//A/N: This is not your typical love story. And you have been warned :)
She was no one. She had earned a degree—Bachelor of Science in Business Economics—but not with the flying colors she once envisioned. She had spent her life in the shadows, careful not to step out of line, not to do anything that could tarnish the one thing her family valued above all else: their name.
It was their golden rule: Never bring shame to the family. If anything ever threatened their reputation, it would be buried deeper than their great-grandparents' graves.
She had become the black sheep. The unexpected child—not born out of love, but likely the result of a forgotten condom and a careless night. Her presence was tolerated but never truly welcomed.
After years of trying—of chasing scraps of affection that never came—Chaeyoung had given up. She stopped trying to please parents who only measured worth in obedience and usefulness.
She had built walls around herself, quietly and methodically. One brick at a time. Silent at dinners, forced smiles during photo ops, swallowing every bitter word thrown at her without retaliation. That became the routine. And eventually, it became her normal.
Three years had passed since she left. She had graduated and taken a job far from the family's influence, in a company with zero ties to their empire. She had carved out a modest, quiet life—free from expectations, free from control.
In those three years, there were no texts, no calls, not even a holiday card. Not even from Mingyu, her older brother, who once stood by her before he replaced their father as CEO. She had missed every family event, every business gala, every empty celebration. And no one had asked why.
Until today.
"I want your presence at the company."
No greetings. No warmth. Just that single line from her father.
She sighed, shut off her phone, and packed her things. It was already past five anyway. She muttered a few goodbyes to her coworkers and drove to the company headquarters—the place she once swore she'd never return to.
"The President is expecting you in his office," the assistant said, leading her to the far end of the executive floor.
She had no idea what this was about. She'd kept herself invisible for a reason. But as she stood in front of that familiar door, she drew in a breath and stepped inside.
"Good evening, Father," she said with a small bow, her voice flat but respectful.
His tired gaze met hers. "Take a seat."
The room was filled with quiet tension. Two men in dark suits sat across the table, brown folders stacked in front of them—neatly arranged, ominously still. Chaeyoung didn't need to open them to know something was coming.
