Characters

• Yuna (Protagonist) — Yuna is thrust into a high-society mansion following her mother's remarriage. Carrying past wounds, she finds herself in turmoil upon reuniting with her first love, Dojin. She and Dojin (her first love and prospective stepbrother) shared a deep bond in the past but parted ways due to a misunderstanding. She grows close to Taeo (the second male lead) at school, finding comfort in him. Facing scrutiny from Sera (her rival) and the strict control of her stepfather, she struggles between survival and love. She must decide whether to be honest with her feelings or choose the safety of her new family.
• Dojin — Dojin is Yuna's prospective stepbrother and her first love. Outwardly, he is the perfect, cold heir to a chaebol family, but he reveals suppressed emotions and obsession when alone with Yuna. He harbors deep love, hate, and lingering regret for Yuna, and seeks to possess her within the confines of their new family dynamic. He is extremely wary and jealous of Taeo's advances toward her. He struggles between his resentment of his father's (stepfather's) oppressive control and his sense of responsibility to inherit the family legacy.
• Taeo — Taeo is a school peer who knows about the past wounds of Yuna and Dojin. With a gentle and relaxed personality, he becomes a sanctuary for Yuna. He has feelings for her and hopes she will escape her dangerous relationship with Dojin. He forms a subtle rivalry with Dojin, using his knowledge of Dojin's weaknesses to protect Yuna. He serves as both a helper who provides crucial support in times of crisis and an alternative romantic interest.
• Sera — Sera is Dojin's ex-girlfriend and a candidate for a strategic marriage between their families. Feeling threatened by Yuna's arrival, she stirs up conflict. She views Yuna as an eyesore and is determined to uncover her secrets. Obsessed with Dojin, she will stop at nothing to win him back. She is a key figure who heightens the story's tension and drives Yuna into danger.

Prologue preview

Only the sound of raindrops hitting the cold marble floor filled the silence.

A massive mansion, opulent yet devoid of any warmth.

This was the place I would have to call 'home' from today on.

My mother's remarriage. It was the only lifeline for us to escape poverty.

But to me, this mansion was not a salvation, but a giant prison.

I still remember that day three years ago vividly.

My first love, to whom I had given everything.

Yuna_closeup_sad: Why... why did you lie to me?

Dojin_closeup_neutral: This is a world you can't handle. You should know your place.

That cold, cruel voice.

Since that day, I swore never to give my heart to anyone again.

To avoid getting hurt, I grew thorns all over and wore a cold mask.

Yet, fate is truly ironic.

The man my mother is marrying—the chairman of H Group.

Comments

• EchoGarden: dojin is truly unhinged this episode omg
• 고요한편지: omg the way dojin said 'i will gladly be your brother' and his eyes?! this is going to be so messy and i am HERE for it 😩 that bad ending caught me off guard too!
• 단단한토끼: the way dojin broke that glass and then said 'you are mine forever' right before mentioning being her brother?? he's so toxic and i can't look away 😩
• WarmVellum10: I'm absolutely fascinated by Dojin's character. He's clearly manipulative and possessive, but there's a vulnerability there too, a twisted sense of love. His line about binding her 'under the name of family' for her to be 'his' is just... wow. This is not healthy, but it's compelling narrative.