Choi Mi-ran (Joon-seo and Soo Ah's Stepmother / The Real Murderer)
Age: 58
Profession: Former political hostess and powerful socialite
Personality: Poised, manipulative, calculating, emotionally impenetrable
Bio: Choi Mi-ran is neither the biological mother of Kang Joon-seo nor Han Soo Ah. She married Joon-seo's father after Soo Ah's mother divorced him and went on to marry Soo Ah's father. Despite not having children of her own, Mi-ran raised Joon-seo and remained in his life long after his father passed away. Joon-seo sees her as the mother who never abandoned him, and he loves her deeply. But behind her graceful facade lies a dangerous truth—Mi-ran is the one who murdered Ethan's younger brother years ago. Whether her motive was power, protection, or silencing someone, only she knows.
Relationship with Soo Ah: Icy and silently hostile. Soo Ah sees through her facade and despises her.
Relationship with Joon-seo: Maternal and affectionate. Joon-seo remains blind to her darkness and defends her at all costs.
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The Mi-ran estate welcomed guests like an old lullaby—soft lighting, floral scents drifting through silk curtains, and classical music humming beneath the clinking of glassware. The warmth of the evening was deceptive, blanketing deeper truths in elegance.
Ethan Kim stood at the doorway with Soo Ah by his side. His face, usually unreadable, held a trace of discomfort—this wasn't a place he frequented.
Soo Ah glanced around the spacious hallway and whispered with a teasing grin,
"What's wrong? Afraid of floral wallpapers and classical music?"
He didn't respond, his eyes scanning the room like someone expecting a shadow to step out from behind the drapes.
Footsteps echoed gently from the grand staircase.
"There she is," came Joon-seo's voice from behind them.
Choi Mi-ran entered like a breeze—graceful, composed, dressed in a soft lilac silk hanbok. Her silver hair was pinned elegantly, and her warm smile carried years of dignity.
"Ethan," she greeted softly. "I'm so glad you came."
Ethan offered a polite bow—surprisingly respectful.
"It's been a while, Mi-ran-ssi."
"Too long," she said, touching his arm gently. "You've become even more like your father... and just as stubborn, I bet."
A small chuckle escaped him. "That hasn't changed."
Mi-ran turned to Soo Ah, her smile softening.
"And this must be my beautiful new daughter-in-law."
Soo Ah blinked for a second, surprised by the warmth.
"I... didn't expect such a welcome."
"Why wouldn't I welcome someone who makes my children smile?" Mi-ran said, touching her cheek. "You're family now."
Inside the dining room, the table was set in gentle hues of ivory and silver. The atmosphere was casual, almost familial. Kim Yeon-jin and Joon-seo were already seated, chatting softly.
Yeon-jin waved at Soo Ah.
"Come sit beside me. I've been dying to ask how you're adjusting to Ethan's habits."
Soo Ah laughed, glancing at Ethan. "Like taming a storm."
Ethan ignored the jab and pulled out a chair across from her. Mi-ran took her place at the head of the table, pouring tea herself instead of allowing the housemaid.
"I hope the food is to your taste," Mi-ran said gently. "I had them prepare some of your favorites, Soo Ah. Joon-seo said you liked garlic soy chicken."
Soo Ah blinked again, this time with genuine surprise.
"I... I did. I do. Thank you."
"Joon-seo talks about you often. And Yeon-jin too," Mi-ran said with a glance at her daughter-in-law. "You've brought something good into our lives. That matters to me."
Even Ethan, while sipping his tea, didn't interrupt.
Mi-ran turned her attention to him again.
"You may not admit it, Ethan, but this marriage… it's good for you. You've been carrying too much alone. Even the strongest men need someone to lean on."
He looked away, jaw tightening.
"Some of us prefer walls to shoulders."
Mi-ran only smiled, unfazed.
"Then may she be your wall."
The rest of the evening passed in warm tones—light laughter, fond stories, and memories that stitched together a family portrait.
Soo Ah watched Mi-ran carefully.
She was gracious. Warm. Almost… motherly.
But beneath all that sweetness, Soo Ah knew.
This was the woman who murdered Ethan's brother.
And everyone else at the table called her "Mother."
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The dinner had long ended. The moonlight spilled through the glass windows of Choi Mi-ran's private study, illuminating the lacquered bookshelves and the delicate porcelain teacups placed neatly on the table.
Ethan stood by the window, his arms crossed, while Mi-ran poured them both tea with practiced grace.
"The blend hasn't changed," Ethan remarked quietly. "Still black tea with a hint of ginseng."
Mi-ran smiled, settling into her chair across from him.
"I remember your sister loved it. Said it helped her headaches."
Ethan gave a curt nod. The air between them was polite—measured. This was the part of the evening reserved for the people who spoke in half-truths and calculated pauses.
"So," Mi-ran began softly, her eyes fixed on him over the rim of her cup, "how is business? I hear your logistics company is expanding to Southeast Asia."
Ethan nodded. "We acquired two small freight firms in Thailand. They'll operate under our banner by the end of the quarter."
"You've built something impressive. On your own. Without your father's help."
"That was the point."
A silence lingered before Mi-ran tilted her head slightly, her voice shifting to something gentler—almost maternal.
"Ethan… forgive me for asking this so directly, but…"
"Why did you marry Han Soo Ah?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"
"She's bright, yes. But… a bit careless, isn't she? Impulsive. Bold. She carries fire in her smile," Mi-ran said with a quiet laugh. "And you've always been drawn to control, to order. She's not exactly the kind of woman I expected you to choose."
Ethan didn't reply at first. He set down his tea, gaze sharp but composed.
"Are you implying she married me for money?"
Mi-ran raised her hands lightly. "I only worry. You've been hurt before. And Soo Ah… well, girls like her love beautifully, but they burn everything they touch."
Ethan's jaw tensed.
He thought of Soo Ah—how she laughed too easily, said too much, and smiled like she had nothing to lose.
She was chaos in silk.
And he had chosen her on purpose.
Not out of love—but calculation.
Still, in that moment, he looked Mi-ran directly in the eyes and said:
"We love each other."
Mi-ran blinked, surprised for a brief second.
"You love her?"
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "It may not look the way others expect, but it's ours. And I trust her."
Mi-ran sat back slowly, her expression unreadable.
"Then I'll say no more."
The two sat in silence for a moment longer—each carrying secrets neither was ready to share.