Ransomed Fiancée (Michaeng) ✔️

Summary (Part 32)

Chapter 58:

Mina stirred awake as the soft glow of dawn spilled across the room, painting everything in muted gold. Her head felt heavy but her heart was light. She padded to the kitchen and immediately the smell of lingering spices and the sight of scattered utensils greeted her. Her cheeks flushed as memories of last night crossed her mind. Their laughter, stolen kisses and the hurried intimate moments in the very space she now stood.

Shaking her head, Mina tried to focus and cleared a few stray dishes before reaching for her phone on the counter. It was dead. She plugged it in and waited as it slowly came to life. As soon as the screen lit up, it was flooded with notifications—-missed calls, dozens of messages and news alerts. Her stomach churned as she skimmed through the texts, dread pooling in her chest. She hesitated before opening one of the news outlets.

Her heart sank.

"High-Profile Entrepreneur Troubled Love Life of Past Scandals Resurface."
"Velore CEO Myoui Mina Linked to Ex-Con Ex-Wife Son Chaeyoung's Controversial Business Ties,"
"Myoui Mina's Love Triangle Exposed: CEO Caught Between Former Lover and New Fiance Nakamoto Yuta,"
"Son Chaeyoung's Troubled Past Casts Shadows Over GroundUp's Future"
"Convicted CEO Son Chaeyoung."

"Mina?"

The groggy voice made her swung around. Chaeyoung stood in the doorway, her hair tousled and her eyes half-closed. Mina quickly turned off her phone and set it down. Her expression quickly shifting into something calm, almost too calm.

"Chaeyoung," she said, walking toward her, "have you checked your phone?"

Chaeyoung yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Hmm? No, why?"

Mina hesitated for a split second before forcing a gentle smile. "Let's stay at home today."

Chaeyoung frowned, "Mina, I have important meetings—"

"Can you cancel them?" Mina interrupted softly, reaching for Chaeyoung's hand, "Please. Just today."

Chaeyoung studied her. Her tired eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay, I'll postpone them. Let me just call—"

"No!" Mina's voice was sharper than intended, startling them both. She quickly softened her tone. "Don't—don't open your phone today. Just... trust me, okay?"

"Is everything okay?" Chaeyoung asked, stepping closer.

Mina gave a small, unconvincing nod. "I'll leave a message for Miyeon. You don't have to worry. Let's just stay at home and not think of anything today. Can we do that?"

Chaeyoung stared at her for a long moment. There was suspicion lacing in her gaze but she eventually relented, "...Okay."

"Where's your phone?" Mina asked casually but her urgency was poorly hidden.

"Hmm? On the bedside table."

Mina moved past her swiftly and head back to their room. Chaeyoung followed, rubbing her brows in confusion. Mina spotted the phone and it was lifeless with no battery, just as Chaeyoung had said. Relief washed over her as she left it where it was.

"Did something happen?" Chaeyoung asked from the doorway, her voice quieter now.

"Yes," Mina admitted, her shoulders stiffening. "But I don't want us to face it just yet." She turned back to Chaeyoung with a small smile. "I'm hungry."

Chaeyoung tilted her head as she sensed the shift in her tone. "...Toast and eggs for breakfast?"

"That sounds lovely," Mina replied.