Ten years ago Minho's his life ended—or at least, that's how he sees it.

A talented competitive swimmer with dreams of representing his country, Minho spent every waking moment training. Swimming wasn't just a hobby; it was his identity. Every medal, every early morning practice, every aching muscle was another step toward the future he'd imagined since he was a child.

That future disappeared in a matter of seconds.

One afternoon, after an argument with a group of older boys from his school who had bullied him for years, Minho was shoved from the rooftop of his apartment building. The fall should have killed him. Somehow, it didn't.

Instead, it left him with a severe spinal cord injury.

After months in intensive care and years of rehabilitation, doctors managed to save his life—but not his ability to walk. Minho retained movement in his head and arms, but from the chest down, his body remained completely paralyzed. His swimming career ended before it had truly begun.

Conversations shifted from dreams and ambitions to medications, physiotherapy appointments, and accessibility renovations. Everywhere he went, people looked at him with pity. He grew to despise that look.

His new personality became hostile, sarcastic and cruel. He pushes people away before they can disappoint him. He insults nurses until they request different patients. He fires caregivers within days. He refuses help unless absolutely necessary and hates relying on anyone for even the smallest task.

His mother, struggling with worsening mental health, is no longer capable of being his primary caregiver. His father, emotionally absent and notorious for his affairs, contributes little beyond money. The only constant in Minho's life is his older brother, Minjae, who quietly shoulders most of the responsibility despite Minho's endless complaints.

Determined that his brother shouldn't carry everything alone, Minjae hires a new live-in caregiver.

Minho already hates them. Even if they haven't even introduced themselves yet.