Back at the hotel room, Tae Joon was on the couch, his eyes fixed on his phone. The blue light from the screen flickered across his face as he scrolled without much focus. Ji-a sat across the room at the vanity table, slowly removing her earrings, wiping off her makeup, and brushing through her long hair. She was wearing a black nightgown that clung softly to her body, the straps loose on her shoulders.
Out of nowhere, Tae Joon spoke.
"I'm proposing to Na-ri tomorrow."
Ji-a froze. Her hand dropped the brush onto the table with a loud clatter.
"What?"
Tae Joon leaned his head back on the couch and sighed. "I've waited enough. It's time."
Ji-a stood up, her voice sharp. "You must not care about me at all. You brought me here to spend the night with you, but you're still talking about Na-ri."
She walked across the room and grabbed her clothes to get dressed, clearly ready to leave.
"All you ever talk about is Na-ri. If she means that much to you, go to her. Don't drag me into this." Ji-a said crying.
Before she could open the door, Tae Joon stood and wrapped his arms around her from behind. His voice dropped.
"You know you're the only one I care about."
He pressed his lips to her neck. "I don't give a damn about Na-ri. I just want her money. That's all."
Ji-a didn't move.
"I marry her, get a piece of her inheritance, and then I'll divorce her. I'll come back to you, just like I promised."
"Do you mean it?" Ji-a asked quietly.
"I swear."
She turned to face him. Their eyes locked for a long moment. Then she reached up and kissed him.
Tae Joon didn't waste a second. He lifted her onto the bed, pulling off his shirt as he followed. Ji-a wrapped her arms around his neck, her breath shaky as their lips moved together.
His hands moved under the thin fabric of her nightgown, feeling her bare skin. Her legs wrapped around him as he kissed her again, deeper this time, hungry and rough.
Their clothes hit the floor. His mouth traced her collarbone, then lower. Her back arched as he pushed inside her slowly. She held on tight, biting down on her lip to keep quiet.
---
Outside the hotel, Jin Woo stood in front of Na-ri, wiping the tears from her eyes. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Yes, I'll marry you. Stop crying now."
Na-ri's tear-filled eyes looked up at him. People were staring as they passed by, their whispers carried by the breeze. Jin Woo reached out and gently helped her stand.
"Let's go upstairs. We can talk better there," he said softly, guiding her back into the hotel.
---
Back at Jin Woo's Office
Na-ri was still crying softly, her eyes fixed on the floor while Jin-woo sat behind his desk, typing. The only sound in the room was the gentle hum of his computer and the clicks of the keyboard.
After a while, the printer beside his desk beeped. Jin-woo stood, picked up the printed paper, and walked toward her. He knelt in front of her, gently took her face in his hand, and wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"If you really want revenge," he said quietly, "then you need to be stronger than this. Cry, but don't stay weak. You have to endure it. Face them and show them they can't break you."
Na-ri nodded slowly, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. Her breathing was shaky.
"Sign this," Jin-woo said, holding out the paper to her. "If you're really serious, then I'll help you get back at them."
Na-ri took the paper with trembling hands and read it carefully.
---
The contract read:
This agreement is made between:
Party A – Han Jin-woo
Party B – Kang Na-ri
1. Party A agrees to provide Party B with assistance and protection, including but not limited to the acquisition of the land formerly owned by Chairman Kang, under the condition that Party B enters into a legal marriage with Party A.
2. Both parties agree to maintain the marriage for a minimum of three years. No party may file for divorce without the other's consent during this period.
3. This marriage is to remain private until a joint decision is made regarding public disclosure.
4. Both parties acknowledge that this is a mutual arrangement and does not guarantee emotional or romantic involvement.
Signed by:
Han Jin-woo ___________
Kang Na-ri ___________
---
Na-ri took a deep breath after reading it. Her hands still shook, but she knew there was no turning back. She picked up the pen and signed her name.
She handed the paper back to him.
Jin-woo didn't say anything. He looked at her signature for a moment, then added his own beside it.
"I'll send it to my lawyer," he said, standing up. "He'll process everything. For now… go home. Get some rest. I'll contact you tomorrow."
Na-ri stood up slowly, nodded, and turned to leave. Her heart felt heavy but at the same time—lighter than before. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel helpless.