08

"You may now exchange the rings."

Jake stepped forward with a smile. His hand found mine, and he gently slid the ring onto my finger, his expression composed for the cameras.

I did the same, slipping the ring onto his finger like we were a couple in love.

I smiled at him, and to keep up the act, he smiled back.

But both of us knew.

We were pretending.

"You may now kiss the bride."

The moment those words echoed across the hall, my heart skipped.

Jake leaned in, eyes shut, his lips brushing mine for just a second.

The room burst into cheers. Cameras flashed.

Everyone clapped as if witnessing something beautiful.

But once it was over, he turned away immediately, avoiding my eyes like I was nothing to him.

Then my gaze shifted to the guests.

And I saw him.

Heeseung stood at the back, watching quietly.

He clapped with the others, but it felt different almost like he was trying to stay composed.

When he saw me looking, he raised his thumb and gave a small smile.

Then he waved once and walked out without staying for the celebration.

I stood there, stunned, unable to look away until he disappeared from sight.

Lee Heeseung."

⸻

News of the wedding spread fast first across Korea, then globally.

Photos, videos, articles. Jake's popularity made our marriage go viral, and the response wasn't kind.

His fans were furious. The hate came fast and loud.

I became too scared to step outside.

A few days later, we moved into a house gifted by his parents.

It was large and luxurious, the kind of place most people could only dream of.

But it didn't feel like home.

Jake rarely came back. He spent most nights out with friends at clubs. I still didn't know who she was. I wasn't jealous.

I lived in silence.

Alone in this big house, with no one to talk to.

He refused to let me invite friends over.

I wasn't allowed to leave the house unless it was with him. He was more concerned about avoiding scandal than acknowledging that I existed.

Some days, I missed my old life being Heeseung's secretary, surrounded by documents and deadlines. At least then, I had purpose. Now, I just existed.

Then one night,

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The sound of the passcode being entered echoed from the front door.

I was on the couch watching TV, and my heart jumped.

I grabbed a golf club from the corner, moving cautiously toward the door.

When it opened, I raised the club.

"Who are you?"

I shouted, ready to swing until the person caught my wrist.

"Han Jina, are you out of your mind?"

It was Jake.

I let go of the club immediately, embarrassed. He stepped inside and kicked off his shoes without looking at me.

"Why are you here? You didn't come home last night,"

I asked, trying to keep my voice even.

"Can you stop talking?"

he muttered, loosening his tie as he walked through the house.

"I didn't mean to bother you. I was just wondering if you were alright."

He scoffed.

"You don't need to wonder anything about me. Your concern means nothing."

Still, I followed him.

"Do you need anything? Want me to cook something?"

He stopped abruptly, then turned. His eyes narrowed.

"Do you ever shut up?"

Before I could respond, he shoved me backward.

The force caught me off guard, and I stumbled, groaning as my arm hit the wall.

He crossed his arms, completely unfazed.

"I told you, I don't have time for this. Don't follow me around like a lost puppy."

He walked into his room and slammed the door behind him.

I stayed where I was, trying to catch my breath. My arm throbbed where I'd hit it.

I wasn't even sure what hurt more, my body, or the reminder that to him, I wasn't a wife.

Just an inconvenience.