I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling as I replayd the night's events in my head. Lee Joon-ho's hopeful face haunted me. What was I going to do? I couldn't keep pretending everything was fine.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced at it. Lee Joon-ho: "You got home safe?"
I hesitated before typing: "Yeah, I'm fine."
He replied instantly: "Think about what I said, okay?"
I sighed. How could I not think about it?
A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. "Soo-jin?" Jin-woo's voice came.
"Yeah, come in," I said, sitting up.
He entered, his expression neutral as usual. "Breakfast is ready. Your father called; he's coming over later."
I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt.
Jin-woo lingered by the door. "You seem... distant lately. Everything okay?"
I forced a smile. "Just a bit stressed. Work stuff."
He nodded, but I knew he didn't believe me.
As he left, I collapsed back onto the bed. What was I doing?
I sighed, feeling the weight of it all. Jin-woo's conversation with my father was probably about me – again. I wondered what he said 'She's just stressed... trying to adjust...' Or maybe she's been going out a lot, I don't know what's going on.
My father was a traditional man, he'd never approve of my marriage crumbling. 'You made a deal, Soo-jin. Make it work'.
A knock came on the door, and our butler, Ah-ma, entered. "Mrs. Soo-jin, your father is here."
I stood up, smoothing my dress. Nothing prepared me for this.
I walked downstairs, the sound of my heels echoing in the grand foyer. My father was seated on the couch, he looked up as I entered. Jin-woo was already there, sipping coffee. I took a seat next to him, forcing a smile.
"Morning, Father," I said, trying to sound cheerful.
My father, stern as ever, nodded. "Soo-jin. How's life treating you?"
I glanced at Jin-woo before responding. "It's fine, Father. Everything's good."
My father leaned forward, his expression unyielding. "I spoke to Jin-woo earlier. He tells me you've been going out a lot at night, not sleeping at home. What's going on?"
I shifted uncomfortably. "I... I just needed some space, Father. The wedding was stressful."
My father sighed. "Soo-jin, I knew this marriage was a betrothed arrangement, but three months have passed. You should have adjusted by now. Jin-woo is a good man."
Jin-woo intervened, his voice calm. "Father, don't put the blame on Soo-jin. She's probably not used to me yet."
My father's gaze lingered on me before he nodded. "Jin-woo, you've been doing your best. I appreciate it." He turned to me again. "Soo-jin, Jin-woo truely cares about you, he loves you and is willing to wait".
'But you can't force a heart that doesn't love you. It falls on deaf ears' I sighed.
My father's words hung in the air, making me feel even more trapped. Jin-woo was really kind, but it only made me feel worse.
Jin-woo stood up. "I'm sorry father but I have a meeting. Excuse me." He nodded at my father and left for work.
The room fell silent for a moment. My father leaned back, studying me. "Soo-jin, Jin-woo is a good guy, rare to find. He treats you well, provides for you. You should treat him well too."
I nodded, trying to look compliant. "I will, Father."
My father sighed. "Don't let your marriage crumble because of pride or whatever's going on in that head of yours. Think about your future."
I nodded again, just to shut him up. "I will, Father. I'll try."
He seemed to accept it. After a few more minutes of small talk, he stood up to leave. "I'll check on you later."
As he left, I felt a mix of relief and guilt. Jin-woo was doing everything right, but my heart wasn't in it.
I sat back on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. What was I doing? I couldn't keep pretending like this.
The silence of the house wrapped around me. I pulled out my phone and typed a message to Lee Joon-ho: "Hey, wanna meet up?"
He replied instantly. "When and where?"
I smiled for the first time that day.
As I typed the address, I knew I was playing with fire. But at that moment, I didn't care.