Reborn: The Unexpected Twist

Jinhee bowed at the Min Yoojoon and Min Sooah, who stood before her. The couple wore a gentle smile on their face, and raising her head, Jinhee politely smiled them.

"Congratulation, Dear," Both of them said at the same time.

"Ahjusshi, Ahjumma, I am glad you're here," Jinhee said.

"Since our dear Jinhee is getting engaged, how could we not come?" Yoojoon questioned.

"Jinhee Dear, are your wounds all fine though? Sorry that I haven't been able to visit you," Sooah voiced out.

Lee Jinhee shook her head and stated, "I am all fine, and I understand. You should have matters that you are busy with as well."

"You're such a lovely girl," Sooah said.

Min Yoojoon said, "Jinhee Dear, do you mind going on a family dinner with us on this coming Friday?"

"A family dinner? Sure, I have no problem with that," Jinhee vocalised.

"That's settled then," Sooah said.

°°°

As Lee Jinhee was about to walk towards the food, Lee Jinkyung and Chungae came to stand in front of her. A little further from them stood the entire Lee family, and Jinhee had to admit that they did a great job in masking their displeasure.

"Congratulation, Jinhee-ah," Jinkyung voiced out whilst wearing a wide smile on her face.

Jinkyung then added, "I am really happy for you."

Chungae, on the other hand, folded her arms across her chest and voiced out, "Lee Jinhee, are we even a family to you?"

Chungae's loud voice attracted the attention of many guests, and all of them stared at Chungae. Amusement crossed over Jinkyung's eyes for a second before she took a step back. Jinkyung will just sit back and enjoy the show today.

"What do you mean, Chungae?" Lee Jinhee asked while pretending to look confused and surprised.

Han Taeho placed down the glass in his hand and stayed rooted to his place. His eyes sharpened while he watched the scene before him unfold.

Lee Chungae scoffed.

"You ask me that!? Yah! Lee Jinhee, how could not inform us about this engagement beforehand!? Are we a joke to you!?" Chungae exclaimed.

'Yes, you're.'

Nonetheless, since both of them were in front of a huge audience, Jinhee could not be straightforward, and feeling everyone's eyes on her, Jinhee felt embarrassed. If Jinhee could, she wouldn't have invited the entire Lee Family, except for Lee Dowon, at this engagement party.

"Wasn't it written on the invitation card, Chungae-ah?" Jinhee questioned.

Jinhee then added, "Moreover, I am pretty sure without discussing this matter with the entire family, this decision to get engaged would be finalised. I think someone forgot to inform you about this or you forgot about it."

"Forgot about this!? Yah! Lee Jinhee, do you take me for a fool!? You and that Grandfather Dowon of yours decided on the entire matter!" Lee Chungae exclaimed.

"Why will Grandfather Dowon choose my fiance when I have my father and mother to do it for me?" Lee Jinhee questioned whilst trying to appear confused.

Lee Jinhee was clearly aware that it was Jinkyung, who instigated Chungae. Nonetheless, there was not anything Lee Jinhee could do about it. Rescuing Chungae from Jinkyung's clutches would not be possible unless or until Jinkyung is truly destroyed. Even then, Jinkyung would have impacts on Chungae's decision. 

Seeing how the situation could turn dangerous for them, Lee Jiyoung stepped forward, and wearing a smile on her face, Jiyoung placed her palm on Chungae's shoulder.

"Chungae Dear, you must have unnoticed about it when your uncle informed the entire family about it," Jiyoung said in a sweet tone.

Chungae turned back to face Lee Jiyoung and said, "No, I am sure nothing like this was informed to me, Aunt."

Turning towards Jinhee, Chungae said, "Jinhee, how dare you not say about this to me?"

"I thought you knew that's why," Jinhee said whilst looking down on the floor.

Before Chungae could continue with her yelling, Han Taeho stepped in and said, "Miss Chungae, creating ruckus here is not appreciated. If you want to do such a thing, just do it at some other places."

Holding Lee Jinhee's hand, Han Taeho walked away with her whilst she followed after him. Lee Chungae gritted her teeth whilst she saw the scene in front of her while creases appeared between Jinkyung's eyebrows.

As both of them stood at a quiet corner, Jinhee said, "Thank you, Taeho."

"I was not particularly trying to help you with any good intentions," Taeho expressed.

"I know, but I thought it would be polite to do so," Jinhee voiced out.

Han Taeho nodded.

"I thought Kwon Youngmi was invited, but I don't see her anywhere here though," Jinhee vocalised.

"President Kwon said that something urgent came up, and both of them wouldn't be able to attend," Taeho vocalised.

"Oh," Jinhee stated in a low tone.

"She still has not tried to create any trouble for me, but that's just like calm before the storm," Jinhee said whilst letting out a sigh.

"Hmm," Taeho answered, "I will have to go and handle Jinkyung now."

"Good luck!" Jinhee exclaimed.

Han Taehyun nodded and turned his back on Jinhee before walking away. Lee Jinhee had to admit that she was awkward around Han Taehyun at times.

°°°

The backyard of the Han Mansion was illuminated by white and gold lights, making it look extremely captivating. Standing on the backyard was a boy and a girl.

A soft smile sat upon the girl's face whilst she voiced out, "Congratulations, Taeho-ah, about this entire thing. It would have been nice if you had told me about this beforehand though."

Gone were the viciousness from the girl's face, and it was replaced with despondency. Fiddling her fingers, Lee Jinkyung stared at the ground beneath her.

The male took a step towards the girl and placed his palm on the girl's shoulder. Nonetheless, the girl did not raise her head and visibly bit her lips.

"You have misunderstood about it, Jinkyung-ah," Taeho said, "This entire engagement was forced upon me by my parents. When Jinhee came over to stay at my place, she tried to do things to attract my attention, and as my parents had thought Jinhee as a lovely girl, they arranged our engagement. 

I tried to refuse them about it, but they did not agree. However, don't worry. I wouldn't be marrying her. The only one in my heart is you, and no one can take that position away from you."

Saying these words made Han Taeho feel disgusted. Nevertheless, in order to gain Jinkyung's trust, he had to do it. Taeho wanted to rise Jinkyung's hopes up only to crush them later on. The joy that the desperate and crying face of hers would bring him would be immense.

"Really? Is that true? I don't want Jinhee to be sad because of me. You're her fiance now and—"

Before Lee Jinkyung could continue, Han Taeho wrapped his hands around her— regardless of how much reluctant he was— and said, "Hush. Don't say such words. You're the one who owns my heart, and it will be that way forever. Even if Jinhee is your sister, I wouldn't spare her a glance."

"But Jinhee will be sad though, and as her sister, I do not want that despite of how she treats me," Jinkyung said.

Staring at the sky with an emotionless expression, Taeho said, "You're too good, Jinkyung."

A smirk formed on Lee Jinkyung's face.

'See, Lee Jinhee, your fiance likes me better.'