I never thought the word marriage would feel like a curse.But that night, it became my prison.
The ballroom that had sparkled with golden chandeliers now felt suffocating, the air heavy with whispers and judgment. My sister's absence was like a stain no one could scrub out. Everyone's eyes were on me confused, curious, cruel.
Ji-hoon's grip on my wrist was iron, dragging me back to the stage where the ceremony was supposed to continue. My mother stumbled behind us, her face pale, my father trailing silently, his jaw tight, unable to oppose the man who now controlled our fate.
"Please, stop this," I whispered desperately, my voice shaking as I tried to pull free. "You can't just force me"
"Watch me," Ji-hoon cut me off, his voice low but sharp enough to slice through me. His cold eyes flicked down at me, narrowing. "Do you think I'll let myself be humiliated? In front of every powerful family in Seoul? No, Ha-eun. If your sister doesn't want to stand here, then you will. Tonight."
Tears welled in my eyes. "But it's not fair—"
"Life isn't fair," he said, tugging me harder until I nearly stumbled on the stage steps.
The emcee froze, uncertain, glancing between Ji-hoon and my father as if silently begging for direction. The audience was restless, buzzing with disbelief. I heard snippets of conversation:
"Is this a joke?""Did the elder daughter really run away?""Scandalous. How can they let the younger sister replace her?"
My cheeks burned with humiliation. I wanted the floor to open and swallow me whole. But Ji-hoon stood tall, exuding unshakable power.
"This ceremony will proceed," Ji-hoon announced, his deep voice carrying across the hall. "The bride has changed, but the alliance remains."
The room fell silent. The audacity. The dominance. He was unbending, unyielding—and terrifying.
I shook my head, tears spilling over. "No! I won't do this!"
My mother rushed forward, clutching my hand. Her voice trembled. "Please, Ji-hoon, she's too young, she's not ready—"
He turned his gaze on her, cold and merciless. "Then your family will face ruin. Contracts will be broken. Deals will collapse. Do you want that responsibility, Madam Park?"
My mother's lips parted, but no words came out. My father placed a hand on her shoulder, his face carved with defeat. "We… we have no choice."
I stared at him, disbelief flooding me. "Father… how can you say that? You're giving me away like—like I'm nothing!"
He couldn't meet my eyes. He looked down at the polished floor, his silence louder than any words.
Ji-hoon's hand tightened on mine. "Enough. The ceremony starts now."
The officiant hesitated, his voice unsteady as he opened the book. My tears blurred everything, the chandeliers, the guests, even Ji-hoon's sharp features beside me.
"Do you, Kang Ji-hoon, take this woman, Park Ha-eun, to be your lawfully wedded wife—"
"I do," he said immediately, his voice firm, without hesitation.
My chest caved in. It was happening. He was sealing my fate with those two words.
The officiant turned to me, his eyes full of pity. "Do you, Park Ha-eun, take—"
"No!" The word tore out of me, raw and trembling. Gasps rippled through the crowd. I shook my head furiously. "I don't! I can't marry him!"
For the first time, Ji-hoon leaned down, his mouth close to my ear. His words were soft, but they chilled me to the bone. "Say yes, Ha-eun. Or your family will bleed for your refusal."
I froze, my heart pounding in terror. His threat wasn't empty—I could see it in his eyes, in the calm brutality of his expression.
The officiant repeated softly, "Do you, Park Ha-eun, take Kang Ji-hoon—"
My lips trembled. I wanted to scream, to run, to vanish. But all I could see was my parents' bowed heads, the weight of shame and fear pressing them down. I realized they would let me be sacrificed.
"I… I do."
The words broke me.
The audience erupted again—some shocked, some whispering eagerly, others silently judging. But none of them cared about me. None of them saw me as a person. I was just a pawn on this glittering stage.
"Then by the power vested in me," the officiant said, voice shaking, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Applause scattered weakly, uncomfortable and hesitant. My vision blurred with tears. Ji-hoon's hand slid around my waist, possessive, claiming, as if he had already won some cruel battle.
His lips brushed my ear again. "You're mine now, Ha-eun. Forever."
The night blurred into chaos.Photographs.Whispers.Champagne flutes raised, though no one smiled genuinely.
My mother tried to hold me, but Ji-hoon never let me go. His hand clamped on my wrist like a shackle, dragging me through the motions. We cut the cake, posed for pictures, greeted guests—while my heart screamed inside.
Hours later, the ballroom emptied. The night ended, but my nightmare had only begun.
The car ride to his penthouse was silent. Too silent. The city lights blurred outside the tinted windows, but inside, the air was suffocating. I sat as far from him as possible, my hands clenched tightly in my lap, my wedding dress heavy on my body.
He broke the silence first. "Stop shaking. You're not going to die."
I turned on him, my voice cracking. "You've already killed me."
His jaw tightened, but he said nothing more.
When we arrived, the elevator ride to the top floor felt endless. The doors opened to reveal a luxurious penthouse, glittering with glass walls and silver decor, overlooking the Seoul skyline.
It should have been breathtaking. But all I saw was a cage.
"Welcome to your new home," Ji-hoon said flatly, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it on the couch.
"I'm not staying here," I whispered, clutching my dress. "I'll leave. I'll run—"
His hand shot out, slamming against the wall beside me, caging me in. I gasped, staring up into his cold, stormy eyes.
"You won't run," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Because if you do, your family will pay. You know I can destroy them in a heartbeat. Don't test me."
Tears streaked down my cheeks. "Why me? Why not let me go and find someone else?"
He leaned closer, his breath brushing my skin. "Because your sister humiliated me. And now, you'll pay her debt. Every second of it."
My body trembled, rage and despair colliding. "I hate you," I spat, my voice breaking.
Something flickered in his eyes—anger, amusement, I couldn't tell. His lips curved into the faintest smirk. "Good. Hate burns longer than love. At least it means you'll never forget me."
He pulled back, leaving me shaking, broken, but still burning with defiance.
"Get some sleep," he said finally, walking toward the bedroom. "Tomorrow, the world will know you as Kang Ha-eun. My wife."
He disappeared behind the door, leaving me in the living room, drowning in silence.
I collapsed onto the couch, burying my face in my hands, my sobs muffled by the fabric of my gown.
This wasn't a wedding.This was a funeral for the girl I used to be.
And yet, deep down, a terrifying truth clawed its way into my heart:This was only the beginning.