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The door shut behind her with a heavy finality. Ji-hyun stood frozen, her thoughts swirling in confusion and frustration. She tilted her head back, staring at the ornate ceiling as if the answers might be carved into the moldings.
"This is unbelievable," she muttered under her breath, still panting from the whirlwind of emotions. Her gaze darted around the unfamiliar room, but no matter where she looked, the walls only seemed to close in tighter around her.
"Did he plan for me to be stranded here?" Her hand reached for the doorknob, fingers brushing the cold metal. She hesitated, voice barely a whisper. "No..." she murmured, stepping back.
Suddenly, the door flung open.
Ji-hyun's breath caught in her throat.
He stood before her—wet, glowing like some god of mischief summoned from a fever dream. His raven-black hair dripped with water, droplets glinting like diamonds under the soft amber light. They trailed down the sharp lines of his face, over his collarbones, and onto a chest half-revealed by a loosely hanging white shirt—unbuttoned and clinging to his skin.
A black serpent tattoo coiled along his left pectoral, glistening with moisture. His eyes—dark, calculating, and full of devilish fire—locked onto hers. Then, slowly, he bit his lower lip.
Ji-hyun's lips parted in a silent gasp. It felt as if the air around her thickened. She was drowning in the intensity of him—in the raw, magnetic power that poured from his every breath.
"Go take a shower," he said at last, voice low and husky. "You stink."
Her face flushed crimson.
Humiliation flared in her chest, but she couldn't look away.
He stepped closer. She felt the heat radiating off his body before she even realized he'd moved.
"Don't be late for dinner," he whispered near her ear, his breath warm against her skin.
Ji-hyun's heart thundered. Her limbs felt weak. "B-but—"
He cut her off with a wicked smile. "Don't worry," he murmured silkily. "The maids will show you the way."
As he spoke, his lips brushed her earlobe. A shiver jolted through her. Her eyes fluttered closed, her body overwhelmed by the intoxicating mix of his scent, his warmth, and the unnerving intimacy of his touch.
He was gone in the next heartbeat.
Ji-hyun stumbled into the room and slammed the door shut behind her, pressing her back against the cool wood.
"Arrrgh—what is wrong with me?"
"Ji-hyun, get it together," she whispered fiercely, pressing trembling hands to her chest.
She stood still, breath ragged, until her hands moved of their own accord. Reaching behind her, she unzipped the delicate lace of her wedding gown. The sound of the zipper echoed like a whisper in the stillness. The dress slid from her shoulders and pooled around her feet, like petals falling from a flower.
The cool air kissed her bare skin, leaving her feeling fragile... yet strangely free.
She stepped into the bathroom. A warm light enveloped her, and she closed the door behind her with a sigh of relief, trying to shut out the lingering heat of his presence.
Her gaze fell on the walk-in shower. She turned the faucet, and the sound of rushing water filled the space—a melody of comfort.
She stepped under the warm spray, tilting her face up as the water ran over her like a balm. Her muscles loosened. Her thoughts, once snarled like thorns, began to unravel.
"Mmm... this feels good," she sighed, her voice barely audible.
The mist surrounded her like a veil, wrapping her in peace. The water flowed over her body, soothing, washing away the shame, the tension, the dread. She breathed deeply, slowly reclaiming herself.
"Okay, Ji-hyun," she said aloud. "Get a grip. You're not going to let him get under your skin. You just turned him down, remember?"
A soft knock broke through her thoughts.
"Ma'am?" a gentle voice called from beyond the door.
Ji-hyun turned off the faucet and wrapped herself in a thick, plush towel. "Come in," she said quietly.
The door opened to reveal a soft-spoken maid carrying a silver tray with fresh towels, toiletries, and a hairdryer.
"Dinner will be served shortly," the maid said with a respectful bow. "Shall I help you prepare?"
Later, Ji-hyun stood in front of a full-length mirror in a delicate blue floral dress. She followed the maid down a maze of grand hallways, trying to make sense of the luxurious surroundings. As they passed an opulent staircase, a crystal chandelier caught the light, throwing stars across the walls.
Then she saw them.
Portraits. Of her.
Ji-hyun stopped in her tracks, eyes wide with disbelief.
There she was as a child, laughing in a park. There again, a teenager with wind-swept hair. And again—standing alone on a cliff, gazing out at the sea.
She staggered back a step. Her pulse pounded in her ears.
How were these here? Who had painted them?
The maid, sensing her alarm, gently guided her forward. "This way, ma'am."
Inside the dining room, Ji-hyun's eyes searched for answers. Only one other person was present.
Him.
He watched her from across the table, an enigmatic smile curling on his lips.
"You're wondering about the portraits," he said smoothly. "I must confess—I painted them. I have a certain... talent for capturing essence."
She stared at him in horror. "How long have you been watching me?"
He leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered.
"Hm... Let's just say—I'm your shadow. I've waited for this day for a very long time."
Ji-hyun's voice shook with rising anger. "So this was all a setup? With my mother? Were you informed about my fiancé too?"
He tilted his head, almost amused. "A conspiracy? Not quite. Your mother... she was desperate. Your late father's company was crumbling. She needed salvation—and the Lin family is the wealthiest in the country."
He smiled softly, almost mockingly.
"She married you off to save face. To survive. You should thank her... really. It's a rather clever way to mend your relationship with her."He smiled coldly.
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