He was a strikingly handsome man, the kind you’d only encounter in dreams. Not just his face, but his height, physique, and proportions were all perfect. His entry, accompanied by the courteous greetings of the hotel staff on both sides, was like a scene straight out of a movie or drama.

And astonishingly, this man was acquainted with Si Hyun. What was even more surprising was the fact that they didn’t just seem to be casual acquaintances.

[“We had our premarriage meeting today, in this restaurant.”] Upon hearing Si Hyun’s words, there was undoubtedly shock on the man’s beautiful face. Although it was brief, he couldn’t hide his wounded expression and he forced himself to appear calm.

Ah Hyeon, who couldn’t take her eyes off his face even for a moment, was able to read every subtle change in his expression.

Who was he?

What was their relationship?

Did Si Hyun know about his feelings?

If she did, why was she getting married to some random man?

Even though her curiosity was endless, Ah Hyeon couldn’t ask even one of these questions. There was no chance to ask as Si Hyun got into Woo Jin’s car and left.

As the family all got in, the chauffeur started the car.

“Ah, I feel so refreshed!”
Only then did Ah Hyeon’s mother, Hwa Ran, reveal her true feelings with a bright face. She then cast a glance at her husband sitting in the front seat.

“You’ve got your wish. Our niece is getting married first. Are you relieved now?”
Instead of responding, the father just coughed, “Hmm.”

“Finally, we can marry off our Ah Hyeon. We can set a date for autumn. Ah Hyeon, shall we meet Kim’s son, the one you met last time, once again? Or maybe Doctor Choi?”
The choices were laid out in front of her like a rice cake in her hands. One was the only son set to inherit a substantial midsized company, the other was the son of a hospital director.

Both were flawless in terms of looks, specs, and manners. Even for Ah Hyeon, it was difficult to choose one because it seemed a waste to let either go.

……Until just a few minutes ago.

“No.”
Ah Hyeon decisively spoke.

“I don’t like either of them.”

((()))

There was a small squabble in the car on the way back from the premarriage meeting.”

“Oppa, shouldn’t you have consulted with me first if you were going to look for a wedding venue?”
Rather than arguing, Si Hyun was onesidedly venting her dissatisfaction. Woo Jin tried in every way to soothe Si Hyun.

“The Welfare Center’s ceremony hall is absolutely not shabby. It’s very beautifully decorated. You would like it if you saw it. The food is delicious, and the prices are affordable, so there’s a lot of competition to the point of drawing lots. It’s also close to your company, so it would be convenient for your colleagues to come….”
“That’s not the problem. It’s the end of June, I’m not ready yet.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the one who has always wanted to get married quickly.”
Si Hyun was flustered, feeling cornered by his comment.

“No, it’s not that. There’s more than one or two things to prepare, and June is too soon.”
“Preparation can be made when it is needed.”
Woo Jin, who had been driving, glanced at Si Hyun.

“Or do you have any reason to hesitate?”
Si Hyun closed her mouth and thought.

She felt Woo Jin was right. Just a month ago, she would have been excited and wondering what to prepare first, hurrying things along.

What am I hesitating for, after deciding to forgive and make an effort?

Either way, the matter has already been decided. If I go back on my word now, saying it’s too soon and needs to be postponed, I will only incur the wrath of both parents. It’s a wedding I’ll have anyway.

Above all, she didn’t have the confidence to withstand her motherinlaw’s wrath.

‘You don’t care about our Ah Hyun, do you? Is this how you repay the favor of raising her?’
She seemed to hear a voice ranting in her ear.

Woo Jin spoke soothingly.

“I know it might be sudden. But I acted out of a desire to be with you as soon as possible. Trust me, I will do well, okay? Si Hyun ah.”
He should have acted this way sooner. When I wanted to get married so much, he was always slow, but why now…..

Swallowing the words that seemed about to burst out of her mouth, Si Hyun closed her eyes. These days, words often just circled in her mouth before disappearing.

“I understand.”
Even with her eyes closed, the injured expression of Tae Ha that she saw earlier remained as an afterimage.

((()))

After dropping off Si Hyun at home, Woo Jin went home.

“You’ll be busy from next week to prepare. Rest well today.”

“Woo Jin attempted to kiss Si Hyun as a goodbye, but to her own surprise, Si Hyun turned her head sharply. Eventually, Woo Jin’s lips landed on Si Hyun’s cheek instead of her lips. That alone gave her a feeling as if the hairs on her body were standing on end.

Even after she had returned home, Si Hyun couldn’t calm down. As she changed clothes and removed her makeup, she was somewhat out of it.

Getting married two months from now.

It felt as if she had set foot into a quagmire from which she couldn’t escape.

She couldn’t feel excited at the thought of walking down the aisle; why did she keep getting this feeling? Is it right to go through with a wedding that feels this way from the start?

Worn out by numerous thoughts, Si Hyun decided to stop thinking altogether. It’s normal to have lots of thoughts before getting married. That’s all there was to it.

Although the only thing she did today was the formal meeting of the families, she felt as exhausted as if she had worked all night. Si Hyun went to bed early in the evening. She was tired, but she thought that she could avoid any thoughts if she fell asleep.

She woke up because of the doorbell. As she was dozing off, Si Hyun quickly opened her eyes.

When she checked the intercom, Tae Ha was standing there. What could he want at this late hour? After a moment of hesitation, Si Hyun opened the door.

As soon as the door opened, Tae Ha rushed in and embraced her. Startled, Si Hyun held him back. Carrying the weight of a heavy man, she staggered backwards after a while.

“Tae Ha?”
The man burying his face in her shoulder let out a suppressed voice.

“It’s not my fault.”
Si Hyun wondered what he meant.

After a while, Tae Ha managed to prop himself up with his hand and looked down at her. A faint scent of wine lingered, and then Si Hyun realized that Tae Ha was drunk.

“We met when we were nine, why is that my fault?”
Normally, Tae Ha had deep, inscrutable eyes. But had alcohol washed away his usual pretense? His gaze, like that of an abandoned puppy, was directed at Si Hyun.

Words of resentment poured out of his seemingly drawn lips.

“You were the one who came to me.”

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