Prologue

In the opulent hotel room, Gong Do-yun stood languidly in a corner, his expression radiating sheer boredom as he observed his exasperated fiancée.

Wrapped in nothing but a towel, he had just emerged from the bathroom, nonchalantly unfazed by Choi Da-Eun's abrupt entrance. Her face flushed with a mix of built-up fatigue, frustration because of the unexpected situation, and sweat as she ran up the stairs from the 16th floor to the 20th floor—evading the guards just to catch her unpredictable fiancé.

"You told me you were still in New York. I called you countless times, and you didn't answer," Da-Eun inquired, her voice quivering as she struggled to regain composure. The exhaustion and her labored breathing amplified her emotions, culminating in a painful tightness in her chest that made her eyes well up.

Do-yun remained stoically silent, casually retrieving a cigar and igniting it. With an air of indifference, he took a drag, his gaze fixed on her as if challenging her to provoke a reaction.

"He was indeed in New York. But now, he's back home," chimed a striking woman with cascading chestnut tresses and an alluring smile. Kim Seo Yoon, perched provocatively on the edge of the bed, answered Da-Eun's inquiry with a touch of mockery.

Da-Eun raised an eyebrow, she couldn't believe that they were bullying her like this. The audacity of their behavior weighed on her. Da-Eun knew all too well that Do-yun was being spiteful towards her as usual, but to use Seo Yoon to amplify her anguish seemed both ludicrous and excessive. It wasn't lost on her that Do-yun was fully aware of the animosity between her and Seo Yoon, rooted in deep-seated family conflicts.

At that moment, Da-Eun couldn't help but feel a profound sense of self-pity. She struggled to comprehend how she had allowed herself to be trampled upon by Do-yun in this humiliating manner, her vulnerability and desperation laid bare for her to confront.

"Ridiculous," Da-Eun muttered weakly—both pertaining to herself and to the situation. She's too tired to even get mad. All she could feel right now was embarrassment and stupidity.

Seo Yoon smirked seeing Da-Eun's defeated face, "I think you are not needed here, Da-Eun. Aren't you supposed to be in your mother's company right now to fight for the seat of the next chairman?"

It was indeed her priority but so many things happened within the week. Only Da-Eun and her mother's family side know the sudden passing of her lovely mother. The tragic news was not yet announced but her sudden death coincided with the announcement of the next chairman. Da-Eun was slightly concerned if Seo Yoon knew about it.

"We all know, even Do-yun, that you only approached him and relentlessly stayed by his side for the past six years solely to secure the chairman seat. Yet, here you are, still unable to marry him. What a pity," Seo Yoon seized the moment to assail her, fully armed with Do-yun's silent consent.

Feeling lost by the sudden extreme indifference of Do-yun, Da-Eun glared at him and asked, "What is she talking about? Explain, Do-yun."

Do-yun, shrouded in contemplation for a fleeting moment, brought the cigar to his lips, the ember casting a soft, contemplative glow in his eyes. "I'm sorry, but I can't marry you. There are too many people against it."

Da-Eun's heart raced, the pounding reverberating in her ears as she trembled. "And it took you six years to say that, Do-yun?"

He hastily added, trying to convey his words before the situation spiraled further, "But you could change that if you were to become pregnant within the year. They couldn't oppose it if there's a child involved."

Seo Yoon found herself taken aback by this revelation, while Da-Eun's disappointment was palpable. Two women, two divergent thoughts—one contemplating manipulation, the other grappling with nothing but disgust.