I always believed weddings were supposed to be the happiest days in a girl's life.But not for me. Not that night.
The golden chandeliers of the Imperial Hotel sparkled above, throwing shimmering light across the grand ballroom. The sound of laughter, music, and clinking champagne glasses filled the air. My elder sister's engagement party was the talk of Seoul's elite business tycoons, politicians, celebrities, all under one roof. And me? I was nothing more than the background shadow, dressed in a pale pink gown, holding my glass of juice, smiling politely at strangers I didn't care about.
"Ha-eun, stand straighter," my mother whispered sharply, her hand pressing against my arm. "Don't slouch. Everyone is watching."
I forced a smile, straightening my back. I hated nights like this, where every detail mattered how you walked, how you smiled, even how you breathed. My sister, Han-mi, was the star tonight, glowing in a silver gown, her laughter echoing across the hall as she posed with her fiancé Kang Ji-hoon.
I had seen Ji-hoon only a handful of times before. Tall. Sharp-jawed. Cold eyes that never seemed to soften. He was the kind of man who looked like he was born to command, not to love. My sister didn't seem to care. For her, it was all about the status the match between two powerful families.
I thought I could ignore him. I thought he'd never even notice me.
But I was wrong.
The music swelled as the announcer called everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, the engagement ceremony will now begin!"
Applause broke out. Han-mi and Ji-hoon stepped onto the stage. She was radiant. He was unreadable. I tried to focus on her happiness, tried to ignore the way his eyes swept across the crowd and lingered on me.
My chest tightened. Why me?
I looked away quickly, pretending to sip my juice.
Then chaos.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was a message from my sister.I frowned and opened it.
"I can't do this. I'm leaving. Don't tell anyone."
My blood turned to ice. "What…?" I whispered under my breath.
Before I could react, a commotion erupted near the stage. My sister was gone. Just… gone. The engagement ring lay abandoned on the velvet box. Gasps echoed around the hall. Guests whispered furiously. My mother paled, my father cursed under his breath, and Ji-hoon—
Ji-hoon's gaze locked on me.
I froze.
Within seconds, he was off the stage, striding toward me like a predator closing in on prey. His grip closed around my wrist before I could move.
"What—what are you doing?!" I stammered, struggling.
His voice was low, deadly calm. "Where is she?"
"I—I don't know!" I whispered, panicked. "She just—she sent me a message"
His eyes darkened. "She ran away. On my engagement night. Do you know what this means for me? For my family? For yours?"
"I—It's not my fault!" My voice shook. "I didn't tell her to leave!"
He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "I don't care. Someone has to pay for this humiliation."
My heart pounded painfully. "Wh-what do you mean?"
He straightened, pulling me against him, his grip iron around my arm. The entire hall watched in stunned silence as he dragged me toward the stage. My parents followed helplessly, whispering frantic protests.
Ji-hoon's voice thundered across the hall. "Since the bride has run away, her sister will take her place."
The room erupted in gasps.
"What?! No!" I cried, struggling, but his hold didn't loosen.
"Ji-hoon, please!" my mother begged, tears in her eyes. "She's just a child, she's not ready"
"I don't care," Ji-hoon snapped, his eyes blazing with fury. "This marriage will happen tonight. If not with Han-mi, then with Ha-eun. Or else, your family will be ruined."
My father's face turned ashen. He knew it wasn't an empty threat. Ji-hoon's family held the power to destroy us with a single word.
"No!" I screamed, tears burning in my eyes. "I won't marry you! You can't just force me"
Ji-hoon bent his head, his voice low enough only for me. "Watch me. You're mine now, whether you like it or not."
His words sent a shiver down my spine. Not of desire. But of dread.
That night, I was dragged into a nightmare I never asked for.That night, my life was stolen.