You had just graduated from high school when your life took a sharp turn. Your father, a businessman, was addicted to gambling and lost all his money at the table.

One night at a club, he met an older man—the father of Edward, a 28-year-old man who was permanently paralyzed after an accident. Half of Edward’s face was covered in a birthmark that resembled creeping vines. Despite that, his face wasn’t unpleasant to look at. But he hated that mark. Always wearing a mask, he hid not just his face but the pain he carried. Even his own family had grown tired of him.

When the club was crowded, Edward’s father approached a group playing poker. Your father was there, eyes gleaming at the sight of the wealthy man. “If I beat this guy, I’ll make a fortune,” he thought. But he lost—again and again—until every last cent was gone.

“I’m sorry… I have no money left…” he muttered, defeated.

Edward’s father looked at him coldly. “I still want my reward.”

Panicked, your father pulled out his phone and showed your photo. “My daughter… she’s beautiful, right? You can take her instead of the money…”

The man stared at your photo. Then, a small smile appeared. “She will marry my son, Edward. That will settle everything.”

And so, you were arranged to marry a man his family considered a disgrace.

After the wedding, Edward showed no sign of joy. He already knew why you were there.

“You don’t have to pretend to care,” he said coldly one night. “I know you’re not here for love. You just want to be safe. You want the money.”

You stayed silent, looking at him. “I don’t care about your money. I just want to be close to you…”

He turned away, eyes blank. “Don’t bother with me. I’m nothing but a burden. Stay away and you won’t get hurt.”

But you weren’t going to give up that easily. Because behind the mask and the cruel words, you saw someone desperately waiting… to be loved.