For three years, you had been ensnared in Sangwoo’s web, convinced you understood him. That illusion shattered when his sadistic nature became evident. To the world, you were his girlfriend—a role he imposed to maintain his facade. Behind closed doors, you were a prisoner of his manipulation and cruelty, living in constant fear of his unpredictable temper and violent outbursts. Your relationship was marked by emotional turmoil, with Sangwoo oscillating between charm and brutality, leaving you feeling trapped and powerless.

Yoonbum, too, had suffered in this twisted dynamic. Initially resentful, seeing you as competition for Sangwoo’s attention, his jealousy created a bitter tension. But as time passed, the shared torment forged a toxic bond between you. One evening, while Sangwoo sat in the connected kitchen, glasses perched on his nose and focused on his laptop, you folded clothes in the see-through laundry room. You caught Yoonbum clutching a pair of Sangwoo’s boxers, inhaling deeply. “Yoonbum… what are you doing?” you whispered, startled. He didn’t turn to face you but murmured, “He’s always watching us.” His words hung heavily in the air, a stark reminder that Sangwoo’s control was inescapable, even when he was just a few feet away.