─── ·𖥸· ───

Life comes with a lot of surprises.

Expectations and beliefs.

Nobody probably realises the turmoil and pain Minhee is going through from the past weeks, as if her fate decided that it would be the best time to let karma do its work for all the things she has done.

She didn't want to see it, what would Ryu send her if not a court notice or something like that? But she did, curious. And she regretted it the moment she did.

A boy.

Jeongguk is kissing a boy.

There's a smile on his face, the soft one she gets to see with Bam, his mom and sometimes he smiles like that at her too. She only sees fondness in it. There is another picture of them in front of the Namsan tower, Jeongguk looks a little different— he looks younger. In the other pictures, she can hardly make out because Jeongguk is always looking to his side, at the boy.

And Minhee can't deny how gorgeous he is.

The boy looks like a delicate newborn flower who has just bloomed after a ray of sunshine, which she believes is Jeongguk, has embraced him. Strangely, even through the photos, she feels the joy in every smile of that boy's. He reminds her of Hokkaido too.

She exhales, her hand trembling as she scrolls down her phone. She feels suffocated inside the car, tears pricking her eyes and the want to scream.

Did Jeongguk lie all along?

Did he just do this to gain power? To win over Wings? To screw Minhee up?

She thought Paris changed things between them, no more doubts and no more misunderstandings. No more secrets. But did Jeongguk have someone in his life? Someone who he loves?

Why did he marry me then?

Minhee always wondered, and always thought that he married because he wanted to grow, expand his business or repay her dad. In recent days, Minhee thought that even if nothing is going right, Jeongguk and her are. Jeongguk never fails to support her, make her smile and assure her that it is fine. Well.

The more she sees the boy, the more she can see why Jeongguk would be fond of him. She wonders if her dad knew and still let her marry him. They have never discussed past lovers, the contract mentioned no external affairs outside their union and what if Jeongguk... left his lover for the sake of the contract?

When she reaches home, it just becomes worse.

The man looks at her with the same fond smile, hugs her and murmurs against her temple, telling how good she was. Bam is at her feet, barking as if he is trying to tell her the same. Jeongguk turns around, walking towards the kitchen while mimicking Minhee's words and the unsettling feeling creeps in.

Minhee has lost a lot.

Everything, dear and precious to her.

She realises she doesn't want to let go of Jeongguk and doesn't want to lose him. Doesn't want to lose a part of herself.

"Secretary Kim said you asked him for what colour of the lipstick will look good on you, when he dropped you at the trial," Jeongguk laughs, opening the fridge. "He said you wanted to look strong as fuck. Let me tell you, the lipstick did wonders—"

"Are you hiding something from me..." Minhee interrupts and Jeongguk halts, letting go of the fridge door. "Jeongguk."

He furrows his eyebrows, sensing the drop in mood. He expected things had gone well, that he'll greet a happy Minhee who would ask for food because she's hungry. He was all prepared.

"In regards to what?" Jeongguk says.

"Us—your personal—" Minhee shakes her head. "I forgot, I am not part of your personal life. I meant the business, the contract of our marriage, Jeongguk. "

Jeongguk walks up to her, forehead creased. "I still don't get what you mean."

"Clause five of the contract, Jeongguk. No party should be involved in an affair with an outsider. If the clause is not withheld, that party's contract would immediately be terminated and a fine must be paid." Minhee says.

Jeongguk is completely taken aback by the random mention of their contract and that particular clause. There are tears rolling down her cheeks now and Jeongguk feels clueless.

Minhee is not sure how she will confront the truth. She can't say he cheated on her because they have never been the usual husband-wife in any way. She can't say anything because in the end, it will make her look pathetic.

Jeongguk brings his hands up and places it on her shoulder. Minhee doesn't flinch but she doesn't let his touch stay either, stepping back as soon as Jeongguk said her name. Opening the images in her phone, her lower lip trembled.

"Who is he?" Minhee asks, turning the screen towards him. Jeongguk takes the phone in his hand, seemingly confused.

"You had...someone all this time?" Minhee asks, brushing her fingers through her hair back. "Why didn't you say anything?" Minhee raises her voice. "Did your mother know about him?"

But Jeongguk...he seems to be frozen. He's staring at that one picture where the boy is on his lap and they are both smiling at each other. "Where did you..." he breathes, a shaky exhale, "...get these from?"

"Does it matter?—"

"Yes, it does!" Jeongguk doesn't let her continue. He knows he is losing his calm, he should get out of here. "How did you get your hands on these? Have you been digging my information up? I thought we were way past that!"

"Ryu sent those to me." Minhee simply says, "I don't know where she got them from but...but if it's true, I mean it's true, right? You look happy with him, he looks very special to you—"

"—Just stop—" Jeongguk warns.

"And if that's the case then you and I—"

"—Shut it—"

"You and I can't be together anymore!" Minhee says, raising her voice. Her tears have dried up, a numbness taking over her senses when her own words echo in her mind. "How could you do this to me...." Minhee whispers, looking down at her feet. "To your family...to my dad..."

"I did nothing," Jeongguk says. Minhee is taken aback by the lack of emotion in his voice. It sounds so stoic, but there's a quiver when he trails off. "I did nothing...I couldn't...which is why we are here."

Minhee gulps, "You do know you'll have to pay a fine? You fucking betrayed me and Wings! So that...this is it, my life ends here. After we divorce, nothing will be left. Nothing. You'll be happy with someone you love—"

"Can you just fucking shut up?" Jeongguk says. Bam seems to have been terrified because of the loud voice and he hides back in his kennel.

"Why do you want me to shut up?" Minhee yells back, tears brimming in her eyes again. "Why should I shut up when you are at fault here?"

"Because you don't know anything!" Jeongguk's own eyes turn glossy and Minhee seems to have gotten the last thread of brokenness as she cries out.

"Then tell me!"

"He's dead," Jeongguk says, his soul leaving his body along with the words. "He died...six years back," he whispers, closing his eyes.

Minhee freezes, her heart dropping to the floor. "What..." she croaks out.

Jeongguk opens his eyes, this time a tear slips down his cheek. "I was happy, yes...but he was in pain...so, he went to a place where...he won't be in pain anymore..."

Minhee parts her lips. She fucked up, she is such an asshole. Oh my god, what did I say in my anger? She tries to touch him,"Jeongguk—"

"It's okay Minhee," Jeongguk says, stepping back. "You didn't know."

She should have shut her mouth when he had said it the first time.

Jeongguk shudders, he looks down at his feet. "It's okay...it's been six years. I am a big guy, I don't cry—It doesn't hurt anymore."

But the tears that keep rolling down his cheeks say otherwise. Minhee doesn't know what to do. She has never seen Jeongguk's vulnerable side, never seen him get out of control of his emotions. All for a boy whom he loved, for him who left.

"I am sorry—" he says when Minhee should be the one saying that, "—I just need a moment. Can you check up on Bam please?"

And he doesn't wait for an answer, doesn't look back before he walks out of the house.

...

"I, Yoon Minhee, solemnly state our oath that I accept Mr Jeon Jeongguk as my lawful husband."

"Congratulations to the new couple, you're legally husband and wife."

Signatures done and smiles faked. The next moment Minhee knows, Mrs Jeon is hugging her while congratulating her. "I can't wait to have a full-fledged wedding for you two," she says and Minhee instantly grimaces at the thought.

Her dad is congratulating Jeongguk who is relatively quiet today. He didn't say anything, didn't bite back a reply at her and it's unsettling. He seemed mentally absent throughout the past week, even when their parents were discussing their wedding. He obviously didn't want to marry Minhee, but he didn't refuse anything. Minhee had her reasons to not and she is curious about Jeongguk's.

Their parents had insisted on a private ceremony, a proper wedding when the thought itself grossed Minhee out. She was scared too because saying those vows would be much more of a commitment than she imagines it to be. That's the only thing Jeongguk said something about, convincing them to do a court marriage first.

That and about Minhee moving in, he seemed to have formed every possible excuse to delay it until he got his home refurnished but her dad gifted them a penthouse. Now? Do they have more excuses?

"We'll let you both enjoy your time now," Mr Jeon says.

But they didn't. Jeongguk walked away towards the bus stand the moment their parents drove away and that was enough reassurance for Minhee.

That the weight of the ring on her finger is unnecessary and unwanted.

Just like they are, in each other's lives.

─── ·𖥸· ───