Jin

I did not dare look at Bella after Micha's announcement. I felt her hand slide out of mine, but other than that, she did not move.

"Please, everyone, take your seats," Micha said gaily. She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, and I could tell that she was enjoying herself. My father must have told her about Bella. I nodded at her with a faint smile. There was no way in hell that I would give that witch the satisfaction of seeing me upset. I only hoped that Bella would make it through dinner so that we could finally have our talk later.

Micha directed Bella to the chair next to mine with Fiona sitting across from me. The table had been reduced for our small dinner party. I was seated on Micha's left with Bella next to me. Fiona was seated across the table from me on Micha's right. My father's right ended up being Bella. Based on this seating arrangement, Bella was the guest of honor, but I knew that Micha had no intention of honoring Bella.

Throughout the ordeal that was dinner, Bella directed a total of five words to me, and she never turned her face toward me. My father monopolized most of her time, asking her about her studies, her future plans. I could hear her sweet voice answering him distinctly and respectfully, and my heart swelled with love for her, but my attention kept being dragged back to Micha and Fiona. Between the two of them, I had no opportunity to speak with Bella.

I knew my father was taking her measure, trying to figure out how he could use Bella against me. He probably thought that she would remain with me as my mistress, seeing as how she was here with me now. I felt something akin to heartburn when I realized that I had been too selfish to tell Bella what the situation was. Now I regretted it painfully.

As the servants cleared away the dishes from the last course, Bella finally turned toward me. Her hazel eyes flicked away from my face quickly. Her gaze skirted around me toward Micha.

"Dinner was extraordinary, Mrs. Kim," she said. She looked in the direction of my father. "Your home is beyond beautiful. Thank you for your hospitality."

"No, thank you, my dear," my father broke in, "for gracing our table with your enchanting presence. It makes an old man like me long to be twenty years younger."

"Oh, at least thirty," I said with a mocking smile. My father's smile turned to a sneer.

"Well, I think your father is surprisingly vital for a man who just had a health scare," Fiona said suddenly. "Mr. Kim, I'm sure that you're completely back to normal by now. You look remarkably healthy."

My father nodded at her. "Thank you, Fiona, but I'm afraid I am still far from my best health. Which is why Seokjin has been instrumental in helping me at KWI. His skill in management will make your father proud, I'm sure. The new casino he is planning will thrive under Seokjin's attention. My son is more than ready for the challenge."

"Hm," I grunted. I was his son only when it was convenient.

"I wouldn't know too much about my father's business dealings," the red-haired girl replied, her eyes on me. "But I am sure that Seokjin is very skilled at everything."

I frowned and looked away from her attempts at flirting. I did not want to encourage her.

"Well," Micha began, "why don't we go into the parlor for a nightcap. We can chat a bit and get to know more about you, Bella."

I felt Bella stiffen up next to me, but she nodded her assent. "Of course."

We got up from the table to follow Micha. I tried to take Bella's arm, but she recoiled from me and hurried out the door.

I stared at her retreating back.

"Oh, son, this is going to be troublesome, isn't it?" my father said. He had not missed our interaction.

I sighed. "I don't know what you mean."

He held onto my arm shakily, using me as a crutch, and began shuffling slowly out of the room. "This little girl of yours is breathtaking and intelligent. I would not have expected any less from you. Not only that, she seems to be a bit headstrong."

"Your point being?" I asked sharply.

"Intelligence and a strong will in a wife are dangerous qualities. You will spend too much time trying to please her instead of tending to business," he said in a low voice. "A corporate wife should be pliable and subservient to her husband, an ornament on your arm. A girl that smart and beautiful will challenge you and have you wrapped around her finger. You will be at her mercy. So how does she feel about your new arrangement? I'm sure you invited her here so that she would know her new place."

I flinched at the disgusting words. "That's not why I asked her here."

My father stumbled a bit as he took another few steps. He grabbed my arm tightly and smirked at me. "Well, that, of course, is your business as a young man. But make sure Fiona doesn't find out about your nighttime activities." I refused to rise to his bait. "The Gettis girl, I suspect, won't be any trouble. She worships you like a god."

I stopped walking and looked at him. "I don't want worship. I want love."

"And you can have it," he said, patting my arm, "with Isabella, but she can't be your wife. She can warm your bed at night, comfort you when you've had a bad day at work, that sort of thing. Fiona will accompany you to functions and such--the proper, well-connected wife."

"Your level of cynicism doesn't surprise me," I muttered. "I'd still rather have love."

"And happiness," he replied. "You want happiness for your girlfriend, don't you? And for her family?" He let go of my arm and walked out of the room without a hint of a tremor.