※ This novel contains themes of violence and s*xual content. Please be aware before reading!... more>>

*

“You’re really…”

Seung-jae took a step back, crossed his arms and looked at Chae-won’s naked body.

“You haven’t changed at all. Why are you so confident every time?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about… Ugh…”

The man’s hand tightly squeezed one side of Chae-won’s swollen breast.

“If you want to make a request, at least put on a greedy expression.”

“Kang Seung-jae, it hurts…”

“What? Say it again.”

Her lush hair was pulled back with a strong grip.

“Say it again.”

When Chae-won’s gaze met the man’s indifferent eyes, a shiver ran down her spine.

“S-Seung-jae, please…”

Chae-won struggled to speak, her lips trembling. It was the first time she felt fear in front of Kang Seung-jae.

“After 9 years, you suddenly felt lonely, wanted a man, and came to find me? Ah, what else did you say? You wanted to apologize for what happened? F*ck, what do you think I am, a fool?”

“I was sincere. I really was. I wanted to apologize earlier, but the timing… it just didn’t work out.”

“Shut up.”

Seung-jae’s right hand forcefully pressed down on Chae-won’s throat.

“Don’t ever apologize to me again. Don’t utter any similar words.”

*

Even after the silk necktie was loosened, Chae-won’s slender wrists remained firmly held in the same way Seung-jae had tightly bound them.

To completely let go of her weary heart, she needed a sturdy fence.

If that meant being confined within cramped iron bars or being bound by chains digging into her flesh, she was willing to endure it as long as she had Kang Seung-jae by her side. <<less

The child that my friend gave birth to was the main character of a fantasy novel that I read in my previous life. Not long after his birth, this poor child grew up with an indifferent father and suffered from abuse at the hands of his stepmother. He left home only to proudly return when he became an adult and convict the wicked stepmother.... more>>

“He’s such a pretty child, and I feel sorry for him. If it weren’t for Amanda.”

[What?]
My foot steps while holding the child stopped.

[Amanda… Amanda…]
Amanda, that was the main character's mother’s childhood friend, a native of a Korean-American family. That was my name.

“I’ll be the Duchess for Marilyn, at least for her sake.”

And, maybe, she can be a step mother who doesn’t pick on this child? How to not be the evil stepmother, Amanda, abuse this child even if she dies. Can Amanda be a good stepmother? Can the Duke, a cold northern man who blows a cold wind, and Amanda be good parents? <<less