price of her kiss

Then congratulations," he said, voice like velvet stretched over a blade.

"You're going to be my wife."

Selen's breath caught. Her eyes widened in horror. She stumbled back a step, her heel scraping against the marble floor.

"No…" she breathed. "You can't be serious."

The light above them flickered slightly—enough to cast shadows across his jaw, sharpening the dangerous calm in his expression.

Taehyung took a step toward her, his presence thick with threat and control.

"Oh, I'm deadly serious," he whispered.

His voice coiled around her like smoke.

"You want to survive this? You want to protect your father?"

He paused, letting the silence strangle her hope.

"Then you'll become Mrs. Kim."

Her lips parted.

"Just until this blows over?"

He tilted his head, a cruel smile ghosting across his mouth—there and gone like the twitch of a knife.

"That's not how this works," he murmured.

Another step closer. She could feel the heat off his body now, a furnace disguised in a tailored suit.

"You embarrassed me. You stood before the entire syndicate and staked a claim. Now you belong to me."

His voice dipped, quieter.

"And I don't give back what's mine."

Her spine straightened, but inside—

Selen was unraveling.

This wasn't supposed to be her life.

Just days ago, she had stood in front of her mirror, clutching a tiny velvet box she never had the courage to open. Smiling like a fool at the thought of proposing to a boy she once called safe, soft and hers.

She had imagined a future filled with soft mornings, shared coffees, messy hair and whispered dreams.

A small apartment. Coding gigs. Peace.

Maybe even love.

And now?

That dream was crumbling beneath her heels, cracking apart under the weight of one brutal truth.

She belonged to Kim Taehyung now.

Not out of love. Not even hate.

But survival.

Her throat burned as the memory of her past self—so innocent, so stupid—flashed behind her eyes.

"This isn't fair," her heart whispered.

"I wasn't supposed to end up like this."

But here she stood.

Cornered by a man who didn't believe in mercy.

A man who had the power to destroy everything she'd ever loved—

And who was offering her the only deal left on the table.

One that came wrapped in silk... and shackles.

Her lips parted, but no words came. Her voice—so steady minutes ago—had dissolved into silence.

And across from her, Taehyung simply watched.

Eyes like winter.

Waiting. Daring her to say no.

And then–

"No!" she snapped, voice rising with the burn of betrayal.

"I told you—they made me do it! I didn't have a choice!"

His eyes darkened.

"You always have a choice," he said through gritted teeth.

"And you chose me. In front of the whole damn world."

Her eyes shimmered, lashes damp with tears she refused to let fall. But she didn't look away.

Didn't break.

"So what?" she whispered. "You're keeping me now?"

The words stung in the air like a slap.

Taehyung's jaw ticked.

"You think you can walk into my empire," he said slowly, his voice now dripping with venom. "make a claim like that… and just walk away?"

She glared at him.

"You seemed happy to deny me."

That stopped him for a second.

Then his voice dropped to a murmur.

"Because you weren't mine." He stepped forward. "But now…"

His eyes met hers.

"You made yourself mine."

Her breath hitched. The air between them thickened, charged with something unspoken—resentment, fire, history not yet written.

"I'm not letting them think you're playing with me," he said, voice colder than marble.

"So here's what's going to happen…"

He pulled out his phone with lethal calm.

"Jimin. Prepare a marriage certificate. Five minutes."

Her eyes widened. Panic surged.

"No—wait!" she rasped. She lunged and snatched the phone from his hand, her fingers trembling.

"Let me go," she whispered. "I'll disappear. I'll fix this. Just don't ruin my life over one mistake—"

His gaze sharpened.

"You think this is about you?"

She shook her head, desperate.

"I told you… someone made me do it. I didn't even know it would be you—"

His voice cut through hers like glass.

"Exactly."

He stepped into her space. She stepped back—until her spine hit the cold wood of the door.

"You didn't know me. You didn't do your research. You were reckless. You tied your name to mine in front of every camera, every investor, every enemy."

He circled her slowly, like a wolf deciding which bone to snap first.

"They'll call me a predator," he said darkly, pausing behind her.

"So now… you'll stay."

Her fists clenched at her sides.

"No! I—"

But he cut her off, stepping in front of her again, voice low, controlled… lethal.

"You're going to be my wife," he repeated, each word seared into her skin.

"You'll attend every event by my side. Smile when I say. Speak only when permitted. Wear the ring I give you… and thank me for the privilege."

Silence.

She stared at him—rage battling terror, defiance flickering behind her damp lashes.

"That's insane!" she screamed, voice cracking from disbelief.

Taehyung didn't flinch. He simply adjusted the cuff of his suit, then turned his back on her like she wasn't even worth his full attention.

"It's survival," he said, striding back to his chair with slow, deliberate steps.

"You don't have a choice."

He sat down like a king taking his throne—calm, unreadable, dangerous.

"Your little stunt went viral," Taehyung bit out, each word laced with cold fury.

"If I don't act, my board will tear me apart. My enemies will smell blood in the water. Do you know how many people want me replaced?"

Selen's chest rose and fell with shaky breaths. Her hands curled into fists at her sides—but her eyes didn't lower.

"I know I caused damage," she said, her voice tight with guilt and defiance.

"I know what it cost you. But trust me—this wasn't part of any plan."

She took a step forward.

"I was trying to protect my father, not destroy your kingdom."

He didn't speak.

So she went on.

"And I am not your damn shield," she snapped, eyes blazing.

"I'm not some pawn you get to shove in front of your enemies when things get messy."

For a second—just one—Taehyung's jaw flexed. That flicker of something passed through his eyes.

But then… his smirk returned.

"No," he said slowly, eyes narrowing.

"You're my property now."

Her breath hitched. The words sank like iron into her chest.

Tears burned behind her lashes, but she refused to let them fall.

Not in front of him.

"You can't do this," she whispered, almost pleading.

"You can't just decide—"

"I already am."

His voice sliced through her like a blade, and he leaned forward—slow, predatory.

"You embarrassed me in front of the world. The kiss. The declaration. The lie."

His eyes darkened.

"Now you'll make it up to me… one obedient day at a time."

She shook her head, rage sparking through her fear.

"I won't," she said. It wasn't brave. It was survival.

Then—

SLAM.

He struck the table with his palm, the sound cracking like a gunshot in the silence.

She jumped. Her heart stuttered in her chest.

"Then your father pays."

Her world stopped. Time froze.

She stared at him, and for a terrifying second, she couldn't breathe.

"Page one," he added, voice almost bored. "Your mystery."

"No," she breathed, stepping back.

"No—please…"

"You think I won't find him?" he asked, rising from his chair like a shadow come alive.

"You think I don't already know his name? His location? His goddamn blood type?"

Each word was colder than the last. Her lips parted, but nothing came out.

"You're a monster," she choked, hands shaking at her sides.

____

Outside the Corridor—

Nyra's eyes locked on Eunwoo's, unflinching.

"Get out of my way."

Her voice held the weight of war.

But he didn't move.

Didn't blink.

Didn't flinch.

The silence between them buzzed like a live wire, thick with defiance.

She stepped closer, the space between them shrinking to inches. Her breath came in short, heated bursts.

"I swear to God, I'll make you regret this."

Eunwoo's jaw tightened. His fingers flexed where they still gripped her wrist—tight enough to hold her back, gentle enough not to bruise. Controlled. Calculated. Like every part of him was fighting not to snap.

"You already make me regret this," he muttered, voice low and sharp.

Nyra's brow furrowed. "What?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he leaned in—just slightly. Enough for her to feel the weight of his words when they landed.

"You think she's the only one in danger tonight?"

That stopped her. Just a flicker. But it was enough.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"She's in there with the only man keeping this tower from going up in flames," he said tightly. "You storming in? Won't help her. It'll make it worse."

"I don't care—!"

"You should," he snapped. "Because I do."

That silenced her.

Her chest rose and fell like she'd been struck. His grip finally loosened—but still, he stood between her and the door.

The silence crackled like static between them.

Nyra's breath heaved in anger. Her eyes locked on Eunwoo's—sharp, furious, desperate.

"Get out of my way," she snapped again, her voice like fire.

But this time, Eunwoo's expression hardened into steel. The softness she thought she glimpsed before? Gone. Replaced by the soldier. The right hand of the devil himself.

"No," he said coldly. "My loyalty isn't to you. It's to the man in that room."

She flinched. "The man dragging her like she's nothing?"

He didn't blink.

Didn't even look guilty.

"The man whose empire she just threatened to burn in front of the world."

Nyra's mouth opened—but no sound came out. He stepped forward, blocking the corridor fully now, arms crossed over his chest, jaw tight with control.

"Do you have any idea what kind of war she just triggered?" His voice was low. "The board is already watching. Investors are panicking. His enemies are sharpening their knives. One misstep, and we all go down."

"And you think she caused that?" she shouted. "She's just trying to survive!"

"So is he."

That shut her up for a breath.

"Taehyung built this empire from nothing," Eunwoo continued, voice sharp as glass. "And she—your brave little friend—just gave the wolves a reason to bite."

He stepped in close, face inches from hers.

"So don't talk to me about kindness. About pity. This isn't about feelings, little brat. This is about control."

She shoved him again—harder this time.

"Then you're no better than him," she hissed. "You let her suffer for the sake of his pride."

He caught her wrist mid-swing. Not rough. Not cruel. But final.

"No," he said quietly. "I let her face the consequences of stepping into his world unprepared."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "You think she had a choice?"

"And you think he did?"

Nyra stared at him, speechless.

"You don't get it, do you?" Eunwoo whispered. "One scandal like this, and it's not just his name on the line. It's lives. People die in this game, Nyra. You want to save her? Then stay out of his way before you cost her more than her pride."

She stared at him, breath trembling.

And for the first time, she saw it—the deadly truth in his eyes.

He wasn't here to be kind.

He was here to protect his King no matter what.

___

Minutes Later

The silence in the room was suffocating.

Selen leaned against the wall, trying to slow her breathing. Her hands still trembled. Not from fear—but from disbelief.

Across from her, Taehyung stood like stone. His jaw clenched, his posture tight, his entire body still radiating anger—but underneath it all…

He looked shaken.

He wouldn't admit it. Not even to himself.

The door creaked open again.

Jimin entered, Still holding the damn tablet. But this time—there was something else in his hand.

A white folder. Clean. Official.

Stamped.

"Well," he said, a little too casually. "Since we're apparently doing the wife thing… figured you'd want this handled quickly."

He walked forward and dropped it on the table between them with a soft thud.

"Marriage certificate. All drafted. Legal. Efficient. Just needs her signature."

Selen's head snapped up.

"What?"

Jimin raised a brow. "You called him your husband in front of over 300 political and corporate guests, including three members of the National Assembly. It's already trending."

He glanced down at his tablet and added with a sigh,

"Hashtag TaehyungTaken is now at 6.2 million."

Selen's throat tightened. She stared at the folder like it might bite.

"This… wasn't part of anything," she said slowly, backing up a step. "You can't just—"

"We can," Taehyung said. His voice was calmer now. Too calm. Controlled fury. A weapon re-sheathed.

"You made it public, Selen. Now we make it real."

She shook her head. "No."

"You're already in this."

"But I didn't sign anything."

She looked at Jimin, almost pleading. "Tell him this is insane."

Jimin sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Look, I'm not saying this is how normal people get married. But legally? It's not binding without your signature. So no—he can't force it."

He glanced at Taehyung.

"Yet."

Taehyung didn't even flinch. He stepped forward, picked up the folder, and opened it.

Inside: two lines. His name. Hers.

One already signed.

His.

Then he held out the pen.

"You want to protect your father?" he said softly, too softly.

"Then sign it. Be the wife you pretended to be."

Selen's breath caught. She looked down at the line with her name under it.

And didn't move.

"I'm not signing," she whispered.

A long pause.

Taehyung didn't argue. He just set the pen down on the table. Deliberate. Heavy.

He looked her dead in the eyes.

"Then don't", his voice dropped to a venomous whisper.

"And let's see how fast your father gets a funeral instead of a visit."