chapter 5

The words sent a shiver down her spine, not because they were overly romantic, but because of the quiet sincerity behind them. Not alone, she repeated in her mind, clinging to the notion like a lifeline. She didn't know if she could trust him completely, but in this moment, she felt an unexpected flicker of hope.

Ji-soo's sharp voice shattered the moment like glass hitting the floor.

"Ehem! Priest, can we move on to the next couple, please? Jaewon and Sohee," Ji-soo interjected, her tone cutting and impatient. Her eyes glinted with malice as she glanced at Yuna and Heeseung. "Since they don't have rings yet, just seal their marriage and get it over with."

Yuna pulled back slightly, her expression shifting from surprise to cold calculation as she turned to face Ji-soo. Her former mother-in-law's disdainful tone was like a slap in the face, but Yuna refused to let it show. Instead, she stood taller, her hand still resting lightly in Heeseung's.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jaewon shift uncomfortably, his jaw clenched and his eyes darting between Yuna and Heeseung. Sohee, on the other hand, clung to his arm with an air of triumph, her smile sugary sweet yet entirely fake. Yuna's lips curled into a subtle smirk. So, you want to rush this farce of a wedding? Fine. Let's see how it plays out for you.

The priest hesitated, clearly caught off guard by the sudden change in plans. He flipped through his book, clearing his throat as he tried to maintain some semblance of decorum. "Very well," he said, his voice measured. "Jaewon Jeong and Sohee Park, please step forward."

Jaewon's steps were hesitant, his usual confidence replaced by a stiffness that spoke volumes. He glanced at Yuna briefly, a flicker of regret and frustration in his eyes. But Yuna didn't flinch. She met his gaze head-on, her expression calm and unreadable.

Sohee, on the other hand, practically dragged him forward, her grip on his arm possessive. She looked like a cat that had caught the canary, her eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of someone who thought they'd won.

Yuna resisted the urge to laugh. You think you've won, Sohee? You have no idea what you've just signed up for. She leaned slightly into Heeseung, her hand brushing against his as if to remind herself—and everyone watching—that she was no longer the one being left behind.

Ji-soo, standing off to the side, looked like a queen surveying her kingdom, her lips curling into a smug smile. "That's right," she muttered under her breath, loud enough for those nearby to hear. "Seal the deal. Let's make it official."

Heeseung's hand tightened around Yuna's, drawing her attention back to him. She glanced up, surprised to see the way his jaw was set, his eyes narrowing as he watched Ji-soo and the unfolding scene. There was a quiet fire in his gaze, a protectiveness that Yuna hadn't expected but couldn't help but notice.

As the priest began reciting the vows, Yuna's mind drifted. So this is how it ends for Jaewon and Sohee. No grand love story. Just a rushed, half-hearted ceremony overseen by a disapproving priest and a spiteful mother. The thought gave her a strange sense of closure, as if a chapter of her life was finally being sealed shut.

When the priest asked if Jaewon and Sohee accepted each other as husband and wife, Jaewon hesitated for a fraction of a second, his voice faltering. "I… I do," he finally muttered, the words sounding more like a sentence than a vow.

Sohee, however, was quick to respond, her voice bright and eager. "I do!" she said, beaming at the audience as if she were starring in her own fairy tale.

The priest nodded, raising his hands in a blessing. "Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kissed the bride''.

"You've caused enough chaos for one day," Min-jae said, his tone low but commanding. "Let this be the end of it." He turned to Yuna and Heeseung, a faint smile softening his stern features. "Congratulations on your union. I expect great things from both of you."

Yuna folded her arms across her chest, leaning slightly toward Heeseung, who stood silently beside her. She felt his gaze on her, but she didn't turn to meet it. Instead, she kept her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before her, a mixture of triumph and grim satisfaction churning in her chest.

Let them go through with it, she thought, her lips curling into a faint smirk. Let them tie themselves together with lies and deceit. They deserve each other—and the misery that comes with it.

As the priest began the hasty ceremony, Yuna leaned slightly closer to Heeseung, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is just the beginning," she said, more to herself than anyone else. But the weight of her words lingered in the air, a promise of the reckoning to come.

The ceremony finally drew to a close, the echoes of vows and blessings giving way to the low hum of murmurs, applause, and half-hearted congratulations from the guests. Yuna stood beside Heeseung, her hand resting lightly in the crook of his arm as they greeted the well-wishers. The warmth of Heeseung's presence next to her was steadying, but Yuna's sharp gaze swept the room, her thoughts churning as she caught sight of Jaewon and Sohee lingering on the periphery.

He's seething, Yuna thought, her lips twitching into a faint, satisfied smile. Good. He deserves to feel every ounce of discomfort he once caused me.

As she stole a glance at Heeseung, she noticed the faint smirk playing on his lips—a look that radiated quiet confidence and an edge of mischief. Heeseung knew exactly what he was doing, and it was clear he was enjoying every second of it. The thought sent a ripple of both amusement and reassurance through Yuna. For once, she wasn't facing this storm alone.

Then Jaewon approached, his steps slow and deliberate, his smirk plastered on his face like a mask hiding his growing frustration. Sohee trailed behind him, her expression a mixture of nervousness and poorly disguised satisfaction. As Jaewon stopped in front of them, his eyes flickered briefly to Yuna before settling on Heeseung.

"Wow, hyung," Jaewon said, his voice dripping with mockery, each word carefully measured to wound. He tilted his head, his smirk widening as he continued, "Look at that. You got married to my… let's say my trash. That's what you're good at, right? Picking up my leftovers?"

The words landed like a slap, loud enough to silence the murmurs of the nearby guests. Gasps rippled through the room, and all eyes turned toward the two brothers. Yuna stiffened, the insult hitting its mark even though she refused to let it show. Her nails bit into her palm as she forced herself to remain calm, her mind racing.

Leftovers? Trash? Yuna thought, her anger bubbling beneath the surface. Is that what he sees me as? Even after everything he did, after all the lies and betrayal? He still has the audacity to act like I was some discarded plaything?

Before she could respond, Heeseung stepped forward, his smirk transforming into a full-blown grin that was equal parts amusement and menace. His presence seemed to grow larger, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "Trash, you say?" Heeseung repeated, his voice smooth and deliberate. His tone carried an undercurrent of challenge that made the hairs on the back of Yuna's neck stand on end.

Heeseung took another step closer, his gaze never wavering from Jaewon's. "Strange," he continued, his voice dropping slightly as if sharing a private joke. "I don't recall ever seeing anything as valuable, as exquisite, among the garbage you've surrounded yourself with."

The words hit like a sledgehammer, wiping the smirk off Jaewon's face. A flicker of something—anger, embarrassment, or perhaps even regret—crossed his features, but he quickly masked it with a sneer. "Big words, hyung," Jaewon said, though his voice lacked its earlier confidence. "You think marrying her suddenly makes you better than me?"

Heeseung chuckled, the sound low and rich, filled with unshakable confidence. "I don't need to marry her to be better than you, Jaewon," he said, his grin widening. "But since you brought it up, let's get one thing straight. You didn't lose her because of me. You lost her because you never deserved her in the first place."

Yuna's breath caught in her throat at Heeseung's words. She turned to look at him, her heart pounding in her chest. Heeseung... she thought, her anger momentarily giving way to something deeper. His unwavering defense of her, the way he stood tall against Jaewon's insults—it was more than she had ever expected, more than she thought she deserved.

Jaewon, however, wasn't done. He scoffed, his sneer returning as he looked at Yuna. "You think he's any different?" he said, his voice sharp and bitter. "You're just a stepping stone for him, Yuna. Don't fool yourself into thinking you've won."

Before Yuna could respond, Heeseung reached out and took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. He pulled her slightly closer, his eyes locking onto Jaewon's with a piercing intensity. "The difference between you and me, Jaewon," Heeseung said, his voice calm but laced with an edge that sent shivers down Yuna's spine, "is that I know her worth. And unlike you, I'll never take her for granted."

The room seemed to hold its breath, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Yuna felt her heart swell, a mix of gratitude and pride surging through her. She turned to Jaewon, her expression cold and unyielding. "Enjoy your new life, Jaewon," she said, her voice steady and firm. "Because I plan to enjoy mine."

Jaewon opened his mouth to retort, but no words came. His face darkened, and he turned sharply on his heel, stalking away with Sohee trailing behind him. The guests slowly began to disperse, the tension in the room easing as conversations resumed.

Yuna let out a slow breath, the weight of the moment settling over her. But before she could fully process what had happened, Heeseung leaned down, his voice low and warm in her ear. "You handled that beautifully," he murmured, his words sending a shiver down her spine.

She looked up at him, a small, genuine smile breaking through her composed facade. "I had a little help," she admitted softly, her heart pounding as their eyes met.

Heeseung smirked, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. "You don't need help, Yuna," he said, his tone filled with quiet conviction. "You're stronger than you realize."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Yuna believed him.

As the ceremony wound down, the grand hall was alive with a hum of murmured conversations and scattered applause. Guests mingled in small clusters, some toasting half-heartedly to the day's surprising turn of events, others whispering about the dramatic twists they had just witnessed. The air was thick with curiosity, judgment, and a touch of lingering awkwardness. The newlyweds—both pairs—were expected to proceed to the grand reception hall, where an opulent banquet awaited, complete with extravagant floral arrangements and a towering wedding cake designed to impress.

Yuna stood beside Heeseung, her fingers clutching the fabric of her gown as she tried to steady her nerves. The weight of the day pressed heavily on her, but there was also a flicker of satisfaction somewhere deep within her. She had taken control of her destiny, breaking free from the painful cycle of her past life. Yet, standing under the scrutiny of so many watchful eyes, she couldn't help but feel exposed.

Heeseung, ever perceptive, seemed to sense her unease. His hand brushed against hers briefly, a quiet reassurance that grounded her. "You don't have to endure this any longer than necessary," he said, his voice low and steady, meant only for her ears. "We've done our part. Let Jaewon and Sohee have their moment. It's clear they've been craving the spotlight all along."