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"

Love had never been a battle for me.

She wasn't just a woman I loved—she was my past, my present, and the future I refused to lose.

The moment Ji-ah finally accepted her feelings, I thought everything would be fine.

I thought love would be enough to erase all the pain, the struggles, and the years we had lost.

Because the moment we stepped out of that rooftop garden—hand in hand, ready to face the world—trouble found us again.

And this time, it came in the form of a boardroom filled with people waiting to tear me down.

The morning after Ji-ah and I promised each other a future, I walked into the CEO's office with her by my side.

But instead of the usual silent respect, I was met with tension.

My stepbrother—my greatest enemy—sat at the head of the conference table.

I could feel Ji-ah stiffen beside me, sensing the hostility in the air.

A slow smirk curled on my stepbrother's lips.

"Jae-hyun," he greeted, voice dripping with mock concern. "I was wondering when you'd show up."

I ignored him, taking my rightful seat at the head of the table.

"I don't recall calling a meeting." My voice was calm, but inside, I was already preparing for a fight.

One of the board members cleared his throat. "There have been… concerns about your leadership."

Another member spoke up. "Your past has been called into question. There are rumors about your identity… about whether you were ever the rightful heir."

I felt Ji-ah's fingers tighten around mine under the table.

About the night my best friend died.

About the years I spent living under his name.

And now, they wanted to use it against me.

She stood before I could even react, her voice sharp and commanding.

"If you're questioning Jae-hyun's place as CEO, you should be questioning your own competence first," she said coldly.

Ji-ah's eyes scanned every person in the room.

"This company has flourished under his leadership. Record-breaking profits, global expansions, market dominance—who do you think made that possible?"

My stepbrother scoffed. "That doesn't change the fact that his identity was built on a lie."

Ji-ah turned to him, her gaze unwavering.

"The DNA test already proved his true heritage," she shot back. "If you want to challenge him, do it with facts, not with desperation."

I watched in awe as she single-handedly shut them all down.

The boardroom fell into uneasy silence.

Until, one by one, they backed down.

And my stepbrother—humiliated and furious—stormed out.

Ji-ah turned to me, her expression softening.

And for the first time in a long time—

That night, I pulled Ji-ah into my arms, holding her close as we sat in our living room.

"You didn't have to do that," I murmured.

She pulled back just enough to meet my gaze.

"I love you," she said simply. "I'll always fight for you."

I cupped her face, brushing my thumb across her cheek.

"Marry me," I blurted out before I could stop myself.

I swallowed. "I mean, our first marriage was a contract, right? We never got to do it for real."

A real, genuine, breathtaking smile.

We finally had a future worth fighting for.

Chapter 15: A Future Worth Fighting For.