Episode 4 — The Contract.
540 Words
One week later— Lee YN's patience officially died.
Nothing worked. Not arguments. Not threats.
Not refusing family dinners. Nothing.
Her grandfather remained terrifyingly calm.
"Your engagement ceremony is in two weeks."
"No."
"One week."
"Grandpa!"
"Three days."
"...That's blackmail."
"Thank you."
YN almost cried. Meanwhile—
Across the city, Jeon Jiwook was equally miserable. His father calmly informed him—
"The wedding date has been confirmed."
"No."
"Already paid for."
"No."
"Non-refundable."
Jiwook stared at his father.
"You're unbelievable."
"Thank you."
Apparently, both families shared the same disease.
━━━━━━━━━━━━
That evening— YN received a message.
Jeon Jiwook. Meet me. No greeting. No explanation. Rude.
Twenty minutes later—
She entered one of the private lounges owned by the Jeon family.
Jiwook sat alone. Black suit. Black watch.
Black expression.
The man looked like happiness personally offended him.
"You're late," he said.
"You started it."
"I arrived first."
"Congratulations."
Without another word— He pushed a file toward her.
YN frowned.
"What is this?"
"A solution."
Slowly opening it— Her eyes widened.
A marriage contract. Rules. Conditions.
Divorce terms. Separate rooms. Separate lives.
No interference. No emotional attachment.
No questions. One year.
After one year— Divorce.
YN looked up.
"You planned this?"
"Yes."
"You're insane."
"Efficient."
"No, insane."
Silence. Then—
"You hate this marriage."
"Yes."
"I hate this marriage."
"Yes."
"So this benefits both of us."
YN leaned back. The room became quiet.
Then she smirked.
"Add something."
Jiwook looked up.
"What?"
"If your family crosses my boundaries, I deal with them myself."
"Accepted."
"And if anyone insults my family—"
"They answer to me."
YN paused. Interesting. No hesitation.
No mockery. Just certainty.
She narrowed her eyes.
"You protect my family?"
His expression remained cold.
"After marriage, your family becomes connected to mine."
"It affects business."
Business. Of course. Nothing personal.
Then—
Jiwook calmly took out a pen.
"Sign it."
YN crossed her arms.
"Order me again and I'll shoot you."
"Noted."
"Good."
"Sign it."
"...You're unbelievable."
Still— She signed.
A few seconds later—
Jeon Jiwook signed beneath her name.
The room fell silent. The contract was official.
And somehow—
Neither felt victorious.
━━━━━━━━━━━━
As YN stood to leave— Jiwook's phone suddenly rang. His expression changed.
Not panic. Not fear. Something colder.
He answered immediately.
"What happened?"
Silence.
Then— His eyes darkened.
"I'm coming."
The call ended.
YN frowned.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
He stood up.
"Go home."
"Excuse me?"
"Now."
"Don't order me."
"Lee YN."
The tone of his voice made her pause.
Cold. Sharp. Dangerous.
"Go home."
Before she could argue—
Several armed men suddenly entered the lounge.
Blood on their clothes. One bowed immediately.
"Chief."
"We found one of them."
YN's instincts activated immediately.
One of them?
Jiwook's expression became unreadable.
"Alive?"
"Yes."
"Good."
The room became silent. Because for the first time since meeting him— Lee YN saw something terrifying. Jeon Jiwook smiled. Not warmly.
Not happily. It was cold. Merciless.
And somehow—
That smile was far more frightening than his anger. He adjusted his cuffs.
Then calmly said—
"Bring him to me."
And suddenly—
YN understood why the underworld feared the Jeon heir.
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🖤 To Be Continued...
- Writer
