My Mr. Arrogant

chapter 3: The first compromise

**The First Compromise** 

The grand mansion swallowed Leah in its emptiness, the silence pressing down on her like a heavy weight. As soon as Jimin disappeared up the staircase, her legs gave out, and she fell to her knees in the middle of the cold, marble floor. 

Her chest heaved, and a strangled sob escaped her lips. She had held it together all day—through the ceremony, the smiles, and Jimin’s sharp-edged words. But now, in the solitude of this lifeless house, her carefully constructed mask crumbled. 

Her dreams were gone. Every single one of them. 

She had always imagined a life where she controlled her destiny, where she found love on her terms, where she made her parents proud without sacrificing herself in the process. But now she was nothing more than a pawn, trapped in a gilded cage with a man who despised her. 

Leah wiped at her tears furiously, her fingers trembling. *No. I can’t let this break me. Not now.* 

Just as she was about to force herself to her feet, a commotion outside caught her attention. Raised voices, muffled but unmistakable, carried through the thick walls. She frowned, her heart skipping a beat as her curiosity got the better of her. 

Dragging herself to her feet, Leah moved to the window that overlooked the front gates. Her breath caught in her throat. 

Reporters. 

At least a dozen of them had gathered at the entrance, their cameras flashing as they shouted questions at the security guards. They waved microphones and notebooks, their voices a chaotic jumble of curiosity and excitement. 

“Is it true the marriage is just for show?” 
“Are there already problems between the newlyweds?” 
“Leah, how does it feel to marry into the Park family?” 

Leah stumbled back from the window, her pulse quickening. This wasn’t just gossip—this was an invasion. 

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Minutes later, she heard heavy footsteps storming down the stairs. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was. 

Jimin appeared in the doorway, his expression a mix of fury and frustration. “Did you invite the circus?” he snapped, his tone venomous. 

Leah glared at him, still shaken. “Do I look like I have the energy to deal with reporters right now?” 

“Then what the hell are they doing here?” Jimin growled, pacing the room like a caged lion. “This is exactly why I didn’t want this sham of a marriage. Now I’m stuck with you, and the whole world is watching our every move.” 

Leah crossed her arms, her earlier sorrow morphing into anger. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was the only one in this sham. Newsflash, Jimin—you’re in it too. So maybe stop blaming me for everything!” 

Jimin stopped pacing and turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “You don’t get it, do you? This isn’t just about us. If the media catches wind that this marriage is fake, it’ll destroy my family’s reputation. And unlike yours, I actually care about protecting what’s mine.” 

Leah flinched at the jab, but she refused to let him see her falter. “And what do you expect me to do about it? Walk out there and tell them we’re madly in love?” 

Jimin smirked, his expression cold. “No. You’re going to stay out of sight and keep your mouth shut. Let me handle this.” 

But before Leah could retort, one of the staff members entered the room, looking visibly uncomfortable. “Sir, the reporters are refusing to leave. They say they’ll stay all night if they have to.” 

Jimin cursed under his breath, running a hand through his hair. He looked at Leah, his frustration palpable. “Great. Just great. Now we’re stuck here, together, until they leave. Exactly what I needed.” 

Leah rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t act like this is some grand tragedy for you. Believe me, I’d rather be anywhere else too.” 

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Hours passed, and the tension between them only grew. Trapped in the same house, Leah tried to avoid Jimin, retreating to one of the many rooms to distract herself. But even in solitude, she couldn’t escape the weight of their situation. 

When hunger finally drove her to the kitchen, she found Jimin already there, leaning against the counter with a glass of whiskey in hand. 

“Hungry, princess?” he sneered, not even bothering to look at her. 

Leah ignored him, rummaging through the fridge until she found something edible. She wasn’t in the mood for another argument, but Jimin seemed intent on provoking her. 

“You know,” he began, swirling the liquid in his glass, “if you’re going to live here, you might as well learn your place.” 

Leah froze, her temper flaring. She turned to him, her eyes blazing. “And what exactly is my place, Jimin? Being your silent, obedient wife? Sorry, but I’m not built that way.” 

Jimin set his glass down with a sharp *clink*, his eyes meeting hers. “Your place,” he said slowly, “is wherever I say it is. Don’t forget that, Leah.” 

She stepped closer, her anger overriding her caution. “You don’t own me, Jimin. I may be stuck in this nightmare of a marriage, but that doesn’t mean you get to control me.” 

The air between them crackled with tension, their faces inches apart. For a brief moment, something flickered in Jimin’s eyes—something that wasn’t anger or disdain. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by his usual cold indifference. 

“Suit yourself,” he said, stepping back. “But don’t come crying to me when this all blows up in your face.” 

Leah clenched her fists, her heart pounding. She didn’t know how much more of this she could take, but one thing was clear: This was only the beginning. 

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