Chapter 1
Chapter One: The Girl who Came Back With a Backpack
Minji zipped her backpack shut with a soft click.
That was it. Twelve years of countryside dust, chalk-smudged desks, and borrowed warmth folded neatly into a bag that had survived rain, exams, and one unfortunate instant noodle explosion. Diana leaned against the classroom door, arms crossed, watching her like Minji might evaporate the moment she stepped outside.
“Just saying,” Diana muttered, “stories like this never end well.”
Minji slung the bag over her shoulder. “You’ve watched too many dramas.”
“I’m serious. Long-lost family? Capital city? Rich parents?” Diana ticked them off on her fingers. “You’re either ignored, replaced, or emotionally destroyed.”
Minji shrugged. “I know.”
That made Diana pause. “You… know?”
“Yeah.” Minji grinned, sharp and unapologetic. “I’ll use their money, get the best education, then come back and treat Grandma to the most expensive gourmet food this country has ever seen.”
Diana burst out laughing. “You’re such a red flag.”
“What?” Minji sulked. “At least I study to succeed.”
Diana hugged her anyway.
The capital city was loud.
Too loud. Too clean. Too tall.
Minji stared out the car window as buildings swallowed the sky whole. She counted traffic lights, memorized street names, noted the security cameras at intersections—habits she picked up unconsciously, because thinking kept her calm.
Then the car stopped.
Minji looked up.
The mansion looked less like a house and more like a historical monument someone forgot to fence off.
“…Whoa,” she muttered, stepping out. “They’re this rich, yet they managed to lose a whole child?”
Impressive, really.
A butler guided her inside with practiced politeness. The floors gleamed. The ceiling was unnecessarily high. Minji wondered how long it would take to clean everything. Probably longer than her entire childhood.
In the main hall stood a man and a woman waiting.
The man stepped forward first. Tall, composed, silver-threaded black hair neatly combed back. His posture screamed discipline.
“Minji,” he said gently. “I’m Leon Walker. Your father.”
A gentleman. That was Minji’s first thought.
The woman beside him clasped her hands together, eyes shining. She had the same black hair. The same blue eyes.
“I’m Laura,” she said softly. “Welcome home.”
Home, huh.
Minji nodded politely. “Hello.”
For a brief, foolish second, Minji thought—
Maybe they really do love me.
Then she noticed the three figures standing slightly behind them.
One leaned against the wall, red hair like a warning sign, green eyes sharp and unreadable. The eldest, she guessed. Sylus.
Beside him stood another boy, black hair, green eyes, arms crossed tightly like he was already annoyed just breathing the same air as her. Raymond.
And then—
A girl.
White hair cascading down her back. Purple eyes wide and shimmering, like she’d stepped straight out of a tragic romance novel. She looked fragile. Delicate. Loved.
Keila.
The girl who had lived Minji’s life. The one who was mistaken as the Walker's only daughter.
Keila’s eyes filled with tears the moment they met Minji’s. “I—I’m so sorry,” she cried, bowing deeply. “I didn’t know… I never meant to take your place…”
Laura immediately pulled her into a comforting embrace. “It’s not your fault, Keila. Minji won’t be angry.”
Minji blinked.
Correct.
She wasn’t angry.
She was tired.
While the family focused entirely on Keila’s tears, Minji quietly walked to the couch, sat down, pulled a book from her bag, and opened it.
Chapter twelve. Memorization phase.
If they were going to cry, she might as well study.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
No one noticed.
Leon whispered reassurances. Laura stroked Keila’s hair. Sylus watched with a frown. Raymond glared at Minji like she’d committed a crime by existing.
Minji finished two chapters.
Finally, Raymond snapped.
“Are you satisfied now?” he demanded. “You made Keila panic the moment you arrived.”
Minji looked up slowly.
“…I just arrived,” she said calmly. “And now I’m considering leaving.”
Because I can’t live with dumbasses, she added silently.
She stood up, slinging her backpack over her shoulder.
Laura gasped. “Wait—Minji, please!”
Minji paused.
Laura stepped forward, panic clear on her face. “You’re my daughter,” she said, voice trembling. “Please… stay.”
The words hit harder than Minji expected.
Daughter.
She knew this woman was her mother. She’d known it logically. DNA. Records. Facts.
But seeing Laura’s face up close—so similar, so unfamiliar—hurt in a way Minji hadn’t prepared for.
Why did it ache to look at her?
Why did it feel like something was being pulled apart inside her chest?
Laura wrapped her arms around Minji, warm and trembling. Leon joined them, his hand firm and steady on Minji’s back.
“Welcome home,” he said quietly.
Minji stood stiffly between them, eyes wide, heart uncooperative.
Sylus looked away, displeased.
Raymond clenched his jaw.
Keila stared at the floor, fingers gripping her dress.
Minji didn’t hug back.
But she didn’t pull away either.
And for the first time since stepping into the mansion, Kang Minji—now Walker Minji—forgot to think about studying, money, or even Grandma.
She just stood there, trying to understand why being found felt more painful than being lost.
