章節 17: Chapter 17. Be a Proper Adult

Rachel faced her mother, her face a mix of fear and resolve. Sophia and Jonathan supported her, preparing for the expected reaction from their mother. They were supposed to be Rachel's obedient siblings, preventing her from pursuing her dreams rather than encouraging her.

However, Sophia had already made up her mind. She would stay with her younger sister, even if it meant going against their mother's desires. A part of her couldn't help but feel jealous and ashamed of Harper. The younger girl, who was practically a stranger to them yet had so gladly offered to support Rachel's goals, while Sophia and Jonathan were expected to keep Rachel in check,.

It hurt her ego slightly to see Harper, who was practically a stranger, step up to help her sister in ways she couldn't bring herself to. Despite Harper's harsh statements, there was admiration for her courage and resolve.

Gathering her courage, Sophia stepped forward, her voice firm yet respectful. "Omma, I've followed your guidance throughout my life. I'm at the top of my class at Harvard Law, and I was certain about my future career path." She paused, casting a glance at Jonathan, who nodded in silent agreement. "And Jonathan is set to enter medical school, just as you desired."

The older woman's eyes narrowed, a snort of disdain escaping her lips. "You know nothing!" she spat, her words laced with venom. "There is no future for a singer. She'll only become a burden for you in the future!"

Sophia felt the sting of her mother's dismissive words, but she refused to back down. "Rachel has so much potential, Omma," she pleaded, her voice softening.

"What will she become? A singer? An artist?" Their mother sneered, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "I would never let that happen in this family!"

"Omma! That's enough." Jonathan spoke up, his voice firm. Their mother had a soft spot for her only son, and he knew he could sway her in ways his sisters couldn't. "Let Rachel do what she wants. Let her prove you wrong."

The mother's gaze shifted to her son, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her gaze. "I will never, ever support whatever she'll do if she insists on being a singer!" she declared, her tone firm. "She can choose to be a lawyer or a doctor, or she gets nothing!"

Rachel, her eyes watery but her expression resolute, stepped forward. "I don't need your money, Omma," she said, her voice surprisingly calm. "Or Appa's, or Sophia unnie's, or John oppa's. All I need is a blessing from you and a prayer to keep me safe."

The middle-aged woman was quite taken aback by Rachel's response. She had expected her youngest to throw a tantrum, to yell and scream, as she had done in the past. But this time, Rachel merely replied with a soft, measured answer, without a hint of rebuttal.

"It doesn't matter, Rachel," the mother said, still trying to break her daughter's enthusiasm. "Even if you're being a nice girl, Omma will still not support you in any way possible."

To her surprise, Rachel merely smiled softly. "But will you pray for me? For my safety?" she asked. Her gaze is firm and unchanging; she can see a fighting spirit in her youngest's eyes.

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, the mother answered, almost flabbergasted, "Of course! What mother doesn't pray for her children's safety?"

"That's all I need to know. Thank you, Omma," Rachel said, her voice filled with gratitude. She gave a respectful bow and turned to leave, leaving her mother utterly stunned.

"What's wrong with that kid?" The mother muttered, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Jonathan, a proud smile playing on his lips, answered his mother, "She's grown up, Omma." He, too, gave a respectful bow before following in Rachel's footsteps, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. The bold change he had witnessed in his younger sister after her encounter with Harper filled him with hope.

The mother stood there, her mind in turmoil, Rachel's unexpected response having shaken her to the core. Try as she might, she couldn't shake the lingering doubt that perhaps she had been too quick to dismiss her daughter's aspirations. "What are they doing?" she muttered, her brow furrowed with a mix of confusion and unease.

Sophia, sensing the shift in her mother's demeanour, approached her cautiously. A bitter smile played on her lips, tinged with a hint of jealousy. After all, it was not her, but Harper, who had catalysed this quite nice change in Rachel. "Nothing, Omma," she replied. "Can a child not grow up to become a proper adult?"

The mother's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on her eldest daughter. "Rachel is only thirteen years old!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

Sophia met her mother's gaze and asked, "And do you think a thirteen-year-old can only throw tantrums, hurl insults, and cry?" She asked, firm but gentle.

The mother faltered; her face, which usually looked fierce and cold, seemed to have softened. "What do you mean?" she asked, uncertain.

Sophia's eyes softened, and she reached out to gently grasp her mother's hand. "When she was expecting rejection from her own mother, what do you think Rachel would have done?" she asked again softly. "Besides accepting it, that is."

The mother's brow furrowed as she contemplated her daughter's words. "I don't know," she admitted, "be a child? Force her way?"

Sophia shook her head, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Would you have agreed with that, Omma?" she asked gently. "If she had thrown a tantrum, screamed at the top of her lungs, and yelled like she usually does?"

The mother's eyes widened as the realisation dawned on her. "Never!" she exclaimed.

Sophia nodded, and her expression changed to understanding. "Then it's good that she asked for your prayer, isn't it?" She said, her words filled with wisdom; she never knew she had it in her.

The mother stared at her eldest daughter, finding something different about her eldest, who's usually just nodded at her words. "You talk like a proper lawyer," she murmured, feeling a little bit proud of the change she saw in Sophia, her eldest.

Sophia's lips curled into a proud smile. "I'm a Harvard student, Omma," she reminded her mother with confidence, bowing respectfully before leaving. Taking a deep breath, she reflected on Harper's words. As Rachel's sister, she couldn't offer financial support, but she could be there emotionally until Rachel could stand on her own two feet. Frustration welled up, realising a stranger was now taking on the responsibility she wished she could shoulder.

Jonathan sat on Rachel's bed, attentively listening to her. "Rach, how much are the plane tickets to Seoul?" he asked.

"I can find out." Rachel smiled. "Will you help me pay for it?"

"Yes, I will," Jonathan assured her. "I have savings."

Curious, Sophia interjected, "You have savings?" Her astonishment was visible.

Jonathan couldn't help but smirk, with a hint of pride in his voice. "I've earned some money by writing essays and filling in as a substitute for various clubs. I'm quite the genius, you know," he added with a confident tone. "I believe my savings should be enough to cover Rachel's ticket to Seoul."

With Jonathan's decision, Sophia also made a decision. "I'll come with you to Seoul," she declared. "My savings should be enough to cover my trips to Seoul, and I'll ask for permission not to attend lectures for two weeks after this."

"What for?" Rachel asked, surprised.

"You're a minor, Rach," Sophia explained. "I don't think Harper will accompany you to Seoul. Do you want to burden her further? She's already been so generous, and as much as I might resent it, I'm genuinely grateful."

"But what about school? My school is here?" Rachel asked, realizing there were so many things she needed to figure out.

"I'll contact your school and assist you with the transfer process," Sophia reassured her. "We'll figure everything out. And let's not argue about the importance of education, shall we? You will find a school in Seoul, and that's not up for a debate!"

Feeling relieved and grateful, Rachel nodded. "Yes, of course! Yongsan International School of Seoul," she mentioned quietly.

Determined to handle the rest of it, Sophia requested, "Give me Harper's phone number."

"What for?" Jonathan asked quickly and rose from his seat, curious.

"What do you need her number for?" Rachel looked at her sister suspiciously.

Sophia smirked mischievously. "Well, now I can flirt with her!" With that, she swiftly saved Harper's number on her phone and declared, "I'll go to your school tomorrow, Rachel. We'll figure this out together."