BACK FROM THE DEAD

CHAPTER 3:THE PENTHOUSE RULES

Welcome to Kang Industries, Mrs. Kang. You’re mine now.”*

My pen slipped from my fingers.

Tonight? The registration?

In my past life, it took Minho 3 months to trick me into marriage. Taewook just did it in 3 minutes.

“W-why so fast?” I managed to ask.

Taewook walked to the bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey. No ice. No offer to me.

“Because Minho texts you every 2 hours when he’s bored,” he said, not looking back. “And if he doesn’t get a reply tonight, he’ll come here. I don’t want him in my building.”

He turned, glass in hand, and finally studied me. Head to toe.

“You look 19. You act 40. Which one is the lie, Cha Soyeon?”

I straightened my spine. “Neither. I’m 19 with the memories of dying at 24. Take it or leave it.”

He took a sip. “I don’t believe in ghosts. But I believe in leverage.” He set the glass down. “You are my leverage.”

The secretary returned with papers and a stamp. Korea moves fast when money is involved.

I signed again. So did he. His signature was sharp, slanted, like a knife.

_Marriage Certificate: Kang Taewook & Cha Soyeon. Filed: 10:42 PM, 2019._

It was done. I was Mrs. Kang.

The secretary left. Silence again.

“Clause 4,” Taewook said. “You move in tonight. You don’t leave this penthouse without telling me. No friends. No Minho. No Jihye.”

“Is that a request or a threat?”

“Both.” He picked up his phone. “Joon. Send a car. My wife is coming home.”

My wife. The word hit weird. Wrong. Right.

10 minutes later, we were in the back of a black Bentley. He sat on one side. I sat on the other. No eye contact.

Seoul blurred past the window. Neon signs. Cafes. The same city, but everything felt different.

“Where’s your stuff?” he asked.

“I don’t have any,” I said truthfully. In 2019, I only owned 2 hoodies, 1 laptop, and a broken heart.

He frowned. “You’ll shop tomorrow. My name on your card. Don’t embarrass me.”

Embarrass. Right. Because Mrs. Kang in a university hoodie would ruin his image.

The car stopped. Penthouse door opened. Floor was white marble. Walls were glass. No photos. No warmth. Just like him.

“Guest room,” he said, pointing down the hall. “Door stays open at night.”

I stopped. “Excuse me?”

“Clause 1,” he reminded me. “No physical contact unless I say so. But I don’t trust you yet. So you sleep where I can see you.”

He wasn’t joking.

I dropped my empty hands and walked to the room. It was huge. King bed. White sheets. Still felt like a prison.

I heard him pour another drink in the living room.

I sat on the bed and pulled out my phone. 2019. Blocked Minho. But Jihye… I hadn’t blocked her yet.

A message popped up 30 seconds later.

_Jihye: Soyeon!! Are you okay?? Minho said you fell!! I was so scared! Come to the cafe tomorrow, let’s talk? I’ll buy you cake 💕_

I stared at the screen. In my past life, I ran to that cafe. I cried on her shoulder. And 2 weeks later, she handed Minho my bank details.

I didn’t reply. I blocked her too.

Then I typed one new message. To a number I remembered from 5 years in the future.

_To: Unknown Contact_

_`It’s me. Cha Soyeon. Don’t ask how. Meet me at Cafe Mille in 48 hours. I have info on Kang Industries’ stock dip.`_

I hit send before I could overthink it.

In 2024, that number belonged to Kang Taewook’s head of security. Back then, he hated me. But in 5 years, I saved his daughter. He owed me.

“Who are you texting?”

I jumped. Taewook was in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Arms crossed.

“No one,” I said.

He walked in. Stood too close. I could smell the whiskey.

“You lied to me in 60 seconds, Soyeon. Don’t do it again.” His voice was low. Dangerous.

I met his eyes. No flinching. “Then don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to.”

For a second, something shifted in his face. Not soft. Not kind. Just… interested.

“Fine,” he said. “But remember, Mrs. Kang. In this house, I write the rules. You play the game. And if you win… maybe I let you keep your life.”

He left. Door open, like he said.

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

My heart was pounding, but not from fear.

From power.

Minho thought he killed me. Jihye thought she buried me.

They had no idea I just married the man who could erase them.

I closed my eyes.

Game on.