Business owner Kim Ji-won and lawyer Kim Soo-hyun are under intense family pressure to marry. Ji-won's parents want her to wed her ex, photographer Ji Chang-wook, while Soo-hyun is bombarded with blind dates, including persistent heiress Seo Ye-ji...
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I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection, trying to steady my breathing.
My heart was pounding in my chest as I prepared myself for what was to come.
Today, I was going to confront my parents.
It had been days since the disastrous dinner, and they announced my arranged marriage plans with Ji Chang-wook.
Since then, the tension in the house has grown unbearable.
I had avoided the subject and avoided my parents, but not anymore.
This was my life, my future, and it was time to make my stand.
A knock at my door broke my train of thought.
It was Soo-hyun.
He stepped inside, his calm presence instantly grounding me. "You ready?"
I nodded, but the nervousness was still there. "I think so. I just... I don’t know how they’re going to take it."
Soo-hyun walked over, taking my hand in his, gently squeezing it. "No matter what happens, I’m right here with you. You don’t have to face this alone."
I exhaled slowly, comforted by his words. "I’m just tired of always feeling like I have to prove myself to them. Like I have to live up to their expectations instead of following my own heart."
Soo-hyun gave me a soft, encouraging smile. "They care about you. But they need to understand that you know what’s best for your life. And we’ll make sure they do."
I took a deep breath, gathering my courage.
With Soo-hyun beside me, I felt stronger.
I wasn’t alone in this fight.
We made our way downstairs, where my parents were seated in the living room.
My father was reading a newspaper, and my mother was quietly knitting, but the tension was palpable the moment they saw me and Soo-hyun approach.
My father folded his newspaper, glancing at us. "Ji-won, Soo-hyun. Is something wrong?"
I swallowed, glancing at Soo-hyun for support before stepping forward. "We need to talk. About the arranged marriage with Chang-wook."
My mother looked up, a tense smile on her face. "Ji-won, we’ve already discussed this. We’re only thinking of what’s best for you."
I shook my head, my voice more confident now. "No, Mom. You may think it’s what’s best, but it’s not what I want. I can’t go along with this marriage. I won’t."
My father frowned, his voice stern. "Ji-won, you’re being impulsive. This marriage is about securing a stable future. Chang-wook is a good match."
"Chang-wook is a good match for someone else, but not for me!" My voice was steady, but my heart raced. "I don’t love him. I never did. I’m with Soo-hyun, and that’s the only relationship that matters to me."
