Chapter 1: There is No Love in Their Kiss

November 25

Classical music played softly in the stately hall. Wearing an elegant evening dress and holding the groom’s hand, the bride toured the tables and greeted her guests. Yeonu glanced first at the bride’s bright smile, then at the couple’s clasped hands.

I guess that’s how happy a marriage is supposed to be, she thought to herself.

She couldn’t help but notice how different her reality was from the bride’s. Yeonu envied her.

“Look, he’s my second cousin,” said Seonjae, Yeonu’s husband. “He came to our wedding, which is the only reason why we’re attending his. At least he chose a nice venue.”

The venue was beautiful, but Yeonu wasn’t enjoying herself—and not just because she was envious of the bride and groom. It wasn’t a comfortable occasion. For Yeonu and Seonjae, weddings were work events. The only acceptable topics of conversation were business, stocks, competitors, or politics.

Still, she would’ve jumped right into another dry work conversation if it meant escaping her current predicament.

She’d been seated at the same table as her in-laws.

“And still no news of a baby!” Seonjae’s aunt commented from across the table. “The two of you have been married for two years now.”

Yeonu dropped her fork, splattering her beige dress with orange sauce. She tried to pick it up, but gave up when she felt a familiar reproachful gaze. It was the gaze of her husband Seonjae Kang, a beautiful man who stood out even at a wedding as resplendent as this one.

He was telling her to watch her behavior. Yeonu sat up straight, her fair skin turning beet-red in the blink of an eye.

“It’s only been two years,” Seonjae said, finally responding to his aunt. “We’re still newlyweds—we aren’t even thinking about kids yet.”

His subtle smile was just friendly enough to be courteous. His tone was calm. Seonjae had a natural suave demeanor, which had always intimidated Yeonu.

“You still consider yourselves newlyweds?” the aunt demanded. “You’ll never experience the seven-year itch, then!”

Her husband let out a hearty laugh.

“What’s the seven-year itch?” Seonjae asked, with perfect faux ignorance.

The aunt cackled. “What a smooth talker.”

Seonjae’s other uncle chuckled.

Whoa, Yeono thought. My husband is a brilliant actor. He probably could’ve made it on the big screen if he hadn’t inherited his business. She felt like she was going to choke on her food, too uncomfortable to take another bite.

But the aunt just turned to Yeonu and kept talking, oblivious to—or uncaring of—her embarrassment.

“If you’re not planning on having a baby soon, then why don’t you learn something about the business?” she demanded. “You’re the wife of the vice president of J Department Store, after all. But if you’re not interested in learning about your husband’s work, then you should at least do some charity work.”

“Yeonu’s only twenty-five, aunt,” Seonjae said firmly, resting his hand on Yeonu’s shoulder. “She wants to study a bit more.”

Yeonu flinched at his touch, which lacked any warmth, and gave Seonjae a smile that didn’t go beyond her lips. She wasn’t a bad actor herself.

“But you’re thirty now, Seonjae,” his aunt countered bitterly.

“What did you say you were studying again, Yeonu?” another aunt asked brightly.

“Archaeology and art history,” Seonjae said, answering on Yeonu’s behalf.

“Archaeology and art history?” the aunt asked skeptically. “What’s there to study? Don’t you just dig through dirt and stones with that major?”

That was an outrageously disrespectful comment. Yeonu was offended, but she held her tongue.

“You can study that in the future, if you insist,” the aunt continued, “but there’s an age limit when it comes to childbearing. You should take advantage of the fact that you married young.”

The other aunts at the table nodded in agreement.

“Come on, that’s enough,” an uncle finally said. “Stop trying to intimidate your niece-in-law. This is a happy occasion.”

Even though the conversation had been about her, Yeonu hadn’t managed to contribute a single word. Not that she wasn’t used to that kind of thing. She felt like a puppet. Or a square peg in a round hole. She didn’t fit in.

Just being at the same table with these people was intimidating and suffocating.

***

Once the table had been cleared, Yeonu went to the bathroom, desperate to try and scrub the sauce stain out of her dress. Mercifully, the stain lightened quite a bit with some soap and scrubbing.

“Whew…” she muttered to herself. “I picked the wrong dress for today.”

It was a simple, elegant dress in a shade of beige that suited Yeonu’s fair skin, but she regretted her choice. Also, the temperature had dropped throughout the day, but the dress had a scoop neckline that showed her collarbones, and her cardigan didn’t cover her neck. She was cold.

I don’t want to go outside, she thought to herself. Maybe I could just hide in here until it’s time to go home.

She chuckled at the thought, but her smile didn’t linger for long. Moments later, her in-laws walked into the bathroom.

Yeonu pretended that she was fixing her makeup and not contemplating spending the rest of the wedding hiding in one of the stalls.

Seonjae’s aunt walked boldly up to Yeonu and looked her up and down. There was a disapproving look on her face, as if nothing about Yeonu pleased her.

“Are you and my nephew having problems?” the woman demanded.

Yeonu stared at her, wide-eyed. “I’m sorry?”

“It’s a woman’s job,” she said.

Yeonu still didn’t understand.

“Seducing a man is a skill,” the aunt said acerbically.

Yeonu was oddly impressed by the ease with which this woman could bring up awkward topics. Not even her parents-in-law spoke to her so frankly.

At a loss for words, Yeonu bowed courteously and left the bathroom.

As much as it always stung, the way Yeonu’s in-laws treated her never came as a surprise—she was well aware of the reason why Seonjae’s family didn’t like her. She was from a poor family, and their marriage had happened so quickly, his relatives hadn’t had a chance to set him up with “nicer” girls.

Seducing a man is a skill? Right.

Yeonu had to admit it—her “skills” were so lacking, she was the one being led around by the nose.

She heaved a long sigh. When she looked up, she realized she’d ended up wandering into the backyard. She heard a sad whine, and found a dog crying in an old, isolated kennel. Its fur was the golden color of autumn fields.

Yeonu walked up to it. “I guess you’re all by yourself, too.” She was far more comfortable talking to dogs than to people.

“Are you cold too?” she asked. “Why are you crying?”

The dog didn’t show the slightest hint of aggression, and seemed to want to be petted.

It kept whining sorrowfully, watching her with pleading eyes.

What a miserable pair we make, Yeonu thought. Both alone in the world, with no one to turn to. I wonder if the dog feels as lost and empty as I do…

With a sigh, she moved closer to pat the dog. But before she could get close enough, she realized there were shards of glass on the ground in front of the kennel.

“Oh! Who did this, huh?” Yeonu glanced at the dog’s paws and realized that the front right one was covered in blood. The dog must have stepped on the glass. “Oh no.”

Yeonu didn’t know what to do for the poor thing. Fortunately, when she stood up, she saw a staff member.

“Excuse me!” she called. “Could you come here for a second?”

“What’s the matter, miss?” the man asked, moving closer.

“There are shards of glass here,” she said. “The dog cut his foot. Can you help him?”

The man seemed more concerned about Yeonu’s worry for the dog than he was about the dog’s injury. He frowned, eyeing the animal.

“I can clean up the glass, but I can’t take the dog to the vet right now,” he said. “You can leave. I’ll take the dog to the vet tomorrow, when the ceremony is over.”

“Tomorrow might be too late. Can’t we find someone to clean and bandage the wound, at least?” Yeonu pleaded desperately. She was so determined and forthright, she seemed like a completely different person from the intimidated girl sitting in the dining hall.

“I’ll do it myself,” she said, when the staff member still didn’t offer to help the dog. “Could you just get me a first-aid kit?”

The staff member didn’t look very pleased.

“I don’t think there’s any glass in the wound, and the cut’s small,” Yeonu added. “I think I just need to disinfect the wound and wrap it up.”

The man had no choice but to bring her a first-aid kit.

He hovered in the background while Yeonu wiped the blood off Goldie’s fur, disinfected the cut, and dressed the wound.

“It’s done,” she said. “Thank you for your help.”

“No problem. I should be thanking you, miss.” The man finally smiled. “I was told there was a dog in this house, but I had no idea where it was. The rest of the dogs are kept elsewhere.”

“Oh, I see…”

“The lady of the house only likes purebreds,” the man said. “That must be why they keep this one here—he’s clearly a mutt.”

Yeonu found herself sympathizing with the dog even more. She stayed with Goldie for a long time after the staff member left.

You must be so lonely out here by yourself, she thought. It’s not your fault that you’re a mixed breed.

Yeonu stroked Goldie’s back. The dog seemed to crave human touch; it inched toward Yeonu, wagging its tail. She couldn’t seem to find the strength to walk away.

“I should just stay here with you,” she said, smiling as she crouched down to talk to the dog properly.

It was fascinating to look into Goldie’s eyes. How are animal eyes so deep and beautiful? The huge black eyes seemed to be able to see right through her. They were mesmerizing.

Thank you. We’ll meet again.

Yeonu looked around in surprise. “Who said that?”

But there was no one there. Save for Goldie, she was alone in the garden. She had to be hearing things.

She turned back to the dog. “Did you hear anything?”

He didn’t answer.

“Odd,” Yeonu murmured. “What was that?”

The strange voice should’ve scared her, but the adorable dog made it impossible. Besides, her ears had clearly just been playing tricks.

“What are you doing?” The voice came from behind her. She recognized it right away—Seonjae. She hadn’t heard him come into the garden.

Yeonu turned around.

Seonjae had a look of contempt on his face. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Her heart pounded to the rhythm of his footsteps as he walked toward her. Her expression stiffened again as her husband’s arrival turned Yeonu back into a timid girl.

He frowned, scanning her up and down with a judgmental look. “What happened to your dress?”

She looked down and saw a small bloodstain on the beige fabric.

“The dog had a cut on his paw,” she said. “I was treating it.”

Seonjae’s frown deepened. Then he turned around and walked away.

“Time to go,” he said curtly.

Yeonu was disheartened by his merciless response, and she followed him without a word.

Together, they returned to the outdoor hall, where the wedding was being held. A lot of guests had already left.

Only when they arrived at the hall did Seonjae turn to face Yeonu. He scanned her up and down again. This time, she made sure to stare at the floor.

“Don’t you think you were being nosy, messing with that dog?” Seonjae asked tartly. “Now you’ve got blood on your dress.”

Yeonu looked up, stung by how unfair he was being. “How was I supposed to just leave the dog when I knew he was injured…”

Her voice trailed off when she met Seonjae’s disapproving eyes. She hated moments like this. They terrified her, stole her voice, and made her feel like she was only an inch tall.

Seonjae’s sharp gaze looked like it could cut through the quiet evening air. He was much taller than her, and made a point of looming over her as he stared. He had thin double creases on his eyelids when he looked down, and the light cast a shadow across his face when it hit his long, straight nose.

It was hard enough to ignore the man when he was doing nothing; Yeonu never knew what to do with herself when he glared at her like this.

Seonjae took a step toward her, and she hunched her shoulders instinctively.

“I’m going to be home late today,” he said quietly. “You head back to the house now.”

Even when he spoke calmly, his voice seemed to be coated in shadow. Seonjae had the ability to change the atmosphere of any room he entered, through sheer force of personality.

Yeonu was so intimidated, she couldn’t say a word. A group of people walked past them, and she recognized a couple, including Sara Yu, a celebrity.

“Hurry up, Seonjae,” one guy called.

“Just a second,” he said. “I’m talking to my wife.”

“Ugh, what a romantic. See you later, Yeonu.”

“I told you to call her Mrs. Kang,” Seonjae retorted jokingly.

Yeonu touched her neck, chilled by the evening air.

They have no idea how pathetic our relationship is. How scared I am of this man. What kind of life I’m living. What’s going on in my head as I endure all this.

Uncaring of her distress, Seonjae stepped even closer.

“Did my aunt say something to you when you were alone?” he demanded.

Yeonu swallowed nervously. “She just asked if you and I were having problems.”

Seonjae’s sigh tickled her lashes. “Can’t you at least try to stand up for yourself with my family?”

Finding a scrap of courage, she glared at him wordlessly.

“See?” he said. “You’re capable of showing a little aggression when you’re with me.”

“You should go,” Yeonu said stiffly. “It looks like everyone’s waiting for you.”

Yeonu turned away from him. She no longer wanted to talk to him. She needed to go home, too. There was a lot to do.

Seonjae grabbed her arm. “Wait.”

His hand easily engulfed her slim wrist.

“My aunts are watching,” he muttered.

Seonjae let go of Yeonu’s arm and gently wrapped his huge hand around her waist. Then he pulled her into his arms.

Yeonu nearly let out a fed-up groan, but she managed to hold it in.

“Do you know what she said to me?” Seonjae asked, scoffing. “She said, ‘Don’t be too careful with birth control.’ Hah. She has no idea what kind of relationship we have.”

To his aunts, his sneer must’ve looked like an affectionate smile.

“Are they still watching us?” Yeonu asked.

“They’re probably waiting for something,” Seonjae said.

Yeonu’s heart skipped a beat at his response. She felt like she was being swallowed by his dark eyes—she couldn’t find a trace of emotion in them.

Yeonu tried to turn away, desperate not to fall under his spell, but Seonjae tightened his grip on her waist and gave her a cruel yet bewitching smile. The man was well aware of his own charm.

His stiflingly broad shoulder blocked part of the light before it could reach Yeonu.

“Why are you trying to leave?” he asked. “You know what I’m going to say.”

Yeonu could feel his sharp gaze on her skin, replacing the light.

“Look up and wrap your arms around my neck.”

He wasn’t asking. It was an order. He didn’t want it, either—it was all for show. A show they had to put on for Seonjae’s relatives, who were watching them suspiciously.

Yeonu raised her arms and wrapped them around her husband’s neck. His hand moved up from her waist to stroke her hair. When his finger glided over her ear, rustling her earrings, her earlobe burned like it had been whipped.

Seonjae grabbed a handful of her hair and lowered his lips. Their eyes met up close.

He parted his lips slightly, giving her a wordless command. When she didn’t comply, he frowned fleetingly. Then he pressed his lips to hers like he was trying to swallow them.

He sucked and teased her lips vigorously, and Yeonu had no choice but to endure it. Her ragged breathing eventually slowed down as she resigned herself to her fate. A tiny teardrop appeared at the corner of her eye.

Nothing was more pathetic than a kiss without feelings. But his hot, rapid breathing made her wonder if this man was feeling something after all.

She knew the thought would only make her more miserable, but she couldn’t help but get drawn in by the kiss.

She hated herself for it, so she struggled lightly in his arms. But he seemed to enjoy the kiss even more, knowing that she hated it.

Thump. Thump. Thump. It felt like he was hunting down her racing heart.

She would run, and he would chase. He would swallow her up, as though he wanted to take all her breath.

This was the man she was living with. The man she’d been enduring.

Would anyone believe her if she told them that she and her husband had kissed less than ten times over the course of their marriage? Besides, the man was too good with women.

She hated him. She resented him. And she hated herself for falling under his spell. But she’d decided to do everything he asked for today. Because this was going to be the last day.

She wasn’t going to stay with him. She was going to file for divorce. His aggressive kiss had only made her more determined.

This is going to be our last kiss.