When Ice meets Fire

Chapter3

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CHAPTER 3: FIRST NIGHT AS A MARRIED WOMAN

Kim Taehyung POV:

It was 2 AM when I arrived home after leaving Zheng's place. A little drunk, tired as f**k, all I could think about was collapsing onto my bed. My father had already informed me that she was in my penthouse...our “home” for this charade. I entered the living room, and there she was...Lin Hua, perched on the edge of the sofa, her hands clasped in her lap, staring blankly at the dark city beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

For a second, I just watched her. She looked small. Fragile, even. But I wasn’t here to play protector.

“What are you still doing up?” My voice came out sharper than intended, edged with irritation and the remains of the whiskey I’d shared with Zheng. “Didn’t you check the time?”

She flinched, turning to me with wide, startled eyes—ocean blue, I noticed nearly, before pushing the observation aside.

“Umm… I didn’t know where to sleep,” she said softly, rising to her feet. “I thought I should wait for you.”

“Your room is down the hall,” I said, gesturing vaguely toward the east wing. “Don’t wander around late at night.”

She nodded but hesitated, biting her lower lip. “Will we… sleep together? Your mother said—”

“Rule number two,” I cut her off coldly. “Don’t ask questions. And no. We won’t. I have my own room.” I could already imagine my mother’s schemes—rose petals on a shared bed, maybe a bottle of champagne waiting. Not happening.

“I’m sorry, I was just trying to be—”

“Just go to bed,” I interrupted again, too tired for this. “Father called. There’s a small family dinner tomorrow evening. A ‘celebration.’ My mother will be here in the morning to check on us.”

“Oh,” she whispered, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Okay. Goodnight.”

She didn’t wait for a reply, turning and walking quietly down the hallway. I didn’t offer one.

I poured myself a glass of water in the kitchen, the silence of the penthouse feeling heavier than usual. Zheng’s laughter and crude jokes still echoed in my mind, a stark contrast to this… this arranged silence. I’d built walls for a reason. I didn’t need some stranger, contract or not, trying to peek over them.

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Lin Hua’s POV:

I closed the door to my room—a spacious, beautifully decorated guest suite that felt more like a luxury hotel than a home—and leaned against it, exhaling slowly. My heart was still beating too fast. His presence was so… intense.

I freshened up and changed into soft pajamas, but sleep felt miles away. The bed was huge and cold. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, reflecting on the 48 hours I have spent here

My family. The thought alone was making me about to cry. Appa’s weary face, Min Shutian’s tired but hopeful smile, my little brother’s confused hug before I left. I hadn’t called them since arriving at the Kim mansion. Guilt gnawed at me. They thought this was a real marriage but it wasn't.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand, my fingers hovering over my mother’s contact. But what would I say? ‘Hello mom, my husband hates me, we sleep in separate rooms, and he gave me a list of rules?’ No. I couldn’t burden them. I had to make this work. For them.

I finally drifted into a fitful sleep.

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The Next Morning:

I woke up with the radiation of the sunrise hitting my fave directly through the curtain. After saying a quiet prayer for strength, I freshened up and dressed in simple cotton shorts and an oversized sweater. If I was going to live here, I refused to feel like a useless ornament. I’d find a way to make myself useful, even if it was just making coffee.

The penthouse kitchen was a masterpiece of marble and steel, larger than my family’s entire apartment. And standing in the middle of it, directing a chef with gentle authority, was Mrs. Kim.

My soon-to-be mother-in-law turned as I entered, her face breaking into a warm, genuine smile. “Good morning, my dear!”

“Good morning, Mrs. Kim,” I greeted, trying to match her cheerfulness.

“Oh, please, call me Mother, or Sisi if you’re comfortable,” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “I can see you woke up on the right side of the bed. Are you planning on giving your soon-to-be husband breakfast in bed?” She winked, a playful glint in her eye.

My cheeks flushed. “Umm, that’s not it… I just wanted to be useful, so I thought…”

“Nonsense! You don’t have to ‘be useful,’ darling. You’re family now.” She patted my arm before turning back to the chef. “Just a light salad for me, Seo-yeon, thank you.” The chef bowed and retreated.

Mrs. Kim—Sisi—linked her arm with mine. “So, how was your first night? Is Taehyung treating you well?”

The direct question caught me off guard. I saw the real concern in her eyes. She wasn’t just being polite. “Ye… yes, Mother. He’s… kind,” I forced out, the lie tasting bitter.

Her smile softened, combine with something like sympathy. “He can be difficult. Stubborn, like his father. But his heart is in the right place. It just… takes time to find it sometimes.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Did he tell you about the little gathering this evening?”

“Yes, he mentioned a family dinner.”

“Good, good. It’s just a small thing. His father’s sister, my brother, a few close friends. Nothing too formal.” She paused, studying my face. “You’ll do wonderfully. Just be yourself.”

At that moment, the object of our discussion walked into the kitchen. Taehyung was dressed in a crisp, dark suit, hair still slightly damp. He moved with a sleepy, grumpy grace, heading straight for the espresso machine.

“Good morning,” I said quietly.

He didn’t even glance my way. I scoffed it off not wanting to think that he is ignoring me.

“Good morning, my son,” his mother chimed. “How was your night?”

“Splendid,” he replied flatly, his voice gravelly with sleep. He downed the shot of espresso in one go, rinsed the cup, and turned to leave.

“Kim Taehyung,” his mother’s voice stopped him, a new firmness in her tone. “Didn’t you see your wife-to-be standing here? You didn’t answer her greeting. Not even a ‘good morning’?”

He finally turned, his eyes flicking toward me fir a few seconds then he looked at his mother.“Nothing’s wrong, Mum. I’ve got an early meeting. I’ll be back for the dinner.” And with that, he was gone, the sound of the front door closing with a soft but final click.

An awkward silence hung in the air. His mother sighed, a long, weary sound. “I apologize for him, Lin Hua. Truly. He’s… adjusting.”

“It’s okay,” I said, and this time my smile felt a little more real. She was trying. And for now, that was enough. “Is there anything I can help you prepare for tonight?”

Her eyes lit up. “Actually, yes. Come, let’s go choose a dress for you. I have excellent taste, if I do say so myself.”

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Kim Taehyung POV (Later that day):

The “early meeting” was just me, in my home office downtown, staring at financial reports I couldn’t focus on. Zheng had texted me a string of ridiculous, nosy questions about the “wifey,” which I’d ignored.

My father’s ultimatum echoed in my skull. Two years. Two years of this performance, and then I could have my freedom and my company back. All I had to do was keep up appearances and keep that woman at arm’s length.

So why did the memory of her waiting in the dark living room bother me? Why did the sight of her in that too-big sweater, looking so out of place in my sterile kitchen, the way she bit on her lower lip did magic to me, stir something like… want inside of me?

It’s the contract and it's because it's been long I had s*x, I told myself firmly. It’s business. She’s getting paid. We both get what we want.

My phone buzzed. A message from my mother.

Mother: Don’t be late tonight. And be nice. She’s a lovely girl. Try to remember you have a heart, Taehyung. I know it’s in there somewhere.

I scoffed, tossing the phone aside. Lovely girl. That wasn’t the point. The point was my life was no longer mine.

When I returned to the penthouse that evening, it was transformed. Soft music played, the dining table was set with gleaming silver and crystal, and the scent of expensive food filled the air. And there, standing nervously by the window, was Lin Hua.

My mother had indeed worked her magic. Lin Hua wore a simple but elegant navy blue dress that fell to her knees. Her hair was swept up, exposing the delicate line of her neck. She looked… different, I mean beautifulvand magnificent in that blue gown, her beauty threw me off balance. "Hey, get a hold of yourself man." I muttered to myself as I adjusted my tie.

“You’re here,” my mother said, sweeping into the room. “Good. Everyone will be arriving soon.” She looked between us, her eyes demanding a performance. “Taehyung, why don’t you get Lin Hua a drink?”

It was a test. I knew it was a test, my mother is trying everything possible for us to get close but he'll no I'm not and will never love any woman they are all gold diggers,cheat, liar and b*tch, all thet know how to do is to destroy

She looked at me nervously. “ water is fine. Thank you.”

I handed her the glass of water, our finger touch making me feel something I don't want to feel, but I brushed it off

As I turned to greet my aunt, I caught Lin Hua squaring her shoulders, lifting her chin, and painting a soft, convincing smile on her face.

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