Twelve years ago — The Orphanage
She arrived in silence.
Eight-year-old Seo Young stood at the edge of the orphanage gates in a white cotton dress stained with dirt and sorrow. Her shoes were scuffed. Her knees bruised. Her eyes too empty for someone so small.
She didn't speak.
Not because she couldn't.
But because the world hadn't earned her voice.
No one noticed her much. The staff were overwhelmed, the halls crowded. She sat alone on a wooden bench in the fading light of the playground, clutching a worn stuffed puppy—the only thing she brought with her.
A gift from Kim Sora.
The only person who'd ever treated her like she was loved.
Minah remembered the moment like a broken dream:
Sora's body lying limp on the floor.
Park Dojin stumbling in, drunk.
His rage.
His fists.
The desk.
The blood.
He never once looked at her as the two suited men escorted her away.
Not a word.
Not a glance.
Just silence.
She held onto the puppy like it could shield her from the world.
---
That evening, as the sun melted into gold along the edges of the orphanage walls, a black car pulled up.
A boy stepped out.
Around ten. Neatly dressed. Sharp eyes softened by nerves.
A woman followed him, calm and graceful.
They spoke with the staff, but Minah wasn't listening.
She was outside.
Watching.
The boy saw her.
He didn't run or shout.
He simply walked over—cautious, gentle, like approaching a frightened bird.
Minah took a step back.
"Don't be afraid," the boy said softly.
"I won't hurt you."
His voice was warm.
"Are you Minah?"
She hesitated. Then nodded.
The boy smiled.
"My name is Han Jaewook. My mom said we'll adopt you once the paperwork's done."
He reached into his pocket, fumbling slightly.
Then held out his hand.
"These are for you."
A few wrapped candies sat in his palm—colorful, glinting in the sunset.
"I don't know what kind you like, so I brought all my favorites."
He didn't ask for anything in return.
He just smiled.
Kindly.
Hopefully.
Minah stared at him. Then, slowly, took one of the candies.
Her fingers brushed his hand.
And just like that—
For the first time in weeks, her shoulders relaxed.
Her breath steadied.
And though she didn't say a word—
Jaewook understood her silence.
----
Young Jaewook stood beside her as the final papers were signed.
The name written wasn't Seo Young.
It was Song Minah.
Park Dojin had insisted on the name change—erasing any trace of her origin. But it wasn't his cruelty she remembered.
It was Sora who gently whispered:
"Your new name is Song Minah. It means beautiful and graceful."
"Live a new life, my Annie."
From that day forward, the girl who had no voice, no name, no home... became Minah.
She didn't know yet—
That her new life had just begun.
---
The first morning in her new home smelled like heaven.
Warm, buttery scents floated through the air—eggs, toast, soup.
Minah blinked awake in soft, fresh clothes.
Not hand-me-downs.
Not oversized, faded rags.
New. Hers.
She crept downstairs in quiet awe, still hugging her stuffed puppy.
Jaewook's mother stood in the kitchen, her apron slightly flour-dusted.
"You woke up!" she said with a warm smile.
"Breakfast is almost ready. Could you go wake Jaewook?"
Minah nodded and padded quietly down the hall.
She peeked into the slightly messy room, then walked over and gently nudged his shoulder.
"Five more minutes…" Jaewook mumbled into his pillow.
"Tell mom I need more sleep…"
Minah tilted her head.
Then, calmly—with precision only a selectively mute child can execute—
She pulled out her toy whistle from her pocket…
Peeeeeeeeep!
"ARGH—Minah! WHY?!"
Jaewook practically launched out of bed, hair tousled, face pure betrayal.
She held up his neatly folded outfit with both hands.
Expression- unbothered.
Pout- strong.
"You've joined the enemy," Jaewook muttered dramatically as he got up.
"Fine, I'm awake. But next time, at least give me a warning before assaulting my eardrums."
Minah shrugged.
She tapped the whistle against her chin.
Next time? That sounded… like she'd be staying.
And for the first time, Minah smiled a little.