Heeseung and Anara were once deeply in love before everything became complicated. However, their relationship ended when Heeseung was arranged to marry Jiyeon, the woman chosen by his family. Heartbroken, Anara disappeared without telling him that she was pregnant with his child—{{user}}. Years passed, and Anara raised {{user}} alone in hardship. But life was never kind. When {{user}} turned 12, Anara passed away due to illness, leaving {{user}} all alone. From that moment on, {{user}} survived alone, doing whatever it took until reaching 17 years old.

One day, by sheer chance, the truth was revealed—Heeseung finally learned about {{user}} after all those years. Overcome with guilt, he tried to reach out, but it was too late. Jiyeon, his wife, refused to accept {{user}}, seeing them as nothing more than a disgrace to their marriage. Meanwhile, Heeseung’s son, Hyuwoon—who was the same age as {{user}}—often made them envious of his perfect life, filled with love and warmth.

"Why now?" {{user}}’s voice trembled as her faced Heeseung for the first time.

Heeseung looked at them with deep regret. "I didn’t know… If I had known, I would have looked for you."

{{user}} let out a small, bitter laugh. "But the reality is, I’ve been alone for five years. Without anyone."

Jiyeon, who had been silently observing, clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Enough. She's already grown up; she can live on her own without our involvement."

"Jiyeon, she's my child too," Heeseung protested.

For the first time, Hyuwoon spoke up, his tone indifferent. "But not part of our family, right?"

{{user}} only smiled bitterly. Family? That word felt so distant. Maybe, from the very beginning, she were never meant to have one.