Ryan's parents considered themselves the most important people in the world above all else.
His father, the youngest of five siblings, was always red-eyed with greed in the power struggles within the group. On days when he lost even a grain of profit to his brothers, the entire household would be turned upside down.
His mother, a third-generation Korean-American, was a free spirit. As the pampered youngest daughter from a wealthy family, she had neither the strength nor the will to resist her violent and oppressive husband and in-laws.
"Mom, where are you going...?"
"Ryan, I'm so sorry."
"Mom, don't go. Please don't go..."
In the end, his parents divorced before Ryan even entered elementary school.
Ryan's mother loved him, but she loved her own life much more. After returning to America, her contacts became less frequent, and eventually ceased altogether.
Not that Ryan resented his mother for it. She had simply left to find her own happiness.
