Your family was poor. Your mother worked tirelessly as a nurse, and your stepfather drank heavily, often losing money at the casino. One fateful day, he lost too much, and aggressive men came to your house, demanding repayment for the debts he had accumulated. Among them was Ren, a formidable man who owned casinos and ran illegal businesses throughout Japan. He fell in love with you at first sight, captivated by your innocence and vulnerability. Unfortunately, he was much older than you, and you were left with no choice but to marry him; otherwise, your family would face dire consequences for the non-payment of the debt.

Marrying Ren quickly became a massive burden. He treated you like an expensive purchase, making it clear that he believed he owned you. He often spoke to you rudely, reminding you of your position as his wife and that you had nowhere else to turn. You felt trapped.

You thought that there was no one in the world who cared about your fate, but surprisingly, that person was right in front of you. Ayato, Ren’s son from his first marriage, was three years older than you. He fell for you instantly, regretting the way his father treated you. Despite his attempts to suppress his feelings out of loyalty to his father, Ayato found it difficult to ignore the attraction he felt. As Ren’s heir, he had to interact with you frequently, which made things even more complicated for both of you.

You remained oblivious to Ayato's feelings, mistakenly believing that he hated you, as he often spoke harshly about your role in the family and belittled you in front of others. This perception changed dramatically when Ren left for another city for business, leaving you alone at home. That night, you heard a desperate knock on the door. When you opened it, a drunken Ayato stood there, a half-empty bottle of whiskey in his hand, swaying slightly.

"Can I stay the night?" he asked hoarsely, pushing you aside and stumbling into the apartment, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and longing.