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"

(POV: Ahn Min-jae – Confronting the Past & A Father's Warning)

Soo-min's words rang in my ears like an alarm.

I hadn't spoken to my father in years—not since I walked away from his empire to build my own. The last time we stood in the same room, he looked at me as if I were nothing but a failure.

And now, he had found out about my daughter.

"Did he contact you?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

Soo-min crossed her arms. "Not me. His assistant called. He wants to meet you."

I exhaled slowly. "Of course, he does."

She hesitated. "Min-jae… this isn't just about you. If he's interested in you now, that means he's interested in our daughter too."

A bitter laugh escaped me. "She's not an heir he can control. He won't get near her."

But deep down, I knew it wouldn't be that easy.

I stepped into the private lounge of an upscale hotel, a place my father frequently used for his business dealings.

He was already seated, sipping his expensive whiskey, his posture as straight and unyielding as I remembered.

"So," he said without looking up. "You finally learned how to be a father."

I clenched my fists but forced myself to stay calm. "Why are we here?"

His cold eyes met mine. "I should be asking you that. You disappeared for years, and now, suddenly, you're playing house with some child."

My jaw tightened. "That child is my daughter."

He smirked. "And that woman—Soo-min. Is she your weakness now?"

I leaned forward. "Say what you want about me, but leave them out of it."

He exhaled, setting his glass down. "Min-jae, I don't care about your love life. What I care about is the Ahn name."

"Everything with my blood is mine to claim."

Anger burned through me. My father had never been a man of love—only control, only power.

He studied me, then smirked. "You think you're strong enough to defy me? To keep them away from my reach?"

I stood, shoving the chair back. "Watch me."

As I walked out of the hotel, I knew one thing for certain—my father never made empty threats.

If he had taken an interest in my daughter now, it wasn't out of love or regret. It was about control.

And that terrified me more than anything.

I drove straight to Soo-min's apartment, my grip on the steering wheel tightening with every passing second. She had every right to be worried. If my father decided to pursue this legally, with all the influence he had, he could make things extremely difficult.

When I arrived, Soo-min was waiting at the door. The moment she saw my face, her expression hardened.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "He wants control. He thinks anything with his blood belongs to him."

Her jaw clenched. "He's not taking her from me."

I stepped closer, cupping her face gently. "I won't let that happen."

She searched my eyes for reassurance, and for once, I wished I could give her the certainty she deserved. But my father was unpredictable. If he wanted to play dirty, he would.

"We prepare," I said. "If he comes at us legally, we fight back. And if he tries something else…"

My expression darkened. "Then I make sure he regrets ever threatening my family."

Chapter 17: A Love Hidden in Shadows (Part 6)