The drive to the Choi Mansion was quieter than either of them expected.
Yerin sat in the passenger seat, her fingers resting lightly over the wedding ring on her hand.
Every few seconds, she caught herself looking at it.
It still didn't feel real.
She was married.
To Do-hyun.
The man sitting beside her was now, technically, her husband.
And somehow, that thought felt stranger every time it crossed her mind.
Do-hyun kept his eyes on the road.
He had barely spoken since they left the Hwang Mansion.
Neither of them seemed to know what to say.
Eventually, Yerin broke the silence.
"How long until we get there?"
"About fifteen minutes."
She nodded.
Silence returned.
A few moments later, Do-hyun glanced at her.
"You've been staring at your ring for five minutes."
Yerin immediately lowered her hand.
"I haven't."
"You have."
"I was just looking at it."
"That's called staring."
She looked at him.
"You talk too much."
He smiled faintly.
"You're the one who started the conversation."
Yerin turned toward the window.
"I regret it."
Do-hyun quietly laughed.
For some reason...
That small laugh made the silence afterward feel less uncomfortable.
The Choi Mansion
The moment the car entered the driveway, Yerin saw the Choi family waiting.
Mrs. Choi stepped forward first.
"Welcome home, Yerin."
Yerin smiled politely.
"Thank you."
Before she could take another step, one of the attendants approached.
"Mrs. Choi has arranged the welcoming ceremony."
Yerin blinked.
"The what?"
Do-hyun looked at his mother.
His mother smiled.
"Don't worry. It's simple."
Yerin looked at Do-hyun.
He shrugged.
"I have no idea either."
She gave him a suspicious look.
"You live here."
"Apparently that doesn't mean I know everything."
Mrs. Choi laughed.
"Come."
Yerin followed her into the lounge.
A small table had been prepared.
There were traditional items arranged neatly across it.
Yerin sat where she was directed.
Mrs. Choi explained each step quietly.
Yerin followed along, trying not to make a mistake.
At one point, she looked toward Do-hyun.
He was standing several steps away, watching.
She gave him a helpless look.
He mouthed,
"You're doing fine."
She rolled her eyes.
He smiled.
The rituals continued for a while.
Eventually, Mrs. Choi announced that everything was complete.
The family congratulated them again.
Yerin smiled.
But as the evening grew darker...
She became increasingly aware of one thing.
Soon...
She would have to go upstairs.
To Do-hyun's room.
Her room too, apparently.
That thought made her nervous all over again.
It was almost nighttime when Mrs. Choi finally came upstairs with Yerin.
They stopped outside Do-hyun's bedroom.
Yerin stared at the door.
Mrs. Choi opened it.
"Come in."
Yerin stepped inside.
The room looked exactly like it always had.
Do-hyun's books.
His desk.
His sofa.
His bed.
Everything was familiar.
Except...
Now she was expected to stay here.
Mrs. Choi gently guided her toward the bed.
"Sit here."
Yerin obeyed.
Mrs. Choi turned toward the servants.
"Please bring two glasses of milk."
She paused.
"And a bottle of water."
The servants nodded and left.
Yerin watched them go.
She looked at the milk.
Then at her mother-in-law.
"Milk?"
Mrs. Choi smiled.
"It's traditional."
Yerin nodded slowly.
"Right."
The servants returned and placed everything on the small table beside the bed.
Mrs. Choi then sat beside Yerin.
Her voice became gentler.
"Yerin."
"Yes?"
"I know today has been overwhelming."
Yerin nodded.
Mrs. Choi smiled.
"Being married isn't simply about ceremonies and celebrations."
Yerin listened carefully.
"It means learning to live with another person. Understanding them. Respecting their space. Supporting them when they need you."
She glanced toward the door.
"And most importantly, remember that this is your home now too."
Yerin looked around the room.
Her eyes softened.
"I'll try."
Mrs. Choi touched her hand.
"You don't have to become someone else because you're married."
Yerin looked at her.
"Just be yourself."
A small smile appeared on Yerin's face.
Mrs. Choi stood.
"Get some rest."
She walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
"Oh, and Yerin?"
"Yes?"
She smiled.
"Don't worry too much."
Yerin nodded.
Mrs. Choi left.
The door closed.
Silence.
Yerin looked around the room.
Then at the bed.
Then at the two glasses of milk.
She sighed.
"Why does this suddenly feel so awkward?"
Nearly half an hour passed.
Yerin sat on the bed, scrolling aimlessly through her phone.
Then...
The door opened.
Do-hyun walked in.
He took two steps.
Stopped.
His eyes landed on Yerin.
Then the bed.
Then the glasses of milk.
Then back at Yerin.
His expression changed.
"What are you doing here?"
Yerin stared at him.
For a moment, she couldn't believe he had actually asked.
"Excuse me?"
He pointed vaguely toward the room.
"I mean..."
He paused.
"Why are you here?"
Yerin slowly put her phone down.
"Because this is your room."
"Yes."
"And I'm your wife now."
Silence.
Do-hyun blinked.
Yerin raised an eyebrow.
"Remember?"
He looked away.
"Right."
She folded her arms.
He walked farther into the room.
He looked around as if the room might suddenly provide him with an answer.
"So..."
"So?"
"We're supposed to..."
He stopped.
Yerin waited.
"Live here?"
She stared at him.
"Yes."
He nodded slowly.
"Right."
Another silence.
Yerin sighed.
"This is going to be a long night."
Do-hyun looked at her.
"Apparently."
Neither of them knew what to do.
They had spent months preparing for the wedding.
They had survived the ceremony.
They had survived the photographs.
They had survived their families.
But nobody had prepared them for this.
The actual first night.
Yerin stood.
"I need to change."
Do-hyun nodded quickly.
"Okay."
She picked up her clothes.
Then looked toward him.
"Where's the bathroom?"
He pointed.
"Through there."
She stopped.
She stared at him.
He stared back.
Neither said anything.
Then Yerin quietly walked into the bathroom.
A while later, the bathroom door opened.
Yerin stepped out wearing a comfortable nightsuit.
Her hair was slightly damp.
She looked much more relaxed than she had earlier.
Do-hyun glanced at her.
Then quickly looked away.
Yerin noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You looked at me."
"I didn't."
"You did."
She walked toward the bed and sat down.
Do-hyun picked up his clothes.
He disappeared into the bathroom.
Yerin pulled the blanket over herself.
She stared at the ceiling.
Tomorrow would be strange.
She could already tell.
When Do-hyun finally came out, his hair was still damp.
He was wearing a simple nightsuit.
He looked at the bed.
Then the sofa.
Then Yerin.
Yerin looked at the sofa.
Then at him.
Neither spoke.
Finally, Yerin broke the silence.
"I'll sleep here."
Do-hyun nodded.
"I'll sleep on the sofa."
She looked at him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"The sofa doesn't look comfortable."
"It's fine."
"You'll regret it tomorrow."
"I'll survive."
She smiled faintly.
"Okay."
Do-hyun picked up a pillow.
He walked toward the sofa.
Then stopped.
"Goodnight."
Yerin looked at him.
"Goodnight."
He lay down.
Yerin turned off the lamp beside the bed.
The room became dark.
For several minutes...
Neither slept.
Yerin stared into the darkness.
Do-hyun stared at the ceiling.
Both were thinking the exact same thing.
We're married.
And neither knew what that was supposed to feel like.
Eventually...
Sleep won.
The Next Morning
The Hwang family arrived early.
Yerin had barely finished getting ready when she heard voices downstairs.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
Her wedding dress was gone.
The jewellery was gone.
The veil was gone.
She was simply Yerin again.
But something had changed.
She was now a wife.
She took a breath.
Then left the room.
Do-hyun was already waiting near the stairs.
He looked at her.
"Ready?"
She nodded.
They walked downstairs together.
Side by side.
But not holding hands.
Mrs. Hwang noticed immediately.
So did Ji-hoon.
Neither said anything.
Breakfast was already prepared.
Everyone gathered around the table.
The conversation was surprisingly normal.
Mrs. Choi asked Yerin how she slept.
Yerin nearly choked on her water.
"Fine."
Do-hyun looked down at his plate.
Ji-hoon noticed.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Fine?"
Yerin glared at him.
"Yes."
Ji-hoon smiled.
"Interesting."
"Eat your breakfast."
"I am."
"Then keep eating."
He laughed.
Do-hyun quietly shook his head.
After breakfast, Yerin escaped to the garden.
Unfortunately...
Ji-hoon followed.
They sat beneath the shade of a tree.
For a few seconds, everything was peaceful.
Then Ji-hoon smiled.
"So..."
Yerin immediately knew that tone.
"No."
"I haven't even asked anything."
"You don't have to."
He laughed.
"How was your first night?"
Yerin's eyes widened.
"Oppa!"
"What?"
"Stop."
"I'm just asking."
"There's nothing to ask."
"Really?"
"Really."
Ji-hoon leaned back.
"So you both just went to sleep?"
Yerin stared at him.
"Yes."
He nodded slowly.
"Interesting."
"Why do you keep saying interesting?"
"Because it is."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're making things up in your head again, aren't you?"
Ji-hoon smiled innocently.
"Me? Never."
"Oppa."
"Okay, maybe a little."
Yerin groaned.
"You are impossible."
He laughed.
"So who slept where?"
Yerin said nothing.
Ji-hoon's eyes widened.
"Oh."
"Don't."
"The sofa?"
Yerin glared at him.
"Stop."
He burst out laughing.
"I knew it!"
"You knew nothing!"
"So he slept on the sofa?"
Yerin covered her face.
"Why are you like this?"
Ji-hoon leaned closer.
"Did you two even talk?"
"No."
"Did you look at each other?"
"Obviously."
"Awkwardly?"
"Yes."
He grinned.
"I can imagine it."
"Don't."
"I bet there was a lot of silence."
Yerin threw a small cushion at him.
Ji-hoon caught it.
"Violence already?"
"You deserve worse."
He laughed.
"So..."
He paused dramatically.
"Did anything happen?"
Yerin stared at him.
"No."
Ji-hoon nodded.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing."
"Not even—"
"Oppa!"
She hit his arm.
He laughed harder.
"You need to relax!"
"You need to stop asking questions!"
Neither of them noticed the figure approaching from behind.
Do-hyun had stepped outside because his father had asked him to find Yerin.
He was about to call her name when he heard Ji-hoon's voice.
"So, you're telling me you spent your first night married to him and absolutely nothing happened?"
Do-hyun stopped.
His eyes widened.
He slowly turned his head.
Why am I hearing this?
He should leave.
Immediately.
But then Ji-hoon continued.
"I mean, you two were alone in the same room."
Do-hyun closed his eyes.
This was becoming unbearable.
He considered walking away.
Then remembered why he had come.
He took a breath.
Walked forward.
And called,
"Yerin."
Both siblings froze.
Yerin turned.
The color immediately disappeared from her face.
Do-hyun stood a few feet away.
His expression was perfectly calm.
Too calm.
Yerin stared at him.
How much did he hear?
Ji-hoon looked at Do-hyun.
Then at Yerin.
Then back at Do-hyun.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
Yerin immediately pointed at him.
"Don't."
Ji-hoon raised his hands.
"I didn't say anything."
Do-hyun cleared his throat.
"Your father is calling both of us."
Yerin stood quickly.
"Oh."
She glanced at Ji-hoon.
"I'm coming."
Then she leaned toward him and whispered,
"This is your fault."
Ji-hoon whispered back,
"How?"
She hit his arm.
He laughed.
Yerin turned and walked toward the house.
Do-hyun followed.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Yerin quietly asked,
"How much did you hear?"
Do-hyun kept walking.
"Enough."
Yerin covered her face.
"Oh my God."
He smiled slightly.
"It's fine."
"It is not fine."
"I've heard worse."
She looked at him.
"From whom?"
He glanced toward the garden.
"Your brother."
Yerin groaned.
"I'll kill him."
Do-hyun laughed.
They entered the house.
The atmosphere was different now.
Mr. Hwang and Mr. Choi were waiting inside the study.
Both looked serious.
Yerin's smile disappeared.
Do-hyun noticed too.
He opened the door.
"Father?"
Mr. Choi looked at both of them.
"Come in."
Yerin stepped inside.
Do-hyun followed.
The door closed behind them.
Mr. Hwang stood near the window.
Neither father spoke immediately.
Yerin looked at Do-hyun.
Something was wrong.
She could feel it.
Mr. Choi finally turned toward them.
"There is something both of you need to know."
Do-hyun's expression hardened.
Yerin's fingers tightened around her sleeve.
"What is it?"
Mr. Hwang exchanged a look with Mr. Choi.
Then quietly said,
"It concerns your marriage."
Yerin froze.
Do-hyun looked at his father.
"What about it?"
Mr. Choi didn't answer immediately.
Instead...
He walked toward the desk.
Opened a drawer.
And took out a thin file.
He placed it on the table.
Yerin stared at it.
Do-hyun's eyes narrowed.
"What is that?"
Mr. Choi looked at them.
"Something we should have told you before the wedding."
Silence.
Yerin felt her heart sink.
Before she could ask another question...
Mr. Choi opened the file.
And the first photograph inside made Do-hyun's expression change completely.
...To Be Continued...