Over at the Lowrie city home. The air was thick with tension in the office as Eun Ho and McKenna's argument escalated. It was the opposite of what was going on down the street.
McKenna's voice rose in defiance, "You can't make me leave. What about the family, don't I get to say goodbye? Are you that heartless, Mom?"
Eun Ho's face remained stern, her eyes flashing with annoyance "Grandma and Grandpa Park have accepted it, so have Grandma Amelia and Grandpa Arthur."
The sound of raised voices echoed through the halls, making it clear that the situation was spiraling out of control. "So you are throwing me away?"
Eun Ho stared at McKenna's face, "No, you'll be taken care of as always, you will just no longer be the 'Young Miss", you'll still get the same level monthly allowance and schooling, you're just returning to your right place. If you sign, we will provide a generous trust fund and stock dividends to provide for you for the rest of your life. It will just be with the MacDonald's."
McKenna hung her head and stomped her foot, feeling a wave of anger wash over her. She was so furious, she could hardly contain herself.
Her biological mother was trash, but that girl, Selena, made her blood boil. She looked just like Jonah and their mom, with the same piercing eyes and mischievous grin. McKenna hated her so much, she could hardly bear to think about her.
"Why do I even care?" McKenna thought to herself, trying to rationalize her emotions. "I'm used to getting what I want, when I want it. But this girl, she's different. She's not impressed by me or the family's wealth. She's not even fazed by my presence."
McKenna's mind flashed back to her visit to her biological mother's house. She had been appalled. The first time she visited, her biological mother's boyfriend had served her macaroni and cheese, which was an insult to her refined palate. And the bedroom she had been given was smaller than Selena's, which was just another reminder of her biological mother's inadequacy.
But what got under McKenna's skin was the way her biological mother had tried to dress her in those tacky, homemade clothes.
Molly had taken her measurements and talked to her about fashion and her likes, and McKenna had actually enjoyed that part. But the next day, Molly had presented her with a tailored dress, which was just another attempt to dress her down.
"Doesn't she know who I am?" McKenna thought, feeling a surge of indignation. "I'm used to the finer things in life, not some homemade, hand-me-down rags."
And then there was Selena, who seemed to embody everything that McKenna's parents, Eun Ho and Jonathan, wanted in a daughter. She was smart, studious, and constantly on the computer, learning new things. She was a loner, content to spend hours by herself, and McKenna couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
"Why can't I be like that?" McKenna thought, feeling a pang of inadequacy. "Why can't I be the real one?"
Eun Ho looked at McKenna, "Well?" Eun asked impatiently, "Unless you're confident Molly MacDonald will provide for you? This is the only thing that we will offer you. Look over the agreement and sign it if you want the money, or storm out and get nothing." Eun Ho picked up a pack of cigarettes from her desk. She seldom needed one. She popped it into her mouth and lit it.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, McKenna reluctantly signed the forms, her hand trembling with anger and frustration. Eun Ho's expression remained unyielding, her jaw set in a firm line.
Jonah watched McKenna leave the office in tears. Normally, she caused girls to run from her in tears. He was looking forward to joining his friends at St.Theresa with his real twin sister.
Not this fake one that he was forced to babysit. He hadn't liked his sister for the longest time. She killed his pet cat when they were 10 years old because he went into her room to get his toy back. He needed to get her as far away as possible. She no longer required him. He was about to walk in as the tension dropped.
But the tension didn't dissipate with McKenna's signature. Instead, it shifted to Eun Ho and Jonathan, who began to argue in hushed tones. Eun Ho's voice was laced with accusation, her words dripping with venom. "You didn't believe me," she spat, her eyes blazing with anger. "You didn't trust me, and now look what's happened."
Jonathan's face reddened, his eyes flashing with defensiveness. "That's not fair, Eun Ho," he protested. "I did what I thought was best at the time. You were going through a lot, after they were born, especially after the depression set in, you became delusional at times."
But Eun Ho was having none of it. "Best? I told you that our daughter had a birthmark! I begged you to just look into it. But you wouldn't," she repeated, her voice rising. "You call this the best? Selena's life was nearly ruined, and it's all because you didn't listen to me. She didn't start getting medical help until months ago, Jon. What if she were another statistic, just like Molly was?"
The scolding reached its peak. The air was electric with tension, making it clear that the situation was on the verge of exploding, and their marriage might not survive this. "Please, Eun Ho, I will make it up to her and you!"
Eun Ho started to weep, "How can I trust you.."Jonah knocked on the office door, hard and quickly. He had to stop this line of conversation now. He didn't want their marriage to shatter.
Eun Ho opened the door, her face changed from sad to her motherly face. "Hey, big day?" Eun Ho said casually to the boy.
"Mom, Dad. I heard everything," Jonah admitted, as his mom's face changed. He continued, "We can't turn back time. But Selena turned out great otherwise. Gunn says she's at the top of the class and has already got a very good stock portfolio. We can get to know her and help McKenna."
Jonah continued. "We owe the MacDonald's, the duty to guide their daughter to excellence like they have done with Selena." Frankly, he was exhausted by McKenna. It was impossible to hang out with anyone or even friends with her around. He had given up a lot to cater to the fake Moon's needs.
Jonathan and Eun Ho looked at their son. They had to agree that Selena was outstanding. Jonathan was the first to speak, "So what do you think is the best way to handle this, considering what will happen?"
Jonah bit his lip and closed the office door tightly. Jonah looked at his father and spoke, "Michael just came back from Fort John McKinnon, they are co-ed now. She can finish up Middle and high school and get ready for college. You know that it's for the best, right?" Jonah said.
Jonathan looked at his son. He was also outstanding, but they spoiled their children. McKenna did need guidance, and she would technically be going to a boarding school of sorts. She needed correction that a Nun and a ruler couldn't fix.
Molly had phoned her and advised her that McKenna had gone into Selena's room and she cut up all of her new clothes.
Now Selena needed an entirely new wardrobe, including a new school uniform, and he had planned to go out with Eun Ho and spoil her rotten at all of the boutiques.
It was a blessing in disguise so that they could get to know their daughter better. Her likes and dislikes, her personality would be portrayed more in the things she chose for herself instead of the stuff the personal shopper had filled the closet with.
"Out of the way, contained, and she would be getting stern guidance. Very nice. I know the MacDonald's will also appreciate your approach. Fine work. I will reach out to Phillip and Janae to secure her a place then," Jonathan said, nodding thoughtfully.
"Did you want to go out with your Mom and Selena tomorrow?" he asked, turning to Jonah. His critical thinking and problem solving skills had increased. He knew how to use information from his network to solve problems.
Jonah's face lit up with excitement. "Actually, Dad, I was thinking of meeting up with Gunn, Jakob, Liam, and Michael at the Blackwater's tomorrow. We're going to play the new GameStation," he said, barely containing his enthusiasm.
"Our club is going to be the G5 again!" Jonah added, a grin spreading across his face. He really missed his friends and now that Michael was back he would be seeing them during christmas and going to school with them after they came back from their first annual trip.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow, amused by his son's excitement. He remembered the little boys had formed their own small club in their youth. "Well, you 'guys' have fun, but don't forget to come home for dinner. We're having dinner with the MacDonald's at their place, and then we'll head back home."
Jonah nodded, already mentally preparing himself for a day of gaming with his friends. "I'll be there, Dad. Don't worry." Jonathan ruffled his hair. The boy ran off. He watched him depart, grateful for his perfect timing.
"Eun Ho. I'll make up for it. I can't lose you. Especially not now. I feel guilty, like I am on the verge of falling apart. If it wasn't for Tricia, this wouldn't have happened." Jonathan said. "And I have already started taking out our rage on the Loomis family."
"Our Selena started her own laundry services company at 13. Tricia and Bill Loomis are also in her way. Show me you can get things done by putting their livelihoods in her hands Jon and you can sleep on the bed." Eun Ho said.
She was so domineering. Jonathan loved this scary side of her. She was the penultimate business person. The Industries thrived. "Get Dal Rae's passport ready for the new year at the same time." Eun Ho said firmly. Jonathan felt himself filled with desire as his wife bossed him around.
"Jonathan, the Selena is a name derived from the moon. It's fate. My mother is interested in confirming things with her." Eun Ho said.
She was very superstitious. Her own birth was foretold by her grandmother and both Jonah's and Selena's births were accurate. He was shaken when the twins were born prematurely on the very date as forecasted.
"Why would Mother be alright with you naming the fake that? Think. You can't make any errors, you know the consequences." Eun Ho said. Jonathan looked at his wife.
Jonathan closed the door to the office, ensuring they had privacy. Eun Ho's expression turned serious as they began to discuss the prophecy. Jonathan's eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and cautious.
"We can't talk about that, at least not yet." he said, glancing around the room as if ensuring they were truly alone. "You don't want to scare her, do you?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
Eun Ho's expression remained somber, and Jonathan knew she understood the gravity of the situation. The scientists hired by her mother had confirmed the predetermined events laid out in her costly prediction. The family was destined to suffer from three calamities, and the first two had already occurred.
Jonathan's mind was racing with the thought of the third calamity still looming on the horizon. At least Selena was sure to make it, but the rest of the Lowrie, Noe and Park family would be vulnerable. The weight of this knowledge settled heavily on Jonathan's shoulders, and he couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.
Jonathan looked at Eun Ho, "Perhaps my mother is the best way to bring her into our world?" His eccentric mother did have her say of charming people. His daughter also loved fashion and handcrafted her own clothes; she'd probably love his mother's eccentricity.
Eun Ho lit another cigarette, and drew a long drag in. "Hmm. I guess my Mother is a bit stringent and traditional." Eun Ho paced her heels clicking on the tile as she walked the office. Eun Ho reached up and.he flicked ash on Jonathan's head. He trembled in glee from the way he was being treated. He dropped to his knees as she walked away.