"It is annoying. It feels like she has no other purpose in life except for wanting to be with him"

"So what?"

"She is going to be like my mom, sacrificing stuff for other people. I want her to be more like me."

"More like you?"

"Not caring about anything else but just about her own dreams and wishes"

"How would you describe this in just one word?" Baek Ma-Ri asked her.

"Selfish"

"So, you are aware that you are selfish?" Ma-Ri didn't expect Kiaraa to be so self-aware.

"Not just selfish, I am rude, evil, straightforward and cruel too"

"Why do you think so?"

"Because these are the words people commonly use to refer me"

At that moment, Baek Ma-Ri felt bad for her.

"Who called you these names?"

"My classmates, aunt Ji Seo Yun, Kim Do-Yun"

Then Kiaraa told her who these people are.

"Aunt Ji Seo Yun and Kim Do-Yun are the biggest supporters of Aera in this world" Kiaraa added at the end.

"So, you dislike them?"

"Kim Do-Yun is Ian's sister, so I am not able to dislike her that much but I hate aunt Ji Seo Yun"

"Why do you hate her?"

"Because she doesn't let go of any chance to put me down in front of others"

"Does she succeed in doing so?"

"No, she always fails" Kiaraa had a huge smile on her face recollecting how she answers back this woman, leaving her speechless.

"Let's talk about Aera first then we can discuss this aunt of yours"

"Okay. What do you want to know about Aera?"

"Everything that you want to talk about her"

Kiaraa sighed and thought back to her first memory of Aera.

"I was way too young when Aera was born, I don't remember that day clearly."

"It's okay, tell me about what you remember"

"Aera was always the sweet, docile daughter to my parents. I never saw her going against them or saying no to whatever they said. Like, for example, my mom wanted me to join piano class few years ago. I refused to do so. She asked Aera, who too was not interested in learning piano but she joined the class for my mom's sake"

"Isn't it a good thing that children are doing things for their parents?"

"Yeah, but why should she join those classes even if she is not interested in it just for my mom's sake?"

"Love Kiaraa. Love is the reason for that."

"So, are you saying I don't love my mother?" Kiaraa looked upset.

"If it would have been your dad, who asked you to join this piano class, what would you have done?"

This question encouraged Kiaraa to think deeper and she herself was surprised by her thoughts.

"I would have joined it" Kiaraa truthfully answered her after a few minutes, being shocked at her own response.

"Why are you so surprised?" Her reaction didn't go unnoticed by Baek Ma-Ri.

"I didn't expect that I would actually join this piano class if my dad was the one who asked me instead"

"Why is that so?"

"I believed if I decided on something I would never change my decision for anyone"

"But for your dad you would?"

"Hmm" Kiaraa nodded her head, deeply thinking about it.

Baek Ma-Ri gave her some time to sort her thoughts, she waited until Kiaraa herself was ready to talk about it.

After a few minutes, Kiaraa indeed spoke, "If my dad would have been the one, who asked me to join the classes then I would believe it is worth my time and also it would benefit my future in some way."

"Why would you think so?"

"Because my dad doesn't indulge in unnecessary activities"

"But your mom does?"

Kiaraa again went silent and nodded her head, "She spends her time slacking around in home, going shopping with her friends or being on call with them and her family"

"Kiaraa, your mom does more than that. Don't you think she also looks after you and Aera, she is always there for you whenever you need her"

"Well, we don't need her all the time. I got to know my mom used to work before my birth, I rather wish she continues that instead of sacrificing her dreams."

"Why so?"

"Did my dad sacrifice his job after my birth? No, right? Then why should she?"

Baek Ma-Ri smiled, "You are very smart for your age, Kiaraa"

"I know"

"If your mom starts working again, then if she asks you to do something, will you do it?"

"It depends, I'll see. I am not sure"

"It's okay, we don't have to be sure about everything." Baek Ma-Ri smiled at Kiaraa, who smiled back at her as she felt nice talking her thoughts out.

"Now, coming back to Aera, don't you think just like how you adore your father, maybe she too adores your mother and therefore does stuff for her. Which means she is not at fault or should be blamed for her choices?" Counsellor tried to make her understand Aera's perception.

"Hmm, true" Kiaraa indeed agreed with her counsellor.

Baek Ma-Ri checked the time and it was already an hour, "Wow, time passed very quickly" she muttered to herself and looked at the young girl.

"Kiaraa, did you ever talk about these things with anyone else before?" Counsellor could understand she didn't and therefore her problems were never addressed but she wanted a confirmation of the same.

Kiaraa shook her head in no.

"How do you feel after talking out about all of this now?"

"I feel better" she honestly said.

"Glad to know that, hope you won't mind talking to me about the deeper things in your heart?"

"Yes, I won't" Kiaraa smiled back at her.

Just on time, Chu Yu Ri arrived there and entered the study room after being directed by the servant, where Kiaraa and Baek Ma-Ri were casually talking.

Seeing Mrs Lee there, Baek Ma-Ri asked Kiaraa to look around the house as she had something to discuss with her mother.

After Kiaraa left, Chu Yu Ri sat across the counsellor, looking nervous.

"How did this session go?" she asked Baek Ma-Ri.

"Better than I expected"

Yu Ri sighed in relief, "Thank you so much"

"Please don't thank me, it's my job" Baek Ma-Ri politely smiled and said, "Mrs Lee, if you don't mind, may I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"Why did you quit your job?"

Chu Yu Ri wondered if Kiaraa mentioned something about her job and had the urge to know what Kiaraa and Baek Ma-Ri talked about.

"To take care of Kiaraa and Aera. I didn't wish for some nanny to take over my place in their lives, so I quit my job to become a full-time mother."

"Hmm" The counsellor nodded her head in understanding, "Now that they are grown up enough, would you like to go back to fulfil your passions?"

"Why would you ask?" Chu Yu Ri expected the counsellor would talk about Kiaraa but something else was going on here.

"Just wanted to know" The counsellor flashed a friendly smile, making Chu Yu Ri feel comfortable.

"I didn't think about it" Yu Ri replied honestly.

"Mrs Lee, did Kiaraa ever raise the topic about your career before?"

Chu Yu Ri was taken aback as she recollected how Kiaraa recently insulted her for being at home and not having a job.

Baek Ma-Ri noticed the change in the woman but she kept quiet, waiting for her to gather her thoughts.

After some time, Chu Yu Ri finally asked, "Did she mention something about it?"

"I can't discuss the details of our conversation but I would like to suggest Mrs Lee to think about going back to work. I am not advising as Kiaraa's counsellor but as a woman. I too had two children and I know what you meant when not wanting an outsider replace your position in their lives. But now that they are grown up and can take care of themselves, it is time you fulfil your dreams too."

"I'll think about it" Chu Yu Ri wondered what Kiaraa must have said about her job but she didn't dare ask her daughter either as she didn't wish to interfere in these sessions.

After exchanging some formal pleasantries with the counsellor, Chu Yu Ri bid her adieu.

Kiaraa and Chu Yu Ri left for home and on the way, Yu Ri casually asked how it was talking to Ms Baek and Kiaraa responded positively, letting her mother feel relieved.

"Would you like to continue meeting Ms Baek?" Yu Ri seriously asked her daughter.

"Sure, it would be beneficial for my growth" Kiaraa replied.

"Good" Chu Yu Ri stroked her daughter's head lovingly still wondering what she must have said about her.

"Also, I am sorry if I ever hurt you" Kiaraa suddenly said surprising Chu Yu Ri.

This time Kiaraa's apology sounded sincere.

"What happened to you suddenly?" Yu Ri couldn't help but ask as she didn't expect to seem changes in Kiaraa after the first session itself.

"Nothing, just felt like saying so" Kiaraa looked outside the window, unsure of why she was acting like this.

Chu Yu Ri smiled and stroked Kiaraa's head, "I can never be upset with you, don't worry you never hurt me"

Kiaraa turned to look at her mother and the next second, she leaned forward and hugged her mom tightly.

Chu Yu Ri felt very happy and hugged Kiaraa closer.

"Kiaraa, dear, don't tell anyone about these counselling sessions, okay?" Chu Yu Ri said stroking her daughter's head, not forgetting the promise she made to her husband.

"Why mom?"

"That's what your dad wishes. Except for we three no one else should know about these sessions, not even Aera"

"Okay" Kiaraa agreed to her request as this was what her dad wants.