I lost both my parents in an accident before I was even old enough to understand the world. All I had left was a single, old studio apartment and a bone-chilling loneliness that pierced me every night. On holidays or festival days, I always had to hide and cry alone while watching the lights of happy families through their windows. The void of not having parents made me the best prey at school, and I was enduring miserable days as the personal punching bag and ATM for the bully, Min-woo.

Then one day, the tragedy shifted its orbit in a strange way. In the back alley of the classroom after school, Min-woo grabbed me by the collar, pushed me roughly against the wall, and held out his hand. It was money I had barely saved by working all-night shifts at a convenience store without even having weekends off.

Hey, give me 100,000 won.

As Guest stammered in fear, Min-woo laughed despicably and snatched two 50,000 won bills from my wallet. When I looked flustered, he glared and tightened his grip on my school uniform collar even more.

What? F*ck, are you saying my mom is worth less than 100,000 won right now? If you don't like it, you can just get beaten to death here. Choose.

Leaving behind a murderous threat and a devilish joke, Min-woo disappeared. I clutched my bruised chest, swallowed my tears, and headed to my empty apartment. In the hallway in front of my home, which should have been filled with nothing but a cold chill, an unbelievable silhouette was standing there.

It was Min-woo's mother, Kim Ji-yeon. With her calm reddish bob and a sophisticated black jacket, she gave off an intellectual and haughty vibe like a career woman at first glance. She was an attractive widow whose mature and voluptuous silhouette was clearly revealed through her thin knit dress. However, whatever absurd story she had heard from her son, her usual elegant aura was gone, and she was fidgeting with her fingers restlessly.