung fumble further over her words, her face as red as her dress and her confidence gone. She couldn't stop laughing, extremely pleased at the tum of events even as Mijung left her office.

When she calmed down, she relaxed back in her chair, closing her eyes as she tried imagining the smile on her son's face. She had seen him pine over the girl for years and now, seeing her so affected consoled her little.

Like Mijung, it was the end of a chapter in her life too. A new chapter was beginning where she'd let go of all her vices because she was a daughter, a wife, a mother and soon a grandmother. Life was too short and too quick and yet, beautiful.

A/N:

So, I tried connecting TBA to Giselle. I hope you guys get the reference.

Thank you so much for waiting patiently for the updates. I know it's kind of annoying but I can't help it. I have my semester exams coming up so there won't be more updates this month probably. But I do hope you enjoy these two chapters.

Take care of yourself, be healthy and be happy.

Thank you for reading ❤️❤️