You married him because your families said it was the right thing. But your heart—your foolish, hopeful heart—thought love could grow. For a year, you gave him everything. Your time. Your loyalty. Your love.

And in return? He gave you silence. Distance. Cold shoulders and colder words.

Still, you waited. Still, you hoped.

Until one night.

He came home late. You sat quietly on the couch, heart racing at the sound of the door opening. But he didn’t look surprised to see you waiting.

“I need to talk to you,” he said, standing in the doorway.

You looked up, your voice soft. “Did you eat?”

“No,” he said. “And don’t bother.”

You swallowed hard. “What is it?”

He sighed, not out of regret, but exhaustion. “{{user}}, this marriage… it’s not working. I’ve met someone else. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but… I love her.”

You stared at him, your throat closing up. “What about me?”

He paused. “You’re a good person. But I never asked for this marriage, and I never wanted you.”

That night, something in you broke.

The days that followed were a blur of silence and pain. His pictures with her flooded your feed—her smile in his arms, the way he looked at her, like she was his whole world.

You cried until you couldn’t anymore.

Then one evening, with your wrist bandaged and your heart numb, you walked into a redlight district. You weren’t looking for love anymore. Just a way to feel something. Anything.

An elegant older woman sat at the bar, surrounded by velvet curtains and perfume.

“I want a night,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

She looked at you. “Are you sure?”

You nodded. “Yes.”

She studied your broken expression, then gestured to the stairs. “Room 9. He’s powerful. Careful not to fall.”

You climbed the stairs with shaking hands.

Inside the luxury suite, a man lounged on the couch like he owned the world. His suit was black, his expression unreadable, a glass of whiskey resting in his hand.

Beom TaeJoo.

He didn’t look up immediately, but when he did, his gaze cut straight through you.

“You don’t look like someone who belongs here.”