It started on a Thursday evening.
Jennie should have known something was wrong the moment both her parents were home before 8PM.
That never happened.
Her father, Chairman Kim, was usually buried in paperwork until midnight. Her mother, elegant and terrifyingly perceptive Mommy Kim, only called family meetings when something dramatic was about to unfold.
Jennie walked into the living room in silk pajamas, hair half-dried from her shower, holding a glass of iced tea.
"Why do you both look like you're about to tell me I'm adopted?" she asked suspiciously.
Her father cleared his throat.
Her mother smiled too calmly.
Oh no.
"Sit down, Jennie-ah," Mommy Kim said gently.
Jennie didn't sit.
"No."
Her mother blinked once. "No?"
"You only use that tone when someone's life is about to change permanently. I don't like it."
Her father sighed. "Just listen first."
Jennie slowly lowered herself onto the couch, eyes narrowed. "If this is about blind dates again—"
"It's not a blind date."
Silence.
Jennie's stomach dropped.
"Then what is it?"
Her mother folded her hands neatly on her lap. "We have arranged a marriage."
The iced tea glass slipped from Jennie's fingers and landed sideways on the carpet.
"... You what?"
Her father spoke carefully. "It is beneficial for both families."
Jennie stood up so fast she almost tripped on the rug.
"Beneficial? BENEFICIAL? This isn't a corporate merger, Appa! This is my life!"
"Lower your voice," her father warned gently.
"No! Absolutely not! I'm not livestock to be exchanged at a gala dinner!"
Her mother remained calm. "Jennie."
"No. No. No. I'm saying no. I don't care who it is. I don't care if they're royalty. I don't care if they own half the country. I am not marrying a stranger."
Her father rubbed his temples.
Her mother tilted her head slightly. "You've been single for over three years."
"That's not relevant!"
"It is relevant," her mother replied smoothly. "You refuse every introduction. Every potential partner. You say you are focusing on yourself. On growth. On business."
"I am!"
"And are you happy?"
That made her pause.
"I— that's not the point."
Her mother leaned forward slightly. "Jennie, we are not selling you. We chose someone carefully. Someone we believe will treat you well."
Jennie crossed her arms. "I don't care. I'm still saying no."
Her father sighed. "At least hear the name."
"No."
"Jennie."
