Chapter 1
A pained moan escaped the lips of the man, who was tightly bound in the center of the room. “You… Shin Sera!” The man’s intense blue eyes glared at the woman, his face contorted. Despite his imposing demeanor, his helplessness due to being bound made him appear non-threatening.
“You still haven’t come to your senses, begging like this?” The woman’s taunting words only hardened the man’s expression. He twisted his bound shoulders roughly, on guard against the woman, who could very well be a psychopathic kidnapper.
“Stop fooling around and untie me.”
The woman scoffed. “You still haven’t grasped the situation? You can’t leave here unscathed.”
“Untie this, damn it!”
“I’m telling you to behave nicely. If you keep provoking me, I don’t know what I might do. Aren’t you scared?”
“You’ve already crossed the line. So…”
“Have I crossed the line? You’re the one who arrogantly crossed it.”
“Ugh!”
As the woman applied pressure to the man’s center, his body convulsed as if being electrocuted. Despite furrowing her brow at the solid texture under her shoe, she didn’t cease this torturous act.
It was an inevitable situation. What she was doing now was her own way to survive.
“You should feel sorry for yourself. Does it hurt a lot?”
The woman whispered affectionately into the man’s ear, causing him to break out in a cold sweat from the pain.
“But don’t worry too much. If you listen well, I’ll treat you as nicely as you want.”
Now, facing the man as if she were a serial killer, the woman presented him with a kind and gentle smile. She realized that in his eyes, she must appear no different from a demon. That was also part of her true intention. After all, she had become the villainess of a soap opera.
* * *
On a day when fate took an unexpected turn, Jia found herself basking in the purest joy of her life. It was an extraordinary moment when her arduous life transformed into a new chapter filled with promise.
Jia’s journey had not been an easy one, for she had started from a disadvantaged position. Abandoned in a dilapidated orphanage in a small provincial town, she grew up alongside other children, constantly striving to carve out her own path. Armed with nothing but sharp wit and unwavering determination, she faced life’s challenges with fierce resolve.
For those who pour their heart and soul into their endeavors, opportunities eventually find their way. Through a twist of fate, Jia, who had toiled away at various part-time jobs, managed to secure a position as an accounting clerk in a modest company. Her diligent work did not go unnoticed, and the impressed CEO recognized her exceptional abilities.
“I really like you, Jia. You’re not only good at your job but also diligent and have a nice personality. If there are specific conditions you want, I’ll try to meet them. Would you like to continue working together?”
It didn’t take long for her to transition from a temporary employee to a permanent one and ascend from an accounting clerk to a project manager. This remarkable advancement was a testament to her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment.
By the time she reached the age of twenty-eight, Jia had reached a level of contentment that allowed her to proudly declare herself happy. She found fulfillment in her relationships with her wonderful colleagues, who had become like a second family to her. And the small house she had finally acquired brought her immense satisfaction.
‘Han Jia’s life is a success at this point.’
As she surveyed her new home, a place that never failed to fill her with wonder, a profound sense of gratitude washed over Jia. She took pride in her accomplishment of finally owning a home—a goal she had pursued relentlessly.
“Oh… here we go again.”
As she reveled in the sense of achievement, her heart suddenly skipped a beat—an occurrence that had become all too frequent as of late. Though she wasn’t overly alarmed, she dismissed it as a minor ailment, as she had always been blessed with good health.
[“I’m going to kill all of you… Just wait and see. I’m really going to kill every single one of you.”]
Hence, she decided to focus on the drama instead.
In the midst of the captivating drama playing on the screen, Jia savored a sumptuous Chinese dinner, an indulgence befitting the first day in her new home. The enchanting atmosphere of her captivating home moved her heart.
“Shin Sera, you should not dismiss it so lightly,” Jia murmured, feeling a strange tension. Shin Sera, the villainous character who perpetually committed audacious acts and sought revenge, had finally reached the point of planning to murder the female lead.
[“Lee Seon-kyung is the problem. She must be eliminated… Once the obstacle in front of me is gone, all the problems will be solved…”]
Equally abnormal were the reactions of the male lead, who had realized the villain’s intentions.
[“Haven’t you learned the lesson that your life will be ruined if you cross paths with Lee Seon-kyung? In case you’re unaware, allow me to tell you.”]
“You won’t regain your senses merely because an arm or leg is broken. Spare yourself unnecessary sympathy and handle the situation appropriately. If an unfortunate accident occurs in the process, it becomes an unavoidable problem.”
[“Why are you so desperate to ruin your own life, my dear Sera? You’re so adorable, it makes me want to tease you.”]
Was this the allure of a low-quality drama?
Amid the chaotic mess unfolding on the screen, the immersion was extraordinary. Though she did not root for the malevolent Shin Sera, she couldn’t help but be curious about the depths she would plunge into and how her wretched demise would unfold.
“Ah… My back hurts…”
As time slipped away, Jia, lying on the floor engrossed in the TV show, emitted a soft groan. Lost in the captivating drama, her body grew stiff and uncomfortable.
Unbeknownst to her, the hour hand had long passed 2 a.m. It was time for her to go to bed, yet the longing to witness the drama’s ending tugged at her. Hesitating momentarily, Jia ultimately resolved to continue watching, rising to fetch a glass of water.
“Ugh!”
In an instant, a searing pain gripped Jia’s heart, constricting it mercilessly. Intense agony coursed through her, rendering each breath a struggle. She stumbled and collapsed, her forehead colliding forcefully with the coffee table.
“Ah, ugh… Huh, ugh….”
The pain was excruciating, threatening to end her life at any given moment. Her body convulsed uncontrollably, and the blood streaming from her wounded forehead tainted her vision in deep crimson.
Quickly, an ambulance…
Struggling, Jia reached out for her mobile phone. With great effort, she managed to dial the emergency number 119, yet her trembling hand caused the phone to slip from her grasp, crashing onto the floor. In that moment, a realization dawned on Jia.
This was the end for her. Such a hopeless death…
As her consciousness waned, her vision flickered.
Liquid, whether blood or tears, trailed down Jia’s cheek. Her feeble finger twitched, inadvertently brushing against the screen. Simultaneously, her vision faded to black, as if her life force had been taken away.
With that, Jia’s consciousness sank deep into an abyss.
* * *
“Wake up.”
…Whose voice is that?
“Wake up, damn it, Shin Sera.”
What is he saying…?
Jia, trapped in the grip of a pounding headache, emitted a pained groan. In a state between sleep and wakefulness, she could only perceive the chaotic atmosphere surrounding her.
“Pretending to sleep won’t work; damn it, open your eyes.”
Filled with animosity, the voice gradually put together fragments of her consciousness. Where… where is she? She was engrossed in a dreadful drama, and suddenly she had the symptoms of cardiac arrest, and she thought she had met her demise. But now there was a man in front of her.
Jia, struggling to raise her heavy eyelids, was taken aback. It was because an unfamiliar, handsome man was glaring at her. Though she had never met him before, she was certain he embodied the character Lee Ro-un from the dreadful drama she had recently viewed.
What on earth is happening?
Taken aback, Jia hastily sat upright. She couldn’t fathom why Lee Ro-un stood before her, seething with anger. She cautiously tried to make sense of their conversation.
“Wake up, damn it, Shin Sera.”
Ro-un definitely called her Shin Sera. Why?
“Ugh, my head…”
Growing increasingly bewildered, Jia groaned while clutching her throbbing temples. Whether he perceived her disorientation as feigned or not, Ro-un berated her with an intense countenance.
“I know damn well how you act every time this happens, so what the hell are you whining about again?”
Jia couldn’t comprehend a single word from Ro-un. Defensive, she raised her hand, hoping for an explanation.
“Just a moment, just a moment… What’s going on? I’m pretty sure I fainted… Did you save me?”
“Hah, what nonsense. Are you kidding me?”
Disregarding Ro-un’s perplexed expression, Jia anxiously surveyed her surroundings. It was a luxurious and sophisticated bedroom that seemed to span dozens of square meters. It certainly did not resemble a hospital.
“What is this…?”
Fear tinged her voice as Jia cast a nervous glance around. Suddenly noticing a full-length mirror positioned on one side of the room, she ran toward it in a state of panic.
