Chapter 1
As the rain that had fallen since noon began to ease, Hanna lifted her head and gazed out the window. By late afternoon, the damp air made her feel lethargic, as if her body were sagging under its weight.
“I think that’s enough for today.”
She gave the manuscript she had been translating one last glance before closing her laptop. Rising from her seat, she brewed a cup of hot tea and carried it to the window.
She opened the window slightly, letting the humid air spill in. Hanna inhaled the moist air deeply, then stared out at the world beyond the glass.
It was an ordinary early evening. She watched a few passersby before closing the window.
Sipping her tea, Hanna’s eyes drifted to the clock on the wall. This time of day was always the worst for her before heading home. Each silent tick of the wall clock made her body tense.
After finishing the remaining tea, she washed her cup thoroughly and tidied her desk. Then, she left her office and stepped into the elevator. By the time she reached the underground parking lot, she heard voices nearby.
“Be careful going home. Lately, I’ve seen cars around here I don’t recognize.”
A man with a large build was speaking to a much smaller woman. Hanna glanced at them absentmindedly as she walked toward her own car, adjusting the strap of her bag.
A sudden feeling of being watched made her turn around—but there was no one in the parking lot. Brushing off her unease, she reached for her car door.
Then she heard heavy footsteps behind her. Reflexively, she looked back and froze at the sight of a tall man in black.
“Who…?”
Her words never finished. A dull blow struck, and Hanna lost consciousness.
Somewhere, there was the clatter of metal and voices raised in conversation. A splitting headache made her furrow her brow involuntarily.
“Hey, she’s awake. Not yet?”
“Is this awake? Where are your eyes?”
“Damn it, does it matter where my eyes are?”
“No, not really. Heh heh.”
Rough voices surrounded her.
“Damn. You just moved your face.”
“Wait, is this woman married? Damn, what a body.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to touch her?”
A man’s voice boomed from the driver’s seat. The sheer volume made Hanna’s head feel like it might split.
“Alright, alright. We’ll take care of her gently.”
They muttered among themselves, but Hanna couldn’t open her eyes. She just grimaced and prayed for the headache to stop.
Her stomach churned; nausea rose within her. Then the motion stopped abruptly, and her body felt lifted before a sudden jolt slammed into her. Hanna’s head rang from the impact.
The smell of damp, musty air hit her senses—the kind only found in basements. Her nose wrinkled in disgust.
The air felt thick and heavy, pressing down on her shoulders. A soft groan escaped her dry lips.
“Ugh…”
“Awake, huh?”
A low voice reverberated near her ear.
“I think so, but her eyes aren’t open yet.”
“Hey! Hey!”
Someone grabbed her shoulders and shook them violently. Pain shot through her body.
“Ah!”
“Oh? She’s awake but won’t open her eyes? Hey, girl, can’t you open them?”
The man continued shaking her shoulders.
“It hurts…”
Her arms ached from the grip. Hanna barely lifted her eyelids. Darkness enveloped her; she could see nothing.
“You should’ve had your eyes covered. Didn’t you hear me earlier?”
The low voice lingered, making her flinch.
“Alright, she’s up. Cover her eyes with that, like you said.”
“Understood, sir.”
“I’m not your sir.”
The voice struck again.
“Sorry.”
Hanna tried to move her head but couldn’t. Her injured spots a few days ago had been grabbed again, and pain lanced through her body. She stifled a scream, letting out only a faint groan.
“Name: Kang Hanna. Age: 30. Occupation: publishing translator. Husband: Park Sung-tae.”
Her body stiffened at her name. Her husband’s name sent shivers down her spine.
“Who…who are you…?”
“If you knew, could you do anything about it?”
The thought that she might have been kidnapped for money sent a wave of fear through her.
“Money…do you need money?”
Hanna imagined someone willing to pay for her safety—but hopelessly, no one came to mind. Perhaps there could be someone: her father-in-law, not her husband or parents. But he was the type who always said he wouldn’t negotiate with terrorists. Would he really pay?
“Who said they needed money? I never said that.”
The low voice hummed near her ear. The voice sounded almost pleasant, and Hanna tried to imagine the man behind it.
“Kang Hanna, you really got unlucky.”
Another voice laughed beside her. Fear made her legs feel weak—more so than when she was with her husband.
“I-I…”
She opened her mouth but no words came.
“Pretty, huh? Face, body—nothing’s lacking.”
The low voice returned. Hanna shivered. The scraping sound of a chair suggested movement.
“But someone wants you broken, so that’s why you’re here.”
Her lips dried. Her jaw was grabbed. She tried to pull back, but could not move.
“So that’s why you’re here today.”
“What should we start with, sir?”
An excited voice came from behind.
“Should we break an arm or a leg, or give her bruises? Or maybe…”
Even the sound of swallowing made Hanna realize the severity of her situation.
“That bastard…he arranged this. How much did he pay?”
Hanna’s voice cracked as she spoke. Silence followed.
“My husband, Park Sung-tae, had this done to me, didn’t he? Right?”
Sung-tae had been acting unusually the past few days and had said things to her.
“He said I should obey, but I didn’t…so this is what he does. Crazy bastard. Deserves to die.”
A grotesque laugh escaped her.
“Hey…what the hell…”
The man behind her hesitated mid-sentence.
“Shut your mouth.”
“Sorry. I was told to shut up, but I spoke anyway.”
Hanna retorted sarcastically.
“Not talking to you, so mind your own business.”
The deep-voiced man spoke again.
“We’ll do exactly what the client requested. That’s all you need to know.”
“Can I ask what that damn client wants?”
Hanna tried to look up, blindfolded, at her captors.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
She twisted her body, realizing what they intended. The sound of fabric tearing followed; her cardigan was pulled off.
“What the hell now?”
Hanna bit her lip. She could guess why they were so surprised without asking.
“Impressive. Huh? What’s this?”
A hand brushed her shoulder. She flinched.
“Take your hand off.”
The low voice silenced the area immediately.
“Who touched her first?”
“That’s my question. We didn’t do anything till we came here, really. Hey, you explain.”
Suddenly, the chair Hanna sat on wobbled.
