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The next morning, Beomgyu dragged himself out of bed, exhaustion clinging to him like a second skin. He hadn't slept—not really. The hours had passed in a haze of pain and restless thoughts, and now the weight of his responsibilities felt heavier than ever.

The file Soobin had left sat unopened on his desk, taunting him. He considered flipping through it, if only to prepare for whatever ordeal awaited him, but the thought of reading through another list of demands or threats made his head throb. He decided to wing it. After all, that's what he did best—adapt and survive.

By the time he was dressed, clad in a sleek black suit that screamed authority, the clock was already ticking closer to the meeting time. Beomgyu sighed, running a hand through his dark hair before stepping out of his room, the mask of the mafia heir firmly in place.

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 Yeonjun on the other hand stood in front of a gilded mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored navy suit. The fabric clung to him perfectly, a testament to the ridiculous amount of effort his father put into appearances.

"Why am I even going to this?" Yeonjun muttered under his breath, his tone laced with irritation.

Behind him, one of his family's attendants stood stiffly, hands folded as if bracing for an outburst. "Your father said it's important," the man replied, carefully avoiding Yeonjun's glare. "An alliance meeting. You're expected to represent the family."

"Alliance, huh?" Yeonjun scoffed, pulling on his jacket. He had attended dozens of these so-called meetings over the years, each one more tedious than the last. "Whatever. Let's get this over with."

Despite his irritation, Yeonjun's steps were steady as he left the room, confidence radiating off him like a shield. He might hate this life, but he knew how to play his part. No one would ever guess the playboy's charisma was just a mask for the emptiness inside.

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The meeting was set in a neutral location, a lavish hall that reeked of power and wealth. Beomgyu arrived first, his sharp gaze scanning the room as he took a seat at the polished table. The silence was suffocating, and his patience was already wearing thin.

Moments later, the heavy doors opened, and in walked Yeonjun, flanked by two of his family's guards. The air shifted immediately, tension crackling like a live wire.

Beomgyu's eyes narrowed as he sized up the newcomer, taking in the confident swagger, the sharp suit, and the practiced smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Yeonjun's gaze locked onto Beomgyu, his smile faltering for the briefest moment as he took in the other man. Something about him—his sharp features, the way he held himself with quiet authority—felt... different.

Neither of them spoke as they sat across from each other, the weight of the moment pressing down on them like an invisible force.

"Gentlemen," a voice broke the silence, drawing their attention to the older man who had entered the room. He was flanked by Soobin and one of Yeonjun's father's men, both looking equally uneasy.

"This is a meeting to discuss an alliance," the man continued. "But more than that, it's an introduction. A new bond."

Beomgyu's stomach sank, a sense of foreboding creeping over him. He glanced at Soobin, who refused to meet his eyes.

Yeonjun raised an eyebrow, his mask of indifference slipping slightly. "A bond?" he repeated, his voice laced with suspicion.

The older man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "This alliance will be sealed... through marriage. Beomgyu and Yeonjun, you are to be wed."

The room fell silent, the weight of the declaration crashing down like a thunderclap.

Beomgyu's jaw tightened as he glared at Soobin. You didn't tell me this?

Yeonjun, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, his practiced smirk returning as he looked Beomgyu up and down. "Well," he said, voice dripping with mockery, "this should be... interesting."

Beomgyu's sharp glare snapped to Soobin, his voice a low hiss. "You knew about this?"

Soobin's eyes widened, his normally calm demeanor cracking under the weight of the accusation. "I didn't know," he said quickly, his voice firm but tinged with panic. "I swear, Gyu. I thought it was just another business deal."

Beomgyu's fists clenched under the table, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to keep his composure. "A business deal?" he repeated bitterly. "This isn't a deal—it's a life sentence."

Across the table, Yeonjun watched the exchange with growing amusement, his lips curling into a smirk. "You seem upset," he drawled, leaning forward slightly. "You're not excited to marry me?"

Beomgyu's head snapped toward him, his eyes burning with barely restrained fury. "Don't test me," he bit out, his voice ice-cold.

Yeonjun raised his hands in mock surrender, the smirk never leaving his face. "Relax, sweetheart. It's not like I'm thrilled about this either."

The older man, who had been silent during the tense exchange, cleared his throat. "This arrangement isn't up for debate," he said firmly. "It has been decided by both families. The wedding will solidify the alliance, ensuring peace and prosperity for both sides."

"Peace?" Beomgyu scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You call this peace?"

Soobin placed a hand on his shoulder, his expression pained. "Gyu," he said softly, almost pleading. "Please, don't make this harder."

Beomgyu shrugged off his hand, his chest heaving as he fought to rein in his emotions. "You expect me to just go along with this?" he demanded, his voice rising.

"Yes," the older man said simply, his tone brooking no argument. "Your father's orders are final, Beomgyu. You know that."

Beomgyu's jaw tightened, and for a moment, the room felt like it might explode from the sheer tension.

Yeonjun broke the silence, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Well," he said, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off his suit, "this has been fun. Shall we set a date, or are you still processing the honor of marrying me?"

Beomgyu's glare could have burned a hole through him, but Yeonjun only smirked wider, clearly enjoying the reaction.

"Enough," Soobin said firmly, stepping between them. "Let's all take a moment to breathe."

But Beomgyu didn't feel like breathing. All he could feel was the crushing weight of betrayal, of being trapped in a life that wasn't his own.

As the meeting adjourned, he barely registered the murmured voices around him. All he knew was that his life had just taken a turn he could never have prepared for.

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