A week passed.
Seven days that felt longer than months.
Jennie moved through them like a ghost—attending classes, answering her parents politely, smiling when expected. The world continued as if nothing had changed, while inside her, everything had already shattered and rearranged itself into something unfamiliar.
And then came the day she couldn't escape.
Her engagement.
The house buzzed with activity from early morning. Relatives arrived, decorations were adjusted again and again, music tested, flowers rearranged. Everyone spoke excitedly, voices layered with joy that felt painfully misplaced to Jennie.
She sat in front of the mirror, dressed in an elegant gown chosen by her mother. The fabric flowed softly, beautiful in a way that almost felt cruel. Her hair was styled carefully, makeup applied lightly to highlight features she barely recognized anymore.
She didn't look unhappy.
That was the problem.
She didn't look happy either.
She stared at her reflection, trying to practice a smile. It came out stiff, unfamiliar.
This is happening, she told herself.
Whether I'm ready or not.
Her phone buzzed suddenly on the dressing table.
A message.
Luna:Where are you? Don't tell me you're really going through with this without me.
Jennie's eyes widened.
Before she could reply, the door burst open.
"JENNIE!"
Luna rushed in, breathless, eyes wide with disbelief and concern. She took one look at Jennie and froze.
"Oh my god," Luna whispered. "You're… you're really getting engaged."
Jennie stood slowly. "Luna…"
"What happened?" Luna demanded, grabbing her hands. "You disappear, stop answering calls, and suddenly I hear you're engaged to—"
She stopped herself, looking around.
"To your professor," she finished quietly.
Jennie nodded.
Luna's face shifted rapidly—shock, anger, worry, heartbreak—all at once. Then she pulled Jennie into a tight hug.
"You should've told me," Luna said fiercely. "I would've come sooner."
Jennie swallowed hard. "I didn't know how."
"You don't look okay," Luna said, pulling back. "You don't look like a girl about to start a happy future."
Jennie forced a weak smile. "I don't have another option."
Luna's jaw clenched, but before she could argue, someone called Jennie from downstairs.
"It's time," her mother said.
Jennie exhaled slowly.
In another room of the same house, Esler stood in front of a mirror, adjusting his cufflinks.
He looked composed. Calm. Perfectly prepared.
But inside, his thoughts were anything but.
A week.
It had been a full week since he last heard Jennie's voice—since she had poured her anger and pain into his ear and then cut the call before he could respond.
He hadn't reached out again.
Not because he didn't want to—but because he didn't know if reaching out would hurt her more.
And now, suddenly, it was their engagement day.
Is this fate, he wondered, or is this a mistake dressed as destiny?
He straightened his jacket, taking a steady breath. He should be excited. Any man in his position would be.
But worry clung to him.
What if she hates me?
What if she's standing there because she has no choice?
The thought unsettled him deeply.
Across the street, parked just far enough away to feel invisible, Min-jun sat inside his car.
The engagement hall stood tall and bright in front of him, lights glowing warmly, laughter drifting faintly through the open doors.
Pain was etched clearly across his face.
He had no reason to be here.
And yet—here he was.
He stared through the windshield for a long moment, then looked down at his hands resting on the steering wheel. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a card.
The invitation.
Jennie & Esler.
The names blurred slightly as his eyes burned.
He took a deep breath, stepped out of the car, and straightened his black tuxedo. Slipping his hands into his pockets, he walked toward the hall—not as a guest, not as family.
Just as someone who needed to see the truth with his own eyes.
Inside the hall, soft music played as guests turned toward the staircase.
Min-jun's gaze lifted—
And his breath caught.
Jennie.
She was coming down the stairs, her long dress flowing behind her like wings, light catching in the fabric as if it had a life of its own. For a split second, his heart betrayed him, imagining that she was walking toward him.
But she wasn't.
The man holding her hand was Esler.
The reality hit hard.
Jennie reached the bottom step and, just then, her eyes met Min-jun's.
For half a second, time stopped.
He waited—hoped—for a smile.
She didn't give one.
Instead, she looked away.
The distance between them became unbearable.
Behind her, Luna descended the stairs, eyes scanning the hall—and then she saw him.
"Min?"
She didn't hesitate.
Luna rushed toward him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Min-jun stood frozen for a moment before returning the hug, weakly.
"Luna…" he said.
She pulled back awkwardly, glancing toward Jennie and then back at him. "I didn't know you'd come."
"I wasn't sure I should," he replied honestly.
They talked quietly—about the sudden engagement, about Jennie's silence, about choices that didn't feel like choices at all. Luna's expression darkened with every word.
"I hate this," she muttered. "None of this feels right."
Before Min-jun could reply, the lights dimmed slightly.
The ceremony was about to begin.
Jennie and Esler stepped onto the stage.
Jennie stood beside him, hands folded, expression calm but distant. Esler glanced at her once, concern flickering in his eyes.
The priest spoke.
Words about unity. About destiny. About promises.
Esler took the ring and gently slid it onto Jennie's finger.
Applause filled the hall.
Jennie swallowed, then picked up the ring meant for him. Her fingers trembled almost imperceptibly as she slid it onto Esler's hand.
More applause.
Cheers followed.
"Kiss! Kiss!"
The chant rose quickly, eyes turning toward them expectantly.
Min-jun's hands clenched into fists.
His jaw tightened, anger and pain colliding violently in his chest. He took a step back, ready to leave—ready to do something reckless.
But Luna caught his arm.
"Don't," she whispered urgently. "Please."
On the stage, Esler leaned closer to Jennie. He hesitated for a fraction of a second—long enough to silently ask permission.
Jennie nodded faintly.
The kiss was brief.
Polite.
Empty.
She smiled afterward, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Min-jun turned away.
Later that night, exhaustion settled over Jennie like a heavy blanket.
She excused herself quietly and went to her room. Her body ached—not physically, but in a way that came from holding too much inside for too long.
She changed out of her dress, wrapped a towel around herself, and headed toward the bathroom, desperate for a moment alone.
Steam filled the room as she pushed the door open—
And froze.
Esler stood near the tub, clearly just having stepped out of a bubble bath. He froze too, equally shocked.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
The air felt suddenly too thick, too charged.
"I—I'm sorry," Jennie said quickly, turning away. "I didn't know—"
"So am I," Esler said immediately, averting his gaze. "I thought—"
They both stopped talking at once.
The silence stretched, awkward and heavy, filled with everything they hadn't said all day.
"I'll leave," Jennie said softly.
"No," he replied just as quickly. Then, more carefully, "I mean… I will."
He stepped back, giving her space, his voice steady despite the tension. "Take your time."
Jennie nodded, heart racing, still unable to fully process how strange—and complicated—everything had become.
As the door closed behind him, she leaned against the sink, breathing deeply.
The engagement was over.
But the real storm had only just begun.