my PERFECT piece || Ppotoz one shot

#5 | arranged marriage

Kim Yooyeon had always felt the weight of expectation on her shoulders. At 26, she was a doctor, following in the footsteps of both her parents, who had devoted their lives to medicine. The family legacy loomed large, casting a shadow over every decision she made. Her parents were both renowned doctors at their private hospital, a prestigious institution in the heart of the city. From a young age, they had meticulously planned her life—every detail accounted for, from the schools she attended to the career path she would follow.

Despite her success in the medical field, Yooyeon felt like a marionette, strings pulled by her parents' ambitions. She had never been given the freedom to choose her path. Each morning, she found herself waking up in her parents' house, surrounded by the trappings of their expectations—a pristine room filled with medical textbooks, a carefully curated wardrobe of professional attire, and an ever-present sense of duty.

"Yooyeon, you're running late again!" her mother's voice echoed from the kitchen one morning, her tone laced with concern and impatience. "You know how important it is for you to make a good impression on the new patients."

"Yes, Mom. I'll be down in a minute," Yooyeon called back, forcing a smile despite the familiar heaviness in her chest. She wanted nothing more than to live a life where her choices were her own, yet every time she entertained the thought, guilt crept in, reminding her of the sacrifices her parents had made.

As she finished getting ready, Yooyeon caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The reflection staring back was a blend of determination and resignation. With a deep breath, she descended the stairs and prepared to face another day dictated by someone else's plans.

On the other side of the city, Yoon Seoyeon, a 25-year-old lawyer, thrived in the chaos of her career. She had chosen law as her profession, inspired by her father, Yoon Jungwoo, who had built a reputable firm from the ground up. Seoyeon loved the thrill of the courtroom and the rush of defending clients, but she also reveled in the freedom her career afforded her—a stark contrast to Yooyeon's structured life.

Seoyeon was known for her carefree spirit and infectious laughter, a welcome respite in the often serious world of law. She spent her days balancing her work with adventures—dining out with friends, exploring art galleries, and taking spontaneous weekend trips. She loved her two younger sisters, Yoon Chaeyeon and Yoon Soomin, who often kept her grounded with their innocent joy and endless questions.

One evening, as Seoyeon was preparing for dinner with her family, she received an unexpected call from her father telling her to go to the living room for a while.

"Seoyeon, I need to talk to you about something important," Jungwoo said, his tone grave.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, concern flooding her voice.

"I'm afraid not. Our firm is facing financial difficulties, and I need to find a way to stabilize it," he explained. "I've spoken to an old friend, Kim Yohan. He's willing to help us, but there's a condition."

"What kind of condition?" Seoyeon's heart raced.

"He wants you to marry his daughter, Yooyeon."

The proposal hung in the air, shocking Seoyeon into silence. She could hardly process her father's words. "Marry her? But I don't even know her!"

"I understand, but this is a chance to save the firm. It's not just about us; it's about your sisters too," Jungwoo implored.

Seoyeon sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. "Okay, Dad. If it means saving the firm, I'll do it."

A few days later, Seoyeon found herself seated in a luxurious restaurant, nervously fidgeting with the napkin in her lap. She was meeting Yooyeon for the first time, and the weight of their impending arrangement hung heavily in the air.