Fourteen Years Ago
The rain pounded relentlessly against the windows of the Park estate's study. Inside, two men stood on opposite sides of a mahogany desk — once brothers by choice, now torn apart by circumstances neither of them fully understood.
"Hyung… you know me. You know I would never let something like this happen," Yoon Do Hyun pleaded, his voice hoarse from shouting. "Vitalixin was our dream, Min Seok. I poured my life into it — for the people, for our families."
Park Min Seok's face was pale and tight with exhaustion. "Do Hyun, you think I don't want to believe you? But the board has evidence. The financial discrepancies came from your accounts. The chemicals were ordered under your name. The records don't lie."
"I was set up!" Do Hyun slammed a trembling fist against the desk. "I swear on my daughter's life. Someone's behind this. You promised me… no matter what, we'd have each other's backs."
Min Seok's eyes flickered with pain. "And I meant it. But this… it's not just about us anymore. It's the company. The families who lost loved ones because of that plant accident. The media's out for blood. The police are already building a case."
"I would never…" Do Hyun choked, his voice breaking. "Min Seok-ah, I have nothing else left. My family… Seri…"
Min Seok looked away, guilt making his chest heavy. "I'm sorry, Do Hyun."
Do Hyun's face crumpled. He took a shaky breath. "Please… if you ever meant anything to me, keep Seri safe. She's innocent."
A long, silent pause hung in the air, punctuated only by the distant rumble of thunder.
"I'll do what I can," Min Seok finally said, his voice low.
But neither man knew that before dawn would break, Yoon Do Hyun would be found dead in a car accident.
His wife too, a few days later.
And eleven-year-old Seri… would disappear without a trace.
---
Present Day
Kim Eun Jung lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling as a familiar ache settled in her chest. Life, she thought, always had a way of testing her patience. No matter how hard she tried, nothing ever seemed to work out the way she wanted. And tonight was no different.
Her phone rang, the screen flashing Director Bo's name. Without even answering, she already knew what the call was about. She picked it up, her voice flat.
"Hello."
"Good evening, am I speaking with Miss Kim Eun Jung?"
"Yes, it's me."
"It's about your project. We're sorry, but it has been rejected. The producers decided to go with Kang Haeri's 'Enduring Love'. Your storyline is great and has potential, but they felt the plot was outdated. We wish you the best in your future endeavors."
The line went dead.
Eun Jung dropped the phone onto the bed and let the tears come. She was exhausted. Tired of fighting, tired of hoping, tired of smiling through the endless rejections. She cried until sleep mercifully took her.
When she woke up, the room was already dark. She reached for her phone — 8:00 PM. Two hours had passed. Five missed calls from Taeri, three from Min Soo. That's when she remembered — they were supposed to meet tonight.
She threw on the nearest decent outfit and rushed out.
The small restaurant was buzzing with late-night chatter and clinking glasses. Taeri spotted her first, waving both arms.
"Yah! Over here!"
As soon as she sat down, Min Soo chimed in, "Where did you drop your phone? We've been calling you like crazy."
"I was sleeping," Eun Jung muttered, rubbing her eyes.
"Did Director Bo call you?" Taeri asked.
Eun Jung hesitated, then nodded.
"And?" Taeri leaned in eagerly.
"They chose Kang Haeri's Enduring Love," she said softly, her eyes downcast.
"What?!" Taeri exploded, slamming her hand on the table.
"They said my storyline was great, but… outdated," Eun Jung added, bitterness clinging to every word.
"Outdated? That's a damn lie!" Taeri shot back. "We all know they picked her because she won that fake Daesang last year. Rigged nonsense."
Eun Jung stayed quiet, staring at the table.
"It doesn't matter," Min Soo cut in with a grin. "Better things are coming for you. Tonight, we drink — bills on me."
"Yes!" Eun Jung agreed instantly, raising an imaginary glass.
They ordered Soju, and it only took two shots for Eun Jung's poor drinking tolerance to hit rock bottom. Soon, she was slurring and laughing at nothing in particular.
Feeling a sudden need to pee, she stood up, wobbling a little.
"Where are you going?" Taeri asked.
Eun Jung pointed vaguely.
"Should I come with you? You look like you might topple over."
"I'm fine," Eun Jung waved her off.
"I think she can do it," Min Soo joked.
She stumbled off in search of the restroom. Finding a door, she pushed it open, handled her business, and came out to see a tall man standing by the mirror, fixing his hair.
"Pervert!" she shrieked.
The man flinched and turned, startled. "Pervert? You're the one barging into the men's room, Miss."
"Huh? I might be drunk but I'm not stupid. This is the ladies' restroom, ahjussi!"
He raised an eyebrow. "I can see you're not just drunk — you're blind. This is the men's room. And what exactly are you doing here? Ulterior motives?"
"Ulterior motives?! Between us, who's the real pervert?"
The man let out a frustrated sigh. "God, I don't have time for this."
As he turned to leave, Eun Jung, in her drunken determination, grabbed onto his sleeve.
"What are you doing?" he snapped, eyes narrowing.
"No way I'm letting a pervert like you get away."
"I told you I'm not a pervert, ahjumma. Let go before I call someone."
He whipped out his phone and made a call. Moments later, a young female manager hurried in.
"What's going on here, sir?"
"Can you explain to this Miss that this is the men's restroom and she should let me go?"
The manager blinked, glanced at Eun Jung, then at the sign on the door. "Miss, I think there's a misunderstanding. This is the men's restroom."
Eun Jung slowly looked up at the sign. Reality hit like a truck.
"Oh."
The man crossed his arms. "See? Not a pervert. You're not a guy, are you?"
"Well… I'm a feminine guy…" she blurted, swaying slightly.
"Eun Jung-ah!" Taeri appeared, hurrying over. "What's going on? You've been gone forever."
The manager explained, and Taeri quickly bowed. "I'm so sorry, sir. She's drunk. Please forgive her."
"Why are you apologizing?" Eun Jung protested.
"Shut up, Eun Jung," Taeri hissed.
The man scowled. "Don't let your friend drink like this again. She's crazy."
"Yes, sir. It won't happen again."
He turned to leave — but just then, a group of girls walking by gasped.
"Isn't that Park Eun Ho?!"
Another girl squealed, "Yes! It's him! I'd recognize him even if he was wearing a ski mask!"
Phones were already snapping pictures.
Taeri's jaw dropped as recognition dawned. She quickly switched from apologetic to rabid fangirl.
"Oh my God, Park Eun Ho… I've watched Moonlight Serenade like five times! And that Versace shirt you wore at the award show — perfection!"
Park Eun Ho didn't even respond. His gaze slid to Eun Jung, who was now sitting on the floor, laughing and mumbling nonsense, then to Taeri, who was still rambling like a maniac.
He shook his head, muttering under his breath, "Crazy people everywhere."
And with that, he left.