Prajwal_Kadlag

Ahn Jae-hyun, a powerful CEO, and Kang Ji-ah, his fearless bodyguard, are forced into a contract marriage—unbeknownst to their families, they are already in love. But their happiness is short-lived as secrets unravel, revealing Ji-ah’s hidden twin, a long-lost mother, and a shocking betrayal.

Jae-hyun’s past holds its own mystery—was he truly the heir, or had he been living someone else’s life all along? As deception, fate, and powerful enemies threaten their love, Ji-ah and Jae-hyun must fight to reclaim their destiny.

A story of love, secrets, and a bond that defies all odds—"Beyond the Contract: A Love Meant to Be."

"Beyond the Contract: A Love Meant to Be"

If someone had told me a year ago that I would end up in an arranged marriage, I would have laughed in their face.

And yet, here I was, standing in front of a grand altar, dressed in an intricate white gown, about to marry Ahn Jae-hyun—the man I was already in love with.

To our families, this marriage was nothing more than a business deal—a strategic move to merge two powerful companies. To the outsiders, I was a simple bodyguard-turned-bride, a woman with no known background worthy of standing beside Jae-hyun.

This wasn't a forced marriage for us.

The Contract That Changed Everything

It all started with a simple conversation in Jae-hyun's office, weeks before the wedding.

"I received a call from my father this morning," he had said, leaning back in his chair. His sharp gaze locked onto mine, watching for a reaction. "Our parents have finalized the marriage contract."

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but my heart raced.

His lips twitched slightly, as if amused by my forced indifference. "No arguments? No protests?"

Silence stretched between us before he finally stood, walking around his desk until he was right in front of me.

"Ji-ah." His voice softened. "Do you trust me?"

"Then let's do this," he said. "Let's give them what they want."

A part of me wanted to laugh at the irony. If only they knew…

They weren't forcing us into anything. We had already chosen each other.

The Wedding That Wasn't Just a Contract

The ceremony was extravagant, held at one of Seoul's most luxurious venues. Hundreds of guests filled the hall—elite businessmen, politicians, celebrities.

As I walked down the aisle, my gaze locked onto Jae-hyun.

Dressed in a tailored black suit, he held himself with the confidence of a man who owned the world. But beneath the unreadable mask he wore so well, I saw the truth—the quiet tenderness in his eyes as he watched me approach.

This wasn't an act for him. It never was.

When I finally stood before him, he reached out, his fingers brushing against mine. The touch was subtle, hidden from the eyes of the world, but it was enough.

Him promising me that no matter what happened, we were in this together.

The priest began the vows, his voice echoing through the hall.

"Ahn Jae-hyun, do you take Kang Ji-ah to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Without hesitation, Jae-hyun looked straight into my eyes and said,

A shiver ran down my spine. He meant it.

"Kang Ji-ah, do you take Ahn Jae-hyun to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

I swallowed hard, but my voice was steady when I answered,

Applause filled the room. The cameras flashed. The world believed this was just a contract marriage.

A Kiss That Was More Than Just a Show

When Jae-hyun lifted my veil, time seemed to stop.

For a second, it was just the two of us in our own little world.

His lips met mine in a kiss that was supposed to be for show—a simple, practiced act to convince the audience.

But the moment our lips touched, I felt it.

This was him telling me, in the only way he could, that I was his.

And that no contract, no business deal, and no outside force could ever change that.

Chapter 3: The Forced Contract Marriage.