The night was hazy, cloaked in shadows and secrets. I could still remember her—the way her scent lingered in the air like a sweet reminder of something precious. Her hair had been a cascade of rich, chocolate shades, each layer shimmering under the moonlight. The butterfly tattoo on her skin, stark in black and white, had told stories that my mind could only partially recall. It was three long years since that unforgettable night, and I had searched everywhere for her, but hope felt distant. Not one clue or face brought me closer to her, only dead ends that felt like a weight on my heart. In every silent prayer, I wished I would find her again, yet time slipped away like grains of sand.
With a heavy sigh, I descended the stairs and made my way to the dining room for dinner. As I turned the corner, I noticed my family gathered around the table, already immersed in their morning chatter. “What an unusual day for them to have dinner early,” I thought, surprised by their unusual promptness. I took my place at the table, lingering in my usual spot as I waited for my meal.
“So, honey, when are you going to announce your marriage with Hae-I Hong?” My mother's voice broke through the haze of my thoughts. Her tone was urging, laden with anticipation. “I know you don’t like it when I pressure you, but it’s time for you to take a huge step in your life.”
Little did she know I had a plan. Tonight's Gala was set to be the perfect moment for my surprise. I wanted it to be unforgettable, a night to remember, until my father had to toss his expectations into the mix.
“Yeah, son, when are you going to get married? We are the most respected family in Korea. I worked hard for this life, and our tradition demands that you marry someone with equal respectability. Hae-I is that person, and it’s time for you to tie the knot,” my father chimed in, his puffed-up pride radiating like a badge.
I managed a half-hearted smirk. “Father, I understand, but I wouldn’t do anything to upset anyone… or would I?” My attempt at humor hung in the air like a thick fog, and the worried faces of my family told me they sensed an impending storm.
Feeling the suffocating tension, I excused myself. “Sorry for leaving early, but I have some things to finish.” I maneuvered out of the dining room, the fork and knives clattering behind me as my father stabbed his fork into the table, causing the whole family to jump.
Once I reached my room, I shut the door and settled into my office space. It was time to prepare for tonight’s important event. I glanced at the clock—two hours until the Gala. I dressed quickly in a sleek, black suit that felt both empowering and constricting. I slipped into polished shoes, designed by one of Korea’s most famous fashion houses. A touch of gel to my hair, styled neatly to the side, and I was ready in thirty minutes, with an hour and a half left to kill.
Taking out my phone, I texted Hae-I: “Are you ready?” My fingers tapped impatiently. I struggled with waiting; five minutes felt like an eternity.
“I'm ready!” she replied promptly.
“Can I pick you up in a few minutes?”
“Yes, I'm already waiting.” She sent a picture of herself outside, her bright dress a splash of color against the night that was creeping in. The stars shone like diamonds scattered across the canvas of darkness.
“I'll be there in twenty minutes,” I texted back before leaving my room.
Downstairs, my family was getting ready. My older brother, Yo-Li, stared at me with dark, piercing eyes. He had always been tough on me. I remembered the day he had punched me when I was just six, insisting I had tried to hit him. Since then, I avoided him like he was a shadow that followed too closely. I greeted my grandfather with respect as I hurried past them, eager to escape the uneasy atmosphere.
Once in my Mercedes, I drove to Hae-I's house, the familiarity of the route hardly calming my nerves. Ten minutes later, I arrived at the grand mansion that belonged to her family. Reluctantly, I rang the doorbell and waited. The sound echoed like a countdown in my mind.
A maid opened the door and welcomed me inside. I took a deep breath, preparing for the conversations to come. As I waited in the living room, Hae-I’s mother appeared, her face a mix of expectation and excitement.
“Hello, Mrs. Hong. Are you ready for the Gala?” I asked politely.
“Yes, I am, but I was just wondering when you plan to announce your engagement with my daughter Hae-I . The sooner we make it public, the sooner we can start planning the wedding,” she replied with a warm smile.
“I will announce—” I began, but a voice interrupted me.
“I’m ready, Babe!” Hae-I exclaimed with enthusiasm, bounding down the stairs in her elegant dress. The term "Babe" grated on me; it rang hollow against the backdrop of my thoughts. She fit the description of the girl I sought, yet there was something inaccessible about her, something just slightly off.
“Let’s talk about this later, Mrs. Hong. Shall we leave?” I suggested, linking arms with Hae-I as we headed out of the mansion.
I opened the car door for her, closed it after she stepped in, and then slid into the driver’s seat. As we drove off toward the Lee family’s Main Mansion, an unsettling feeling churned in my stomach. Tonight, beneath the glimmering lights of the Gala, I would have a mask on, not showing my true expression.
As we pulled up to the grand entrance of the gala, it felt like we were driving straight into a whirlwind of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. The crowd outside was packed tight, all clamoring to catch a glimpse of the guests arriving. Thankfully, we were safe inside the car, shielded from the chaos that surrounded us. The butler, dressed sharply in a classic black suit, swung open the tall iron gates, standing like a guardian to keep the reporters at bay, only allowing our car to pass through.
I parked the car, my heart racing with anticipation, and stepped out into the cool night air. After I opened the door for Hae-I, I linked my arm with hers, feeling a rush of pride as we made our way toward the grand staircase. Each step felt like a step into a world of elegance and beauty. As we climbed, a maid greeted us with a warm smile and opened the massive brown wooden door, welcoming us into the grand hall.
Once inside, still linked arm in arm with Hae-I, we entered a room alive with chatter and laughter. The most famous and respected families in town had gathered, their glamorous outfits sparkling under the soft lights. People turned to acknowledge my presence as I made my way around, greeting everyone as they praised me for dating Hae-I. I felt my cheeks flush with warmth, but I fought to keep my cool in front of everyone.
I gently unlinked my arm from Hae-I and headed up the stairs to the balcony at the top. My parents were already there, looking as elegant as ever. I settled into an ornate chair, taking a moment to observe the room below filled with elegantly dressed guests. But then my gaze landed on something unusual—a woman standing apart from the crowd, with a little girl by her side. The girl looked so much like I did when I was younger, with a bright smile and curious eyes.
There was something striking about the woman, too. As I studied her, I noticed she had the same tattoo as the girl from that unforgettable night. Thoughts racing through my mind, I felt an urge to find out more. Who could she be? How did she know about the gala? And does she have that tattoo on her neck? I felt an overwhelming desire to approach her, to unravel the mystery that surrounded her.
As I neared them, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had seen her before. The little girl was so pretty and had a resemblance to me that made me feel nostalgic. I asked the woman a few questions, but her responses were laced with an emotion I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Nothing seemed to fit the description I had in my mind.
Just when I thought I was beginning to scratch the surface, my older brother, Lo-Yi, appeared out of nowhere, interrupting our conversation. Frustrated and wanting some peace, I decided it was best to step away and gather my thoughts elsewhere. I still kept glancing back at the little girl, mesmerized by her charm.
Then, at that moment, Hae-I arrived and pulled me back into the buzz of the gala. At least I had learned the woman’s name: Min-Ji Han. But the name felt strange—like it wasn’t real or was a cover. Who exactly was she? What was her connection to our family? My mind raced with questions, and deep down, I felt a strong need to uncover the truth behind Min-Ji Han and how she might be linked to our family. This was clearly just the beginning of a much bigger mystery waiting to be explored.
The weight of the microphone was nothing compared to the weight of the moment. The room hushed as I stepped onto the stage, my name whispered like a hymn among the elite.
I felt her watching.
I felt Min-Ji Han’s gaze pressing into me, hidden behind a mask of indifference.
And still, she had no idea she was already losing.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I began, my voice steady, practiced. "It is my great honor to announce my engagement to Hae-i Hong."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, an expected reaction from an unexpected revelation. The media would have a field day. Business alliances would shift overnight.
But my eyes weren’t on them.
They were on her.
And just for a second—a fleeting, damning second—I saw something.
Not jealousy.
Not anger.
Something else.
Something like shock.
Something like pain.
Why?
The question gnawed at me even as Hae-i stepped onto the stage, her hand slipping into mine.
She looked perfect. Everything a Lee heir’s wife should be. Poised. Beautiful. A woman who understood her role, her duty.
So why did my gaze keep seeking the one woman who shouldn’t matter?
Why did I feel like I had lost something I never even realized I was searching for?
Min-Ji Han turned away first, disappearing into the crowd like smoke in the wind.
And as the applause rose around me, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
That I had missed something.
That Min-Ji Han was not who she claimed to be.
And for the first time in years, a thought chilled me to my core.
What if Taerin Yang isn't Hae-I Hong at all?
As the night wore on, I found myself drawn to Min-Ji Han again and again, my eyes locking onto hers across the room. There was something about her that captivated me, something that made me feel like I was drowning in the depths of her eyes. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt a connection to her, a connection that went beyond words.
I excused myself from Hae-I and made my way back to Min-Ji Han, my heart pounding in my chest. As I approached her, I could feel the air thickening around us, the tension building like a storm about to break. I knew that I had to be careful, that I had to tread carefully around her, but I couldn’t help myself. I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, helpless to resist the pull of her mysterious charms.
“Min-Ji Han,” I said, my voice low and husky. “I couldn’t help but notice you across the room. You seem...familiar.”
She looked up at me, her eyes flashing with a mixture of fear and warning. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Also Congrats on your marriage.” she said coldly
I smiled; my eyes locked onto hers. “Thanks, but don’t play games with me, Min-Ji Han. I know that you’re hiding something. And I aim to find out what it is.”
Her eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance igniting within them. “I’m not afraid of you,” she said, her voice steady now.
I chuckled, my eyes never leaving hers. “We’ll see about that,” I said, my voice dripping with menace.
As the night wore on, I found myself becoming more and more entangled in the mystery that surrounded Min-Ji Han. I was determined to uncover the truth behind her, to unravel the secrets that she kept hidden. And as I gazed into her eyes, I knew that I would stop at nothing to claim her, to make her mine.
The darkness within me stirred, a beast awakening from its slumber. I could feel its power coursing through my veins, a power that I had kept hidden for so long. But now, with Min-Ji Han by my side, I felt it stirring, felt it urging me to take control.
And as I looked into her eyes, I knew that I would do anything to keep her, to make her mine. I would stop at nothing, would crush anyone who stood in my way. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, a shiver of excitement and anticipation. Even if I'm Engaged
I was ready to unleash the darkness within me, to let it consume me. And as I gazed into Min-Ji Han’s eyes, I knew that I would never be the same again. The night had just begun, and I was ready to take what was mine.
As the hours passed, I found myself growing more and more obsessed with Min-Ji Han. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt a connection to her that went beyond words. It was as if we were two pieces of a puzzle, meant to fit together.
I watched her from across the room, my eyes never leaving hers. She seemed to sense my gaze, and she would occasionally glance up, our eyes locking in a flash of electricity. I could feel the tension building between us, a tension that threatened to consume us both.
And then, just as the night was reaching its peak, Min-Ji Han disappeared. I searched for her everywhere, but she was nowhere to be found. I was frantic, my heart racing with anxiety.
Where had she gone? And why had she left without a word?
I was determined to find out, to track her down and bring her back to me. I would stop at nothing, would leave no stone unturned. I had to have her, had to make her mine.
As I searched the mansion, my eyes scanning the crowds, I felt a sense of desperation creeping in. I had to find her, had to make her mine. And as I turned a corner, I saw her, standing alone in the shadows.
“Min-Ji Han,” I said, my voice low and husky. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
She turned to me, her eyes flashing with fear. “I had to get away,” she said, her voice trembling. “I couldn’t stay here any longer.”
I smiled, my eyes locked onto hers. “You can’t escape me that easily,” I said, my voice dripping with menace. “I’ll always find you, no matter where you go.”
And with that, I reached out and pulled her into my arms, my lips crashing down onto hers in a kiss that left her breathless. I could feel the darkness within me stirring, a beast awakening from its slumber.
And as I gazed into her eyes, I knew that I would never let her go. She was mine now, mine to keep and mine to possess. And I would stop at nothing to keep her, to make her mine forever.
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