The Heir (BBANGSAZ)

Chapter 9: Shattered Hope

THIRD PERSON'S POV [ HANNI ]

Hanni paced the length of the grand living room, her heart heavy with a mixture of hope and dread. It was late, and Minji still hadn't come home. The mansion, with its opulent decor and expansive rooms, felt cold and empty without her presence. Hanni clutched a small gift in her hands, a token of her affection, something she hoped would bridge the ever-widening gap between them.

Tonight marked their six-month anniversary—a milestone that Hanni believed could be a turning point. She had spent hours preparing Minji's favorite meal, the table set with candles flickering softly, casting a warm glow. But as the hours ticked by, the flames began to burn lower, mirroring Hanni's waning optimism.

The sound of the front door opening jolted Hanni from her thoughts. She turned to see Minji stepping inside, her expression weary and eyes dull with exhaustion. Minji dropped her briefcase by the door and shrugged off her coat, barely glancing at Hanni.

"You're late," Hanni said softly, unable to hide the disappointment in her voice.

Minji sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'm sorry. Work was...intense."

Hanni bit her lip, fighting the urge to cry. "I made dinner. I thought we could spend some time together."

"I appreciate it, Hanni, but I'm not in the mood," Minji replied curtly, moving towards the stairs. "I need to finish some work."

"Minji, please," Hanni's voice broke. She stepped forward, holding out the small gift. "Just a few minutes. I got you something."

Minji paused, looking at the gift with a mixture of irritation and guilt. "Hanni, I can't do this right now. I'm under a lot of pressure."

"But it's our anniversary," Hanni whispered, tears now freely streaming down her face. "Can't you see that I need you? That I need...us to work?"

Minji's jaw tightened, her frustration bubbling over. "I know you're trying, but this is my life, Hanni. I have responsibilities. I can't drop everything for a dinner. Can't you understand that?"

Hanni's heart shattered at Minji's harsh words. She dropped the gift on the floor, her hands trembling. "I do understand, Minji. But it feels like you don't care about me at all. Like I'm just...here, waiting for something that will never come."

Minji's expression softened for a brief moment, a flicker of regret crossing her features. But the weight of her stress and the demands of her role quickly smothered it. "I'm sorry, Hanni. I really am. But right now, I need to focus on my work. We can talk about this later."

Hanni's face twisted with pain. "Later? It's always later with you! When will it ever be now, Minji? When will we matter?"

Minji took a deep breath, trying to steady her rising frustration. "Hanni, you need to remember why we're in this situation. This is an arranged marriage. It's a business arrangement, not some romantic fairy tale. I never promised you anything more."

The words hit Hanni like a physical blow, and she stumbled back, her eyes wide with hurt. "I thought...I hoped we could be more than that. That maybe, with time, we could find something real."

Minji shook her head, her voice cold and detached. "You're deluding yourself, Hanni. This will never be real. I have my life, my responsibilities, and I can't afford to let anything or anyone distract me."

Tears streamed down Hanni's cheeks as she struggled to hold herself together. "So that's it? I'm just supposed to accept that I'll never mean anything to you?"

Minji's gaze hardened, her own pain masked by a veneer of indifference. "Yes, Hanni. Accept it. This is what we agreed to. You knew what you were getting into."