Chapter 58: Meeting the Parents

Ji-Ah adjusted the cuff of her blazer, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She wasn't sure why she was this nervous. It wasn't like her parents didn't already know about the engagement—just not in the way she and Evelyn had originally intended.

Behind her, Evelyn leaned against the bedroom doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with an amused smirk. "Are you preparing for a business deal or introducing your girlfriend to your parents?"

Ji-Ah shot her a look. "You act like it's nothing, but this is a big deal."

Evelyn shrugged. "I've met them before, Ji. They already know who I am."

"Yeah, as my fiancée in a forced engagement," Ji-Ah pointed out. "This is different."

Evelyn stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Ji-Ah's waist from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder. "You're adorable when you overthink."

Ji-Ah exhaled sharply. "This isn't overthinking. It's just… my parents are traditional. They had their doubts about you before. If they think I'm serious about this, they'll—"

"Be happy," Evelyn finished for her. "Your mom likes me. Your dad respects me. And now that we're actually together, it'll just confirm what they probably suspected already."

Ji-Ah turned to face Evelyn. "You really think they suspected?"

Evelyn smirked. "Ji, they're parents. They always suspect."

Ji-Ah sighed. "Alright, fine. But if they start asking about wedding dates, I'm leaving you to deal with it."

Evelyn laughed, leaning in to press a quick kiss to Ji-Ah's lips. "Deal."

Later That Evening – The Dinner

Ji-Ah's parents had chosen a quiet, high-end restaurant for dinner. It was intimate, traditional, and the kind of place where family discussions carried weight.

Ji-Ah had barely taken her seat when her mother, Seo Mi-Ran, gave her an expectant look. "You have something to tell us?"

Ji-Ah shot a glance at Evelyn, who was already grinning. Traitor.

"Well…" Ji-Ah cleared her throat. "Evelyn and I—"

"We're actually dating," Evelyn cut in smoothly, setting down her chopsticks with an air of confidence. "For real, this time."

Her mother's face lit up almost instantly, her father raising an eyebrow but saying nothing.

"I knew it," her mother said, practically beaming. "I told you, dear." She nudged Ji-Ah's father, who simply nodded in response.

Ji-Ah blinked. "Wait… you knew?"

Her mother gave her a knowing smile. "Ji-Ah, dear, a mother always knows. The way you looked at Evelyn was never just business."

Ji-Ah felt her face heat up, and beside her, Evelyn was clearly enjoying every second of this.

Her father, Ji Ho-Jin, finally spoke. "You're serious about this?"

Ji-Ah straightened. "Yes."

He studied her for a long moment, then turned his gaze to Evelyn. "And you?"

Evelyn met his eyes without hesitation. "I've always been serious about Ji-Ah."

Something passed between them—an understanding, perhaps. Then, to Ji-Ah's surprise, her father nodded.

"Well," her mother said, clapping her hands together. "Now that that's out of the way, let's discuss the wedding."

Ji-Ah nearly choked on her drink. "We just made this official!"

Evelyn, unbothered, smirked. "I mean, we are already engaged. Might as well make it real."

Ji-Ah groaned. This was going to be a long dinner.