The Next Morning
Sunlight crept softly through the skylight, warm and pale, brushing across Nicole's face. She stirred, lashes fluttering as awareness returned slowly—too slowly. The bed beside her was empty.
Her heart skipped.
She sat up abruptly, scanning the room. The door was closed. The air felt still, untouched.
He's gone.
Nicole exhaled, rubbing her face as memories of the night before flooded back—the nightmare, his steady presence, the kiss that neither of them had addressed afterward. Her cheeks warmed at the thought.
Before she could spiral further, a gentle knock sounded.
"Come in," she called.
The door opened to reveal Alex and Rosa, both smiling brightly. Alex carried a tray adorned with a delicate breakfast spread—fresh fruit, warm pastries, tea, and coffee—while Rosa moved gracefully toward the bathroom.
"Good morning, my lady," Alex said softly. "We hope you slept well."
Nicole blinked, startled by how easily the title no longer felt foreign. "Good morning… I did. Thank you."
Rosa smiled warmly. "If you'd like, I'll prepare your bath while Alex goes over today's schedule."
As steam filled the bathroom and the scent of lavender oils drifted through the air, Alex spoke gently.
"Today, you'll have a guided tour of the entire estate," she explained. "Afterward, lunch with Mr. Gu Sean. He wishes to discuss wedding plans and your upcoming family dinner."
Nicole swallowed. Family dinner.
Four hours later, she sat across from Gu Sean at the dining table, sunlight filtering through tall windows. Plates sat half-finished between them, the silence thick but not hostile—just heavy with everything left unsaid.
Gu Sean was the first to speak.
"I've hired a wedding planner," he said smoothly, a faint smirk lifting one corner of his mouth. "She'll handle the venue, guest list, design—everything. Spend whatever your heart desires. You only get married once."
Nicole's phone buzzed softly. A message from Gu Sean popped up with the planner's contact information.
Her chest tightened.
"I think it's best if we meet your family first," Gu Sean continued. "We need to align our story—how we met, our dating timeline."
To her surprise, the details flowed easily. Their conversation became effortless, almost synchronized, as if they'd practiced together for years. Their glances met often, understanding passing between them without words.
⸻
The Next Day
Nicole stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing herself.
She wore an elegant cream dress that hugged her curves gently, paired with soft gold heels and minimal jewelry that enhanced rather than overwhelmed her natural beauty. Her hair was styled in loose waves, framing her face and dimples perfectly.
Gu Sean waited downstairs, impeccably tailored in a charcoal suit, his presence commanding yet refined. When he saw her, his breath caught just slightly—just enough for her to notice.
"You look…" he paused, choosing his words carefully. "Beautiful."
Her smile was soft, nervous. "So do you."
During the car ride, they rehearsed details again, voices calm despite the tension building in Nicole's chest. When the car pulled up to her childhood home, her heart raced.
She stepped out slowly.
A familiar voice cut through the air.
"Nicole?!"
She froze.
Her brother.
He stared at her, then at Gu Sean—eyes widening before he bolted inside, shouting about Nicole bringing home a man. Chaos erupted almost instantly.
They entered together.
The room fell silent.
"Mom, Dad," Nicole said, voice steady despite her nerves. "This is Gu Sean. My fiancé."
Gasps. Shock.
Her mother recovered quickly, offering a polite smile and ushering them to sit. Her father remained stiff, eyes never leaving Gu Sean.
"So," he said coldly. "What do you do?"
Gu Sean answered calmly, explaining his role as director and business research analyst.
Dinner began—tense, quiet.
Then Nicole spoke.
"We're getting married. And we're moving in together."
The room went ice-cold.
Her father slammed the table, fury erupting. "How dare you! You think you're good enough for a director?!"
Her brother smirked.
Before Nicole could react, Gu Sean stood, positioning himself protectively in front of her.
"I love your daughter," he said firmly. "And I will not allow you to bully her. If you want to challenge her, you challenge me."
Silence fell—heavy, suffocating.
"We are getting married," Gu Sean continued. "With or without your approval."
The tablecloth slipped to the floor.
And in that moment, everything changed.