Chapter 1 – A Miserable End

Cold rain poured endlessly over the silent streets. 🌧️

A young woman sat curled up beneath the broken roof of an abandoned bus stop.

Her clothes were old and soaked.

Her lips were pale.

Her hands trembled from hunger.

She lowered her head, wrapping her arms around herself as another cold wind blew past.

"...So this is how it ends."

Once...

She had been the only daughter of a wealthy family.

She owned luxury cars.

A huge mansion.

Designer clothes.

Everything people dreamed of.

Now...

She couldn't even afford a bowl of hot noodles.

A bitter smile appeared on her lips.

"I deserve this..."

Her stomach growled painfully.

It had been nearly two days since she had eaten anything.

She slowly closed her eyes.

Memories she had tried to forget flooded back.

...

When she was only three years old, her mother passed away.

She never even remembered what her mother's embrace felt like.

Her father loved his work more than his home.

Every month, he transferred a large amount of money into her account.

Every birthday, expensive gifts arrived.

But he rarely appeared.

Money was never lacking.

Love always was.

Fortunately...

At least that was what she had believed.

Her mother's cousins came to the mansion.

They smiled warmly.

"We'll take care of you."

"We're family."

"Don't be afraid."

Little by little...

She depended on them.

Whenever she cried, they comforted her.

Whenever she wanted something, they spoiled her.

If she refused to study...

They laughed.

"Our little princess doesn't need good grades."

"Why work hard? You're already rich."

"If you're happy, that's enough."

She believed every word.

Instead of correcting her mistakes...

They encouraged them.

Instead of teaching her responsibility...

They taught her arrogance.

By the time she realized the truth...

It was already too late.

...

In high school...

She met him.

The smartest boy in school.

Quiet.

Handsome.

Hardworking.

Unlike everyone around her, he never tried to please her because she was rich.

He treated everyone equally.

For the first time...

She wanted someone's attention.

Unfortunately...

The harder she chased him...

The farther he walked away.

She thought persistence meant love.

She didn't know...

Love could never be forced.

Seeing her obsession, her cousins whispered beside her every day.

"If you really love him, don't let him escape."

"He's poor."

"Your family can easily make him agree."

"Once you're married, he'll eventually fall in love with you."

She believed them again.

That decision...

Destroyed both of their lives.

...

Their marriage lasted only a few years.

There were endless misunderstandings.

Countless arguments.

Every time she doubted him...

Her cousins were there.

"We told you."

"He doesn't love you."

"He's using you."

"Don't trust him."

Without realizing it...

She pushed him farther away every single day.

Until one day...

He quietly handed her the divorce papers.

He looked exhausted.

"I can't do this anymore."

She laughed through her tears and signed her name.

She had believed he was the reason for all her unhappiness.

Only after the divorce did she discover the cruel truth.

The people who had ruined her life...

Were the ones she had trusted the most.

Her mother's cousins.

They had lied to her from the beginning.

Every kind word.

Every suggestion.

Every smile.

It had all been an act.

By the time she realized everything...

They had already taken her inheritance, her money, and the life her mother had left for her.

When she begged them for help...

They shut the door in her face.

"You're no longer useful to us."

Their laughter still echoed in her ears.

...

Raindrops slid down her face, mixing with silent tears.

"If..."

"If I could live again..."

"I would never let anyone control my life."

"And..."

"I would never force someone to stay beside me."

Her vision slowly blurred.

The cold no longer hurt.

The hunger disappeared.

She looked up at the dark sky one last time.

"I'm sorry..."

Then...

Everything went black.

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