THE SECOND CHANCE

MEET THE MOTHER OF THE SECOND CHANCE

THE SECOND CHANCE LECTURE

Chapter 5: "Meet The Mother"

7:00am. Kang Mansion. Gangnam.

The Kang family home was cold.

Not temperature cold. Soul cold.

White marble. Black furniture. No photos on the walls. Just awards and business plaques.

Soo-jin stood at the gate in a beige dress. Hands shaking.

Ethan was next to her. Black suit. No smile.

"You don’t have to do this," he said quietly. "I can go alone."

"No," Soo-jin said. "If I’m your wife, I meet your mother. Even if she hates me."

Ethan looked at her. "She might."

"I know."

The gate opened.

A butler led them inside.

And there she was.

Madam Kang.

Perfect chanel suit. Pearl necklace. Hair in a tight bun. Face like ice carved from stone.

She didn’t stand up.

"Sit," she said.

Soo-jin bowed 90 degrees. "Hello, Mother. I’m Han Soo-jin."

Madam Kang didn’t answer. She looked at Ethan. "You embarrassed this family."

Ethan didn’t flinch. "No, Mother. I told the truth."

"The truth?" Madam Kang laughed. Cold. "The truth is you married a girl with no background. Whose father’s company is bankrupt. Who was dating another man 3 years ago."

Soo-jin’s chest hurt.

"That’s enough," Ethan said.

"Or what?" Madam Kang stood up. "You’ll disown me too? Like you did with your father?"

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

Soo-jin stepped forward. "Madam Kang. I know you don’t like me. But I love your son. And I will take care of him."

Madam Kang looked at her like she was trash. "Love? What do you know about love? You left him once."

"I didn’t—"

"You did," Madam Kang cut her off. "And you’ll do it again. Girls like you always do."

The room went silent.

Ethan stood up. "We’re leaving."

"Sit down," Madam Kang ordered.

Ethan sat. Soo-jin sat too.

Madam Kang smiled. "Good. Now. Here are the terms."

She slid a paper across the table.

Prenuptial Agreement Addendum.

1. No children for 3 years.

2. No public appearances without approval.

3. If divorce occurs, Mrs. Kang receives 0 won.

Soo-jin stared at it.

Ethan picked it up. Tore it in half.

"She’s not signing anything," he said. "She’s my wife. Not your employee."

Madam Kang’s face went red. "You ungrateful—"

"Mother," Ethan said. Voice low. Dangerous. "If you want to be in my life, you will respect my wife. If not, then don’t call me again."

He stood up. Held out his hand to Soo-jin.

She took it.

They walked out.

---

In The Car.

Soo-jin was crying. Silent tears.

Ethan pulled over. "Hey. Hey." He wiped her tears with his thumb. "Don’t cry."

"She hates me," Soo-jin whispered. "And she’s right. I don’t have a background. My dad’s company failed. I was with Tae-won."

"Stop," Ethan said firmly. "You are Han Soo-jin. You graduated top of your class. You work at Kang Biotech. You saved 3 people’s lives last year in the lab fire. You are more than enough."

Soo-jin looked at him. "How do you know all that?"

"Because I pay attention," he said. "Because I love you."

She leaned into him and cried harder.

---

3 Days Later. Soo-jin Collapses.

Fever. 40 degrees.

Stress + no sleep + crying.

She woke up in bed. Ethan was there. Wet towel on her forehead.

"Where am I?" she rasped.

"Home," he said. "You fainted. At work."

"Did I... did I embarrass you?"

Ethan’s face softened. "You scared me."

He fed her porridge. Spoon by spoon. Changed her towel. Stayed up all night.

On day 3, she woke up to him sleeping in the chair next to her bed. Holding her hand.

She squeezed it.

He woke up immediately. "You’re awake."

"Yeah." She smiled weakly. "Thank you for not leaving."

"I told you," he said. "Never again."

---

1 Week Later. Kang Biotech Gala.

Madam Kang was there. With guests.

Ethan and Soo-jin walked in together.

Whispers started.

Madam Kang walked to them.

Everyone watched.

She looked at Soo-jin. Then at Ethan holding her hand.

She sighed. "Come with me."

They followed her to a private room.

Madam Kang closed the door. "Sit."

They sat.

"I was wrong," Madam Kang said. Two words.

Soo-jin’s eyes widened.

"You didn’t leave him," Madam Kang continued. "I checked. After the accident. He was the one who pulled you out. And he hasn’t smiled like that in 10 years."

She looked at Ethan. "I’m sorry, Ji-hoon."

Ethan didn’t answer.

Madam Kang turned to Soo-jin. "Take care of him. He’s stubborn and cold. But he has a good heart."

Soo-jin bowed. "Yes, Mother."

Madam Kang stood up. "Now. Come. Take photos. As a family."

---

That Night. Home.

Soo-jin was in his arms.

"He called me Mother," she whispered. "And you Ji-hoon."

Ethan kissed her hair. "You earned it."

"Do you think she’ll accept us?"

"She already did," he said. "She just needed to see that you wouldn’t break me."

Soo-jin smiled. "I won’t. I promise."

"Good," Ethan said. "Because I’m not letting you go. Ever."

He rolled on top of her. "Now. About those 3 years with no children..."

Soo-jin blushed. "Ethan!"

"What? The contract is torn."

He kissed her.

---

TO BE CONTINUED...

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Writed by Omahcbeauty

Chapter 5 DONE: