The Quiet Contract

Jennie

Jennie's POV

The evening sun spilled through the tall windows of our dining room, casting an orange glow over the lavish table and every polished surface it touched. My father sat at the head, as he always did, his gaze cool and unwavering as he looked across at me. I could feel something brewing in the air, a tension just beyond the usual uncomfortable silence of family dinners. My mother's face was drawn tight, her eyes darting between my father and me as if waiting for a storm.

"So, Jennie," my father began, his voice calm but firm, "we've come to a decision that involves the family's future."

I raised an eyebrow, cautiously waiting. If it was about work, there would be no need for this hushed tone, no need for them to look at me as though I was about to fall off the edge of a cliff.

"This is about you, Jennie," he continued, his voice unyielding. "You're going to marry Lalisa Manoban."

The words hit me like a slap. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I could only stare. "What did you say?"

He didn't flinch. "We've made an arrangement with the Manoban family. This marriage has been in the works for years, and it's time to see it through."

"An arrangement?" I repeated, the word tasting like poison. "You want me to marry Lisa? That quiet, creepy girl who—" I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my voice steady. "Who's gay, who's... intersex?" My voice fell to a hiss, anger laced with disgust. "You think I'm going to be part of this—whatever this is?"

My father's gaze was steely. "Jennie, this is for the business. The promise was made years ago, and it will secure both of our families' futures. You understand what's at stake here."

"I don't care about promises made before I was even born! This isn't the 19th century!" I snapped, fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. "I won't do it."

My mother leaned forward, her voice softer but no less insistent. "Jennie, please understand. Lisa may not be the kind of person you'd choose, but she's reliable. She's stable. And her family's business is a strong asset to ours."

"Stable?" I laughed bitterly, glancing at my sister, Jisoo, who sat across from me, grinning like this was some twisted show meant for her amusement. She popped a grape into her mouth, watching me with entertained eyes.

"This isn't some business deal! This is my life!" I spat, anger and resentment boiling under my skin. "And you expect me to go along with it because it'll help the company? How does that make sense?"

My father sighed, a hint of impatience creeping into his expression. "You have a responsibility, Jennie. Just as I had, just as my father had. Sacrifices are part of that responsibility. Lisa is a respectable young woman. This arrangement is the best move for both families."

I shook my head, feeling trapped, caged. "Respectable? She's a complete stranger! She's barely even spoken to anyone at gatherings, and what I do know about her only makes this worse." I cast a glance at Jisoo, who was suppressing a laugh, clearly enjoying my misery.

"Jennie, this isn't about your comfort," my father said, his tone final. "It's about our legacy. This decision is made, and it is not up for negotiation."

I looked between my parents, their faces set like stone, no trace of compassion, no space for understanding. This was my life they were deciding for me, and they seemed utterly unbothered by my objections.

Jisoo leaned over, finally chiming in with a lazy smile. "Come on, Jennie, it's just a marriage. You don't actually have to like her."

"Oh, thank you, Jisoo, that's very reassuring," I snapped, shooting her a glare. She shrugged, unbothered.