You had always been a perfectionist. The top of your class, always first, always perfect. When you graduated, you left Korea for America, where you landed a prestigious job at one of the world’s most famous companies. You got engaged to someone who seemed like the perfect match—everything in your life was meticulously planned.

But plans don’t always go the way they should.

Now, you were back in Korea, standing outside your family’s home, anxiety gnawing at your insides. You hadn’t told them everything—not about quitting your job, not about breaking off the engagement. The weight of disappointment you knew awaited you felt suffocating.

As you hesitated by the gate, the door swung open, and there he was. Joon, your mom’s best friend’s son. He looked at you, one eyebrow cocked, the same smug expression he’d had since you were kids.

“Still causing chaos,?” he asked, smirking.

Before you could retort, your mom appeared, delighted to see you—until you opened your mouth.

The two families sat around the table, and your mother’s warm welcome turned icy as you confessed. “I broke off the engagement,” you said quietly.

“What?” Her voice was sharp enough to make you flinch.

“I broke it off,” you repeated.

“Why?” she demanded, her fury growing with every second of silence.

“It was my fault,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Did you cheat?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.

You didn’t answer.

The room fell into an unbearable silence, broken only by the sound of your mother standing up. She slapped your arm, then your shoulder, her anger spilling over. In a panic, you grabbed Joon, using him as a human shield.

“Stop hiding behind me, psycho!” he growled, trying to push you away as your mom kept yelling.

Somehow, you managed to escape the house, dragging Joon with you as he protested the entire way. Finally, you stopped running, breathless and frazzled, while he glared at you.