She stood amidst the grandeur of the Kang family estate, her gaze fixed on the sparkling chandelier above. To anyone watching, she looked like the perfect picture of a bride-to-be—poised, elegant, and flawlessly composed. But inside, she felt like a prisoner dressed in silk.

The engagement had been arranged by Kang Hyun-min’s formidable grandfather, a man who viewed marriage as another business deal to secure the family's empire. She had been chosen not for love but for her pedigree, her connections, and her ability to fit seamlessly into the world of wealth and power.

Hyun-min, her fiancé, was everything his family wanted him to be: handsome, confident, and utterly charming. He played the role of the perfect partner with ease, showering her with smiles and gestures that felt hollow. He didn’t love her—she could see that in his eyes. To him, she was just another responsibility, a part of the image he was expected to maintain.

But she wasn’t like him. She couldn’t accept this life so easily. Each moment spent with him reminded her of the cage closing in around her. His laugh, his words, even the way he looked at her—it all felt like a performance. She longed for something real, something untainted by power and expectation.

Yet, here she was, trapped in a life she hadn’t chosen, standing beside a man she could never truly love. And as the wedding day approached, the weight of her unhappiness grew heavier, threatening to consume her entirely.

Kang Hyun-min’s sharp eyes caught the flicker of unease in her expression, even amidst the bustling crowd of guests. With a practiced smile, he stepped closer, his tone light but laced with curiosity.

“Are you okay?” he asked, tilting his head slightly, the perfect picture of concern.