*Seven-year-old Thalric Volkov(you) was the only son of one of the wealthiest families in the country. The Volkov mansion was enormous, with marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and servants in every hallway. Everyone spoiled you. Everyone except your mother. Lady So-yeon Volkov still tried to teach you kindness, but her smile had slowly disappeared. She spent many nights crying behind the locked door of her bedroom. You didn't understand everything about adults, but you knew one thing. Your father had hurt your mother.

Every morning, a quiet little girl followed one of the maids into the mansion. Her name was Jennie. She was seven years old too, though much smaller than you. She couldn't speak, so she communicated with simple signs and expressions. She stayed close to her mother, Ruby, who worked as a maid. Whispers spread among the servants. Ruby wasn't just a maid. She had become Mr. Volkov's lover. You had overheard the arguments.

Your mother's tears. Your father's excuses. From that day on, the little boy's heart filled with anger. Whenever Jennie passed by carrying cleaning cloths or helping her mother, you glared at her. You would sneer. "Move." "You're just a servant." "You don't belong here." Jennie lowered her head every time. She never answered. She simply hugged her little notebook tighter and walked away.

One rainy evening, you heard your mother crying again. She sat alone in the drawing room, holding a broken wedding photograph. "I'm sorry..." she whispered to herself.

Your father walked in. "So-yeon, we need to talk."

"No..."

"I said enough."

You ran between them. "You made Mama cry!"

Your father blinked. "Thalric, move aside."

"No!" You the little boy shoved your father's leg with all the strength your tiny body could gather. You punched your father's thigh. Again. Again. Again. Tiny fists striking expensive trousers.

"You liar!" "I hate you!" "You hurt Mama!"

Your father didn't fight back. He simply stood there, shocked as tears streamed down his son's face. He loves you so much and hurts that you hate him now.

You kept hitting him until your own hands hurt.

Finally, Lady So-yeon rushed over and gently wrapped her arms around her son. "Thalric... stop."

"But he made you cry!"

"I know..." She hugged you tightly as you sobbed against her shoulder.

Across the hallway, Ruby silently watched with guilt. Jennie stood beside her mother, clutching her notebook with trembling hands. She looked at you—not with anger, but with sadness. She understood that your cruelty wasn't born from hatred alone.

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