They tossed my luggage out into the pouring rain like I was nothing.
"Brother, please! Listen to me!" I cried out, my voice trembling as I chased after Minjae. My hands were shaking, soaked already from the downpour. I held onto his arm, desperate.
Minjae pulled away like my touch burned him. His eyes were cold. "Sumin… I'm not your biological brother," he said flatly.
Those words sliced through me. My heart pounded. "No… that's not true. Brother, trust me—this is all a lie! Someone's trying to break us apart."
Behind him, Nari stood with her arms crossed and a cruel smile tugging at her lips. "Are you saying DNA is fake now?" she said mockingly, tilting her head.
Nari had been my sister for seventeen years. We shared birthdays, holidays, secrets. But lately, her kindness had turned bitter. She was jealous. Jealous that the three Jang brothers cared more for me than they ever did for her. And now… she was the one pushing the knife deeper.
"Taemin, you'll stop them, right?" I turned to him, hope flickering in my chest.
But Taemin wouldn't even meet my eyes. "I'm sorry, sister," he murmured. "I don't have the right anymore."
A sob broke from my throat.
"Now get out," Minjae ordered coldly. "You have no place in the Jang family."
"Please, elder brother. Just let me explain!" I begged, my knees buckling as I fell to the floor. "I didn't ask for this—I didn't know—"
Before I could finish, Nari stepped forward and shoved me hard. I stumbled backwards, slipping on the wet tiles. My back hit the ground just outside the doorway, rain crashing down on me like the world itself was rejecting me.
She stood over me, her shadow long and heartless. "That's where you belong, Sumin," she said, her voice dripping with venom.
The others didn't say a word. One by one, they turned away. And then—
SLAM.
The Jang mansion door shut, leaving me alone on the porch with nothing but my soaked clothes, a bruised body, and a heart shattered into pieces.
The rain poured harder. Cold. Merciless. Like it was trying to wash me away.
I sat there, motionless, staring at the place I once called home.
And just like that… I became a stranger to the only family I had ever known.
The rain suddenly stopped falling on me.
Confused, I blinked, water dripping from my lashes. My gaze shifted to the ground in front of me — a pair of polished black shoes stood inches away. My heart skipped.
Slowly, I looked up. A tall man stood over me, holding a large black umbrella that now shielded me from the downpour. He wasn't just handsome — he was dangerously handsome. Sharp jawline. Cold eyes. Dressed in a tailored black suit that screamed wealth and power.
His presence felt... dangerous. Like he could destroy everything without even lifting a finger.
"Stand up, Sumin," he said, his voice calm but commanding.
My breath caught.
He knew my name.
I hesitated, then pushed myself up from the wet, dirty ground, brushing mud from my arms. My clothes clung to my skin. My lips trembled.
Behind him, another man stepped forward — younger, maybe in his twenties, also dressed in black. He held a separate umbrella, shielding himself.
"Runo," the first man said without breaking eye contact with me.
"Yes, sir," the younger one replied instantly.
"Pick up the luggage and put it in the car."
"As you wish, sir."
Runo walked over to my scattered bags, now soaked and muddy, and began lifting them like they weighed nothing.
I followed his movements until my eyes landed on the car parked just beyond the gates.
A Rolls-Royce.
My mouth parted slightly in disbelief. Who was this man?
I turned back to him, still shaking. "Who… who are you?"
He looked down at me, expression unreadable.
The rain still poured around us — but not on us.
He didn't reply.
Instead, he silently shrugged off his long black coat and stepped closer. I froze as he gently draped it around my shoulders, the warmth of the fabric sinking into my soaked skin.
Then he placed a firm hand on my back, guiding me forward.
"T-Thank you, Uncle," I whispered, unsure why the word came out so naturally — as if I had always known him.
"Done, sir," Runo said as he returned, luggage now loaded.
Without another word, the man led me to the waiting Rolls-Royce. He opened the door and helped me in like I was someone precious. Then he joined me in the back seat. Runo slipped into the driver's seat and started the engine.
I sat there, silent. My heart raced.
I didn't ask questions. I didn't scream or resist. I didn't even know if they were rescuing me… or kidnapping me. I just sat there, too numb and too tired to fight anymore.
The car sped through the city, then the countryside. Hours passed in silence. Until, finally, the car turned onto a long private road lined with trees. At the end of it stood a massive gate. Beyond it — a mansion. No… a palace.
The gates opened. The car glided through.
When we pulled up to the entrance, maids rushed out under umbrellas to greet us. They bowed to him — and to me.
Were they greeting me… or preparing me to become their maid for life?
My shoes touched the marble steps. He walked beside me. Silent. Strong. Like a man used to being feared.
Inside, everything was polished, golden, and glowing. The silence screamed money. And power.
Once the doors closed, we were alone in the private living room. Just me… and him.
I turned to face him, gripping his coat tighter. "Why are you helping me?" I asked. My voice was small. "Who are you, really?"
He looked at me, expression unreadable. His dark eyes held something unspoken. Something dangerous. But calm… like still water before a storm.
"You're mine, after all, Sumin," he said softly.
My throat tightened. "You mean…?"
"You're my only girl," he said, taking a step closer. "The only one I've ever had."
My breath caught. "Uncle… but who are you?"
He let the silence hang before finally answering:
"I am Kwon Ryun."
The name dropped like thunder.
And even though his face was calm… I could feel the danger behind those eyes.