chapter 3

"You always have to be strong, Yuna," her father's voice echoed, deep and reassuring, like the roots of a tree anchoring her to the ground. His warm, calloused hands enveloped her tiny ones, a comforting weight that made her feel safe and invincible, even in her small, childlike world. His eyes, a deep, steady brown, seemed to hold the entire universe, their gaze filled with love and unwavering determination. "Promise me," he said, his voice softening, yet firm, as though this was the most important request he would ever make of her.

Yuna tilted her head up to him, her small face framed by uneven bangs she had cut herself with her mother's scissors. Her eyes shone with a mix of innocence and determination, and her cheeks, still round with baby fat, dimpled as she smiled wide, revealing a gap where her front tooth used to be. She had lost it trying to climb a tree too high, too fast—because she always wanted to prove she could keep up with the older kids.

"I promise, Papa," she said, her voice clear and confident, as if the strength he was asking of her already existed within her, waiting to be called upon. Her tiny fingers curled tighter around his, her grip fierce for someone so small. In her mind, promises were unbreakable, just like her father—her superhero, her anchor in a world that sometimes felt too big and overwhelming.

His expression softened further, and he reached out with his other hand, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "That's my girl," he murmured, pride evident in his tone. "No matter what happens, Yuna, remember… you're stronger than you think. Even when things feel impossible."

At the time, she didn't fully understand the weight of his words, didn't know how they would echo through her life like a mantra, shaping her decisions and pulling her through the darkest moments. All she knew then was the warmth of his hands and the strength of his presence.

But that memory, vivid and precious, began to blur and fade, like mist retreating from the morning sun. It dissolved into an entirely different scene—one she hadn't expected.

When Yuna opened her eyes again, the world was brighter, harsher. The blinding flashes of cameras hit her like a wave, disorienting her. A cacophony of voices buzzed around her, faint but growing louder as her senses sharpened. The scent of roses filled the air, mingling with the faint musk of polished wood and perfume. She blinked, trying to make sense of the dazzling lights and the opulent surroundings.

Her breath caught in her throat as she took in her reflection in the polished surface of the grand hall's marble floor. She was wearing a wedding gown—an elaborate creation of lace and silk, shimmering faintly under the light of the massive crystal chandelier above. Her heart raced as realization set in. This wasn't just any wedding. This was her wedding.

But something felt off. It wasn't just the disorientation of waking up in a moment she wasn't prepared for—it was the suffocating familiarity of it all. The guests, the décor, the man standing beside her.

Jaewon.

She turned her head slowly, her movements stiff, almost mechanical, as her gaze fell upon him. There he was, tall and polished, with his perfectly styled hair and tailored suit, the very image of a public figure basking in the spotlight. His smile was charming, almost too perfect, but Yuna could see the cracks beneath the surface, the calculation behind his gaze. She knew that look. She had seen it before.

Her chest tightened as fragmented memories flooded her mind—the betrayal, the lies, the cold, unfeeling way he had tossed her aside when she was no longer useful to him. Her fists clenched instinctively, the delicate lace of her gloves pressing into her palms. "This isn't possible," she thought, her breathing quickening. "I was dying… I remember the hospital, the pain… and Sohee."

"Yuna?" Jaewon's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, smooth and confident, yet tinged with confusion. "Are you okay?"

She turned her gaze back to him, the sight of his outstretched hand making her stomach churn. Before he could touch her, she slapped his hand away, the sharp sound echoing in the stunned silence of the room.

"Get your filthy hands away from me," she snapped, her voice low but laced with venom. The words came out almost instinctively, fueled by the searing anger that surged through her veins.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, their shocked whispers filling the air. The cameras flashed relentlessly, capturing every second of the unfolding drama.

Jaewon's confident facade faltered for a brief moment before he recovered, laughing nervously. "Uh… haha… Yuna, what are you doing? You're supposed to say 'I do' so we can exchange the rings, remember?" His tone was light, but there was an edge to it, a thinly veiled warning meant to remind her to play along.

Yuna's mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, confusion, and an almost manic sense of disbelief. "This isn't right," she thought, her gaze darting around the room. "This didn't happen like this before."

Her thoughts screeched to a halt when a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"This wedding can't go on!"

The crowd turned as one, parting to reveal a woman stepping forward. Yuna's breath caught again. Sohee. Her best friend—or at least, the woman she had once thought of as her best friend.

Sohee's expression was as sweet and innocent as ever, her large, teary eyes glistening with carefully crafted remorse. But Yuna knew better now. She could see the manipulation behind the act, the cracks in the mask that others were too blind to notice.

"Wait… this didn't happen last time," Yuna thought, her heart pounding. "Does that mean the future's already changing?"

She narrowed her eyes as Sohee spoke, her voice trembling with practiced sincerity. "Because… because I'm three months pregnant."

Gasps and murmurs filled the room, the scandalous revelation sending shockwaves through the gathered guests. Cameras clicked furiously, documenting every angle of the drama.

Yuna stared at Sohee, her lips curling into a faint, humorless smile. "Of course," she thought bitterly. "Same old Sohee, always ready to play the victim."

Yuna's mind raced as she watched Sohee break down into a pitiful display of sobs, her voice shaking as she stammered, "I'm sorry, Yuna… it's all my fault. I didn't mean for this to happen…" She clutched her stomach dramatically, glancing up at Yuna with big, watery eyes, the perfect picture of guilt and remorse.

The crowd leaned in, their curiosity palpable. Sohee was masterful in her performance, her every movement designed to garner sympathy. But Yuna saw right through it. She remembered the pain of discovering the betrayal in her past life, the nights she had spent crying herself to sleep, and the cruel satisfaction that had gleamed in Sohee's eyes back then when she thought Yuna wasn't looking.

But this time was different. Yuna wasn't the same naive woman she had been before. She wasn't going to give Sohee the reaction she was hoping for.

Sohee's sobs grew louder, and as she raised her head, she found Yuna standing perfectly still, her expression calm and unreadable. The silence in the hall stretched on, heavy and suffocating, until Yuna finally moved. She stepped forward, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, and placed a hand gently on Sohee's shoulder.

"It's okay," Yuna said, her voice soft, almost kind. Her smile was warm, but her eyes were like steel, cold and unyielding. She helped Sohee to her feet with an almost sisterly grace, brushing the dust off her dress. "I understand you."

Sohee's eyes widened in surprise. This wasn't the reaction she had anticipated. She had expected tears, anger, humiliation—anything but this eerie calm. For a brief moment, she faltered, unsure of what to do.

Yuna leaned in closer, her smile never wavering as she whispered into Sohee's ear, "You can have him for all I care. He's yours."

The words sent a chill down Sohee's spine. There was no bitterness in Yuna's tone, no anger—just a quiet, devastating indifference. It was as if Yuna had dismissed her and Jaewon entirely, relegating them to the status of insignificant distractions.

Sohee pulled back, her mouth opening and closing as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out. Yuna turned her attention to Jaewon, who stood frozen, his face a mask of disbelief and panic.

"Yuna…" Jaewon stammered, his voice cracking. "I can explain—"

"Shh." Yuna raised a finger to his lips, silencing him effortlessly. Her touch was light, but the gesture carried an unmistakable authority. "It's fine," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You don't need to explain anything. I get it now."

The cameras flashed wildly, capturing the surreal moment. The guests whispered amongst themselves, their murmurs growing louder as the drama unfolded. Yuna could feel their eyes on her, waiting for her to break down, to crumble under the weight of the betrayal.

But instead, she smiled. A small, knowing smile that hinted at something much bigger.

She took a deep breath, her mind sharpening with clarity. She wasn't going to waste her time on Jaewon or Sohee. They weren't worth it. But there was someone else in the room who was—someone who had been there for her in her previous life, even when she hadn't realized it at the time.

Her gaze swept over the crowd until it landed on him. Heeseung.

He stood near the back of the room, watching the scene unfold with his usual air of quiet detachment. Dressed in a sleek, tailored suit that only emphasized his broad shoulders and commanding presence, he looked every bit the powerful CEO he was. His expression was unreadable, his dark eyes calm and steady, but Yuna could see the faintest hint of amusement flicker across his features.

In her past life, Heeseung had always been a distant, almost intimidating figure. He was the legitimate heir to the Jeong family fortune, the older brother who had built the family's empire with his bare hands while Jaewon basked in the spotlight. The two brothers had never gotten along, their rivalry as deep and bitter as the ocean.

And yet, Heeseung had been the one to quietly help her when everything fell apart. He had offered her a lifeline when she had been drowning, even if he had never said it out loud. He had always been there, a silent protector in the shadows.

This time, she wasn't going to ignore him. This time, she had a plan.

Yuna moved swiftly, her wedding gown trailing behind her as she walked past Jaewon and Sohee without a second glance. The guests murmured in confusion, unsure of what she was doing. But Yuna didn't stop until she was standing in front of Heeseung.

She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest, and dropped to her knees before him. The crowd gasped in unison, the sound reverberating through the grand hall.

"S-Sir," she began, her voice trembling slightly as she looked up at him. His dark eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to fall away. "I know this sounds strange, and I know we don't have that kind of relationship, but…" She took another steadying breath. "Would you marry me? Today?"

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into the faintest of smirks. He leaned forward slightly, his deep, soothing voice cutting through the tension like silk.

"Interesting," he said, his tone carrying both amusement and intrigue.