Petals And Thorns.

The setting sun cast long shadows across the elegant mansion,Junseong was in his study, was caught between the demands of a conference call since he couldn't go to the company because he wanted to ensure that Seongho had recovered before he resumed.

Seongho's mother,Mrs Shin, went back to Busan because her husband was starting to get lonely without her but Hyeri decided to stay back to keep her brother company fir the meantime.

In the living room,Seongho and his sister, Hyeri, were sprawled on the plush sofa, lost in a nostalgic journey through Seongho's old makeup and drawing videos ,he had posted before he got married to Junseong. "You were so talented!" Hyeri exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "You should really consider starting your channel up again!"

Seongho hesitated, a flicker of insecurity crossing his face. "I don't know, Noona. It's been a while, and things are different now."

"Come on! With your talent and your husband's support, you could blow up even more than before," she urged, nudging him playfully. "Let's look at how many subscribers you have!"

"Fine," he relented with a chuckle. "I'll check it out."

Intrigued, Seongho decided to check his channel. His jaw dropped as he saw the number displayed on the screen. "Wait! I have five million subscribers?!" Both he and Hyeri stared wide-eyed, disbelief washing over them.

"Five million?" Hyeri echoed incredulously. "Let's see the comments!"

They dove into the comment section together, their laughter echoing through the room as they read aloud. "I didn't know Mr. Lee's husband was this talented!" "Bring back the makeup tutorials!" "He should definitely continue!" Seongho felt his cheeks heat up and a warmth spread through him, his confidence slowly rebuilding as Hyeri teased him relentlessly.

"Look at this! You can't just stop now, Mr. Lee. With those kinds of numbers, you have no choice but to continue your channel!" Hyeri laughed, light-heartedly nudging him.

His face turned turned a deeper shade of red as he peeked at the screen through his fingers"I still can't believe it. . . . "

Meanwhile, in the driveway, Ha Young arrived with a flourish. She pulled up to the mansion, practically flinging the door open to grab her luggage from the trunk. Today was the day she would reclaim what she believed was rightfully hers.The guards and security around didn't stop her because they knew who she was .

After slamming the trunk shut, she marched toward the front door, her heels clicking against the marble. She rang the doorbell furiously, impatience radiating from her. The noise disrupted Seongho and Hyeri, pulling them away from their conversation.

"Please can someone please get that?" Seongho asked, shooting a glance at a nearby maid.

"Probably a delivery," Hyeri shrugged and continued staring at the phone.

As the maid opened the door, Ha Young pushed past her, striding into the living room like she owned the place. She plopped down on the couch, a smug smile on her face. "Well, this is nice," she declared, glancing around as if assessing her new domain.

Seongho stood up, bewildered. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my husband's house with all those bags?"

Ha Young let out a loud laugh, though it quickly faded when she saw Seongho's expression. "I'm the new madam of the house. Now, go get me a drink," she said dismissively, trying to sit back comfortably.

Hyeri jumped in, her face set in determination. "Did you lose your mind? Does she have leukemia, or did she just stumble into the wrong house? My brother is the real madam here, and nobody will take his place."

Ha Young sneered, her confidence unwavering. "You think you can just dismiss me? I have every right to be here."

Seongho stepped forward, indignation flaring. "You don't belong here. I don't care what you think you are—get out!"

"Junseong!" Ha Young shouted, her voice piercing through the tension.

From his study, Junseong's voice came through the speaker, laced with confusion. "Can you hold on? I'll join you shortly."

When he finally exited the study, his expression darkened at the sight of Ha Young. "What are you doing here?" he demanded.

Ha Young stepped forward, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. "I'm here because of the marriage contract between us!"

Seongho's eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively moved to block her, stepping between her and Junseong. "Back off! Junseong is my husband, bound by law and wedding vows. You will never take my place."

Junseong held up a hand, signaling Seongho to calm down. "Ha Young, that marriage was years ago. We were kids. I didn't consent to it, and just because you think you have some claim…it's not that simple."

Ha Young scoffed, brushing aside his words. "We were soulmates, Junseong. We're bound to be together sooner or later." She began to march toward the staircase, dragging her luggage with her, determination etched on her face.

"Didn't you hear what my husband said? You're not welcome here. Get out or I swear I'll show you my other side!" Seongho warned, a fire igniting in his eyes.

Frustrated, Ha Young turned to Junseong, but he merely gazed back at her with a blank expression. She clenched her jaw, realizing she wouldn't get the response she wanted.

"Fine," Seongho relented reluctantly, "it's late, so I'll let you stay, but only in the guest room. That's what you are—just a guest."

Ha Young clicked her tongue in frustration but knew she had no choice.

"Didn't you hear what Seongho said?" Junseong added, his tone icy.

Hyeri stepped forward, calling for a maid. "Take Ha Young to the guest room upstairs."

With a scowl, Ha Young followed the maid, her frustration boiling. Once she was out of earshot, Seongho turned to Junseong, anger flashing in his eyes. "What was she talking about with a marriage contract?"

"I'll explain later," Junseong assured him, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on his shoulders.

Seongho sighed, tension lingering in the air as he nodded. Hyeri returned with two glasses of water, offering them to both men to help them calm down.

"I'm feeling a bit awkward here, so goodnight." Hyeri excused herself, sensing the brewing storm between her brother and her brother-in-law.

As Junseong opened his mouth to speak, he was met with Seongho's glare, his pouty lips trembling. Overcome with emotion, Seongho turned and retreated to their bedroom, leaving Junseong alone in the living room.

Once his conference call concluded, Junseong followed Seongho to their room, determined to explain everything. The tension in the air was thicker than ever, and the storm was far from over.

Junseong stepped into the dimly lit bedroom, his heart sinking at the sight before him. Seongho lay on the bed, his body shaking slightly as quiet sobs filled the air, his hands covering his face. A wave of guilt washed over Junseong, tightening his chest. He crossed the room quickly, sitting beside his husband, and gently began to caress Seongho's hair.

"Hey, it's okay," he whispered softly, trying to convey the comfort he wished to provide. Seongho's sobs gradually subsided, and he peeked out from his hands, revealing puffy eyes and a flushed face. The sight tugged at Junseong's heart even more.

In an unexpected burst of emotion, Seongho sat up abruptly, shifting to sit in Junseong's lap. Without a second thought, he pressed his face against Junseong's shirt, blowing his nose in the fabric. Junseong couldn't help but chuckle softly despite the tears streaming down his husband's face. "Guess I'm your human tissue now," he teased gently, feeling the tension start to ease between them.

After several minutes, growls of muffled cries turned into sniffles, and Seongho rubbed his eyes, finally looking up at Junseong with an imploring gaze. "Why is she here, Junseong? She just barged in," he murmured, his voice hoarse.

Junseong took a deep breath, the weight of his the moment settling heavily on him. "I guess I should tell you what's going on," he sighed deeply, gathering his thoughts. "When I was young,Ha young was always obsessed. She professed her love to me so many times,but I always rejected her. So my parents saw this and opportunity and they,along with her parents ,made a marriage contract. It was something along the lines of an agreement that when we grew up, we would be married and merge their company with ours."

Seongho's brow furrowed in confusion. "Contract? Like a business deal?"

"Kind of." Junseong was hesitant but pushed through. "But as we grew up, the reality of it became very different. Ha Young... she wasn't the girl we expected her to be. She became rude, selfish, and wicked. After she moved to Germany for her master's degree, my parents arranged my marriage to you because they believed that they needed someone who was opposite my personality, someone kind and emphatetic, someone like you," he continued, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "I never consented to that contract. I would never marry Ha Young—not in this life or the next."

With each word, Seongho nodded, absorbing the painful history laid before him. When Junseong finished, Seongho touched Junseong's face gently, a look of understanding replacing the earlier hurt. "You don't have to worry about her anymore, Hubby. I won't let her take my place in your life."

With difficulty, Junseong gently pushed Seongho onto the bed, needing to take a shower and clear his head. Seongho clung onto him tightly,a soft whine escaping his lips but Junseong managed to slip away, reminding himself that if he allowed Seongho to be too clingy, then he might not shower till the next day. He tucked Seongho in tightly before heading to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, Junseong emerged, the steam dissipating into the cool air of the room. He found Seongho still awake, his eyes gleaming in the dim light as he watched Junseong.

"Hey," Seongho said softly, with a hint of childlike possessiveness in his voice . "Just so you know, I'll never let anyone take my place in your life. Only me can bear your name."

Junseong chuckled softly, feeling a warm smile stretch across his face. "You're adorable, you know that?" he mumbled, his voice , a low rumble . They basked in the silence, appreciating each other's presence, before the tranquility shattered.

Suddenly, the door burst open, revealing Ha Young in a short nightdress, her confidence radiating as she strutted into the room. "Oh, what a cozy scene!" she exclaimed, unbothered by the fury written on their faces. She climbed onto the bed, lying down between Junseong and Seongho, an impudent smile dancing on her lips.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Junseong snapped, sitting up in disbelief. He felt a surge of protectiveness for Seongho, whose eyes were now wide with anger.

Ha Young's smirk faltered as she remained silent, lying there defiantly. It was enough for Seongho. He stood up, anger bubbling beneath the surface, and pulled Junseong out of the room.

"Let's get out of here," he stated firmly, dragging Junseong down the hallway to one of the other rooms,the frustrated voice of Ha young trailing behind them.

"Junseongie, come back ! You can't just leave me here to follow that male slut !"her voice echoed but Seongho was already leading Junseong inside one of the spare rooms in the mansion.

Once inside, he quickly locked the door, ensuring Ha Young couldn't follow and turned to Junseong with a satisfied huff,his chest rising and falling with urgency.

Junseong looked down at Seongho, who still had a fierce expression. "You're cute when you're possessive," he cooed, a teasing smile on his lips.

"Shut up," Seongho replied, a slight blush creeping onto his face. He reached for Junseong, pulling him closer. "Cuddle me, please."

With a chuckle, Junseong obliged, wrapping his arms around Seongho and sinking onto the bed. They adjusted until they found comfort in each other's warmth, the earlier chaos fading into the background as they fell asleep—together, safe from the world outside.

Outside, Ha Young approached the closed door, her irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. She raised her fist and banged on the door with force. "Junseongie ! Seongho! Open up!" Her voice was sharp and demanding, echoing down the empty corridor.

A few moments passed, filled with only the sound of her own heartbeat drumming in her ears. No response. She pounded on the door again, frustration mounting. "Are you guys seriously ignoring me?" she yelled, her patience wearing thin. "I know you're in there!"

Still, there was only silence. Ha Young crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited, glancing around as if the walls themselves might offer her an answer. "If you two have fallen asleep, I swear..." she muttered under her breath, irritation written all over her face.

Another minute ticked by, and the stillness confirmed her suspicions. She took a step back and huffed angrily. "Unbelievable," she grumbled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Seongho you bitch!, you won't get away with this."

With a final heavy sigh, she turned away from the door, her plans for the evening thwarted. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she stomped off down the hallway, the echo of her footsteps fading into the distance. As she walked away, she felt a mix of annoyance and disappointment, but nothing could distract her from the growing realization that maybe they were content in their own little world—one that didn't involve her.

With each step, she resolved to regroup and figure out her next move, determined not to let them have the last word.

The next morning in the sprawling mansion was already tinged with tension as Ha Young woke up feeling more irritated than ever. She tossed off the blankets, resolving to make her mark on the household. Striding down the hall with determination, she made her way to the kitchen, fully intent on asserting her presence.

As she entered, the soft sizzle of pans and the chatter of maids filled the air. The smell of fresh ingredients and warmth enveloped her, but there was no room for admiration. Without a second thought, Ha Young shouted, "What are you doing? Get out of my way!"

The maids looked up, surprised at her sudden disruption. "Miss Ha Young, we're preparing breakfast for the family," one of them politely explained, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.

But Ha Young was having none of it. She pushed one of the maids aside with surprising force, glaring at the others as if daring them to protest. "I'll handle this," she declared, taking charge with a self-righteous air. "You lot have no idea how to cook properly."

The maids exchanged wary glances, unsure of how to diffuse the situation without provoking her further. "Um, really, Miss Ha Young, we've been doing this for years—"

"Shut up, you low-class idiots!" Ha Young snapped, her voice cold and cutting. "Once I become the madam of this house, I'll make your lives miserable!"

Murmurs of discontent rippled through the kitchen as the maids bit their lips, some muttering insults under their breath. They stepped back, allowing her to take the lead but not without glares that could cut through steel. Ha Young smirked, relishing the moment, and set to work, her heavy-handed methods leading to a chaotic cooking experience.

Within minutes, smoke began to curl up from the stovetop as she fiddled with the controls. The dishes she attempted to prepare were burning beyond recognition, filling the kitchen with acrid smoke. The maids observed with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

"Is that supposed to be breakfast?" one of them sneered quietly, revealing her disdain.

Ha Young, caught up in maneuvering her way through the confusion, didn't notice the smoke beginning to fill the room until it was too late. Suddenly, her illusion of competence shattered as the kitchen filled with a haze, making it difficult to see.

"Open the windows!" one of the more seasoned maids shouted. "We can't breathe in here!"

With a swift motion, the maids moved to push her aside, forcing her out of the kitchen and throwing open the windows to ventilate the room. Ha Young stumbled backward, floundering in her indignation. "What are you doing?" she yelled, but they ignored her.

As she raised her hand to hit one of them in frustration, out of nowhere, Hyeri, swiftly caught her wrist mid-air, her grip firm and unwavering. "Don't you dare try that," Hyeri warned, her voice low but threatening. "We don't raise our hands to staff here, and that includes you."

Ha Young's face flushed with embarrassment and rage as she felt the heat of humiliation wash over her. "You—you think you can stop me?" she spat, glaring fiercely at Hyeri.

Before the situation could escalate further, the noise from the kitchen and the lingering smoke wafting through the air stirred Seongho from his sleep. Disoriented, he stumbled down the stairs, wearing nothing but Junseong's oversized shirt that hung loosely off his slender frame, revealing his milky skin—an image that made Ha Young's heart clench with jealousy.

"Good morning Noona,what's happening in here?" Seongho groggily inquired, his voice bringing everyone's attention to him.

Hyeri took a quick breath, steeling herself, and explained, "Ha Young tried to take over the kitchen, burned breakfast, almost hit a maid,she then started throwing a fit with me."

"Burned breakfast?" Seongho echoed, disbelief mingling with annoyance as he turned his gaze toward Ha Young. "You want to be a Lee, yet you don't even know how to conduct yourself properly."

"Don't talk to me about proper behavior, you man-whore!" Ha Young shot back, her fury exploding. "Sooner or later, Junseong will get tired of you and kick you out of his life. You're nothing to him!"

The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air. Seongho's expression darkened, his patience waning in the face of her insults. "Get out of my sight," he commanded, voice low and icy.

Ha Young, embarrassed and angry, huffed as she turned on her heel and stormed out of the kitchen, her pride stinging with each step. As she left, Hyeri shook her head in exasperation, muttering under her breath, "Delusional bitch."

Once the chaos began to settle, Seongho turned to the maids, his demeanor softening as he apologized. "I'm sorry about all that," he said sincerely. "Is there anything I can do to help so we can get breakfast back on track?"

As the maids heard his words of reassurance,they told him not to worry and not stress himself and began to regroup, ready to prepare a proper meal, Seongho excused himself and waddled back up the stairs, intent on waking his sleeping hubby,Junseong ,who was blissfully unaware of the chaos that has unfolded in the kitchen moments ago.

Seongho tiptoed into the dimly lit bedroom, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. He approached the bed where Junseong lay, cocooned in blankets, his face peaceful and serene. Seongho's heart swelled at the sight, but he knew he had to wake him.

"Junseong-ssi," he whispered, gently shaking his shoulder. "Wake up, please."

Junseong mumbled incoherently, pulling the blankets tighter around him, his voice a soft, sleepy whine. "Just five more minutes, Seongho…" he pleaded, his eyes still closed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Seongho chuckled softly, knowing how stubborn Junseong could be. "CEO Lee,come on, you can't sleep all day! We need to get downstairs for breakfast."

But Junseong only pulled him closer, burying his face into the crook of Seongho's neck, mumbling more incoherent words that made Seongho's heart flutter. "Just stay… a little longer…"

With a sigh, Seongho decided to take matters into his own hands. He gently released Junseong's tight grip and slipped out of bed. He spotted Mangchi, their fluffy cat, peacefully sleeping on a nearby pillow. An idea sparked in his mind, and he carefully picked up the cat, tiptoeing back to the bed.

"Okay, let's see if this works," he murmured, placing Mangchi on Junseong's face.

The cat stirred, stretching lazily before settling down again, oblivious to the chaos around it. Junseong's eyes shot open, and he blinked in confusion, his disheveled hair sticking up in all directions. When he realized what was happening, a wide smile broke across his face, brightening the room.

"Seongho!" he exclaimed, laughter bubbling up as he pushed Mangchi aside. "What are you doing?"

Seongho grinned back, his heart warming at the sight of Junseong's sleepy smile. It was a happiness that he could feel radiating from Junseong, and it made him feel giddy. "I had to wake you up somehow!"

As Junseong sat up, his eyes caught sight of Seongho wearing his oversized shirt, and a pang of happiness struck him unexpectedly. It was a small thing, but it filled him with warmth he couldn't shake off. "You look good in my shirt," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Thanks," Seongho replied, his cheeks flushing slightly. "But we really need to get moving. Ha Young spent the night in our room, and I don't want her trust her with what she would have done to our room."

After a quick freshening up, they made their way back downstairs. The dining room was already bustling with activity. Ha Young sat at the table, flanked by Hyeri and a few other maids stood there, her expression a mix of annoyance and impatience as she awaited breakfast.

Seongho immediately jumped in to help the maids serve breakfast, despite Junseong's attempts to dissuade him. "You don't have to do that, Seongho. It's the maids' duty," Junseong said gently, but Seongho merely shook his head, determination etched on his face.

"I want to help hubby," he insisted, and as he served Junseong a plate, he noticed Ha Young's eyes narrowing in irritation.

As they ate, Seongho couldn't help but wipe a smudge of food from Junseong's mouth with a tissue, his actions tender and caring. Ha Young's expression darkened at the sight, her anger bubbling beneath the surface.

"Can you believe this?" Ha Young muttered under her breath, her frustration palpable. "He's treating you ,a whole Lee Junseong,like a child."

Junseong merely smiled, enjoying the attention from Seongho while the maids continued to giggle quietly. After breakfast, Junseong handed Seongho his medicine, but Seongho pouted, crossing his arms. "See, I'm fine! My legs are healing, and I feel great!"

"Sit on my lap," Junseong ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. Seongho scrunched his nose but complied, settling onto Junseong's legs with a reluctant sigh.

As he took the bitter medicine, he grimaced and quickly reached for the water Hyeri offered him. He rested his weight against Junseong, his head finding a comfortable spot on Junseong's chest. The warmth and security made him feel at home, but it also drew Ha Young's ire.

"I've had enough of this!" she exploded, her voice sharp and filled with venom. "I've has enough of this nonsense,I'm leaving this house, and when I come back, I'll return as Junseong's bride!"

She stood up and before she could lean in to kiss Junseong's cheek, Seongho instinctively turned his face to block her, and she ended her lips landed on Seongho's cheeks awkwardly, kissing his cheek instead. The look of fury on Ha Young's face was comical, and the maids erupted into laughter, unable to contain themselves.

"Get out of my way!" she shouted at the maids, storming off to pack her belongings, her anger radiating through the air.

Hyeri turned to Seongho, pride gleaming in her eyes. "I'm proud of you for standing up to her," she said, a grin spreading across her face. Junseong merely smirked, amused by Seongho's behavior.

Later that evening, Junseong found himself at Ha Young's parents' house, where he was met with her bitter complaints about her experience at his home. "We underestimated that slut,Seongho," she fumed, pacing in frustration. "He may act weak, but when it comes to the people he loves, he's fierce!"

As Junseong entered the room, Ha Young's eyes lit up thinking that Junseong came to take her back, and she stood to hug him, expecting a warm embrace. But he raised a hand to her face, stopping her and causing her to flush with embarrassment.

"Ha Young," he said, his voice low and icy, sending chills down her spine. "I'm here to warn your parents and . . . . you"

Mr. and Mrs. Jeong exchanged worried glances as Junseong continued, his tone chilling. "If you ever come to my house unannounced, parading yourself like the queen, harassing my husband and sister-in-law, I'll forget we were childhood friends. I'll have you arrested, or worse, sever all ties with you."

The maids in the kitchen stifled giggles at Ha Young's embarrassment, and she could only stand there, mouth agape, as Junseong's eyes glinted with determination.

"Calm down, Junseong," Mrs. Jeong urged, trying to diffuse the tension. "This isn't necessary."

But Junseong wasn't listening. "Shibal (fuck)I said I will never marry your spoiled daughter," he declared, his voice unwavering.

Ha Young opened her mouth to protest, but the fierce look in Junseong's eyes silenced her. Mr. Jeong stepped forward, attempting to regain control of the situation. "It's already stated in the contract that Ha Young and you will be married. No one can stop it—not even you."

Junseong stepped closer, his expression fierce. "Watch me," he warned, before turning on his heel and storming out, leaving the Jeongs in stunned silence.

Mrs. Jeong turned to her husband, concern etched on her face. "Junseong will be a big problem in our mission. He has the power and influence to ruin this for us. We need to be careful."

Mr. Jeong waved her off, confidence oozing from him. "Don't worry. Our lawyer has never lost a case. We'll find a way to make Junseong marry our daughter, one way or another."

Ha Young and Mrs. Jeong exchanged smirks, their determination unwavering as they plotted their next move. The stakes had never been higher, and the battle lines were drawn—loyalty, and ambition clashing in a game that was far from over.