Chapter 1
Nd Her
Morning sunlight filtered weakly through the thin curtains, barely lighting the small kitchen.
A woman in her thirties stood by the stove.
Her hair was messy, loosely tied as if she hadn’t cared enough to fix it. Her eyes were swollen and red, like sleep had avoided her—or she had avoided it. Her pale skin made the faint bruises on her arms more visible. The loose T-shirt she wore slipped slightly at the shoulder, revealing fading marks. There were more on her ankle… and her hands.
But despite all that—
She was making breakfast.
Toast popped up from the toaster .Eggs sizzled in the pan. Coffee brewed slowly, filling the air with a warm scent that didn’t match the heaviness in the room.
She poured milk. Cut fruits. Placed juice on the table.
Like everything was normal.
“Yeji!” she called softly at first, then a little louder, “Come down and have breakfast!”
Before another word could leave her mouth—
“Why are you so loud in the morning, you wench?”
A man’s irritated voice cut through the air.
He walked in, around forty-two or forty-three, wearing an undergarment vest and block-printed trousers. His hair was messy, sticking out unevenly. Without even looking at her, he sat down and grabbed a piece of toast, stuffing it into his mouth.
She went quiet instantly.
Footsteps echoed from the stairs.
A small girl rushed down, hair half tied, school bag hanging off one shoulder. She grabbed a slice of bread, biting into it as she moved.
“I’m getting late!” she mumbled through the bread.
“Yeji, wait—at least drink your—”
But the door had already shut.
The woman stood there, hand slightly raised, words unfinished.
“See? This is what happens,” the man snapped, chewing loudly. “Couldn’t sleep properly at night, and you start shouting in the morning.”
She didn’t reply.
She never did. She looked around her kitchen. Out in the world where robots were doing all the work she was stuck doing all of it by herself. Despite having a big house and a husband which earn more than half of population she never had device to help her because her husband wants the old tradition to keep going on. Wife making food for her husband. Cleaning and doing laundry and taking care of kids.
She sighed and went back to work.
Time passed.
The man left after showering and changing, adjusting his watch as he walked out like nothing ever happened.
The house fell silent.
She cleaned the table. Washed the dishes. Wiped the counters.
Routine.
Then—
Ding dong.
She paused, quickly drying her hands before walking to the door.
She opened it.
An old man stood there.
“ (abeonim),” she said softly, stepping aside. “Please come in.”
He walked in slowly, wearing a cap, his posture slightly bent—but still carrying a quiet dignity. Even at his age, there was something gentle and handsome about him.
She placed breakfast in front of him.
He ate slowly, nodding slightly, his voice barely above a whisper when he spoke—damaged from an accident that had taken his wife… and his voice.
Still, he always complimented her cooking.
She smiled faintly.
Even though—
Her husband wasn’t really his son.
That truth never changed how she saw him.
To her, he was the only person in that house who ever tried to stand between her and pain. Even if his weak voice never stopped anything… he still tried.
And that was enough for her to be grateful.
“abeonim… you seem to be in a good mood today,” she said gently.
He chuckled lightly.
“I’m meeting my friends today… you know them. If you’re free, come with me. This old man might get lost otherwise.”
She raised a brow, a small smile forming.
“If you’re asking me out on a date, then this is the worst way to do it.”
He let out a soft laugh.
“In my younger days, I never failed to convince a girl.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen your pictures,” she teased, placing a plate in the rack. “Still handsome. If you get a little younger, girls might line up again… Mr. Sim Jaeyun.”
“Ah… those golden days,” he sighed dramatically. Then, more seriously, “I mean it. Come with me.”
She thought for a moment, then nodded.
“I think I’m free today. Tell me the time.”
“Two in the evening. It’s a café inauguration… dress accordingly.”
The road stretched ahead as she drove carefully.
Beside her sat Sim Jaeyun, looking out the window like a child going on a trip.
“Are you sure this is the place?” she asked, glancing around. “There’s no sign on road having such Buisness
"The name was… strange,” she murmured.
They stopped a few times, asking locals. Eventually, someone pointed them toward a newly opened café.
The name of cafe was old and weird. No one now a day name anything after their Groups any more. But still some people did that's why they were having a hard time to find it.
But the time they reached the cafe. People were outside waiting to get in. Mostly were Robots who were there to take orders for their owners.
There was a crowd outside.
She helped him step out carefully, holding his arm as they made their way in.
The moment she entered—
She froze.
The café was… stunning.
Warm lights, aesthetic interiors, artistic designs—it looked like something created by a global artist. Every detail screamed elegance.
“Wow…” she whispered. “This is beautiful.”
“I thought you wouldn’t come, Jakey.”
An older man approached with a grin.
“My daughter-in-law helped me,” Jaeyun said, pointing at her. “Otherwise, I’d be lost.”
She bowed slightly.
“It’s amazing here.i would say antique"
“I’m glad you came,” the man said warmly. “I thought Jungwon forgot to invite you. I need your opinion.”
“First you ask Mr. Jay,” she said politely but casually.
She had heard about them.
Jaeyun’s old friends.
A band in their youth. Stories of music, stages, fans. She had even listened to a few songs once… though music never really stayed with her.
They tasted breads. Pastries.
Then coffee.
Jungwon leaned forward nervously. “If you don’t like it, I’ll cry.”
“Oh please don’t,” Jaeyun joked. “I just ate and I don’t want to throwing up here.”
Jungwon flushed slightly.
She took a sip.
Paused.
"This is good but keep the coffee raw and cloudy. Steam of flavours attract teenagers" she said
There was silence for a second.
Then—
“That’s actually helpful,” Jungwon nodded seriously.
Time passed in laughter.
Old stories. Old memories.
“Millions of people used to come just to watch us perform,” one of them said proudly.
She blinked.
“Really? People could’ve just stayed home and watch online.”
They all stared at her.
Then burst into laughter.
“Kids these days…”
“ Back then it was all a trend of going to concerts and meet your idols and a those things. This hologram thing had ruined everything people like ur built in our youth ay said
The crowd thinned.
Almost gone.
Then the door opened again.
A few more men entered—same age, yet somehow… youthful.
“You could’ve waited for my son to open his café,” Jungwon complained.
“We’re as not free as someone here,” one replied casually or internationally lointjnh at someone verbally.
“Don’t forget I’m still your hyung, Sunoo ,” Jaeyun added.
“Yeah, yeah… you’re old,” Sunoo smirked.
A man in black glanced at her.
“This young lady is here too?”
“Yes, Mr. Riki,” she nodded. “I came with abeonim”
“How’s your daughter?” another asked.
“She’s going to school now… turning eight soon.”
“Where’s the penguin?” Jaeyun suddenly asked.
“He always comes late for attention,” Sunoo muttered.
“Someone summoned me.”
A deep, slightly husky voice echoed.
Everyone turned.
A man in grey walked in—elegant, composed… almost intimidating. Even at his age, he carried himself like a mafia boss.
“Your duckling is here,” Jay teased.
“He’s my minion,” Sunoo shot back, slightly flustered.
She laughed.
“Calling Mr. Sunghoon your minion doesn’t suit you at all.”
Laughter filled the room.
“Don’t tease him too much,” Sunghoon said calmly. “He’ll sulk.”
That night, they talked.
Work. Life. Memories.
They drank a little.
She only took a small sip—she had to drive.
For once—
She didn’t feel like an outsider.
Before leaving, Jay handed her a file.
“A new project.”
She hesitated.
She used to be brilliant in her college, university. She lead clubs, managed teams. Jay had offered her jobs many times.
She always refused.
“I have to take care of my daughter.”
Sunoo was an influencer back then but now he just use his fame for his skincare brand.
Jay owns a company.
Jungwon just opened his new cafe in that area.
Rikk own a car showroom in the heart of Seoul.
Sunghoon used to be a coach of young boys teaching them ice skating now he just take tests for national players.
Everyone there had moved forward in life.
Except Jaeyun.
After his accident… he never recovered fully. There was a time he almost gave up on life.
If she hadn’t been there—
Things might’ve ended differently.
By Night.
They reached home.
The moment she stepped inside—
A sharp slap echoed.
She fell to the ground.
Even Jaeyun stumbled.
“Where were you all day and night?!” her husband yelled.
She stood up slowly, swallowing her tears.
“ abeonim had a meeting… I took him there.”
“Excuses!” He grabbed her hair. “Just say you went to meet someone.”
“What are you saying? Why would I—”
“I was with her!” Jaeyun tried to step in—
But he was shoved hard, hitting the table.
“You’re cheating on me!” the man roared, grabbing her throat.
She couldn’t breathe.
Her vision blurred.
He threw her down, grabbing a glass globe.
Before it could hit—
Jaeyun stepped in front.
The impact—
Blood.
“abeonim!”
She crawled to him, shaking him.
No response.
“How could you do this to your own father?!” she cried.
“I didn’t!” he shouted. “You did! You killed him! Jealous because you never had a father!”
Her body froze.
“Say it to the police,” he hissed, dragging her by the hair.
A small cry echoed.
From the stairs.
Yeji.
Watching everything.
“If you don’t listen… I’ll kill your daughter too.”
He grabbed Yeji.
She screamed.
Something inside her snapped.
“I won’t let you touch her,” she whispered, forcing herself up.
She grabbed the globe—
Swung—
But slipped.
Blood on the floor.
Her head hit the table.
Everything blurred.
This can’t be happening…
My daughter…
She’ll suffer because of me…
I wish I never married him…
I wish…
I had my father who could protect me and take me our of this …
I wish I could go back…
Darkness.
The last thing she heard—
“Mom…!”
Yeji’s voice.
Crying.
Breaking.
Then—
Nothing.
