Min-ji's fingers flew across the keyboard, the words flowing effortlessly as she worked on her latest web novel. She had hit a groove, and the stories seemed to write themselves. The money was rolling in, and she was finally starting to feel like she was getting ahead.
But as her income grew, so did Soo-yeon's expectations. Her stepmother began to collect her earnings, claiming it was for "saving" and "investing" on Min-ji's behalf. Min-ji knew better – Soo-yeon was just using her as a cash cow, exploiting her talent and labor for her own benefit.
At first, Min-ji had handed over her earnings willingly, trusting that Soo-yeon would take care of her. But as time passed, she realized that Soo-yeon was using her money to fund her own lavish lifestyle. Jin-tae's expensive phone, Soo-yeon's designer handbags, and their frequent vacations were all paid for by Min-ji's hard work.
Min-ji felt trapped, like she was living in a prison of her own making. She was the one writing the stories, pouring her heart and soul into the words, but she was barely scraping by. She wanted to scream, to shout, to demand that Soo-yeon give her the money she had earned. But she knew it would be futile – Soo-yeon would just find ways to manipulate her, to guilt-trip her into giving up the money.
As the months went by, Min-ji grew more withdrawn, her smile fading as she realized the truth. She was a slave, a servant, a source of income for her stepmother and stepbrother. She began to question her own worth, wondering if she was only good for her writing, if her value lay solely in her ability to earn money.
One day, as Min-ji was working on a particularly difficult scene, Soo-yeon stormed into her room, her eyes flashing with anger. "Where's the money?" she demanded, her voice cold and menacing.
Min-ji hesitated, unsure how to respond. She had been trying to hide some of her earnings, to stash it away in a secret account. She knew it was a risk, but she was desperate to break free from Soo-yeon's control.
"I...I don't have it," Min-ji stammered, trying to deflect Soo-yeon's anger.
Soo-yeon's face twisted in rage, and she slapped Min-ji across the face. "You ungrateful brat!" she screamed. "I took you in, fed you, clothed you, and this is how you repay me?"
Min-ji stumbled backward, her cheek burning with pain. She knew she had to get out, to escape Soo-yeon's toxic grasp. But she was trapped, with no money, no resources, and no support.
As Soo-yeon stormed out of the room, Min-ji collapsed onto her bed, tears streaming down her face. She felt like she was drowning, suffocating under the weight of her stepmother's expectations.
But as she lay there, something inside Min-ji shifted. She remembered the words of her favorite author, the one who had inspired her to start writing in the first place. "Never give up," she had said. "Keep writing, keep fighting, and never lose yourself in the process."
Min-ji wiped away her tears, a newfound determination burning within her. She would not be trapped forever. She would write her way out, she would fight for her freedom, and she would emerge stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.
With newfound resolve, Min-ji sat up, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She began to write, the words flowing like a river, as she poured her heart and soul into the story. She wrote of love, of loss, of struggle, and of triumph. She wrote of herself, of her own journey, and of her own strength.
And as she wrote, Min-ji felt a sense of power, a sense of control, and a sense of freedom. She knew that no matter what Soo-yeon did, she would always have her writing, and that was something no one could ever take away from her.
The hours passed, and the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the room. Min-ji's fingers didn't stop, didn't slow, as she poured her heart and soul into the story. She was writing for herself now, for her own sanity, and for her own freedom.
And as she typed the final words, Min-ji smiled, a sense of peace settling over her. She knew that no matter what lay ahead, she would face it head-on, with her pen, her words, and her determination.
The phone buzzed, a message from EditorK – 'Great work, Ghostwriter99. We're releasing your latest story tomorrow. Get ready for the next project.'
Min-ji smiled, a plan beginning to form in her mind. She would keep writing, keep fighting, and she would emerge victorious, no matter what Soo-yeon threw her way.