Love Under Contract

Sophia Hwang was thirty seconds away from having a nervous breakdown. Not the kind you could quietly fix with chamomile tea and deep breathing, no. This was the kind that required a therapist, a time machine, and possibly a fake passport. “Hold still, Miss Hwang,” her stylist whispered, carefully pinning the final sparkling hairpiece into her updo. “I’m getting married,” Sophia said blankly, staring at her reflection. “To Ethan Kang. Ethan. Kang.” “Yes,” the makeup artist chirped, dabbing her lips with gloss. “The Ethan Kang. The most eligible bachelor in the country.” “I was talking to myself,” Sophia muttered. She turned her head slightly, gazing at the ornate wedding gown wrapped around her like a silk cocoon. It was custom-made, hand-stitched, probably cost more than her college tuition. And it made her feel like a very well-dressed hostage. She hadn't even had time to mentally prepare for this wedding. It had all happened so fast. One minute she was arguing with her lawyer about her late father’s will, the next she was signing a marriage contract with the icy CEO of the Kang Group, thanks to a clause buried in some ancient childhood betrothal. “Smile a little,” the photographer called out. “Look like you’re in love!” Sophia gave him a smile that could curdle milk. Outside the bridal suite, she could hear the buzz of guests gathering. The who’s who of Korea's elite were here—celebrities, CEOs, and society’s most judgy aunties. The wedding of the century, they called it. To her, it felt more like the opening scene of a dystopian drama. Her phone buzzed on the vanity table. It was a message from Lily Jang, her best friend, maid of honor, and chief emotional support provider. LILY: Don’t panic. Breathe. Blink twice if you want me to pull the fire alarm. Sophia blinked twice in the mirror. A knock came at the door. “Sophia? It’s time.” It was Mrs. Kang, Ethan’s mother. Warm, elegant, and unfortunately… thrilled about this wedding. Sophia stood, her legs wobbling. The gown flowed like liquid moonlight around her. She grabbed the bouquet with all the grace of a lumberjack. As she stepped into the hallway, she caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror. She didn’t look like herself. She looked like a stranger. A glamorous, well-packaged stranger. *** Meanwhile… Ethan Kang stood at the altar looking exactly how a man should not look on his wedding day: bored. Calm, controlled, a blank slate in a tuxedo worth more than her apartment. He looked too good, too poised. Like this whole thing was a business deal—which, well, it was. Sophia scowled as she reached the end of the aisle. He didn’t even look at her properly. Just offered a tiny, polite nod. The ceremony began. Words were said. Vows were repeated. Her hands trembled slightly as she slid the ring onto his finger. When it was Ethan’s turn, he looked her dead in the eye and said smoothly, “With this ring, I seal our merger.” The priest blinked. Sophia blinked. A cough from somewhere in the audience sounded suspiciously like a snort. Sophia plastered a fake smile on her face as the crowd laughed lightly, assuming it was a joke. He wasn’t joking. *** Reception Hall, Hours Later... Lily sat beside Sophia, shoving a mini tart into her mouth. “Okay, not bad. You didn’t faint. No one threw anything. And the cake was amazing.” Sophia whispered under her breath, “I just married a robot.” “Correction. You married a ridiculously hot, emotionally constipated robot billionaire.” “I feel like I sold my soul for stock options.” Lily nudged her. “At least your dress is stunning. Honestly, if I didn’t know you, I’d think you were glowing.” Sophia was about to reply when someone tapped her shoulder. “Congratulations, Mrs. Kang.” It was Austin Min, Director of Environmental Safety, her old college friend—and unfortunately, now her subordinate. He looked at her with soft, amused eyes. “You look... oddly elegant. Never thought I’d see you in a wedding dress.” “Neither did I,” Sophia replied dryly. “I thought I’d go out with thirty cats and a bonsai garden.” Austin smirked. “If it gets too weird, I have a getaway car.” Ethan suddenly appeared behind them like a ghost made of tailored suits and expensive cologne. “She won’t be needing that,” he said coolly. Austin smirked. “If it gets too weird, I have a getaway car. Full tank. Engine purring.” Before Sophia could reply, a shadow loomed behind them—tailored suit, silent steps, and the unmistakable scent of power. Ethan suddenly appeared behind them like a ghost made of tailored suits and expensive cologne. “She won’t be needing that,” he said, voice as smooth as steel. Cool. Austin straightened, flashing a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Naturally. I’m sure you’ll take excellent care of her.” He gave Sophia a pointed look, then added with faux innocence, “But as her boss, I’m simply providing options. Y’know, corporate courtesy.” Sophia rolled her eyes. Lily and the twins snorted into their drinks. And Ethan? He didn’t smile. But the muscle in his jaw twitched. Ethan gave a tight nod and extended a hand to Sophia. “Time for our first dance.” “Oh joy,” she murmured, slipping her hand into his. The ballroom quieted as the spotlight fell on them. The music swelled—some romantic orchestral piece probably chosen by his PR team. Ethan placed one hand on her waist, the other held her hand firmly. They began to dance. Sort of. She stepped on his foot within three seconds. “Sorry,” she whispered. He didn’t flinch. “It’s fine. You’re not used to being this close to greatness.” She looked up at him with a glare. “Do you practice being this smug or does it just come naturally?” He smiled—faint but real. “Contract marriage or not, Sophia… you’re mine now.” Her heart stuttered. Just once. And then she stepped on his foot again. "Oops." “Did he always look like that?” Lily leaned toward Austin, eyes fixed on the couple dancing. “Look like what?” Austin asked, casting a sidelong glance with a dry smirk. “Constipated? Yeah, that’s Ethan Kang’s official diplomatic face. Intimidating, sure—but serial killer? Nah. The guy’s more like… a robot learning how to feel. Kind in a weird, emotionally constipated kind of way.” The twins burst out laughing. Lily shook her head. “You’re so getting fired for that one.” Austin grinned. “He’d have to admit it’s true first.” *** Later that night. The presidential suite was bigger than her entire apartment complex. There were golden lamps, a velvet couch, floor-to-ceiling windows, and—because fate hated her—a single king-sized bed. Sophia stood at the doorway, eyes wide. “Oh no. Absolutely not.” Ethan walked past her, already loosening his tie. “Relax. I’ll sleep on the couch.” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s the catch?” “No catch. We’re married, but we’re not in love. That was the deal.” She nodded slowly. “Okay. Good. Just making sure we’re still on the same page.” He tossed his jacket aside and began unbuttoning his shirt. “W-What are you doing?” she squeaked, shielding her eyes. “Changing clothes. You can use the bathroom first if you’re shy.” “I’m not shy! I just didn’t realize your shirt buttons had no shame!” He chuckled softly, then walked to the minibar. “Wine?” he offered. She shook her head. “I think I need some fresh air.” He poured himself a glass, then looked at her with surprising softness. “Sophia. We’ll make this work. You and I—we just need to survive this for two years. Then we walk away. Clean break.” Sophia stared at him. Two years. Twenty-four months. One hundred and four weeks. Seven hundred and thirty days. And she’d only made it through day one by stepping on his foot. Twice. She sank onto the couch and muttered, “I’m doomed.”