The rain poured relentlessly, soaking through the thick wool coat Yoon Ji Soo had wrapped around her shivering body. The streets of Seoul were dimly lit, the neon signs of late-night convenience stores casting eerie reflections on the wet pavement.
She pulled the hood lower over her face, gripping her daughter's hand so tightly that Ye Ji winced.
"Eomma," Ye Ji whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of rain hitting the ground. "Are we really leaving this time?"
Ji Soo didn't answer immediately.
She couldn't.
Because if she spoke, the desperation clogging her throat would spill out, and she couldn't afford to be weak right now.
Instead, she gripped Ye Ji's smaller hand tighter, pulling her through the darkened alley toward the taxi waiting at the end of the street.
This time, they had to make it. There couldn't be another failure.
They had tried before.
And every time, he had found them.
She had tried reporting the abuse to the police but they wouldn't even listen and within seconds her husband would be present
Seo Kang Joon was not a man you could run from.
But this time would be different.
This time she would be stronger, this time she would make sure she does what is necessary to leave him, she would trust the power of the law one more time
"Get in," she whispered urgently, opening the taxi door and pushing Ye Ji inside first. The little girl climbed in quickly, her small frame trembling from more than just the cold.
Ji Soo slid in after her, slamming the door shut. "To Gangnam. Quickly."
The driver barely spared them a glance before pulling out onto the road, the glow of streetlights flashing through the rain-streaked windows.
Ji Soo exhaled shakily.
They were moving.
They were going to make it.
She pulled Ye Ji close, pressing a trembling kiss to her daughter's damp hair. "We're almost there, baby," she whispered.
Ye Ji didn't respond.
She just held onto her mother, her tiny fingers clutching the fabric of Ji Soo's coat as if she already knew—knew that safety was nothing more than a fleeting illusion.
By the time they reached the law firm, Ji Soo's nerves were frayed.
The building loomed in front of them, a pristine structure of steel and glass, promising hope to those who sought justice.
But Ji Soo knew better.
Justice belonged to those with power.
And Seo Kang Joon had all of it.
Still, she had to try.
She guided Ye Ji through the doors, dripping water onto the polished floors as they approached the receptionist's desk. The woman behind the counter barely looked up, her fingers moving efficiently over the keyboard.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes," Ji Soo said, lowering her voice.
The receptionist glanced up, eyes flickering over Ji Soo's soaked clothes, then toward Ye Ji, who was clinging to her side. Something in her gaze softened.
"Name"
"Yoon ji soo," Ji soo said with trembling in her voice, she had first seen Mr Lee on the news, a lawyer that specialized in divorce cases, he had the highest rate of winnings and his speech on the news seemed to have given her hope for freedom. She had secretly booked an appointment online
"One moment." The receptionist stated with one last glance towards her
Ji Soo exhaled, gripping Ye Ji's shoulders as they waited.
A few minutes later, Mr Lee walked out, his tailored suit crisp, his expression professional. "Ms. Yoon?"
Ji Soo nodded quickly.
"This way, please."
The office was small but warm, the shelves lined with legal books, the scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air.
Ji Soo barely waited for the lawyer to sit before she spoke. "I need to file for divorce."
The lawyer studied her carefully. "Under what grounds?"
Ji Soo's nails dug into her palms. "Abuse."
A flicker of something crossed his face. Not surprise. Not shock.
Just… hesitation.
Ji Soo didn't like it.
She leaned forward, lowering her voice. "He's hurt me. He's hurt my daughter. I can't stay with him any longer "
The lawyer exhaled slowly, then folded his hands on the desk.
"Ms. Yoon…" He hesitated before continuing. "Does your husband know you're here?"
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
"I came here in secret," she said firmly.
Mr Lee's lips pressed into a thin line.
"I'm sorry," he said. "But I can't take your case."
The room seemed to tilt.
Ji Soo's breath caught in her throat.
"What?"
The lawyer looked genuinely regretful. "No one in this firm will. And if you try anywhere else, you'll get the same answer."
Ji Soo's heart pounded. "You… You haven't even looked at the details."
"I don't have to."
His voice was gentle, but it felt like a death sentence.
Ji Soo shook her head, a hollow laugh escaping. "So that's it? You're refusing to help me?"
The lawyer hesitated before answering.
"Ms. Yoon," he said quietly. "Your husband is not a man people go against."
Ji Soo's stomach twisted violently.
Her hands trembled.
No.
No, no, no.
She had done everything right this time.
She had made sure no one followed them. She had been careful.
And still—still—it wasn't enough.
It was never enough.
She stood abruptly, grabbing Ye Ji's hand.
"Let's go."
The lawyer looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't. Because there was nothing to say.
Ji Soo turned sharply, walking as fast as she could back through the law firm, her pulse roaring in her ears.
They had to leave.
They had to keep moving.
They had to—
The moment she stepped outside, her world ended.
Two black cars were parked across the street.
And leaning against one of them, dressed in a dark suit, his face utterly calm—was Seo Kang Joon.
Her breath strangled in her throat.
Ye Ji flinched, instinctively stepping closer to her.
Her stepfather smiled.
It was the same smile he had given her on their wedding day.
The same one he had worn when he told her she would never leave him.
Ji Soo's fingers tightened around Ye Ji's small hand.
Her legs screamed at her to run.
But she already knew.
It was over.
They hadn't escaped.
They never would.
Seo Kang Joon straightened, adjusting the cuffs of his expensive jacket before taking a slow step forward.
And in that moment, as the rain poured down and the city lights blurred in the distance, Yoon Ji Soo understood something with perfect, gut-wrenching clarity.
There was no way out.