The Price of a Life My Enemy(My Enemy, My Fate)

The black shower dress clung to her figure as she stood before the blurred mirror, knife trembling lightly in her hand. Her reflection stared back at her, a stranger and herself intertwined in one gaze. She had planned this for five months—the perfect moment to destroy him, the man who had stolen her happiness, her life, her very existence. And yet, now that she was face to face with him, a strange warmth crawled through her chest. Why did he make her feel so weak? She had kept him at arm’s length, pushed him away, ignored the stirrings of her heart. But even after all the distance, even after the pain, she couldn’t bring herself to strike. Her reflection seemed to whisper back at her: "You’ve fallen in love with your enemy". Her hand tightened on the knife, but her resolve faltered. She moved to the bed, collapsing onto it as memories clawed at her. Five months ago, the game had begun. Today, she vowed to end it. She would confront her greatest enemy—Seojin Lang—and finish what she had started. --- **"Five months ago** “Please… save my mom!” Her voice cracked as tears blurred her vision. She knelt beside the hospital bed, holding her mother, Reina Hana, weak and frail. “Please, doctor! She’s all I have left. Please save her!” The doctors looked down at her. “Miss, what’s your name?” “Nari… Nari Hana,” she choked out, her hands trembling over her mother’s frail body. “Okay, Miss Nari Hana. But the fees need to be settled first. The patient’s condition is critical,” the doctor said. Nari Hana’s heart sank. She quickly checked her mobile account—only 70,000 won. Her throat tightened. “Please… just start the operation! I’ll arrange the money!” Suddenly, a calm, commanding voice echoed from behind. “Don’t worry about the money. Begin the operation immediately.” All eyes in the hospital hall turned to him. A tall man, black coat draped over his broad shoulders, wristwatch glinting, moved with the air of someone untouchable. His face was sharp, his dark blue eyes cold as an ocean, yet strikingly mesmerizing. Gossip spread among the staff and patients alike. “Isn’t he the CEO of Narmé Company?” “He’s unbelievably handsome!” “His presence… it’s intimidating yet magnetic!” Seojin Lang removed his glasses, adjusting them with a slow, deliberate motion. His eyes, the color of icy glaciers, scanned the room, landing on Nari Hana. A faint smirk curved his lips, a dimple appearing on one cheek. “Miss Nari Hana, right?” Nari Hana’s eyes widened as she stared at him. “Are you… really the man behind all this?” Seo-lang’s voice cut through the sterile hospital air, calm yet sharp. “Miss Nari Hana, the daughter of that woman?” he asked again, his blue eyes piercing. Nari Hana nodded quickly, trembling. “Yes… that’s me.” Seo-lang’s tone softened slightly, though his gaze remained cold. “Your mother’s accident… it was because of me.” Her hands froze mid-air, disbelief written across her face. “What do you mean?” He stepped closer, voice steady. “I’ll be direct. If your mother hadn’t saved me, I might not be alive today—just as your mother lies in the hospital now. She did me a favor. That’s why I am here.” Nari Hana’s chest tightened. She stared at him, her mind racing. Seo-lang’s eyes scanned her, unflinching. “I owe no one anything. That’s why I’m here.” He motioned to his assistant, Jie, who immediately rushed forward, holding a file. Seo-lang handed the papers to Nari Hana. Confused, she blinked. “What is this?” “A contract,” he said smoothly, his tone cold but precise. “Sign this… and become my contact wife for five months. In return, I’ll cover every fee for your mother’s operation. Every last one. No problem. Yours or hers.” Nari Hana’s hands shook. Anger flared hotter than fear. “You… you bastard!” she shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks. Before she knew it, her palm struck his face with a sharp slap. Seo-lang didn’t flinch. A faint smirk played across his lips, the small dimple at his cheek appearing. The hospital hall fell silent, everyone staring in disbelief. Jie’s hand froze mid-air. “She… she just slapped Mr. Seo-lang!” he whispered, shocked. Nari Hana grabbed his collar, her voice cracking, fury and desperation mixing. “You rich brat! Because of you, my mother is like this! And now… now you bring a contract here as if money can fix everything? Do you think you can just control everything because you have wealth? Do you even feel any guilt?” Seo-lang met her gaze calmly, as if every word amused him. His smirk widened slightly, eyes cold but intrigued. Tears streaked down her face. “If it were your mother lying there… would you feel the same? Tell me… would you?” Her voice rose, raw with anguish. “If it weren’t my mom but yours… would you finally understand what pain is? That not everything can be bought with money?” In a sudden motion, Nari_hana released his collar. “Get out. I said—get out! Never show your face in front of me again!” Seo-lang’s smirk didn’t fade. He turned slightly, still observing her, his presence dominating the room. Jie hesitated beside him, whispering nervously, “Mr.seo… should we leave now, or…?” Seo-lang’s gaze never left Nari Hana. “Leave,” he said finally, his voice soft but firm. Jie nodded, still uneasy, while Nari Hana sank to the floor, sobbing. She pressed her hands against her knees, her body trembling. Seo-lang watched silently for a moment, his thoughts unreadable. Then, almost quietly, he murmured to himself, “Was it truly my fault?” The tension lingered, thick and heavy, as Nari Hana buried her face in her hands. The hospital hall returned to its usual, but the memory of the confrontation would not fade—for neither of them. "Four hours ago", Seo-lang and his assistant Jie drove through the city streets. A motorcycle suddenly swerved in front of them. With a smooth, almost casual motion, Seo-lang stepped out of the car. The biker stumbled, muttering an apology before speeding away. Seo-lang phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. Picking up, Seo-lang’s sharp gaze met the receiver. A distorted voice hissed, “I’ll kill you, CEO Seo-lang. You’re dangerously close… survive if you can. Happy journey.” The call ended abruptly. “Mr.seo… what happened?” Jie asked nervously. Seo-lang’s eyes narrowed. “Seems an old enemy has returned.” Before Seo-lang could react further, a speeding truck came hurtling toward him. Instinctively, a woman appeared, pushing him out of the path just in time. The truck screeched past, leaving chaos behind—blood splattered across the pavement, shards of shattered mirrors glinting in the sunlight. In the woman’s hand, a small gift swayed. Seo-lang landed hard on the ground, blood oozing from his hand. Yet his attention snapped to the woman—her selfless act had saved him. He stared, disbelief and awe mixing. huh! She risked her life for a stranger like me, while My own Family sought to end me. Seo-lang watched as she disappeared briefly, and the truck veered off just in time, avoiding further disaster. Seo-lang rushed toward her, calling an ambulance. Then, her phone rang. Assistant Jie picked it up. “Mr.seo… it’s her daughter. he says hello your mother was an accident. Please hurry to Su-jun Hospital.” Seo-lang noticed her bag and opened it carefully. An ID card revealed her name: Reina Hana. Inside, a photograph of a young girl—Nari Hana—was tucked neatly. A note read: *“I have cancer. I wish for you to find happiness. This gift is for you.”* Seo-lang opened the gift, eyes softening slightly as he read the heartfelt message. ---