"If you win the election for the presidential seat, not only will you make history as South Korea's youngest ruler, but you will also become a public figure admired by the youth," his father's usual speech rang in Min Ho's ears.
His eyelids shut tightly as he slowly nodded his head.
"That's my boy. Don't let me down, Min Ho. You will be getting married to Han Mi Rae tomorrow. I know you both haven't had time to get to know each other, but this is for your own good. She is perfect for you," his father added.
Min Ho closed the laptop on his desk and sighed in frustration. He thought his father had come to his office to tell him something important, but it turned out to be the same speech about Mi Rae.
Ever since he could remember, he had to be perfect for his parents. Perfect body, perfect face, perfect grades, perfect diet—everything about him had to be flawless. It had now become exhausting.
Song Min Ho had to become the president of South Korea. But he could only achieve that with a wife. And not just any wife, but a perfect wife.
"After all, there is no president without a First Lady," his father finished before leaving the office, leaving Min Ho alone with his thoughts.
He ruffled his dark, shiny hair and removed his glasses, revealing his golden eyes as his thin pink lips released a quiet groan.
Min Ho was the quiet type—rarely talking and always calm.
But this…
This was getting out of hand, even for him.
Tomorrow—he would become a husband. All just to prove his maturity to the people of South Korea.
______
At the Han family residence, dinner was being served. Gia Lee, along with the rest of the Han family, was present.
"Mi Rae, I can't believe you'll be getting married before me. Gosh, I'm so jealous," Gia Lee's cousin, Han Eun Jin, gushed, making Gia Lee scoff while Mi Rae blushed.
Ever since the announcement of Mi Rae and Min Ho's wedding, none of the family members had stopped talking about it.
"Gia Lee, why the frown? Are you jealous? I mean, I get it if you are. After all, you're nothing compared to Mi Rae," Eun Jin said intentionally, provoking her—and unfortunately, it was working.
"Nothing? Excuse me, did you just say I'm nothing compared to who? You mean that two-faced—"
Gia Lee couldn't finish her sentence as Patriarch Han slammed his fist against the dining table. Everyone froze.
"Shut up, Gia Lee. For once, can't you let us eat in peace?"
Gia Lee instantly became agitated and pushed her chair back as she stood up.
"This is exactly what's dividing this family—your constant comparisons. You saw Eun Jin insult me seconds ago, and you said nothing. Even your perfect granddaughter stayed quiet. But the moment I speak, I'm the problem?"
She ran her slender fingers through her hair and groaned.
"Shut up and sit down," Patriarch Han ordered.
Gia Lee scoffed..
"Screw you," she muttered under her breath and turned to leave.
But just as she reached the door—
"I thought you would change, but it seems you're only getting worse. Gia Lee, next month, you will be getting married to Felix Smith."
Her steps froze.
She slowly turned around to face him, shock evident in her eyes. This had never been discussed.
Felix Smith—a well-known entrepreneur admired worldwide… and a widower.
"Failure to comply will result in you being disowned from this family."
Silence filled the room. No one defended her.
"What? Marriage? Felix? Are you joking, Grandfather? Out of all the people in the world, you chose a thirty-seven-year-old man who just lost his wife?"Patriarch Han ignored her and continued eating.
Gia Lee turned to her mother, desperation in her eyes.
"Mother… say something. Talk to him."
"Gia, just do as your grandfather says," her mother replied calmly.
Gia Lee let out a disbelieving scoff. If it had been Mi Rae, she knew her mother would have defended her without hesitation.
"Grandfather, please reconsider. You can't do this to Gia Lee," Mi Rae finally spoke.
That was it.
Gia Lee's blood boiled.
"Shut up! Everything is because of you. So stop pretending to care."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the table.
"You know what? To hell with this family. I'm done. I'm not marrying Felix Smith or whatever his name is. And I don't care if you disown me or not."
Her voice hardened.
"You want me to be the villain? Fine. I'll be the villain of your story."
The room fell into stunned silence as she turned and walked out.
"Soo Mi, what did I tell you about your child? This one is possessed by demons," Patriarch Han remarked.
Her mother said nothing.
____
At the parking lot, Gia Lee got into her car, muttering insults under her breath as she drove off.
"They think they can control me however they want?"
She tightened her grip on the wheel.
"'Grandfather, please reconsider…' My foot. I bet she was enjoying every second of that."
She pressed harder on the pedal, the car speeding down the road.
Then suddenly—
She hit the brakes.
The car came to an abrupt stop.
Something clicked in her mind.
Something big.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across her lips.
"Why should Han Mi Rae have the perfect wedding tomorrow… when I can be the one marrying Song Min Ho?"
Growing up, no one in the Han family had ever taken her side. From her aunts and uncles to her own parents—they all labeled her a bad omen for reasons she never understood.Only Joon Seo, her younger cousin, ever stood by her.
Her eyes darkened.
"I'll bring every single one of them down… starting with Mi Rae."
A pause.
"Everyone… except Seo."