Chapter 5

The middle-aged woman everyone called Sang-anddaek had been working in this house since the day Kang Dasom first entered.

There was nothing in the Yoon family’s main residence in Hanseong-dong that hadn’t passed through her hands.

Not exactly a friendly face.

Sang-anddaek knew exactly whose favor she needed to win in order to survive here. Naturally, that meant treating Dasom with thinly veiled disdain.

“There’s more in the trunk. Bring them up to my room.”

“All of this…?”

Startled, Sang-anddaek widened her eyes. The wide-open trunk was stuffed with luxury brand boxes, each worth millions of won.

Before Dasom could even respond, Yoon Sunghoon raised his voice.

“What’s with the attitude? If she tells you to move them, just move them. Why are you talking back?”

“She must be flustered from rushing down so suddenly. I’m fine.”

Her gentle voice calmed Sunghoon, who reluctantly closed his mouth. He didn’t even spare Sang-anddaek a glance.

From the yard, where he had been playing night golf, a man appeared at the front door.

“Hey, why are you snapping at the maid the moment you get home?”

It was Kang Youngjun, Dasom’s half-brother—and Sunghoon’s old high school friend.

He was the one who had first suggested Dasom’s arranged marriage with Sunghoon.

Sang-anddaek, after Sunghoon’s scolding, looked helplessly at the mountain of shopping bags. She tried cautiously again.

“Did you really… buy all of these, Miss Dasom?”

Dasom smirked at the obvious question. The mocking curve of her lips made Sang-anddaek swallow hard.

She had known Dasom since childhood. The Dasom she remembered was a shy girl who blushed and refused even when someone offered to buy her something.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Her sharp tone made Sang-anddaek flinch again. She had survived in this house for decades thanks to her careful instincts. She knew Dasom had always been treated as a nobody in this household—and she treated her accordingly.

Not anymore.

Dasom had returned with vengeance in her heart.

“Did you hear what my brother said just now?”

“…Yes.”

“Don’t talk back again. Understand?”

Her dark, unreadable eyes bore down on Sang-anddaek, who found herself bowing despite her wounded pride.

“I’m sorry, Miss Dasom.”

Obediently, Sang-anddaek called other maids to haul in the boxes.

Meanwhile, Youngjun slung his golf club over his shoulder and let his eyes roam over Dasom, who was still wearing the outfit she had chosen at the department store.

“Damn, he dressed you up exactly to his taste.”

“Why? You don’t like it?”

“Why would you ask me that?”

He gave Dasom a pointed look, waiting for her response.

“I like it.”

“You don’t have to lie.”

“If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t wear it.”

“…Fair enough.”

Sunghoon snorted.
“Why the hell are you obsessing over your sister’s clothes? If you care so much, maybe you should’ve bought her something once in a while, with all the money you make.”

“Have some coffee before you go.”

“I was gonna hit the club but… forget it. Anyway, treat her well, got it?”

Without a word, Sunghoon slid his arm around Dasom’s shoulders. She let him pull her close, silent.

“If anyone saw, they’d think she’s a discarded sister. If you’re not staying for coffee, then leave.”

“I was going anyway. Dasom, I’ll call you later, alright?”

“Yes. Drive safely.”

With a roar, Sunghoon’s car disappeared down the hill. The heavy iron gates shut, and Dasom finally turned back.

The bright lights of the yard fell over Kang Youngjun.

He’s no different from Sunghoon.

“Sunghoon’s rough with his words, but he’s a decent guy.”

“Yes.”

“Did you sleep with him yet?”

Her lips went dry. Closing her eyes against the blinding light, she whispered.

“Yes.”

Youngjun needed Sunghoon to climb higher in the company. That’s why he had sold Dasom off to him.

Not that it mattered in the end. Sunghoon would eventually lose to his older brother, Yoon Jihwan. And Youngjun would lose the chairman’s seat to a bastard child.

“Need anything?”

“A car.”

“You don’t even have a license.”

“I’ll get one. Buy me a good one.”

“…Fine. I’ll take care of it. Go on.”

“Yes.”

After Dasom left, Sang-anddaek slipped back outside.

“Ma’am.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Treat Dasom better from now on.”

“….”

“And don’t pull that crap you did earlier in front of Sunghoon. Makes me look bad, understand?”

“I’m sorry, Director. It won’t happen again.”

“Good. Go.”

Blushing, she bowed repeatedly.

Boxes were stacked high outside Dasom’s room. She ordered Sang-anddaek to move only the contents into the dressing room and throw out the packaging.

Sang-anddaek worked without complaint—probably because of Youngjun’s warning.

“Oh, that box.”

“Yes?”

“That’s a Le Hermant bag. The newest release.”

“Yes, where should I place it?”

“Take it.”

Sang-anddaek hesitated. She didn’t want it, but Dasom needed to win her favor.

You’ll embezzle from this house and run abroad anyway.

In her previous life, Sang-anddaek had posed as Madam Seo, collected huge amounts of “investment money,” and escaped to America.

The Yoon family never reported her. She had threatened to expose their dirtiest secrets if they did.

In the end, she lived comfortably on that money.

Rotten house. What’s one more crack in it?

“I’m sorry, Miss Dasom. I’m grateful, but I can’t accept it. If Madam finds out…”

“Then throw it away.”

Dasom left it at that and entered her room. The door closed, and Sang-anddaek immediately tore open the box.

Dasom collapsed onto the bed. The room felt empty of all warmth.

It wasn’t much, but the small home she had once shared with her late mother had felt far cozier than this mansion.

She reached a hand toward the untouched white ceiling. Smooth and soft—nothing like the wrinkled hands she remembered before death.

“I really did come back.”

She had thought it a dream all day. Even now, reality hadn’t sunk in.

She feared sleep. What if she woke again in that hellish life?

Her eyes fell on a pair of abandoned ballet shoes.

After marrying Sunghoon, she had never once danced. At the end of her life, her body had forgotten ballet.

But her heart never had.

So much I had to give up.

Standing in the middle of the room, she rose onto her toes. Plugging in earphones, she let the music flow into her.

The soft melody seeped through her body. She spun lightly, as if freed from gravity.

Her pointed toes stretched with perfect precision, leaving faint arcs in the air.

Sweat slid down her skin. Her breath came short.

She didn’t stop. She pushed harder, until the ache proved she was alive.

Days passed.

Her life didn’t transform overnight just because she’d returned. But Dasom began changing it piece by piece.

One of those changes was getting her driver’s license.

As soon as she passed, she received a set of car keys and—unexpectedly—a credit card from Director Kang Youngjun through his aide.

Dasom tilted the card.
“What’s this?”

“Director Kang said it’s allowance money.”

She already had one from Sunghoon, which she used daily at department stores. Word of her spending spree had reached Youngjun, prompting him to give her his own card.

“Tell him thanks.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Soon, the rumors spread through the Yoon family’s main house.

They whispered that Dasom had grown arrogant, spending wildly now that she was set to become the wife of Cheonmyeong Group’s heir. That her frugal image had always been fake.

But the rumors died quickly—thanks to Sang-anddaek.

Each time Dasom returned from shopping, she gave her maid a gift. Once, she even stuffed an envelope of cash in her bag. The very next morning, Sang-anddaek brewed coffee herself and came to wake her up.

In this house, the only women were Madam Seo, Dasom, and the youngest daughter, Kang Ji-hye.

Ji-hye was usually away at school in Jeju, appearing only during holidays. Madam Seo was stingy and vicious.

Compared to tiptoeing around Madam’s belongings, serving Dasom was easier—and safer.

Such an easy woman to win over.

“Oh, Miss! You’re here. I’ve been waiting.”

“Sorry, I was late. Traffic was bad.”

“It’s fine. I didn’t wait long. This way, please.”

What a good liar.

Dasom had deliberately arrived an hour late. Yet her personal seller, Manager Min, still welcomed her with a smile.

“By the way, the necklace you ordered last time has arrived.”