The White Swan

Chapter 1 : Where did it go wrong?

Kang Jieun & Kim Jihan

The sound of the door clicking echoed in the room as Jieun turned her head sharply in its direction, her gaze locking onto those familiar blue orbs filled with mirth.

"Why are you here?" she asked coldly, refusing to meet his eyes as a sense of tension and dread washed over her with the sound of his forced chuckle. "Do you really not know, darling?" Jihan replied, slamming the remnants of their once-shared love bracelet, now broken into two pieces. Their moment was interrupted by soft knocks at the door, signaling the arrival of their drivers.

"You have lost all rights to an explanation from me. We are leaving right now," Jieun declared, collecting the shattered pieces of the bracelet before turning on her heel and departing abruptly, followed closely by a frustrated Jihan.
As both Jieun and Jihan sat in their respective cars, they released heavy sighs, the weight of their emotions palpable in the air. Jieun’s gaze lingered on the broken bracelet, her eyes moist as she reminisced about its origins and the purity it once symbolized.

# Flashback to Six Years Ago #

Jihan had saved every penny from his meager performance gigs and his salary at the tech company, all for this moment. He wanted to give Jieun something special for their second anniversary—something that would forever remind her of his immense love. While sneaking a glance at her phone, he remembered the Cartier Love bracelet he had seen on her screen.

He could hardly believe his luck when, on the very day he had finally saved enough, he purchased the bracelet and carefully wrapped it up, eager to present it to her on that milestone day. She remembers how emotional that moment was—realizing that Jihan, despite having so little, had accomplished something monumental. In contrast, she had been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. This made Jieun certain of one thing: if she were to marry anyone, it would be Kim Jihan, and no one else.

# The flashback fades. #

Holding back a smile as she reminisced, she suddenly received a message from the one person she least wanted to hear from.

Jihan:
We need to talk tonight, asap.

She read the message aloud, incredulous at the audacity of this man, who seemed to think he could make decisions without warning. In frustration, she tossed her phone into the car seat, hoping it would somehow dissipate her anger. Meanwhile, in the car behind her sat Jihan, engulfed in confusion and betrayal, a months’ worth of anger welling up inside him. Unconsciously, he raised his hand to gaze at the diamond-studded ring on his finger, recalling the moment it was placed upon him—the day of their marriage, their wedding vows, and the years they had spent together. Yet, as he looked beside him, where they had once shared countless beautiful memories, he found only emptiness.

Snapping out of his reverie, he heard his phone ring. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was his childhood best friend and answered.

During the call, Jieun's father, the CEO of their entertainment company, interrupted, piling on a series of trivial tasks, fully aware that Jihan was already overwhelmed. It felt as though he were being treated like a peasant, with no balance between his work and personal life. Clenching his other fist while gripping the phone, he wished he could simply disappear, dissolving into nothingness. Both cars arrived simultaneously, as if choreographed to move in unison. Without exchanging a glance, they entered the mansion, heading to rooms situated at opposite ends, forced into cohabitation despite their differences. Once inside, they quickly changed into casual wear, momentarily forgetting the conversation initiated by Jihan. They resumed their respective work, each embodying their professional persona for the rest of the night.

Jihan, seemingly hungry, made his way to the kitchen. He grabbed a cup of coffee and a croissant, beginning to munch on it right there. Just as he was about to leave, he paused, lost in thought about his life in three years when Jieun rushed into the kitchen, eager to prepare her favorite chamomile tea, both she and Jihan froze, locking eyes for a brief three seconds before returning to their respective tasks.

"Are you really going to pretend this is how we’ll live for the rest of our lives? Do you want to die trapped in this existence?" Jihan’s voice dripped with venom. "So, I’m at fault again, am I? What is there left for us to discuss? What remains in this hollow marriage? Is there anything left to break, knowing we’re shattered beyond repair?" Jieun replied quietly, acutely aware that their relationship was too damaged to salvage. Jihan remained unyielding, his heart and soul having fractured the day that incident occurred.

"Anyway, I don't have time for this. Talking to you feels pointless. We have a final practice shoot for our show in Spain the day after tomorrow. If you’re late, you’ll see the consequences," Jieun said coldly before retreating to her room, knowing that Jihan, her workaholic husband, wouldn’t dare miss a single practice.

"Fine, if that’s what you want, you’ll get it," he muttered under his breath before walking away.

The next morning, both prepared themselves and descended the stairs to the long dining table, where they sat opposite each other, each enjoying their own Caesar salad—a meal that once fit comfortably in a single bowl with two chairs side by side. Breakfast passed in silence, the only sounds coming from the occasional clink of cutlery as it shifted during their meal. Jihan noticed Jieun rubbing her forehead with one hand, a deep furrow etched between her brows. Concerned, he went upstairs, entered his room, and called one of the staff to arrange for a soothing balm for her headache, instructing them to deliver it to Miss Kang before she left for her practice shoot also ending the conversation after telling them not to reveal that it was instructed by him.

Why do you think Jihan did not wanted Jieun to know about his concerned act of kindness even though they were married?
Stay tuned to uncover their once lost love.

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