“She’s just a nuisance. Send her away,” the stepmother argues.

The father sighs.

“She's just another mouth to feed,” the stepmother continues. “Send her away.”

“What about me,” the stepsister asks.

“You don’t want to marry a weirdo do you?”

The stepsister shakes her head.

Though the two were forced into marriage, they’re coping with one another. They may not love each other, but they’re learning.

One day, he is in the study room working on his laptop. 

Sujeong walks in with a cup of water.

“Mother said you need a cup of water,” Sujeong says.

“Thank you,” Inseong replies.

She places the glass on the table.

“Dinner will be done in fifteen minutes,” Sujeong says.

“Okay,” he replies. “I’ll be down in fifteen minutes.”

The four of them sit at the dinner table. The parents are talking while Sujeong and Inseong are silent.

“Sujeong,” the mother starts. “Eat a lot. You’ve been through a lot and need the energy. Everything is new to you, I know, but you’ll get used to it.”

“Thank you, mother,” Sujeong says.

“If you ever need anything, don’t be afraid to ask.”

“Ask Inseong as well,” the father says. “He’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.”

“Thank you,” Sujeong says.

Sujeong reaches over for the glass of water, but she bumps it, and the water pours all over Inseong. Sujeong gasps.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologizes.

Sujeong grabs a napkin and starts dabbing his shirt.

“I’m so sorry,” Sujeong apologizes again. 

“It’s okay,” Inseong replies.

He takes her napkin and starts patting his pants dry.

“Please excuse me,” Inseong says. He stands up and walks away.

Sujeong feels so bad. She starts cleaning up the spill on the table.

“I’m so sorry,” Sujeong apologizes.

“It’s okay,” the mother says. “The workers will come clean it up. Did you get wet?”

“No.”

“Continue to eat then. Inseong will be down soon.”

Inseong comes down wearing a different outfit.

They finish dinner, and Inseong and Sujeong get ready for bed.

Inseong is lying in bed while Sujeong is sitting on the bed. She is hugging her knees. 

“I’m sorry about dinner,” Sujeong says. “I won’t let that happen again.”

“It’s okay,” he replies. “It was an accident. Let’s go to sleep, I’m tired.” He snuggles in the blanket. “Are you not going to lay down,” he asks. 

“I should,” Sujeong says.

She lies down close to the edge.

The next day, Sujeong is helping the workers in the kitchen. She is at the sink washing vegetables. 

“Sujeong,” a worker says. “Will you bring me a bowl of warm water?”

“Yes,” Sujeong replies. She fills up a bowl with warm water. 

“Sujeong,” Inseong calls.

“Yes,” Sujeong replies.

She lifts up the bowl of water and turns around. Not knowing that Inseong is right behind her, she spills the bowl of water all over him. Sujeong gasps.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologizes.

Sujeong sets the bowl aside and starts wiping him off with her hands.

“It’s okay,” he says. He catches her hand. “I’ll go change.”

Inseong turns around and walks away.

“Oh gosh,” Sujeong says.

She follows Inseong to their room. Sujeong waits outside their room for Inseong. When he comes out, she apologizes to him repeatedly. 

“It’s okay,” Inseong says. “It was an accident. I should’ve told you that I was behind you.”

“I’m very sorry,” Sujeong says. “I understand if you’re mad.”

“I’m not mad,” Inseong says. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I’ll be out of town for two weeks starting Friday.”

“Where are you going?”

“On a business trip to London.”

“I see.”

Friday comes and Inseong’s family sends him off. His parents walk away leaving Sujeong and Inseong alone.

“Bye,” Sujeong says. “Have a safe trip.”

“Thank you,” Inseong says.

They awkwardly look away from each other.

“Bye,” Inseong says.

Sujeong waves to him, and Inseong walks away.

Two weeks go by quickly. 

Inseong returns home, and he is glad to see Sujeong again. He didn’t realize how much he had missed her.

“How was the trip,” Sujeong asks.

He nods his head. “Fine,” he replies.

“Are you jet lagged,” she asks.

He nods his head.

“Go to bed,” she replies. “I’ll wake you up when dinner is ready.”

“Before that,” he says. “I have something for you.”

“What?”

He takes them to their room and rummages through his luggage. He pulls out a box and hands the box over to Sujeong.

“What is it,” she asks.

“Open it,” he replies.

She opens the box, and a brand new pair of earrings greet her. They're white and shiny.

"When I saw these," Inseong says. "I immediately thought of you, so I had to buy them. Do you like it?"

"This is for me," she asks.

He nods his head.

"This must've been expensive," she continues.

He shakes his head.

Sujeong lifts her head. "Thank you," she says. "It's lovely. I love it."

He smiles. 

"Put it on," he says. "I want to see what you look like."

She takes the earrings out.

Inseong holds the box, and she puts the earrings on, but she can't.

"Here," he says.

Inseong puts the box on the bed before he helps her put the earrings on. 

Sujeong feels her heartbeat.

He is so close to her. His touch is warm, and his scent is intoxicating. Inseong switches to the other ear.

Sujeong feels her breath hitch.

"There," he says. He takes a step back. "Wow! Beautiful!"

Sujeong touches the earrings. "Really," she asks.

He nods his head.

Sujeong smiles.

Inseong heads to bed.

Sujeong is in the bathroom. She stares at herself and the earrings in the mirror.

"Beautiful," she asks herself. "This is the first time someone has gotten me a gift and called me beautiful."