The CEO of forbidden redemption

thes were neatly pressed but plain, her face pale and withdrawn. Whispers surged like wind ar

the cl

who tried to sedu

e's living off

high, refusing to let her trembling knees give her away. Ji-e

urmuring intensified. One of Sera's frien

smells like s

shower after her club shi

seat, only to freeze. Her desk had been smeared with wha

fish lay right on t

ome students turned away, e

oy near the back mumbled, bu

ld, and sat at the edge of her chair, ignoring the stench. Her

old and serious. His eyes fell

d here?" he a

ir, someone mess

"If you behaved like a proper student, may

ppled throu

blinked

at up and don't d

n slowly, f

eyes never left Ha-rin. He saw everything. Her silence. Her strength. Her

-

r felt cold

uelching sounds with each step. Her eyes were still glassy, but she was

" a voice c

literature teacher, Miss Ji-hye-one of t

creased with concern. "I heard what happened. Sit d

rapidly, figh

I didn't do an

acing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know wh

swallow

erful parents,

again, her voice low. "Bu

of tea. "Stay here and rest f

-

, Sera was seated on a vanity bench

brushed hair over her shoulder. "I he

d, with a sneer. "She's alw

eds to be transferred. She dares sid

o be concerned, "why don't you just let it go? It's

t it go?" she hissed. "She's a walking r

oice

's the reason he's not talking to me anymo

xchanged worried gla

she wants to act like she's above us, we'll

-

edge of her mattress. Her friend, Bo-y

," Bo-young urged, nudging her.

y stomach's

ot alone, okay? I'm always here. E

ead fall onto Bo

d. "Tired of fighting. Of

Ha-rin's hand. "Then don't pr

mforted by the sound of

-

ansion, chaos

m, phone clutched tightly in his hand

asked, startled.

again and harassed a homeless man at t

ehyun walked

ing?" he slurred. "It

the wall. "Do you want to destroy this f

" Jaehyun spat back, "I wouldn'

oom f

just say?" Mr.

a bottle of soju off the side table. "Maybe you s

Kang quickly stepped betwe

cried. "You're

ything!" Mr. Kang shouted, fumin

out, slamming the door so

-

r father was reading a report

?" he asked sharply. "And that..

rk paused

eated,

her snapped. "A girl with no name, no

"Honey, she's just distracted

mbarrassing for the Yoo family name. How d

eard you've been reported for bullying. Fix your mess. I'v

t, Sera burs

tand! Ha-rin is ru

like a child. "Then do what needs to be

narrowed aga

-

was seated alone in his ro

t night. The house was always loud with conflict-yelling

... only one voice

's voice.

fa

he showed up. The way she stoo

pulled out a photo-one he

to of

ldhood

irst

-

were whispering while flippin

y insecure,"

might not even know Jae-mi

t then, her eyes

erfect one. We'll humiliate her

i glanced at each

e of the coldness that clung to the walls like mold. Ha-rin sat silently, her back straigh

a customer last night. That

begged the tea

g like she's somebod

ed. The words were knives. Invisible

sily swayed homeroom instructor. His eyes scan

the English mock test. You've do

d. But I scor

like butter wouldn'

think lowlifes or people with...dubious backgrounds can achi

ils dug int

wed. His gaze flickered between the teacher and Ha-r

ne acting lik

piece of cold bread, and water. Her stomach rumbled. Her

ps appr

-ri

eacher-Miss Ji-hye. She knelt beside

his. You're not invisible t

ered. "Why...why a

at you represent. Strength, despite circumstances

er fingers gripping the

-

room, Sera and her friends huddled,

Min-ah complained. "Wha

used to it," Yur

g. That orphan act won't work forever.

mane

n handle a public humiliation. May

-

ll rang. Ha-rin slowly packed her b

ow fell acr

n't let the

ked up.

use

uldn't let them

you know about it, rich boy? Everyon

You think I have it eas

it. "Why are you talking to me?

s not my girlfrie

red at e

did to your desk. And the bathr

't have to feel sorry. Just... don't

ed. Then pulled back. "Wel

-

in returned home

to start looking for another place. You're practically an ad

"I'm graduating soon. I'l

asn't even supposed to be yours. You think I don't know how your parents wr

into a chair. Her best friend, Ji-soo,

ened today," Ji-

tired smile. "Gos

u o

. That's s

ugh. You deserve mor

thin mattress. As the light faded from

, Ha-rin. No

eyes we

"Jae-min? He's not like the others

matter. Even if he is different, his

breaking apart too

-

residence, i

screamed, flinging a b

he center, lip blee

my name?! Assaulting a homeless man i

ied, trying to

PAY them off! And the police-do you kno

ipping. "You care about your nam

ward, fist raised, but J

oug

OU

amily even worth if all

The storm

-

dim moonlight, Ha

feel entirely

ack car sat parked at

inside, star

ver yet, h

prote