At the banquet hall...
Everyone waited in anticipation. The guests were all from well-known and prestigious families, most of whom were business partners of the Fuentebella family.
Ran stood quietly in a corner, a glass of wine in hand.
"I wonder what our sister-in-law looks like," Rin said as he approached his brother, accompanied by Ineah and Kiko.
"I'm curious as well," Ineah added. "Matias rarely goes out. He only leaves home to train. He doesn't have time to attend parties or meet women."
"Maybe it's an arranged marriage?" Kiko suggested.
"So, what do you think, Ran?" Rin asked.
Ran took a sip of his wine. "Who knows? He's only been here for a few months."
Ineah glanced at his wristwatch. "Twenty minutes before they make their appearance."
Soon, Imman, Tohru, Shuu, Kasey, and Hajee joined them.
"Are you all excited to meet our sister-in-law?" Kasey asked with a grin.
"We're all curious," Kiko replied.
They continued sipping their drinks while waiting.
A few moments later, Izak and Maikell arrived with their fathers. The group began chatting casually.
Then, the lights suddenly dimmed.
A spotlight illuminated the grand staircase.
Mikhail and Kaye appeared at the top, smiling as they slowly descended the stairs.
"By the way, where's Jinny?" Shuu asked, looking around.
"Isn't she with Mom?" Kasey replied.
"She's already here?" Ran asked quickly.
Kasey nodded.
"Yeah. We saw her earlier, but Mom took her somewhere and left us behind."
Ran immediately scanned the crowd, searching for Jinny.
There were so many things he wanted to tell her.
He wanted to confess.
This time, he would never let her go.
He was finally ready to defy his father's orders.
Mikhail stepped onto the stage and began his speech.
"Thank you all for coming to my son's engagement party."
The crowd quieted, eager to finally meet the couple.
"As many of you know, Maikell is my only son."
He paused.
"But the truth is... I have another son."
The entire hall fell silent.
Mikhail gently held Kaye's hand.
"He is our eldest son, who went missing many years ago. He was taken from us shortly after he was born."
Gasps echoed throughout the hall.
"For the sake of our family's privacy, and out of respect for my wife, who spent years longing for her lost child, we kept this matter a secret. But we never gave up searching for him."
His voice grew firm.
"And after years of searching... we finally found him."
The guests exchanged shocked glances and whispered among themselves.
"I hope all of you will give my eldest son the same respect and treatment you have always given my youngest son."
His sharp gaze swept across the room.
"And let me make one thing clear—anyone who dares to disrespect him or speak ill of him behind his back will face the consequences."
The murmurs instantly ceased.
Everyone knew the power and influence the Fuentebella family possessed.
Mikhail smirked.
"Now then, ladies and gentlemen... allow me to introduce my eldest son—Matias Fuentebella."
Applause erupted throughout the hall.
All eyes turned toward the grand staircase.
A young man slowly descended the steps with calm confidence.
The guests were captivated.
There was no doubt he was Mikhail's son.
The resemblance between them was unmistakable.
When Matias reached the stage, Kaye stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Now that you've finally met my eldest son, it's time to introduce the young woman who captured his heart."
The crowd immediately grew excited.
"You all know her already," Kaye continued. "She has accompanied us to several gatherings over the years."
The brothers exchanged confused looks.
"She attended gatherings with Mom and Dad?" Rin asked.
"Why haven't I noticed her before?" Ineah wondered. "Who is she?"
"Could she be the daughter of one of our close family friends?" Hajee guessed.
Curiosity spread among them.
Meanwhile, Ran's heart suddenly began pounding.
A strange sense of unease crept into his chest.
Why did he have such a bad feeling about this?
No...
Surely he was overthinking.
Surely he was wrong.
Kaye's smile widened as she gestured toward the staircase.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
She paused dramatically.
"May I introduce my son's fiancée..."
The entire hall held its breath.
"...my adopted daughter, Jinny!"
Kaye clapped excitedly as she announced the name.
The banquet hall fell into stunned silence.
The brothers froze.
Their eyes widened in disbelief.
Jinny...?
"Her?" Tohru exclaimed in disbelief.
"What the hell...?" Rin muttered.
"How did this even happen?" Kasey asked, completely stunned.
Ran's fists tightened at his sides.
This was unacceptable.
His jaw clenched as anger surged through him.
How could this happen?
How could Jinny end up marrying the very person who had abandoned her before?
Beside him, Shuu's expression darkened.
His fists were clenched just as tightly.
How the hell did this happen?
Why hadn't anyone told them?
Jinny was supposed to be his.
He had been planning to confess his feelings to her. He was even going to tell his mother about it.
Imman glanced at Ran and silently sighed.
He already knew.
Once, he had accidentally seen Ran and Jinny together, sharing an intimate moment. He had never interfered because it wasn't his business.
But now...
He knew his brother had already lost.
On the stage, Mikhail smiled at the guests.
"I know all of you are surprised," he said. "But the two of them love each other. As parents, we have no right to stand in the way of our son's happiness."
He looked proudly at Matias and Jinny.
"We support their relationship wholeheartedly. And since Jinny is not blood-related to our family, and because we know what a kind-hearted and wonderful girl she is, we have given them our blessing."
The smile on Kaye's face widened.
"Everyone here is invited to their wedding, which will be held three days from now." she said.
The hall erupted into applause.
Guests stepped forward to congratulate the couple.
Matias gently held Jinny's hand.
The two exchanged warm smiles, completely unaware of the storm brewing in the hearts of several people in the room.
A few minutes later, Matias and Jinny began greeting the guests alongside Mikhail and Kaye.
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the hall, Shin and Shuu were having a heated discussion.
"Dad, why didn't you tell me about this?" Shuu demanded.
Shin frowned.
"Because I didn't know either. I'm just as surprised as you are. They only revealed everything tonight."
Shuu let out a frustrated sigh.
He wanted to punch a wall.
But there were too many guests watching.
Taking a deep breath, he turned away.
"I'm going outside for some fresh air."
Without waiting for a response, he walked away.
Shin watched his son leave and shook his head helplessly.
His son had already lost.
Compared to Matias, Shuu didn't stand a chance.
Outside the banquet hall, Ran stood alone in the hallway, leaning against the wall while smoking a cigarette.
The cold night air did nothing to calm the raging emotions inside him.
"Fuck..."
The curse escaped through gritted teeth.
He still couldn't believe it.
Why?
Why did Matias have to take Jinny away from him again?
"Fuck!"
His fist slammed into the wall.
"Fuck!"
He punched it a second time.
The pain barely registered.
A few moments later, footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Shuu emerged from the hall and immediately noticed him.
The two men stared at each other.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Shuu smirked bitterly.
"You lost."
Ran didn't respond.
Shuu laughed coldly. "But I'm not giving up," his gaze hardened. "I'll make her mine again."
With those words, he walked past him.
Ran's fists clenched even tighter.
The veins on his arms bulged.
His eyes burned with determination.
"I haven't lost yet," he said through gritted teeth. "She'll be mine."
No matter what it takes.
.
.
"I'm tired," Jinny whispered to Matias.
Matias gently squeezed her hand.
"Go to our room first. I'll follow you later. There's something I need to discuss with Dad."
Jinny nodded.
"Alright."
Matias leaned closer and whispered into her ear.
"Take a shower and wait for me in bed..."
Her cheeks instantly turned red.
A smug grin appeared on his face.
"Matias!"
Embarrassed, she pinched his arm before quickly walking away.
Matias chuckled softly as he watched her retreating figure before turning and heading toward his father.
Meanwhile, Jinny walked through the quiet hallway, enjoying the brief escape from the crowded banquet hall.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist.
She gasped in surprise.
Turning around, she found herself staring into Ran's dark eyes.
His expression was serious.
Almost desperate.
"R-Ran..."
Before she could react, he gently but firmly pressed her against the wall, trapping her between his arms.
"Why didn't you tell me about the engagement?" he demanded.
His voice was low but filled with anger. "Are you really going to marry that asshole?"
Jinny frowned and looked away. "I don't remember being obligated to tell you what's happening in my life."
Her cold response made his jaw tighten.
"Jin, you can't do this to me!" his voice rose involuntarily.
Jinny slowly turned her gaze back to him.
There was no hesitation in her eyes.
"Why?" she asked quietly. "Are you hurt?"
Ran froze.
"Do you finally understand what I felt back then?" she continued.
His expression immediately softened.
Guilt flashed across his face.
"I..." he lowered his head. "I'm sorry."
Carefully, he reached for her hand and held it gently.
"But believe me, I love you," his voice trembled. "I always have."
Jinny remained silent.
Ran tightened his grip slightly.
"I was a coward back then. I was afraid of disappointing Mom and Dad. I was afraid of fighting against them," his eyes pleaded with hers. "But not anymore," his voice became firm. "I'm willing to face them now. I'll tell them how much I love you."
He took a step closer. "I'll tell them I want to marry you."
For a brief moment, silence hung between them.
Then Jinny slowly pulled her hand away.
"It's too late, Ran."
The words hit him like a knife.
Her gaze was calm.
But unwavering.
"I love Matias."
Ran's face darkened.
"He abandoned you!" his voice was sharp. "Have you forgotten that?"
Jinny shook her head. "No."
Her answer came without hesitation. "I haven't forgotten."
Memories flashed through her mind.
The pain.
The longing.
The years she spent waiting.
But also the truth she had finally learned. "He never abandoned me." A gentle smile appeared on her lips. "Now I finally understand why he left."
Her eyes softened when she thought of Matias.
"And no matter what happened in the past..." she placed a hand over her heart. "My feelings for him never changed."
Ran felt his chest tighten.
"The only man I've ever loved..." Jinny looked directly into his eyes. "...is Matias."
The finality in her voice shattered the last of his hope.
She gently pushed him aside.
Then she walked away without looking back.
Leaving him standing alone in the empty hallway.
Ran stared at her retreating figure.
His heart felt as though it were being torn apart.
No.
This couldn't be the end.
He couldn't accept it.
He couldn't lose her.
Not again.
Never again.