THE THREE HEARTS OF FATE
657 Words
Chapter 3 — The Arranged Husband
Jae-hyun expected another interrogation when he was summoned to the boss’s private residence.
Instead, he found Min-soo waiting.
The ruthless man from the hospital stood beside the window, dressed entirely in black.
Jae-hyun froze.
“You.”
Min-soo’s eyes narrowed.
“You’ve been chosen for an arranged marriage.”
Jae-hyun stared at him.
“With whom?”
Min-soo looked directly at him.
“Me.”
Silence filled the room.
Jae-hyun’s heart sank.
“An arranged marriage?”
“Yes.”
Jae-hyun took a shaky breath.
“But… what about my mother?”
For the first time, Min-soo’s expression changed slightly.
“Your mother?”
“She’s sick. I took the loan because she needs treatment. If I marry you, what happens to her? I can’t leave her alone.”
Min-soo studied him for several seconds.
“Your mother’s medical expenses have already been covered.”
Jae-hyun’s eyes widened.
“What?”
“The debt arrangement includes her treatment.”
Jae-hyun couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“You mean… she’s receiving treatment right now?”
“Yes.”
A wave of relief washed over him.
Jae-hyun’s eyes filled with tears.
“Thank you.”
Min-soo looked away.
“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t do it out of kindness.”
Jae-hyun’s smile disappeared.
“Of course.”
Min-soo continued.
“Your mother’s treatment will continue as long as you fulfill your side of the arrangement.”
Jae-hyun looked down.
“So I’m being exchanged for her medical bills.”
Min-soo didn’t answer.
That silence hurt more than words.
After a moment, Jae-hyun whispered:
“I’ll do it.”
Min-soo looked at him.
“You don’t have to pretend you’re happy.”
“I’m not.”
Jae-hyun wiped his eyes.
“But if marrying you keeps my mother alive, then I’ll accept it.”
⸻
Three Weeks Later
The wedding was extravagant.
Thousands of flowers decorated the hall.
Photographers filled the entrance.
Everyone smiled.
Except Jae-hyun.
He stood beside Min-soo in a beautiful black suit, his fingers trembling.
When the ceremony ended, Min-soo leaned toward him.
“From today onward, you’re my husband.”
Jae-hyun looked at him.
“And you’re mine?”
Min-soo hesitated.
“Legally.”
Those two words shattered the tiny hope Jae-hyun had been holding onto.
⸻
That night, Jae-hyun entered Min-soo’s mansion carrying one suitcase.
Min-soo pointed toward the hallway.
“Your room is there.”
Jae-hyun looked at the bedroom beside his.
“We’re not sharing a room?”
“No.”
Jae-hyun nodded.
“Okay.”
Min-soo turned away.
“Don’t expect me to become your husband.”
Jae-hyun forced a smile.
“I wasn’t expecting anything.”
Min-soo walked away.
The door closed.
Jae-hyun stood alone in the enormous house.
He slowly sat on the edge of the bed.
Then his phone rang.
It was the hospital.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Jae-hyun, your mother is asking for you.”
His eyes immediately filled with tears.
“Can I talk to her?”
A weak voice came through the phone.
“Jae-hyun… are you okay?”
He smiled despite the tears.
“I’m okay, Mom.”
“Did you solve everything?”
Jae-hyun looked around the unfamiliar room.
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“I got married.”
There was silence on the other end.
“To whom?”
Jae-hyun looked toward the closed door.
“Someone… who can protect us.”
His mother sighed.
“Then don’t forget to protect yourself too.”
Jae-hyun’s tears finally fell.
“I won’t, Mom.”
But after the call ended, he whispered to himself:
“I wish I could believe that.”
Meanwhile, outside his bedroom door…
Min-soo stood silently.
He had heard everything.
His hand tightened around the door handle.
For the first time, he wondered:
Who exactly had he married?
And why did the thought of Jae-hyun crying alone make his chest hurt?
To be continued…
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