I quickly moved to retrieve the rope as instructed, heart pounding in anticipation. When I returned to Yujin with the rope, their eyes were fixed on my dress as if taking in every detail. When I placed the rope in their hands, they slowly started unwinding the end. “Put your hands together,” they said casually.

I silently did as I was told, clasping my hands together and offering them in front of me. They gently started binding my wrists together with a practiced grace. I licked my ...