Morning arrived gently.
Too gently.
Kang Sera stretched beneath the covers, her expression unusually peaceful as sunlight filtered through the curtains. For once, she hadn't woken up to chaos, threats, or system notifications.
"...This is suspicious," she murmured, slowly sitting up.
Beside her, Han Jiheon was already awake, dressed, and perfectly composed-as if last night' s chaos had never happened.
She glanced at him, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"...You look like you didn't get attacked by a wild animal last night."
"I didn't."
"...Rude."
Downstairs
They arrived together.
Which, apparently-
Was a big deal.
Mrs. Han looked up the moment they entered the dining area, her eyes immediately softening at the sight of them.
"...You came down together," she noted, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction.
Sera smiled sweetly, taking a seat.
"Of course, Mom. We slept very well."
Jiheon paused for half a second.
Very briefly.
Very subtly.
Then continued walking like nothing happened.
The Announcement
Breakfast had barely begun when-
Mrs. Han clapped her hands lightly.
"Let's go shopping today."
Silence.
Sera blinked.
"...Shopping?"
"Yes," she said warmly. "It's been a while since I've spent time with my daughter-in-law."
Sera opened her mouth-
Then closed it.
Then opened it again.
"...That sounds... lovely."
(I'm going to regret this, she thought calmly.)
Mr. Han stood up, adjusting his sleev선은.
"I'll be heading to the company" he said. "There
few matters I need to review"
Sera's eyes lit up for a split second.
Freedom
But-
Mrs. Han smiled
"Good. Then Jiheon can come with us."
ence
Jiheon looked at her.
Why
"Because you're her husband"
That's not a valid reason"
"It is torday"
And just like that-
They were dragged into it.
The Mall
Sera stepped out of the car-
And immediately realized her mistake
"This isn't shopping," she whispered. "This is a
war zone
Luxury brands. Endless stores. Bright lights.
Elegant displays
And at the center of
Mrs
Calm
Composed.
Terrifying
Round 1: Clothes
"Try this," Mrs. Han said, handing Sera a dress.
Then another
And another
And another
Within minutes-
Sera was buried.
"Mom," she said carefully, holding at least seven
outfits, "are we opening a boutique?"
Mrs. Han smiled
"These are just the basics"
Silence
Jiheon, standing nearby, looked... almost amused
Good luck" he said quietly
Sera stared at him.
You're enjoying this"
"I am"
I hope you suffer too."
The Dressing Room
One outfit
Then another
Then another.
Sene stepped out each time
And every time
Mrs. Han's eyes lit up
"Oh, this one is beautiful"
"This color suits you perfectly."
"Turn around, let me see yes, this is perfect"
Sera blinked at her reflection.
"I do look good," she admitted.
Jiheon, leaning against the wall, glanced at her
Then looked away
"It's decent"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Say that again properly
"It's fine."
"You lack emotional depth."
Time Passes...
An hour
Then two
Theo
Sers walked out in yet another outfit, her steps
slightly slower this time.
"Mom," she said, her voice losing its earlier
energy, "how many more
"Just a few"
She froze
Define a few."
"Until we're satisfied,"
Reality Hits
Sera turned slowly.
Looking at Jiheon
She's a monster."
I know
And you didn't wam me
"I wanted to see this."
"You're evil"
Exhaustion Mode
By the time the fifth store was
Sera was finished.
Completely.
Mentally Physically, Emotionally
She collapsed onto a nearby couch, staring
blankly ahead
understand now," she murmured. "This is how
people lose their will to live"
Jiheon stood beside her, equally tired, though
hiding it better.
We need to leave"
She tumed her head slowly.
"Escape?"
"Escape"
The Plan
Sera sat up immediately, energy returning like
magic
"I like this plan."
Jiheon lowered his voice.
"My mother is currently distracted"
Sers glanced over
Mrs. Han was indeed busy-examining another
rack of clothes with terrifying focus
"We have a window," Sera whispered
"Two minutes"
That's enough"
Mission: Escape
Step one-
Stand up casually.
Step two-
Walk normally
Not suspicious
Not fast
Not slow
They moved together.
Side by side
Calm
Collected
Almost-
Free.
We're actually doing this," Sera whispered.
Focus
I am focused. I'm focused on survival"
They reached the exit
Just a few
Victory
Freedom-
steps-
"Jiheon,"
They froze
Slowly-
Very slowly-
They turned around.
Mrs. Han stood there
Smiling.
Beautiful.
Terrifying
Where are you going?" she asked gently.
Silence
Sara blinked
Once
Then smiled
Sweetly
Innocently.
"We were looking for, coffee?"
Mrs. Han's smile widened.
Perfect"
She walked toward them
"Let's go together."
Mission Failed
Sera looked at Jiheon,
Dead inside.
"We tried."
"We failed."
"This is the end."
End Scene
As they were dragged back into the battlefield-
Sera sighed dramatically.
Next time she whispered.
we run faster
Jiheon glanced at her
Next time, we don't get caught."
Behind them-
Mrs. Han smiled, completely unaware-
Or perhaps fully aware.