Nicole was sitting on a couch in her family mansion. She was turning to her stepmother who was sitting on a single couch in her right.

She appeared calm but she was feeling quite troubled on the inside. She knew why Garcia Han asked her to drop by as Carson Jun already told her yesterday.

"You came earlier than expected. I thought that you will drop by on your way to work.

" Garcia Han calmly said to her.

"I have work to do, so I need to reach my office earlier than usual today.

" She deliberately lied.

"I see. Then I'll get straight to the point.

" Garcia Han muttered.

"I will help you as you want but it will be just that. After that, you shouldn't interfere in whatever I do.

"

She wanted her to accept this so that she won't have the right to argue even if she wanted to turn herself in later. That's what Nicole thought.

"Why is that?

" She asked, wanting to hear Garcia Han's response.

"I'm tired. That's all.

" The stepmother simply said.

She refused to say and that means her stepmother already figured her out again, like always. This made Nicole frowned.

"Must you always win?

" She asked, feeling displeased.

"What do you mean?

" Garcia Han asked her back. She had no idea that Carson met her and told her everything.

Nicole recalled how Carson Jun asked her to keep a secret. Then she said,

"I can't agree with what you said.

"

"Nicole -

"

"I don't know what plan you had in mind but from my knowledge of you, I'm confident that you will try something strange once everything ends. I can't just promise to not interfere.

" Nicole argued. Her voice firm and unyielding.

For the next few seconds, all Garcia Han did was quietly staring at her. This made Nicole confused. Then finally, Garcia Han turned away.

"You met with Carson. Am I right?

"

Nicole's eyes widened. She figured out? That easy? She briefly forgot that this woman never failed to see through her!

"Mother -

"

"I don't know what you discussed with him but... I won't change my mind. You shouldn't waste your time or energy in this matter.

" Garcia Han uttered, sternly.

Nicole thought of words to say. She knew how stubborn and strong-willed her stepmother was! It was always like impossible to try to change her mind!

"I'm the main victim here and I oppose your decision.

" She firmly said, suddenly and it made Garcia Han raised a brow.

After examining Nicole with a perplexed face for a while, Garcia Han let out a little sigh.

"How many times have I told you not to be too soft, Nicole? With such a weak mindset, how will you survive in this world?

"

"Don't you know this, Mother? I may suffer in your hands but all those years, you're also the one who shielded me from external force. You never let anyone else harm me but you.

" Nicole murmured.

Hearing her words, Garcia Han hardly squeezed the armrest of the couch due to the pressure forming inside her. She knew Nicole was right. Despite her hatred towards the Yang's, she could never see anyone else posing a threat to her stepdaughter.

"I can't do that all my life. You should be strong enough to protect yourself.

" She could barely mutter the words with much difficulty.

"You still insisted to go to prison, don't you?

" Nicole said.

"You're also a victim, just like me.

"

Victim? Garcia Han slightly smiled.

"I'm a law graduate, Nicole. I know the law well than you. You're right. I'm the victim but I'm not innocent.

"

Nicole struggled for words again. She gathered her thoughts to know if there would be any way applicable to this situation. Then she finally said,

"I don't allow that. You put me in hell for 15 years and destroyed my happiness. Now, you want to go to prison so that you can get rid of your guilt? I think it's unfair.

"

What did Nicole just say? Garcia Han didn't understand! As such, she ended up staring at Nicole with a puzzled face.

"Why don't you pay for your sins in your way, Mother? Just like you torment me for many years in your own way, why don't you live the same way?

" Nicole coldly said.

"I won't allow you to easily get rid of your guilt by going to prison. Live your life here with guilt and misery. Let all your actions haunt you each day and beg for forgiveness for the rest of your life. You should suffer the same pain that I went through in your hands. Only that way would it be fair.

" She added. Her gaze never left her stepmother, studying her every expression.

The Minister of Justice's expression hint at confusion first, then amazement and finally understanding. It made Nicole wondered what she had on mind. She was always so hard to understand.

The huge mansion fell silent while the stepmother and stepdaughter locked their gaze, observing each other. After what seemed to be forever, Garcia Han spoke up, breaking the silence. However, her words made Nicole's eyes widened in shock.

"Is that what you really want?

" Garcia Han's voice was unbelievably calm when she added,

"Then I'm okay with it.

"

What? Nicole could felt her jaw dropped to the floor! For a split second, she even thought that she misheard her stepmother but... that wasn't the case.

"Mother, did you even know what I said?

" She asked, thinking that Garcia Han didn't get what she was saying.

"I heard you well and clear, Nicole. I have no problem with that. You can let me live in torment and punish me for everything that I did to you as long as it would make you feel better.

" Garcia Han simply responded.

"Mother -

"

"I may be a heartless monster in your eyes but you know what? I'm not someone who has no guilt even after committing a crime. Maybe there's still some humanity hidden beneath the monster me.

"

Garcia Han made a deliberate pause before she said,

"So, will you make me pay for my sins? If not, I don't think I can live on, Nicole.

"

It was only now that Nicole realized how lifeless her stepmother's eyes were! It's the first time she ever showed remorse and it made her tight-lipped. She was so used to seeing her so strong and heartless but this... it's beyond her expectation!

She abruptly rose from her seat which startled Garcia Han. The latter looked up at her and raised a brow.

"What's wrong?

" She asked Nicole.

In the past, Nicole always wished to see her stepmother showing some remorse. She used to thought that it would be so satisfying to have a chance to pay her back for everything that she had done to her but... maybe she was wrong.

Garcia Han was always so strong and seeing her in such a weak state created a stinging pain in her heart.

In fact, she hated herself. Even after all those years with countless sufferings, she still had the mindset of that 10-year-old girl who regarded this woman as her mother. She still cared about her and the realization shook her hard!

"Nicole, what's wrong?

" Garcia Han asked her with concern when she saw her pale face. She was now standing up with her gaze on her.

Her stepmother's face actually showed concern for her and Nicole couldn't believe it! In the past, Garcia Han would always talk as if she cared about her but through sincere expression? It's the first in 15 years!

"Will you stop confusing me?

" She murmured. She finds the situation too tormenting!

"What are you talking about? I don't understand.

" Garcia Han looked at her with a puzzled face. She appeared even more confusing than her and Nicole hated that.

Nicole turned away, trying to calm down. She wanted to solve the matter now. She was tired of being distracted by this matter.

"I think I already said what I wanted, Mother. If you really feel guilty, then don't act against my wishes. I won't forgive you if that happens.

" She uttered. She was talking so fast that it even amazed her stepmother.

Garcia Han tried to spoke up but... she was interrupted by Nicole's ringtone. When Nicole glanced at her phone to know who called her, there was a hint of displeasure on her face. But still, she answered.

"Hello, Director Park.

"

Hearing the name, Garcia Han darted her eyes to her. She was surprised yet curious.

"Alright. I will be there.

" The Chairwoman said and ended the call.

"You already talked with him? Why don't you leave it to me? It's very risky and dangerous.

" Garcia Han promptly asked her.

"I won't back down for my father's sake. You don't have to worry.

" Nicole said.

"I have good security now and I also learn some shooting skills. It might be useful.

"I'll be leaving now. Please remember what I said.

" She added and quickly turned her back at her stepmother but...

"Nicole, don't become someone like me. Stay in your right mind and don't give in to bitterness. If that happens... you will only be destroying yourself.

" Garcia Han advised her.

Nicole halted but she didn't turn back to face her stepmother again. Her words lingered in her mind. She stood still that way for a while before she finally left the mansion.....