Chapter 1: A Breakup Gift

“Ah,” Iju gasped at the tightness on her waist.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" asked the employee working on Iju's dress.

Of course I’m not okay. The woman had tightened the dress so much that her ribs felt like they were about to crack.

“You have such a slim waist! And such fair skin too. I think you’d look great in practically anything. Your fiancé is a lucky man, isn’t he?” gushed the employee. She didn’t loosen her grip on Iju’s dress.

“It’s…too tight,” Iju groaned, but the woman didn’t seem to notice.

“You really have a great figure, and this dress is so gorgeous, isn’t it?” The woman peeked around at Iju’s face. “Um, is something bothering you? You don’t look too well.”

As I said, you’re making the dress too tight. Iju sighed instead of answering the question. “I wonder how many people who came here to try on dresses actually got married,” she said, almost in soliloquy.

The employee, having inserted all the pins, wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Too many to count,” she said, bursting into laughter. She seemed to think the question was silly.

“How many have called off their wedding then?” Iju, who’d been gazing down at her dress, turned to face the woman.

The employee blinked as if the question was difficult to comprehend. She said a few moments later, “None that I know of. Why would you ask—”

“Then I guess I’ll be the first,” Iju said quietly.

The woman looked puzzled. “I’m sorry?”

“Open them, please,” Iju said, ignoring the question and gesturing to the curtains with her chin. The woman hesitated and moved the curtains aside.

“Isn’t your bride gorgeous?” The employee immediately beamed, pressing for a compliment. She showed no sign of her confusion moments before.

Sehyeok, who’d been sitting on the other side of the curtains staring at his phone, finally looked up. The eyes that had once been so excited to look upon Iju now scrutinized her body harshly. As usual, there was little emotion to be seen in them.

But Iju’s gaze had changed too.

She was no longer the same Iju Han who’d hurried to pick out a random dress she didn’t like so she wouldn’t waste too much of his time, a girl who’d been anxious to please others.

The employees gazed at them quietly, taken aback by the unusually frosty mood between the engaged couple.

“What do you think?” Iju’s voice had a hard edge to it, even though her tone was relaxed. She was no longer timid all the time, nor was her voice hardly audible.

“It’s nice. It looks good on you,” Sehyeok said dryly without even making eye contact.

“So, this isn’t good enough for you, either...” muttered Iju under her breath. Her tone was one of mockery, possibly directed at herself. She could not change Sehyeok’s cold eyes and lack of interest no matter what she tried. She felt an urge to put a dent in that serene face of his.

Iju strode over to him, the stride of her heels against the floor sharp and discordant. She looked down at him without emotion, then dropped the bouquet in her hand onto the table. His eyes widened, and before he could react any further, she pulled out the fountain pen from his breast pocket and uncapped it.

The cold metal of the sharp tip glinted. At that moment, it looked every bit as threatening as an actual weapon. Iju plunged the tip into her dress without hesitation, tearing the fabric with a loud noise.

“Iju Han, what the hell are you–”

The fountain pen, having accomplished its purpose, was thrown onto the floor. Sehyeok paused. Straight, ivory legs were now visible under the long tear. He scanned her legs before wearing a frown.

In a tone slightly airier, Iju said, “Perhaps you like this better.”

She should have ended this sooner. Perhaps she’d wanted to turn a blind eye even though she knew that there was no affection in her fiance’s eyes when he looked at her. Her life had grown unhappy as a result, and yet—being the fool that she was—she’d clung to the slim hope that perhaps things would change.

Iju picked up the bouquet and shoved it onto his head. Flower petals fell away, skimming his face, and a droplet of water slid down toward his chin. “I’m calling off the marriage. Here’s our breakup gift.”

The employees collectively gasped. The woman standing nearby—the one who’d explained that every bride who came here had successfully married—inhaled sharply.

“I like your new look,” said Iju coolly while Sehyeok looked on in a daze, not having grasped the situation just yet. She looked satisfied. The look on his face was quite something. “You look fantastic, you really do,” she said, turning away.

Her terrible marriage life was finally over—and she’d only managed to end it after coming back from the dead.

***

The aroma of food filled the entire house. Iju had been frying a variety of pancakes, and beads of sweat shone on her forehead. Though she was trying her best, she just couldn’t get the dishes to look right.

“Why do you always take an entire day to do simple chores?” Jaesuk said shrilly from behind her.

Iju flinched.

“Oh, Mom. It’s not like you and Dad are newlyweds or something. Why have Iju do all this work for another of your housewarming parties? Why all this fuss when you could have your food delivered by pressing a few buttons on your phone?” Sehui said.

“I thought you were going out! I don’t want to hear that from you. You refused to help earlier.”

“I am going out!” Sehui, who would normally have picked on Iju even more than her mother, was defending Iju for a change. Sehui fidgeted with her hands, her eyes shining expectantly as if looking for a compliment.

Iju knew what Sehui wanted. She turned off the stove and picked up a shopping bag she’d left on the sofa, handing it to Sehui. Sehui snatched it away without a word of thanks, her face lit up into a grin to check what was inside. “This isn’t what I asked for,” she said, in a tone that was now very different.

Iju, who’d gone back to frying pancakes, looked up. “Oh, I thought that would be the best design for you, considering its weight and size. You need to carry textbooks around as well, so...”

Iju’s explanation didn’t seem to appease Sehui.

“I told everyone I was getting the latest design this year. God damn it...” Sehui muttered, ready to cry any minute.

Jaesuk slapped her on the back. “Bags are just bags. You’re the one making a fuss.”

“But Dona is coming today! I already bragged to everyone!” Sehui screeched.

“Would you like me to exchange it for a different design?”

“Forget it. I needed it today, damn it!” Sehui snatched the bag away and hung it on her shoulder when Iju tried to take it back. After shooting her a scathing look, Sehui turned and left the house.

Iju let out a quick sigh.

She’d actually run into Dona when she’d gone to buy the bag. Sehui always copied Dona as if she was her role model. The bag that Sehui had asked for was the same bag that Dona already had; embarrassment would be the only result if Sehui took it to the get-together. Iju had bought a different one out of consideration, but it only seemed to have pissed off Sehui.

Iju tried to keep a smile on her face as she went back to work.

“She’s my kid, but God, what personality she has,” Jaesuk said, clucking her tongue. She tore off a piece of pancake and put it in her mouth. “Yuck! That is way too salty! Look, Iju. You’ve been married for a while now and you still don’t know how to season your food? How is anyone supposed to eat this stuff?”

“I’m sorry. Should I make them again?” Iju asked. But her eyes were on the clock on the wall.

“Your maid’s a pretty good cook. It wouldn’t hurt to bring her on a day like this.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s...”

That wasn’t something Iju could ask for, and today was not even a special day. Iju thought better of saying this out loud, however. Quarreling with this woman would only be draining for Iju.

“I’ll ask her next time,” Iju said. She let out a sigh quietly as she leaned against the sink.

Just a little longer. There wasn’t much time left for her birthday, but she’d be able to spend what remained with Sehyeok soon.

"Oh, and free up some time this weekend. Let’s go see a doctor.”

“A doctor?”

“It’s been almost a year since you got married, and yet there’s no news of a baby. We need you to have a baby. That’ll get us on an even footing with your parents, at least.”

Seeing a doctor would change nothing. Sehyeok had never slept with Iju even once since their wedding.

“I’ll think about it.”

Jaesuk, who would normally have pressed her for a clearer reply, let things go. The real purpose of the conversation seemed to lie elsewhere. Jaesuk cleared her throat. “By the way, I hear your father’s company is looking for a new division director.”

“Ah, yes. Though I don’t know how long the position will be open.”

“It can’t be good to leave the spot open for too long, can it?”

“That’s for the board to decide—”

“Hey,” Jaesuk cut in sharply.

After a brief pause for a breath, she said, “What better person to turn to at a time like this than a son-in-law? You’re the oldest daughter of your family, and Yura doesn’t even seem to be considering marriage yet. What need is there to look any further?”

Jaesuk had said something similar before. Iju had simply responded that she’d consider it and never brought up the subject again. Apparently, this time Jaesuk wanted a proper answer.

“Sehyeok’s happy with his job at his company.”

Iju heard someone clearing their throat and turning the page of a newspaper in the living room. It was her father-in-law, Hyeoncheol, who had been listening in and was now making his displeasure heard. Iju found that even her own breathing was too loud in the silent house.

“Well then, persuade him. I’m suggesting this for your own good, Iju! What bad can come of this? Your parents will no doubt prefer it this way, too.”

Jaesuk somehow seemed to think that Sehyeok, as the son-in-law of the owner of WJ Retail, deserved to receive special privileges from Iju’s parents.

“The company has just gone public, but I think it has plenty of potential for growth, Mother,” Iju said unequivocally, stifling another sigh.

The position of division director wasn’t something she could ask for from her parents, and Sehyeok would refuse anyway.

“Always have to have your own way, don’t you? You don’t respect us at all. Never have!”

“What? Why would you say such a thing?”

“Shut your mouth. Do you still think of us—I mean, your father-in-law—as your family’s chauffeur? Is that why you still look down on us?” Jaesuk yelled.

Iju exhaled, her breath trembling.

Sehyeok’s father, Hyeoncheol, used to be the chauffeur for Iju’s family. He wasn’t one from the start, of course. Hyeoncheol had been friends with Iju’s adoptive father, Jinwung, since childhood. Hyeonjeol launched many new business enterprises only to have them all fail, landing in massive debt. His wife, Jaesuk, had made life miserable for him at home, and he had begged Jinwung for work—even if it meant driving Jiwung’s family around. Hyeoncheol’s family ended up moving to one of the outbuildings on Jinwoong’s property. As a result, Iju had been on good terms with Sehyeok’s family since she was little. They had been nice to her, but things changed after the wedding.

After they had gotten engaged, she’d set up a franchise restaurant for her future in-laws as a wedding gift. They hardly looked after the place, however, doing whatever amused them. The debt was snowballing, and though Iju hated asking for money from the family who treated her poorly, her in-laws were only spending even more.

She had believed that marriage would open the doors to a happy life, but it had changed nothing.

Sehyeok had been her only escape amid all this. Even though he never told her he loved her or treated her with affection, she felt safe just by being around him.

She heard another low cough from the living room. Hyeoncheol, who was ostensibly reading a newspaper, seemed to be still listening. The sound of the paper being pulled taut was harsh and hostile, like a slap on the cheek.

“I’m your mother-in-law. You should be willing to accept my advice, not make me explain every little thing. Look at Yura. At least she’s charming.”

Iju felt as if a tremendous weight was pressing onto her chest. “I’m sorry.”

“That aside, you don’t feed this crap to Sehyeok, do you?”

Every single word stung.

“You should just move into this house with Sehyeok. I’ll teach you all the ins and outs.”

Iju hesitated, unsure about what to say. The bell rang, and Jaesuk immediately assumed a different expression as she opened the door.

“My goodness! This place is simply marvelous!” Jaesuk’s friends were walking in one by one.

“I just got lucky enough to get a chance to purchase it, that’s all.”

Iju bowed in the group’s direction.

Jaesuk, who’d been forced to live in a studio in the past, never seemed to get tired of inviting guests ever since she purchased the apartment. It was Iju who had paid for the deposit and settled the closing balance too. Though Jaesuk had promised to repay Iju once the price of the house rose, she seemed to have forgotten.

“I heard the value of the apartment’s gone up by two billion won already,” said a friend.

"That’s just the asking price, dear. Come on in. Iju, bring some food and alcohol to the living room.”

Jaesuk’s laughter rang throughout the house.

Iju walked over awkwardly. “Actually, I need to be going now. Sehyeok will be getting off work soon.”

“Is that right? You could tell him to just come here.”

“Well... Today’s my birthday, you see...”

“Oh, is it? Go on, then. Don’t forget to speak to your parents about what I told you earlier.”

“All right,” Iju said with a bow, taking her leave.

“Hey, your daughter-in-law just told you it’s her birthday! That was a bit cold, don’t you think?”

“It’s not even her actual birthday.”

Iju tried to block out the snatches of conversation as she left. Iju hadn’t much time left. She quickly bought a cake and went to a supermarket for some apples for Sehyeok. She’d been indoors for so long that she came out wearing clothes that were too thin for the weather. The wind bit into her skin through her coat. She wondered if she should call Sehyeok, but thought better of it and instead walked a little faster.

She turned a corner and jerked to a stop. Yura and Sehyeok were standing in front of Iju’s home.

Yura was dressed up, and the sight made Iju want to hide. Before she knew it, she was hiding behind a wall with bated breath. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen the two together, and yet her heart refused to slow down.

She had a bad feeling about this, and she had always been right about such things.

“You’re the one I love, not Iju Han.”

Iju’s heart plummeted, and so did the box that was in Yura’s hands. The box probably contained a birthday cake Yura had made for Iju, her stepsister.

Though the scene was unfolding right in front of her, none of it felt real. Iju felt like she was watching a TV show.

“Sehyeok... What is this?”

“I just told you. I love you, Yura Han, not Iju.”

Iju realized why he had refused to hug her even once or say a single sweet word to her.

“It’s not funny, Sehyeok. Stop it.”

“I’m not joking.”

“Sehyeok, it’s her birthday today. Have you forgotten?”

Yura’s innocent face was full of shock. Iju felt a sudden urge to wring her slim neck.

“Yura.” Sehyeok seemed afraid that Yura might just walk away. There was an ardent note in his voice that Iju had never heard from him, and it made her nearly choke. “I’m going to get a divorce. Once I divorce her, let’s—”

Iju hadn’t noticed the apple that had fallen from the bag she was carrying. It rolled up to Sehyeok’s shoe. Iju’s eyes followed its path, slowly traveling up to Sehyeok’s face.

“Iju!” Yura shouted.

Iju backed away, incredulous, then turned around and ran. Yura stopped her, but the warm touch of Yura’s hand on her wrist made her shudder.

“Iju! We need to talk!” Yura said, out of breath.

Iju stared down at her wrist, which quivered faintly.

“I know you’re shocked. I’m sure he doesn’t mean it. I’ll try to talk him out of it, so—”

Iju stiffened at Yura’s bashful tone. “Were you aware Sehyeok liked you?”

Iju’s resentment was now directed at Yura. Yura couldn’t have failed to notice Sehyeok’s feelings—not the shrewd Yura that she knew.

Yura did not reply, and Iju felt her heart break into a thousand pieces.

“So, you’re not denying it.”

A frown formed on Yura’s beautiful forehead. She opened her mouth several times before she managed to utter a response. “I like him too, but not as a man. He’s not the man for me.”

Iju felt cool-headed instantly. Yura had an excellent eye for discerning the people who would benefit her, and those who would not.

“If you knew he liked you, why didn’t you dissuade him?” Iju asked in a trembling voice. She couldn’t maintain her composure in a situation like this.

“He knows me better than anyone. He’s nice, and he understands me.”

“So, you used him, like you used me.”

Yura’s expression hardened suddenly. Had Iju hit the mark or had Yura simply quit the charade?

“You were going to keep him by your side, knowing that he loves you, while you search for another man you can marry?” Iju asked in a weary tone.

“Why shouldn’t I? I’m sure it’s just a passing feeling for him. He can be persuaded to see reason, I’m sure of it.”

Yura wanted to be loved by everyone. As a presumably innocent child, she’d stolen Iju’s friends and revealed that Iju was actually an orphan, severing Iju’s relationships. Yura had apologized with tears in her eyes—she had said it was a mistake.

But had it really been a mistake?

Iju knew the calculating personality behind that angelic mask. Yura relentlessly filtered out anyone who couldn’t benefit her, leaving only those she could expect to gain something from. Iju also knew why Yura pretended to be such good friends with her—having the poor Iju next to her made her look better.

Iju noticed Sehyeok approaching them from a distance. Was he coming to try and win Iju back, or continue his wooing of Yura? It wasn’t even worth thinking about.

Iju shook off Yura’s hand. Things started to twist and distort in Iju’s eyes. She turned her back to Yura and Sehyeok, their faces resembling those of mannequins. Iju heard nothing, as though all the surrounding noises had been sucked away. She ran. The sidewalk seemed to never end. She desperately wanted someone to end her pain.

Then she stopped. It was not of her own volition.

Iju had run out into the road, her body drawing an arc in the air after colliding with a car. The moment seemed to last forever. Her body, which had forcefully shot up into the air, seemed to move more slowly on the way down.

Iju had been abandoned since birth. She’d never known what it was like to be loved. Her life flashed before her eyes, but no memory was worth remembering.

She felt no pain. Death had finally found her, and as the thoughts were fading away, her vision exploded with blinding light.