Love Contract

Chapter 10

"I simply wish to express that... I implore you to return my daughter to me."

Sang-Bum let out a derisive scoff, his lips curling slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "What on earth are you talking about?" he inquired, his tone tinged with calculated indifference as he met Yul's intense glare.

Yul's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he held Sang-Bum's gaze steadily. "You know exactly what I'm referring to. I demand that you return my daughter to me." he stated firmly, his voice edged with suppressed emotion.

A fleeting smirk crossed Sang-Bum's face, a subtle sign of amusement mixed with disdain. "Let's be clear, she's my daughter, not yours." he retorted coolly, his words cutting through the tension in the air. "And are you suggesting that you've lost her? How utterly disappointing." he added, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Yul clenched his fists, visibly struggling to contain his rising anger. His jaw tightened as he fought to maintain his composure in the face of Sang-Bum's deliberate provocation.

The elegant restaurant surroundings provided an ironic backdrop to their heated exchange, the soft ambiance contrasting sharply with the intensity of their emotions.

———

Sana panicked. It wasn't the upcoming dinner orchestrated by her father, which was only five days away, that unsettled her. What truly caused her anxiety was the imminent visit of her best friends to her villa.

Ordinarily, there were no issues. The ‘training’ she had given to Y/N had gone smoothly, and they had grown closer, sharing secrets and preferences. This bond had brought Sana a sense of comfort and control.

Recently, she received a text from the leader of their group of friends, announcing an impromptu visit and sleepover at her villa. The unexpected nature of this visit threw her into a frenzy of preparation and worry.

She was now sitting in the elegantly furnished living room, her mind racing as she waited for her friends to arrive. The grand clock in the corner seemed to tick louder with each passing minute, amplifying her anxiety. The room, with its plush sofas and soft lighting, was ready to welcome guests, but Sana's heart was not.

Meanwhile, where was Y/N? She had ordered Y/N to clean the pool, despite it not being dirty. It was a task meant to keep Y/N out of sight, to avoid the awkwardness of introducing her friends to Y/N just yet. Sana watched from the window as Y/N diligently scrubbed the pool tiles, the afternoon sun glinting off the water, and felt a pang of guilt mixed with relief.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of car doors closing outside. Her friends had arrived. Sana took a deep breath, plastered on a welcoming smile, and moved towards the door, her heart pounding with both anticipation and trepidation.

As she opened the door, Sana was greeted by a cold breeze and her friends, bundled up in thick coats. Their cheeks were flushed from the chill, and they looked eager to escape the biting weather.

Her friends immediately pushed her inside, enveloping her in warm hugs despite the cool air. Laughter and chatter filled the entrance hall as they shed their coats, revealing bright smiles and excited eyes.

The door closed with a click, and her friends began to push her toward the living room as if they owned the place. It was just like the old days for Sana, familiar and comforting.