The sharp ring of the doorbell finally broke the oppressive silence of the Yoo estate. Ara, still wearing her elegant white birthday gown, pulled the heavy door open. When she saw Ji-Hoon standing there, his suit rumpled and a bouquet of flowers in his hand, her face hardened into a mask of cold fury.
She didn't say a word. She gripped the edge of the door and swung it shut with all her strength.
"Ara, wait!" Ji-Hoon barked, shoving his hand into the gap to block the door.
"Go away, Ji-Hoon," she hissed, but she stepped back, letting him in only because she didn't want the neighbors to see the heir to the Kang Group begging on her doorstep. She marched into the living room, threw herself onto the velvet sofa, and snapped the TV on, staring at the screen as if he didn't exist.
Ji-Hoon followed her, setting the flowers on the coffee table. He sat beside her, the scent of her perfume making his heart ache. "I'm sorry for being late. I'm sorry I missed the party."
Ara didn't look at him. She didn't even blink. Frustrated by the silence, Ji-Hoon reached out and playfully tugged at the hem of her dress, trying to provoke a reaction. Ara tried to stay stern, but a small, involuntary giggle escaped her lips.
"Stop it," she said, finally turning to him, her eyes red-rimmed. "What was so important that you couldn't come to my birthday?"
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I couldn't get away. But I didn't come empty-handed."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. Inside lay a breathtaking necklace—a delicate silver chain with a brilliant, star-shaped diamond pendant that caught every flicker of light in the room.
Ara's breath caught. "When did you buy this?"
"Just now," he lied softly, though he had picked it out weeks ago. "Here, let me."
She turned around, her back to him. Ji-Hoon's fingers were steady as he brushed her hair aside, the cool metal of the necklace meeting the warmth of her skin. He fastened the clasp, his hands lingering on her shoulders for a moment too long. When she turned back, she was smiling, the anger momentarily forgotten.
But the weight in Ji-Hoon's chest didn't lift. He knew he had to tell her before the news hit the papers. He began to tremble slightly, his voice losing its usual confidence.
"Ara... I have to tell you something."
"If you're going to joke that you're leaving me, don't," she said, touching the star on her neck. "It's my birthday."
"I'm not joking," he said, his gaze dropping to his lap. "I'm going to marry Han Seo-Yeon."
The silence that followed was deafening. Ara's smile didn't just fade; it shattered. "Don't fool me, Ji-Hoon. That's not funny."
"It's the truth. I wouldn't lie to you about this."
As he explained the financial ruin of the Kang Group and the three-month contract his father had forced upon him, Ara's shock turned into a blazing fire. She stood up, her voice trembling with rage. "If you needed money, I could have given it to you! My company is successful! Why would you choose her? Why would you choose a contract over me?"
"It's for my parents, Ara! My father would destroy everything I've built if I didn't comply."
"I don't want to hear it," she sobbed, pointing toward the door. "Go. Go to your 'wife.' I'm tired, and I'm going to sleep."
She turned to run toward the stairs, but Ji-Hoon was faster. He lunged forward, grabbing her wrist and spinning her around. With a sudden burst of desperation, he pinned her against the wall, his hands locking hers above her head.
"Let me go!" she screamed, struggling against him. "Go marry her and leave me alone!"
"It's just three months, Ara!" he shouted back, his face inches from hers. "It's a business deal. An agreement! There is no touch, no feelings, no nothing. I told her to her face that I have a girlfriend I love. I told her I was marrying you the second this is over."
Ara's struggles slowed. Her breathing was ragged, her eyes searching his. "You told her that?"
"I will never lie to you," he whispered, his grip softening as his thumbs traced the backs of her hands. "My love for you will never fade. Three months of acting, and then we are free. Trust me. Wait for me."
The anger in Ara's eyes melted into a deep, desperate longing. "I trust you," she whispered.
The distance between them vanished instantly. Ji-Hoon crashed his lips against hers, a kiss fueled by the fear of losing her and the relief of being forgiven. There was no gap, no hesitation. They moved together with a starved intensity, their mouths exploring every side as they stumbled toward the bedroom.
Ara used her foot to kick the bedroom door shut behind them as they fell onto the silk sheets. Her white gown was spread out like a cloud beneath her. Ji-Hoon didn't waste a second, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it aside.
He moved over her, his weight a comfort as he rained kisses down her jaw, her chin, and the curve of her shoulder. His hands moved to the zipper of her gown, slowly sliding it down to reveal the delicate lace of her innerwear. Every touch made her mourn softly, her voice a low vibration in the quiet room.
He uncovered her slowly, his mouth following the trail of his hands. He kissed her chest, his lips lingering on her skin as she arched her back, her fingers tangling in his dark hair. The atmosphere was thick with desire as he discarded the rest of their clothes.
He reached for the bedside table, his movements practiced and protective, before returning to her. Their intimacy was a frantic, beautiful war—a mixture of side, front, and sliding positions that left them both breathless. The room was filled with the sounds of their shared passion, a secret world where no contracts or fathers existed.
As the first light of morning began to peek through the curtains, the storm finally settled. Ji-Hoon lay on his side, his arm draped protectively over Ara. She was curled into his chest, her head resting on his shoulder, their bodies tangled in a deep, exhaustive hug.
In that moment, as they drifted into a heavy sleep, the outside world and the wedding only a week away felt like a distant, harmless dream.
End of Chapter 7...