Seojin Lang's grip on Nari_hana's wrist tightened like iron, his icy blue eyes burning with suppressed fury. His voice cut through the grand hall like a blade.
"Do you even know where you are standing?" His tone dripped with cold authority. "This floor is reserved for those who spend their lives dreaming of just stepping here. And yet you… you dared to barge in without permission."
His smirk returned, sharp and merciless. "I told you, Miss Nari_hana. You would crawl to me—on your knees if necessary. And now, here you are."
Nari's hazel eyes widened, tears threatening to spill. His words stabbed deeper, reopening every wound in her fragile heart.
Seojin leaned closer, his lips curving into a cruel smile. "Do you remember? You once slapped me and told me to leave. You thought you were strong enough to reject me. But now…" His voice dropped to a mocking whisper. "Now, you will face the consequences of that slap."
He turned suddenly, raising his voice so the entire lobby could hear. "Everyone! You must be wondering who this girl is, and why she dares to stand here tonight. Allow me to explain."
The employees froze where they stood, watching in stunned silence as Seojin's commanding presence filled the space.
"This girl came to me for money," he announced, each word echoing against the marble walls. "She needs one million won. Girls like her will do anything for money—lie, beg, sell their pride. Isn't that right, Miss Nari_hana?"
A collective gasp rippled through the staff. Whispers began to spread, eyes full of judgment piercing into Nari's soul.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she glanced at the clock. 8:50 p.m. The words of the doctors echoed in her mind—By nine o'clock, we must begin the surgery… or it will be too late.
Her voice broke as she cried out, desperation spilling from her trembling lips. "Please, Mr. Lang… I don't care what you say about me. I don't care what anyone thinks. I just need help. My mother needs surgery. If I don't get one million won now, she…" Her chest heaved with sobs. "She will die."
But Seojin only smirked, his coldness unshaken. "Do you see now? Even after all this humiliation, she continues to beg. Look at her—completely shameless. A girl who would throw away her pride just for money."
His words cut deeper than any blade, and yet all Nari could think of was the ticking clock and her mother's fading breath.
Seojin Lang dragged Nari_hana into his private cabin, his grip unrelenting. With a sharp push, he threw her forward. She stumbled, crashing against the edge of his desk. Pain shot through her arm as blood began to seep from a fresh cut. Tears welled in her hazel eyes, trembling with helplessness.
Seojin's lips curved into a cold smile. "Alright, Nari_hana. I'll help you," he said slowly, his voice laced with danger. "But tell me—what will I get in return?"
Her shoulders shook as she raised her tear-streaked face toward him. "I… I'll do anything," she choked out. "Whatever you ask of me… just please, Mr. Lang, save my mother. There isn't much time left."
His piercing gaze softened into a sly smirk as he pointed toward the contract still clutched in her trembling hand. "All I want… is your signature."
Without hesitation, Nari pressed the pen to the paper, her vision blurred by tears. "I… I've signed it," she whispered desperately. "Please, now send the money. Save my mother's life."
Seojin gestured lazily to his assistant. "Handle it."
The assistant quickly made the call, transferring the funds to the hospital. Within moments, confirmation arrived—the operation could begin.
Seojin leaned in, gripping her wrist possessively. "Look at you. You thought you could defy me, yet here you are, reduced to begging. From this moment on, you are officially my contract wife. Six months, Nari_hana. Six months, you belong to me."
Nari collapsed to the floor, her sobs echoing in the cold room. Her hands shook violently as she struck herself in anguish. "Why… why did it have to come to this?" she cried.
Seojin crouched beside her, seizing her hands firmly to stop her. His eyes glittered with a strange, dangerous warmth. "Don't you dare hurt yourself. From now on, every breath you take belongs to me. For the next six months, you are mine—and mine alone."
His smirk widened as he turned to his assistant. "Go. Prepare a white gown—a wedding dress. Tonight, she becomes Mrs. Lang."
The assistant hesitated, his heart heavy at the sight of Nari's shattered state. Yet duty chained him, and he bowed. "Yes, sir."
Wedding Night
The grand Lang mansion shimmered with opulence under the night sky. Nari stood in silence, her eyes swollen with tears as she wore the heavy gown forced upon her.
The powerful patriarch, Mr. Lang Ji-hoon, entered first, his tailored black suit radiating wealth and dominance. Beside him, Han Soo-kyung, Seojin's mother, glided in with elegance, her white dress glittering with diamonds around her neck and ears.
Then came Seojin's brothers—Lang Min-joon, the elder, tall and composed in his black attire, and Lang Tae-hyun, the youngest, mischievous sparks in his eyes.
Tae-hyun chuckled, his playful tone breaking the suffocating tension. "Brother Seo, just look at your bride. She doesn't even seem ready to marry you. She looks as though this wedding is her punishment rather than her dream."
A sharp silence followed, all eyes shifting to Seojin and the fragile girl at his side.
Lang Min-joon, Seo-jin's elder brother, smirked as he raised his wine glass.
"So this is the girl you chose to marry? Look at her face, Seo-jin. She doesn't seem happy at all. Are you happy with this marriage?"
His mocking smile lingered as he sipped his wine and walked away, leaving Nari trembling.
Han Soo-kyung, Seo-jin's mother, gently held Nari's hand. Her voice was warm, almost motherly.
"Daughter, are you truly happy? Seo-jin didn't force you into this marriage, did he?"
Tears welled up in Nari's eyes. She turned toward Seo-jin, silently begging for his help. But Seo-jin's sharp glare warned her to keep quiet. Heart pounding, she forced a trembling smile and whispered,
"N-No, Mother. I'm happy with this marriage."
Han Soo-kyung finally relaxed, nodding. Not long after, she received a call and left with her husband, leaving Nari alone in the grand hall.
The Contract Marriage
Later that night, Seo-jin drove Nari to his luxury apartment. As soon as they entered, his cold voice echoed against the marble walls.
"This marriage is nothing but a contract. We won't share a room. Your place is over there," he pointed toward the guest room, his tone sharp.
Nari quietly nodded and turned to leave, but before she could take a step, Seo-jin grabbed her wrist and pulled her close. His icy eyes burned into hers.
"Never touch anything in my life—or in this house. Do you understand?"
Shaken, Nari quickly retreated to the guest room. Everything inside screamed perfection—designer furniture, luxurious dresses, expensive perfumes. Yet, to her, it felt like a golden cage. A prison that looked beautiful but left her powerless.
A Lonely Morning
The next morning, Nari dressed in a soft pink formal gown, her hazel eyes sparkling despite her sleepless night. She hurried downstairs, hoping to see Seo-jin at the dining table.
But he wasn't there.
The chef bowed politely. "Madam, this breakfast is prepared for you. Mr. Lang has already left for the office."
Nari sat down, the food laid out like a royal feast. Once, she would have considered this her dream. But now, every bite tasted like poison.
Later, whenever she tried to help with chores, the maids stopped her. "Please, Madam, allow us. You are not to do anything," they insisted. The endless silence and restrictions suffocated her until she felt her sanity slipping away.
A Forbidden Call
Frustrated, Nari decided to visit her mother. But the moment she stepped toward the door, the guards blocked her path.
"Apologies, Miss Nari," the bodyguard said firmly. "Mr. Lang has forbidden you from leaving the apartment."
Anger and helplessness burned inside her. She stormed back to her room, gripping her phone tightly. A notification flashed across the screen—
💔 Heart
Her eyes widened. Hands trembling, she opened the message but quickly shut the phone with tears streaming down her face.
"Do you know… I waited ten years for you? Ten years, hoping to see you again. But now… even though you're back, I still can't reach you…"
Her sobs echoed in the room as she turned off her phone, burying her pain in silence.
A Message That Changes Everything
At the same time, in the towering building of The Narmé, Seo-jin sat in his private office, flipping through files. His phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
Miss me? Wait only for two months. My work is finished. I'm coming back, Seo.
Seo-jin's expression froze. His hand tightened around the phone, and within seconds, he dialed a number. His voice was low but urgent.
"I want a divorce. Immediately."