Arrange Marriage

CHAP 48

Chapter 48: The Stark Contrast of Wonwoo
To the outside world, Jeon Wonwoo was a force to be reckoned with—a ruthless businessman, the cold-hearted mafia boss with a sharp mind and sharper gaze that could freeze anyone in their tracks. In the boardroom, he commanded respect with a single look, his voice authoritative and unwavering. His colleagues tiptoed around him, fully aware that failing him was not an option. Employees knew that to get ahead, they had to toe the line, never daring to step out of place.
But that was only one side of Wonwoo—the public persona that had been meticulously crafted over years.
At home, however, it was a different story entirely.
The transformation was immediate and striking. The moment he stepped through the door, his posture softened, the sharp edge to his features melted away, replaced by the gentle, almost vulnerable expression reserved only for his family. No longer the intimidating mafia boss, Wonwoo became the doting, loving husband and father who would do anything to protect and cherish his small family.
When he came home after a long, hectic day at the office, his usual stoic demeanor evaporated as soon as he laid eyes on Mingyu or their daughter, Somi. He’d smile, his expression turning soft, his eyes full of warmth and affection. His arms would reach out, pulling Mingyu into a tight embrace, and no amount of work stress could stop him from pressing a kiss to Mingyu’s forehead, or teasing him playfully about the little things.
“Mingyu, you look so cute when you’re pretending to be mad at me,” Wonwoo would tease, making Mingyu laugh despite himself.
And when Somi would start crying in the middle of the night, it was Wonwoo who would rush out of bed, his normally calm and collected self now frantically rocking their daughter to soothe her. He’d hum softly, his deep voice surprisingly tender, while Mingyu rested beside him, unable to stop his heart from melting at the sight of his strong, formidable husband so utterly gentle with their little girl.
It was these moments that left Mingyu in awe. As a mafia boss, Wonwoo was terrifying. But at home, he was... his Wonwoo—the man who would hold him close on sleepless nights, whispering reassurances and promises that everything would be okay.
At work, it was a completely different atmosphere.
Wonwoo’s employees couldn’t help but stare when he walked into the office every morning—his presence alone enough to make people tense up. His usual crisp black suit, the sharpness in his eyes, and the no-nonsense way he carried himself demanded respect. He was the kind of boss who could make the toughest of businessmen quake in their boots with a single icy stare.
But his assistant, Mr. Lee, had witnessed something remarkable the other day.
“Is that... really the same man?” Mr. Lee asked, staring at the security footage of Wonwoo walking into the office with a bundle in his arms.
“I thought the same thing,” said another staff member, blinking in disbelief. “He looked completely different when he came back this morning. More... relaxed?”
Another added, “And he’s smiling. I’ve never seen him smile like that before.”
“Who was that with him?” someone asked. “A family member?”
The assistant froze, a knowing smirk forming. “That was his husband. And their baby daughter.”
The staff members exchanged looks, dumbfounded. They had always seen Jeon Wonwoo as a cold, calculating businessman. He was distant, almost unreachable. Yet here was a side of him no one ever expected—an image of warmth, devotion, and pure, unfiltered love.
Back at home, Wonwoo was a far cry from the boss who commanded fear and obedience.
Mingyu had gotten used to it by now—watching the contrast between the two sides of his husband. The man who was fierce and untouchable in the boardroom, and the man who would drop everything to take care of him or their daughter at home.
One evening, Mingyu found himself watching Wonwoo as he held Somi in his arms, bouncing her gently in his lap while humming a lullaby. His usual sharp demeanor was nowhere to be found—only the soft, tender love of a father.
“What’s on your mind?” Mingyu asked, a playful smile on his lips.
Wonwoo glanced at him, slightly flustered. “I was just thinking about how... different things are with you and Somi. I never thought I could feel like this.”
Mingyu raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
Wonwoo hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward and kissed Mingyu’s cheek. “Soft. Warm.” He smirked, almost teasingly. “You’ve completely changed me.”
Mingyu chuckled softly, but there was a sense of contentment in his heart. It wasn’t just that Wonwoo was loving, affectionate, or even overprotective; it was that he was genuine in this role, just as he was in everything else he did. The contrast was a reminder of how deep Wonwoo’s care ran, and it made Mingyu’s love for him grow even stronger.
Meanwhile, the staff at Jeon Corporation were still reeling from the revelations of the man they worked for—the real Jeon Wonwoo.
One employee, still struggling to process it all, whispered to another, “I can’t believe it. I’ve never seen him look that... gentle.”
“He’s a completely different person when he’s with his family,” the other responded, in awe.
As much as they had feared the man in the office, they now began to understand why Wonwoo was so fiercely protective of his home life. To him, family was sacred—and anyone who dared to threaten that would feel the full wrath of Jeon Wonwoo, the mafia boss who would stop at nothing to protect the people he loved.
But at home, there was no wrath. Only love.