Twilight of Shadows

Chapter 9: A Deal with Destiny

The fallout from the dinner was swift and decisive. Taehyung, emboldened by the "revelation" of Mingyu and Jeonghan’s relationship, wasted no time in pushing the matter further.

The next morning, Mingyu’s phone rang, and this time, it wasn’t just a nagging call from his mother—it was an ultimatum.

“Darling,” Taehyung’s voice was sweet but laced with steel. “Your appa and I have decided it’s time to make things official. We’ll be hosting an engagement party next month. It’s high time you and Jeonghan took the next step.”

Mingyu choked on his coffee. “Engagement? Mom, that’s ridiculous!”

“Ridiculous?” Taehyung countered. “You’re thirty, Mingyu. Thirty. Do you know how many omegas would jump at the chance to marry you? If Jeonghan’s the one you’ve chosen, then it’s only right we move forward.”

Mingyu barely managed a response before the call ended, leaving him staring blankly at his phone.

Jeonghan, who had just entered the room, raised an eyebrow at Mingyu’s expression. “What now?”

Mingyu looked up, his jaw tight. “We’re getting married.”

Jeonghan froze. “Excuse me?”

“My parents are planning an engagement party,” Mingyu said flatly. “They expect us to go through with it.”

Jeonghan crossed his arms, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, sure. Let’s get married. Why not? It’s not like my life wasn’t complicated enough already.”

Mingyu pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated. “Look, I know it’s insane, but I need your help. Just for a little while. Long enough to convince them, and then we can call it off.”

Jeonghan’s laugh was humorless. “And what do I get out of this? More lies? More pretending?”

Mingyu met his gaze, his tone softening. “I’ll protect you. I’ll make sure no one from your past can touch you. This fake marriage could be the perfect cover for both of us.”

Jeonghan hesitated, the weight of Mingyu’s words sinking in. He hated the idea of being tied to Mingyu, even temporarily, but he couldn’t deny the protection it offered.

“Fine,” Jeonghan said at last, his voice steady but his eyes hard. “But I have conditions.”

Mingyu smirked faintly. “Of course you do.”

Jeonghan stepped closer, his tone firm. “First, no touching. We keep this strictly professional. Second, we set a time limit. Six months, tops. After that, we end it, no matter what your parents think. And third…” He paused, his gaze narrowing. “You don’t get to make decisions for me. If I’m going to be your fake spouse, you treat me like an equal.”

Mingyu’s smirk faded, replaced by something unreadable. “Deal.”

---

The Announcement

Taehyung and Seokjin wasted no time in spreading the news. By the end of the week, everyone in their circle knew about the engagement. Mingyu and Jeonghan found themselves at the center of attention, fielding congratulations and subtle interrogations about their relationship.

The more they pretended, the more complicated things became. Mingyu was annoyingly convincing in his role, his every glance and touch calculated to sell the lie. And Jeonghan, to his dismay, found himself playing along all too well.

“Smile,” Mingyu whispered one evening at a family gathering, his hand resting lightly on Jeonghan’s back.

Jeonghan forced a smile, his jaw clenched. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Not as much as you think,” Mingyu murmured, his voice low enough that only Jeonghan could hear.

---

Behind Closed Doors

Later that night, back in Mingyu’s estate, Jeonghan paced the room they now shared—a necessary illusion for anyone who might drop by unexpectedly.

“This is insane,” Jeonghan muttered, running a hand through his hair. “How long do you think we can keep this up?”

“As long as we have to,” Mingyu replied, leaning against the doorframe.

Jeonghan shot him a glare. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re used to lying. I’m not.”

Mingyu’s expression darkened, but he didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze steady. “I didn’t ask for this either, Jeonghan. But if we’re going to pull this off, we need to work together. Can you do that?”

Jeonghan hesitated, his chest tightening. As much as he hated the situation, he knew Mingyu was right.

“Fine,” he said quietly. “But don’t forget—this is just a deal. Nothing more.”

Mingyu’s lips curved into a faint smile, though his eyes held something unreadable. “Understood.”

As they settled into the uneasy truce, neither of them realized just how blurred the lines would become—and how much harder it would be to untangle the web they were weaving.