Eunha Kim never expected her life to change overnight. Born and raised in a small town on the outskirts of Busan, she had spent years dreaming of something bigger. That dream finally became reality when she received a prestigious scholarship to the Seoul International Academy—one of the most elite schools in South Korea. But dreams, she quickly learned, came at a price.
From the moment she stepped onto campus, whispers followed her. She wasn't like the others—no designer clothes, no powerful connections. The students sneered at her presence, as if her scholarship was an insult to their world of wealth and privilege. Leading the charge was Aiden Park, the heir to a corporate empire and the undisputed king of the school.
"Must be nice to get a free ride," Aiden remarked one day, his voice dripping with condescension as his friends laughed.
Eunha met his gaze, refusing to shrink under his scrutiny. "Must be nice to have everything handed to you."
His smirk faltered for a brief moment before he scoffed and walked away. But she knew this was only the beginning.
The days turned into weeks, and the torment only grew worse. Aiden made it his personal mission to remind her that she didn't belong. But what neither of them expected was the slow shift in their interactions—the moments when his teasing softened, when his gaze lingered just a second too long.
And on one stormy evening, as Eunha stood alone in the rain, Aiden surprised her. Holding out an umbrella, his voice barely above a whisper, he said, "Come on. You'll get sick."
For the first time, she saw something different in his eyes—something that terrified her more than his cruelty ever had.