𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 | 𝐌𝐘𝐆

𝟏𝟒 | 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫

"Mira? What are you doing here?"

Hoseok's eyes widened the moment he saw you enter, the employee having just opened the door. He quickly set his papers aside and stood up to greet you properly. 

"I hope I'm not disturbing," You nervously stepped in, "Mr. Min isn't here, is he?"

Hoseok gestured for you to take a seat on his sofa before settling into the chair opposite you. 

"He came by this morning to finish some paperwork and mentioned he was heading out to meet his family. Didn't he tell you?" Hoseok's smile curved downward into a concerned frown as he noticed your puzzled expression. 

You shrugged and shook your head, looking down at the glass coffee table.

"Everything alright last night?" Hoseok decided to ask.

"Gayeong left shortly after you did. After that he just went into his office and never came out. Didn't even come out for dinner." You tried to maintain a fake smile but it quickly faltered. 

"I think..." You spoke up once again, this time staring right at Hoseok, "It's for the best if they go ahead with the marriage. Their families already agreed on it after all."

"Mira..." Hoseok could only call out your name as he failed to find the right words to comfort you. It wasn't that he didn't want to help, it was just that there was no easy fix for what you were facing. Accepting it might be the only option. 

"My family doesn't know yet. I don't even think they would understand if I told them." You sank back into the sofa as you let out a heavy sigh before staring up at the ceiling.

"The Kang and Min families have been close for a long time," Hoseok trailed off, "They've been supporting each other for years. I'm not surprised why they decided on this agreement."

"But then... why would they choose you first? Just for you to suffer?"

"My family's struggling financially. My dad's business is falling apart and the only way to secure the help we need is to forge alliances with other families. That's why the Min Family decided to reach out." You sat up straight, looking around the interior of Hoseok's office to avoid eye contact. 

"All this marriage...it's all just part of the business deal. Nothing more." You took a deep breath before stating resolutely.

"I will continue playing my part until the deal is done."

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After spending time with Hoseok, you quietly left the building. You took out your phone, ready to inform your driver. Just as you were about to dial, a sleek white car pulled up in front of you, causing you to take a step back. Expecting the passenger door to open, you were surprised when the window rolled down instead.

"Miss Seo!" Jihoon's warm smiles greeted you from behind the wheel. He unbuckled his seatbelt and made a move to get out of the car.

"Mr. Choi? What are you doing here?" You watched him step out before making his way toward you.

"I was just passing by. You need a ride?"

After a moment of mutual smiles, you agreed to let him drive you home rather than having your driver come by. Jihoon gently placed his hand on the small of your back as he guided you to the passenger seat before opening the door for you. You gave him a nod before getting into the car and fastening your seatbelt.

"You live around here?" Jihoon asked as he settled into his seat before buckling his seatbelt.

"Yeah, just go straight. I'll give you the directions along the way."

The two of you sat in silence for a bit before Jihoon decided to break the awkward pause with conversation.

"So how's Mr. Min?" Jihoon spoke softly, taking a glance at you before looking ahead at the road.

You sat there in silence, slightly opening your mouth as you scrambled to come up with a suitable response. It was as though Jihoon sensed something was wrong as he reached over to place his hand over yours, the pad of his thumb softly brushing your skin.

Startled, you looked up at him. He kept his eyes firmly on the road as if avoiding looking at you for fear of revealing too much. 

Despite the brief moment of intimacy between you, Jihoon's car eventually came to a stop, signaling that you had arrived home.

"I'll go open the door for you." Jihoon quickly parked his car, unbuckling his seatbelt before unlocking the car door.

"It's okay, I can do it my—" You stopped mid-sentence, your gaze fixed on the front door of your house. 

There stood your husband, alongside his second wife. 

You couldn't tear your eyes away. It wasn't just the way Gayeong clung to your husband, but the way he glared at Jihoon so intensely it's starting to seem like he was plotting murder. 

Jihoon arrogantly walked past them as he reached for the handle to open the car door for you. He then extended his hand, which you instinctively took. 

You got out of the car, deliberately avoiding looking at the couple standing before you. You turned back to give Jihoon a grateful smile as you mouthed a quiet 'thank you'. 

"Would you like me to walk you to the front door?" Jihoon whispered.

"Yes please." You replied without hesitation. You took a deep breath and looked ahead, your hand still in Jihoon's as he guided you toward your own house.