Chapter 1

Yunseul tilted her head, gazing up at the vibrant blue sky. The stunning beauty of the sky momentarily drew her focus away from her present situation. A soft breeze brushed against her face, a smile played on her lips.

“Miss, it’s time to come inside,” a familiar voice urged from behind.

Startled, she snapped back to the present, turning her head with a sense of tension. Inhaling deeply, she proceeded to enter the hotel.

She was forced to stand, as this marked the day she would finally confront the obligation she had been avoiding. Given the situation, it felt somewhat absurd that she found the allure of the blue sky captivating.

Moreover, there was a slight glimmer of hope that something positive might occur. Her every move was being closely monitored, though.

It seemed unlikely, but Yunseul’s expression shifted. Her father’s secretary was alertly observing her.

The secretary kept a close eye on Yunseul and reported any information directly to her father, potentially including intimate information such as her bathroom usage frequency.

Walking through the hotel hallway, each step she took echoed with the sound of her shoes hitting the floor. Ahead of her, the secretary stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the highest floor.

Upon entering the elevator, Yunseul pressed the close button, clutching her purse tightly and fixing her gaze forward. She reassured herself that this was manageable; she could take care of her mother in any way necessary.

As memories of her mother flooded her thoughts, tears welled up in her eyes.

“Ma’am.”

Lost in her thoughts about her mother, she didn’t even realize she was in the elevator.

With help from the secretary this time, she stepped out of the elevator.    

“I will be there. “

“Okay.”    

Despite her strong tendency to vanish, Yunseul had never given in to defeat. Initially, she resisted her father’s insistence on an arranged marriage. However, she ultimately yielded, choosing to marry an unfamiliar man at her father’s urging.

She willingly endured these challenges repeatedly, driven by the desire to protect her mother from harm. Although her father remained silent about today’s sun bowl opponent when questioned, Yunseul’s stepsister, Ina, provided a sarcastic hint the previous night.

“You’re flaunting your connection with Seoju Group’s vice president. Didn’t your father inform you that he’s the renowned Seo Ji-hyuk?”

The name Seo Ji-hyuk wasn’t unfamiliar to her. Until Ina informed her, Yunseul was unaware that her father was once again attempting to commodify her for financial gain. While this wasn’t a novel occurrence, it still left her feeling disheartened, prompting her to work tirelessly throughout the night.

Suppressing her emotions, she reminded herself of her father’s directive to be grateful for marrying into a prestigious family. Yunseul’s lips twitched in a mix of uncertainty and anticipation, given everything she had endured.

Her anger flared, and she furrowed her brow, contemplating that her father’s threat against her mother was likely motivated by his desire to arrange her marriage according to his choice.

“Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, I’m Yunseul.”

“Please, follow me.”

The server guided her to the most private room in the Hotel restaurant. Upon arriving, she offered a polite smile and a slight bow to the waiter who opened the door for her with a knock. Once inside, the door closed behind her.

The expansive windows immediately captured her attention.

“…………..”

She locked eyes with the man sitting at the table.   

“…Hello. I’m Yunseul.”

Yunseul offered a greeting as she took a seat across from the man, who lazily examined her face with a cold expression. Swallowing hard, she felt a burning sensation in her throat as she met his gaze.

Yunseul’s complexion, initially as pale as a sheet, began to shift to a bluish hue.

“Seo Ji-hyuk,” Yunseul said.

Various rumors circulated about Seo Ji-hyuk, suggesting he might be gay due to his apparent dislike of women, or conversely, that he had a strong attraction towards women, only engaging with those he had previously pursued. Some rumors mentioned him engaging in physical violence against women and being involved with multiple women simultaneously, although these details escaped her memory at that moment.

Among the multitude of rumors, the most prevalent were either suggesting that Seo Ji-hyuk was gay or that he held a strong attraction to women. But why?

Yunseul’s deep black eyes flickered, observing the calm behavior of a man surrounded by so many rumors. It would have been more reassuring if the rumors portrayed him as outwardly rude, but it felt like staring into a dark sea at night. Because he kept so much to himself, uncovering what lay beneath the surface seemed impossible.

As Seo Ji-hyuk tightly closed his mouth after whispering her name, anxiety surged through Yunseul. Her frightened gaze lingered on Seo Ji-hyuk’s face, her eyes darting around as if searching for clues to figure out his thoughts.

Externally, he exuded an air of trustworthiness, making Yunseul question the validity of the rumors. Furthermore, she hesitated to think Seo Ji-hyuk as anything less than refined.

“Let’s forego the meal.”

“What?”

“You didn’t come here to eat, did you?”

“…Okay, that’s true, you are correct.”

She hadn’t come for a dinner date with Seo Ji-hyuk. Yunseul’s gaze intensified as she took a deliberate, slow breath.

Women were competing for the opportunity to be with Seo Ji-hyuk, whether willingly or due to circumstances beyond their control.

In Yunseul’s case, she simply had to marry him. She remained indifferent to the kind of person he was, as long as she could protect her mother.

Her own well-being held little importance; what mattered was her ability to assist her mother. Bracing herself, she concealed her trembling hands under the table, clasping them together.

‘He must have known I was coming.’

“……………….”

“Your reaction suggests you weren’t surprised by my name.”

Yunseul gritted her teeth. Whether he was Seo Ji-hyuk or not made no difference to her. Even if he were a criminal, she was still determined to marry him.

“…Certainly.”

In truth, Yunseul was uncertain about Seo Ji-hyuk’s thoughts. Her primary concern was the task at hand—she wanted to convey her intention to marry him as soon as possible.

Recalling advice she had received, she pondered on what to say to Seo Ji-hyuk, a man she had never met but whose rumors were widespread.

“We haven’t even met, and your family is behaving as if it’s a settled matter. Is rushing into marriage really necessary?”

“…………..”

She remained silent this time, lacking a clear response. If her father was threatening her mother, it seemed crucial. Perhaps she should have emphasized the urgency of the situation.

“I have everything you need….”

She refrained from revealing anything, focusing her gaze on Seo Ji-hyuk’s muttered words.

“Am I not worthy?”

She didn’t show any feelings this time, almost trying to seem threatening on purpose.

Seo Ji-hyuk appeared to want Yunseul to reject him, but she couldn’t do so. Instead, she deliberately turned her gaze away, as if his remarks had not impacted her.

“I’m here because I want to marry you, Mr. Seo Ji-hyuk.”

Seo Ji-hyuk’s eyes widened suddenly.

Despite feeling nervous and scared, Yunseul was determined not to back down. Her expression became as expressionless as a doll’s.

His mouth fell open in astonishment as he leaned back in his chair, his penetrating gaze scrutinizing her from head to toe.

She took a deep breath, maintaining intense eye contact with him.

Recognizing Seo Ji-hyuk’s true nature as a beast with concealed claws, Yunseul’s lips curled up slowly.

“I don’t need your affection.”

“I mean, don’t think I want anything from you.”

“…………”

“I mean, if we get married, it’s just for appearances, and I’m not expecting anything more.”

She had no intention of trying to win his affection.

“If you marry me, you’ll only be unhappy. It could only hurt you,” he replied, fake-smiling as he awaited her response.

She pondered whether there was a woman in his life, but she still desired to marry him. It doesn’t make a difference to her whether he is already involved with someone or not.

She wondered, “Isn’t this a common practice in this part of the world?” Trying to control her shaky gaze, she remembered her commitment to her mother. She had promised to stay out of this situation, and now that the chance had come, she couldn’t back down.

“I warned you that this marriage would bring unhappiness, but if you’re okay with it, let’s get married.”

Yunseul blinked in surprise as these words left his mouth.

“I have no desire to appear all the time.”

Is this a positive thing?

“Once again, you’re going to be unhappy.”

‘My life was already miserable. How much more unhappy could it be?’

Yunseul nodded.

“If you’re going to be unhappy, why do you look so happy?” His eyes narrowed.

Yunseul maintained an expressionless face.

Having been separated from her mother at a young age and forced to live with her father, she had learned to conceal her true feelings. She quickly wiped her brow and clicked her tongue.

“Just to clarify, I don’t want to have children.”

That’s her perspective. She intends not to become pregnant.

“Okay, that’s fine.”

I tightly held the corners of my mouth to conceal my relief.

“If you do get pregnant, I would remove it, but I’ll be very careful.”

“Careful?” She widened her eyes, wondering about the meaning behind his statement. The corner of her mouth relaxed, as if she appreciated what she heard. She wasn’t sure what words would come out of his mouth, but she didn’t care to hear them.

“Unfortunately, I intend to indulge my desires. What’s the point of marrying you if I don’t do that?”

Certainly, he has a girlfriend, doesn’t he?

“Pfft. Does Ms. Yun-seul only sleep with people she loves?”

“I don’t.”

He pauses and laughs bitterly. She wonders if the rumors about adultery are true.

“Don’t get married if you don’t like it.”

“I’m okay with it. I don’t mind. I’ll ensure we never have children.”

In truth, she had no desire to have kids.

“Are you so eager to marry that you’re willing to marry someone you don’t love?”

“…I want to.”

“No. You have to.”

She felt forced to play the cards he dealt her.

“I heard you had a fiancé. Did he get dumped?”

‘Had he conducted a background check? Was that why he initially seemed so harsh?’

“We’re in the same situation.”

“What?”

“Ignore it.”

“You’ll break up with me when you no longer need me, right? Oh, please inform me before deciding to do so, as I believe it’s cruel for any couple to be left without notice.”

She was on the verge of stating that no one would dare leave the Seoju Group’s successor, but she restrained herself.

Although she had many things she wanted to express, she chose silence, knowing that speaking up would only serve as an excuse. She lowered her head to conceal her teary eyes, unable to meet his penetrating gaze.

“I’ve made up my mind; I’ll leave first.”

He stood up and exited the room without saying another word. She wasn’t sure why she felt so bitter about the outcome she desired.

His words echoed in her mind, affirming that she was destined to be unhappy. She squeezed her eyes shut.

* * *

“Ms. Park declined the interview.”

Yunseul’s face turned pale as she stared at the prison guard. Having been refused every time she visited, she anticipated the same response this time.

Her mother hadn’t seen her in eight years, ever since she was imprisoned. The memories that lingered for Yunseul dated back to her third-grade class, where she last saw her mother covered in blood.

“Please, ask her one more time.”

Understanding her situation, the prison guard felt sympathetic for her.

“If someone has refused to talk to you for eight years, is it any different today?”

She looked at the prison officer sadly, who comforted her, acknowledging that it was unfortunate yet inevitable.

“Please tell my mother… tell her that I am getting married and that I would like to see her before the wedding.”

She swallowed hard to prevent tears from falling. Having learned at a young age that crying wouldn’t improve anything, she blinked quickly.

“Please help me to see my mom.”

“Uh huh, alright.”

She hasn’t seen her mother in eight years because her mother doesn’t want to see her, but she longs for her dearly.

The word “mom” breaks her heart every time she hears it. On that day, she was desperate to see her mother, especially with the wedding only two weeks away.

She couldn’t disclose the agreement she had with her father, so she simply assured her that something good was going to happen. Most importantly, she wanted to see her mother.

“Park Ji-young wishes to meet you.”

“Really?”

“All right, go ahead.”

“You’re limited to 10 minutes for public interviews.”

Ten minutes?

Yunseul expressed her gratitude to the prison guard, who stamped and handed her the interview application as a receipt. “Thank you!”

Yunseul’s voice remained clear. She took the receipt and proceeded to meet her mother. Sweating profusely, she waited for her to come out of the interview room.

Despite wiping her palms on her clothes, the moisture persisted. She couldn’t even sit down and kept pacing around.

On the other side of the tempered glass, a door opened.

“…Mom.”

Yunseul instantly recognized her mother, whom she hadn’t seen in eight years.

“Mom!”

She shouldn’t cry since time was limited, but tears kept falling. Yet, compared to her own sadness, her mother’s expression remained cold. They sat across from each other, separated by tempered glass.

“You’re getting married?”

She wanted to ask if that was the first thing her mother chose to say to her daughter after eight years. She wanted to shout, telling her that she had been forgotten, that her well-being hadn’t been considered, and that she resented her for refusing to see her until now.

She wanted to pour it all out, but they had less than ten minutes left. Yunseul cried and pressed her palm to her chest.

She yearned to touch her mom, to shatter the glass that kept them apart. Her fingertips turned white.

“Mom, how have you been?”

Mom, whose eyes used to be the warmest in the world, responded, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Yunseul felt a pang in her heart at the coldness in her tone. She gazed at her mom, who merely stared at her, seemingly unconcerned about her daughter’s well-being.

“Do you know how much I missed you?”

“…I told you to forget me.”

Yunseul made a shaky motion with her forehead.

“Forget? How can I forget my mom? I missed you. I missed you. I missed you so much…. Look at me, mom…. Didn’t you miss me, huh? I….”

“I’ve missed you so much; it’s been so hard, so hard, so hard, but my longing to see you have brought me this far. Look at me, mom. Please.”

She eventually succumbed to tears. Wiping them away proved useless, like trying to contain a burst dam. Moving her mouth close to the microphone, she cried out to her mother, wondering if she couldn’t be heard since the microphone had been turned off.

Her mother remained impassive.

“Mommy, I’m going to save you. I’m going to save you.”

“………….”

“So just stay there, okay?”

Her mother discovered she was pregnant with Yunseul after her father abandoned them. They lived happily, depending on each other, until her mother met a man. In middle school, Yunseul came home from class to find her mother being abused by a man. When the intoxicated man reached for her, she pushed him with all her strength, causing him to fall and accidentally hit his head on the edge of the dressing table, resulting in his death.

After the man’s death, her mother was arrested, and Yunseul was sent back to her biological father. Despite her father claiming that her mother contacted him, Yunseul remained unconvinced.

Her mother was not the type of person to subject her to such hell. Though Yunseul attempted to support her mother by initially contacting lawyers, none were willing to help.

The neighborhood believed her mother had been fatally beaten by the malicious man, but her mother suddenly changed her story.

Later, Yunseul discovered that her father had forced her into doing so. He threatened to disown her mother for life if she didn’t comply with his demands.

Yunseul gave up everything to stick to her father’s demands, the final one being to marry. Sacrificing herself seemed worthless as long as she could escape.     

“Don’t take any action. I’m contented the way I am. Forget about me; live your life. There’s no point in being connected with me. You mentioned you’re getting married? Don’t marry for my sake..”

“Mom!”

Then she desired to inquire of her mother what she could have done differently.

How could she have overlooked her? What steps should she take as she finds increasing joy in her life each day? How could she live her life in accordance with her mother’s wishes? She felt an urge to cry.

“I’ll find a way to get you out; just wait.”

“…Being arrested means there’s less than a 10% chance of revoking the decision.”

There were numerous things she wished to express, but Yunseul focused on her mother. Finally seeing her mother’s face in detail through her intense tears, she observed the wrinkles, the weight loss in her shoulders, and a hand on her chest that mirrored her own, unlike eight years ago.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

 “…………..”

If she was going to get married, she desired to do it while her mother was still alive. It used to be a vague thought.

“I hope for a good life with you mom. I want us to be happy.”

“Yeah, live a good life. Have a happily ever after. And don’t ever return.”

She stood up and trailed her mother out of the door.

“Mommy! Mommy!”

Her mother’s eyes were bright red.

She was perplexed by why ten minutes felt so brief. It seemed like there was a malfunction in the prison clock..

“…Mom! I’ll make sure….”

She vowed to shield her mother just as she had protected her.

She hurried home due to a visitation scheduled until 4 p.m., yet upon arrival, darkness still enveloped the surroundings. The ambiance reflected the gloominess in her heart.

She pressed through the open embrace of the dark gate.

“You visited your mom?”

He asked as she exchanged her shoes at the front entrance and entered the living room, where her father, stepmother, and half-sister Ina were enjoying fruit on the couch.

Apart from her, they present a perfect family image, making her unsure about why she’s present.

Hence, I’ll exclude all of them as swiftly as I can.

Yunseul lowered her eyes and smiled cruelly.

“Did your mom meet you?”

“…Yes.”

She replied while remaining standing, unable to sit on the couch. Her stepmother was the one who established the boundary, treating her as if she weren’t a family member.

She preferred not to be in the same room as her father and stepsister Ina, so she marked a line on the floor whenever the three of them were together.

“I don’t need a reminder about a man like that.”

“Dad, I’m heading upstairs.”

“What’s the point of meeting a murderer?” he replied.

“Don’t visit your mom again. Don’t you dare go back there!”

Thus far, he had no reason to scrutinize her, even though she would be the Seoju Group’s heir apparent in the future, so she had to exercise caution.

The words grated on her ears like scabs.

“I wanted to inform you about the wedding” her dad said.

“What’s the use of telling someone who can’t get out anyway? When are you going to release Mom from prison?” Yunseul responded.

Part of her wished he would release her mom immediately.

“When you get married, I’ll move your mom to the hospital on the same day.”

But maybe this time is different. He signed an agreement, so he isn’t lying.

“You shouldn’t go there, Yunseul.”

“Why? Why, Dad…!”

She let out a harsh voice.

“I’ve successfully erased everything up to this point. Do you think a group of servants can’t uncover that?”

“…………”

“If you get caught, I’ll take your mother somewhere you’ll never find her. Do you think I won’t be able to do it?”

“No, you’ve already done enough.” Yunseul’s brow furrowed.

“You must never tell anyone about your real mother.”

“If someone uncovers our secret, is my mother’s life at risk?”

“I’ll allow you to be with your mom if you become pregnant.”

Yunseul’s eyes widened, and tears began to fall.

“…What? What did you just say?” She thought she might have misheard something.

‘He mentioned that he would allow me to see my mom if I became pregnant.’

Yunseul closed and opened her eyes slowly. She had made it clear that she didn’t want a child, and she was being told to get rid of the child. It was more than just a request.

‘Why would my father want me to get pregnant?’

 I realized that marriage wouldn’t bring an end to the threats. I looked at him with suspicion in my eyes.

“If you get pregnant, will you be more forgiving if I encounter problems with your mother later? Having a child at home makes a man more stable, and it helps him navigate better outside.”

“What did you promise me?”

She wanted to express her anger, but she had to maintain control to hear his response.

She moderated her tone, which was on the verge of becoming harsh. It was crucial for her to understand, so she spoke with a softened voice.

“Get pregnant. In three years. That’s the condition.”

“Condition?” Yunseol replied.

“That’s right, the condition is that you give birth to Seo Ji-hyuk’s child within 3 years.”

Honestly, neither she nor her in-laws expected Seo Ji-hyuk to agree on the spot. They anticipated him declining, but he surprised them by agreeing to marry her.

“…What if I cannot have children?”

“You’ll be kicked out, so figure it out, make it happen!”

Her father glared at her as she nodded.

However, privately, she vowed never to get pregnant. She might be seeking a divorce in three years.

Now, as a Seoju Group daughter-in-law free from her father’s monitoring, she could see and be with her mother wherever she wanted.

She didn’t want to get pregnant, and her husband didn’t either.

They had already made contracts stating that she would assist them in having a baby. It’s not challenging to bear a child, that’s what he meant.

He insisted on moving forward with the plan for her to become pregnant.

“If you do, I will remove it.”

She could almost hear him speaking. He seemed like the type of man who might change his mind.

In just three years, she’d be free, just three years. She wanted to live on a little island with her mother.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Yes, I will try, Father,” Yunseul replied, and her father avoided eye contact with her.

What would he do if she didn’t get pregnant? She covered a smile on her cheeks and headed upstairs to the second-floor bedroom.

* * *

A woman named Hyungsoo came to visit a few days later…

***

Yunseul straightened up, trying to find a more comfortable position. She wrestled with discomfort in her lower belly, feeling uneasy in the beautiful bell-bottomed wedding dress that was too tight for her.

As time went by, she sensed a heavy pressure on her entire body.

She let out a sigh, feeling uneasy in a dress that seemed to be suffocating her.

Yunseul should have been the happiest bride in the world today, yet there was no sign of happiness on her face.   

“Die, you monster, die!” a boy said

She’s standing in the bridal waiting area, pretending to be happy and smiling from ear to ear, when a boy comes from nowhere and starts holding a plastic sword.

He cut her thighs and legs repeatedly, as if she is a monster.    

“Get away, you ugly monster!” a boy exclaimed.

The boy, likely around four or five years old, continued his assault, stabbing Yunseul in the stomach with the tip of his plastic sword.

Yunseul yelped in fear, pleading with the boy to stop, but he paid no attention. His shouts grew louder, demanding her to leave.

Filled with fear, Yunseul let out a cry, begging the boy to stop. However, he ignored her pleas, and his shouts became even louder, insisting that she should leave.

Yunseul hoped to prevent the situation from getting worse, thinking that the boy might not be aware of what was happening.

Zzzzzz-.

It appeared to be a potential accident in the making, and indeed it happened. The hurried footsteps of a young child got caught in her wedding gown, resulting in a tear.

Yunseul felt a sense of disappointment at the damage to her gown.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a significant tear, but Yunseul’s eyes widened as she realized it exposed her future.

When an employee came over to fix her gown, Yunseul observed that she was clenching her palms. Yunseul found herself wondering why she was trying to find significance in it when it could just be a simple tear. Despite her confusion, she smiled at the employee, who stood there in shock.

Trying to convey that everything was okay with the shape of her mouth.

She just shook her head and said.

“Huh!”

“Jun-hyuk!”

He quickly pressed his lips together.

“Mom!”

The woman in the bridal room looked up from her gown and embraced him.

 “That’s okay, let’s go. Grandma is waiting for you.”

“Yes! Mom, I kicked her butt, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did. you kick her butt so hard she can’t move!”

“I did? Look at that! I ripped it off!”

She looked away from the woman who had been urging him on instead of advising him against it. The woman happened to be her sister-in-law, who had come for a visit.

Leaving the bridal chamber with an unattended child, she noticed the disturbance and smiled.

“Oh, I’m sorry; I’m at a loss for words.”

Can’t she understand the fact that he’s only a kid?

She sounds like she’s in trouble if she doesn’t understand, and then she apologizes in a way that doesn’t seem sincere.

“…It’s okay.”

Yunseul pushed up the corner of her mouth.

Before her sister-in-law leaves the bridal waiting room, she turns her head and smiles wryly at her. Yunseul avoided her stare.

“It’s okay. My mother will be sent to the hospital today after the wedding.”

She could manage this situation, despite her love for her mother, who would be transferred to the hospital today.

She resolved to overcome it, taking a deliberate exhale to maintain steady breathing. She remembered the first words spoken to her by a woman named Hyungsoo during her visit:

“I just wanted to meet the woman who is going to be my sister-in-law.”

She was wondering as to what she meant when she said,

“Are you sure you want to get married to Ji-hyuk?”

With no formal arrangement in place, her father had explicitly told her not to reveal anything. He warned that if she did, he would relocate her mother to a place where she would never find her.

She scrutinized her sister-in-law closely, attempting to pick up any hints about her mother, but the woman seemed unaware. Suddenly, Yunseul locked eyes with her.

To keep her emotions in check, she bit the tip of her tongue.

‘…Yes, I will go through with it.’

She gazed into her sister-in-law’s eyes, communicating her determination not to back down.

“Ji-hyuk?”

“Yes, Ji-hyuk”

“I wished to get a close look at the woman he was going to marry since I was unwell and couldn’t attend the wedding.”

Does she typically address her husband’s brother by his first name? It seemed unnaturally casual.

“You’ve seen my face, so I’m leaving.”

She gazed at her sister-in-law, who stood up without sipping her coffee and mentioned that she had come just to see her face.

“The Seoju Group has only two daughters-in-law, you and me, so let’s get along.”

‘Why? Why do I detect a similar essence to my father from her?’

Yunseul remained in place, offering well wishes to her sister-in-law until she walked away.

The next day, Yunseul approached her to discuss her intention to start using birth control.

She naturally asked to keep this information confidential from her parents-in-law, and Hyungsoo agreed, revealing her own disinterest in having children.

Fortunately, Yunseul’s father didn’t assign her a secretary after the marriage agreement, allowing her to undergo the procedure without his knowledge.

She was resolute in her decision not to expose another child to the abuse she had experienced. This remained a confidential matter that she kept to herself, unknown to her parents-in-law.

“A dual agreement?”

She shook her head, attempting to understand the private details of the pregnancy agreement that her husband’s parents and his father had arranged.

After the bridal gown designer left the bridal waiting room, an unsettling silence hung in the air.

The news of Ji Hyuk’s elder brother’s death in a car accident became widely known.

Upon deciding to get married, it was revealed that he had been living in a foreign country and returned to Korea after his brother’s death to undergo training as a successor.

This seemed to put an end to the rumors.

Following the wedding, he took on the position of president at the Seoju Group.

While her father admired and boasted about her husband, she longed to know him more intimately. However, he remained distant and cold.

The thought of whether he had a girlfriend angered her.

“What does that have to do with me?”

She wondered, sensing that his world was entirely separate from her own.

Even though her father managed a well-known company, the Seoju Group held a distinctive and extraordinary status that left her amazed. She marveled at it, wrapping her fingertips around herself in amazement.

As long as she avoided getting pregnant. After three years, she knew she would be discarded.

She could live with it, knowing that hell followed her wherever she went.

“Yunseul!”

The familiar voice surprised her.

How did he get here…?

Park Dae-hee, or more accurately, her ex-fiancé, walked into the bridal waiting room.

“Are you really going to get married?” Park Dae-hee asked.

It was her father’s idea for her to be engaged to Park Dae-hee, but the engagement took place at her residence. Her father, of course, arranges it without any hesitation.

“My mom says you’re for sale.”

Park Dae-hee, a Mama’s boy, is also searching for her here. She was sick of it.

“Dae-hee, how long have we been apart, and now you show up?”

“Oh my,poor girl.”

“You’re here because you’re about to marry an unknown man.”

“You cheated on me with my only friend, Dae-hee. Why are you so shameless?”

Yunseul would have ended her relationship with Park Dae-hee even if her father hadn’t broken it up. He should have been ashamed of himself for showing up n*ked at Kim Yoon-jin’s home, where she used to be her best friend.

“I know I’m shameless, but think about it again. The man you’re planning to marry is gay.”

“Did you make this decision because you’ve been traumatized by me?” he said.

She was speechless, her mind pounding.

“Get out of here before I call someone, and even if he is gay, he would have been so much better than marrying you.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

She would have chosen to be with the gay man over Dae-hee Park, who shamelessly confessed to cheating on her, forcing her into a relationship she had no choice but to endure after his betrayal.

“I said I hope I will never have to see you again,” she replied.

Park Dae-hee’s brow furrowed.

“What will you do if you discover Yoon-jin is pregnant?”

Kim Yoon-jin called recently, disclosing that she was expecting Park Dae-hee’s child and hadn’t met him yet. She remembered him talking about spreading a rumor of an affair. It sounded funny, but it didn’t bother her.

“Congratulations on your pregnancy; you two make a great match.”

Her father’s words still echo in her mind, resonating in her ears. She covers her ears with her hands.

“Oh, and don’t even think about sending a wedding invitation. I’m not coming.”

She couldn’t shake the hope that Kim Yoon-jin’s pregnancy would stay confidential, and she desired Park Dae-hee to exit the bridal waiting room promptly.

“You don’t even have…”

“You’re getting married to Yoon Jin, right? Congratulations from the bottom of my heart.”   

The corners of Yunseul’s mouth lifted slightly.

It was surprising to witness her dressing in a wedding dress while congratulating his ex-fiancée and ex-friend on their pregnancy and marriage.

Beyond the pain caused by the betrayal of Park Dae-hee and Kim Yoon-jin, what saddened her even more was the loss of someone she considered a friend.

“Well, I’ll go now. I know I’ve been a jerk, but… If you ever need someone to talk to or support you through whatever you’re going through, feel free to reach out. I’ve lost the only friend I ever had, but I won’t lose touch with you.”

“You appear as if you have a steel plate on your face.”

“I had an affair with my fiancée’s friend.”

“I won’t contact you, so could you please leave?”

Terrified, Park Dae-hee quickly left as Yunseul maintained a composed facade. It was unclear how he found his way to the bridal waiting room, hinting at possible pressure by his mother.

Yunseul shut her eyes firmly as the throbbing in her head intensified.

She released a long sigh, trying to calm herself, when the door to the bridal waiting room opened. He entered through the crack and walked toward her on his long legs, his eyes assessing her from head to toe as if keeping score. His eyebrows furrowed as if he didn’t like something.

“Looks like you got your way after all.”

I could feel all the anger she was holding back.

“If this is the marriage you want, why don’t you make a pitiful face like a woman being sold?”

Yunseul’s face turned red.

The flush on her face sharply contrasted with the pristine white of her dress. Sensing that he looked at her with disdain, she instinctively clasped her hands together.

“What if the bride is upset?”

So, she forced a smile. It wasn’t difficult to fake a smile, something she did frequently.

“Are you going to do that in bed? That’s not funny.”

The upward curve of her mouth abruptly disappeared. A dry sob caught in her throat. The wedding wasn’t the issue; the looming concern was the approaching first night.