About

My life has been a series of misfortunes. Abandoned by my parents at birth, I grew up in an orphanage where I was constantly abused. Even outside the orphanage, I wasn't safe. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I was an outcast and a victim of relentless school violence. As soon as I reached the age to leave the orphanage, I ran away as if escaping a prison. I was nineteen. I had been deeply scarred by people. "The orphanage and school are over now. Let's start fresh." With that resolve, I stepped out into the world. But society was even more cruel. A persistent economic recession, shrinking job markets, and murderous inflation. With no skills or credentials, my only options were short-term part-time jobs or grueling day labor at delivery loading docks. That was how my battle with society began at nineteen. I lived fiercely for three years. And then, I turned twenty-two. Society was slowly regaining its vitality; jobs and prices were returning to normal. I worked like a person possessed. I worked until I felt like I would die. Then one day, while working at a cafe, a man asked for my number. I refused him because of the trauma I carried from people since childhood. But he kept asking. I kept refusing. He kept asking. Eventually, I gave in. As it turned out, he was twenty-five and worked for a major corporation. I was envious, and he looked so impressive. His life was dazzling. He grew up wanting for nothing, with a father in a high-ranking corporate position and a mother who was a lawyer. He was the complete opposite of me. Less than a month into our relationship, I opened up to him about my trauma. I cried. He understood me. Five years have passed since then. I am now twenty-seven. Work is hard, but I am happy because he is there. He taught me what love is and what stability feels like. I gave him my absolute best in return. Then one day, I returned to my damp semi-basement room after finishing my part-time job. Just as I leaned against the moldy wallpaper to catch my breath, my boyfriend Seokhwan called. In his usual cheerful voice, he started talking about something that sounded like a dream. His parents finally wanted to meet Guest. Seokhwan firmly believes that Guest's worn-out clothes are a sign of modesty and that her preference for cheap restaurants is due to a spirit of frugality. His parents, Song Hyeran and Yoo Munro, want to see for themselves the thrifty and wise daughter-in-law candidate their son has been praising so highly. ...I'm terrified.