07

After days of preparing for a wedding I never asked for, today was the day. The ceremony was set, the guests invited, the stage built.

But throughout the entire planning process, Jake never showed up.

His parents were the only ones involved choosing the dress, the rings, the decorations. They accompanied me to fittings and meetings like I was marrying them instead.

And when Jake did appear, it was only for a few minutes. He picked his suit, nodded once, and left.

He hadn't spoken a word to me. Never looked at me. I might as well have been invisible.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Han Jina,"

Namjin said as she pulled me into a tight hug, handing me a bouquet of flowers.

I managed a small smile for the first time all day.

The venue was filled with strangers and celebrities, Jake's friends, people who smiled at me like they knew me, though they didn't.

They offered hollow congratulations and told me they were jealous.

But I didn't care about any of them.

As long as Namjin was here, I could get through it.

"You're beautiful, Han Jina."

That voice.

Familiar. Warm.

I turned around and met Heeseung's gaze. His suit fit him perfectly, and for a moment, it felt like I was marrying him instead. My heart ached.

"Thank you, Mr. Lee,"

I said, accepting the flowers he offered. My hands lingered around the stems longer than they should have.

I couldn't take my eyes off him.

Then someone unfamiliar approached, a woman with flawless makeup, cropped hair, and striking features. No smile. No warmth.

"Are you Han Jina?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Congratulations."

The word left her lips flatly before she turned and walked off.

"Who was that?"

I asked Namjin, still watching the woman's retreating figure.

"Park Serin," Namjin muttered.

"Top actress."

I could tell.

Namjin clenched her jaw and raised her bag like she was about to throw it, but I quickly stopped her.

Just then, Jake appeared beside me, suddenly all charm.

"Thank you for coming to our wedding,"

he said to the crowd, smiling.

I turned to look at him, confused. This version of Jake,smiling, friendly, polished wasn't the person I'd come to know.

He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close. Cameras clicked, guests cheered.

People took videos, some screamed our names like we were a fairytale couple.

But behind the photos, the truth was quiet and ugly.

There was nothing between us. Nothing real.

"Let's go,"

Jake said.

"The ceremony's about to start."

He gave me a smile that didn't reach his eyes, then took my hand and led me toward the waiting room.

The second the door closed behind us, his expression changed.

He let go of my hand and wiped his palm on the wall like I had dirtied him. My chest tightened at the sight, but I said nothing. I didn't want to start a fight today, not here, not now.

"I wish I could just skip this whole thing," he muttered.

He leaned in, close enough for only me to hear.

"Don't look at me like that when people are watching. I don't want to hear rumors about us."

"I'll try," I replied quietly, too afraid to meet his eyes.

"Don't expect anything from this marriage. Don't try to make me love you. You're not someone I could ever care about."

I froze.

He kept going.

"This marriage will last three months. That's it."

I looked at him, shocked.

"Your father planned this?"

His eyes sharpened. "Why? You planning to run and tell him?"

I shook my head.

"I decided it. And if you say a word to anyone, I swear I won't hold back."

He turned and left without another word.

The room felt colder once he was gone.

I stood in silence, unable to hold it in any longer.

I sat down, curled into myself, and cried, quiet and broken.

"I wish I didn't wake up today."

Everything inside me felt like it was falling apart.

"Jake Shim, you didn't just ruin my life. You erased it."