Read Married For The Wrong Reason

Juri Kim

"Are you okay, ma'am? Should I take you to the hospital?" the cab driver asked, looking at me through the rearview mirror with concern.

My mind snapped back to reality, but I couldn't look away from the window of L'Amour de la Cuisine. Through the glass, my heart sank. I saw Juwon walking hand in hand with none other than my best friend, Nari. They gazed at each other, and Juwon leaned down to kiss her on the cheek.

A wave of nausea hit me as the realization struck: they had both lied to me. I instinctively covered my mouth, feeling the urge to vomit, while the shopping bags from my morning spree crinkled against my knees. Inside those bags were the clothes I had just bought for my new job. Yesterday, I was hopping up and down, unable to contain my excitement after Elyvion called to tell me I got the management position. Now, the truth about my boyfriend and friend's betrayal washed over me, and I felt tears threatening to spill.

I should've known. How stupid have I been all this time?

Yesterday, Nari's smile vanished and her expression turned serious when I told her the news. She claimed she had plans with other friends today. Juwon sighed over the phone and told me he had paperwork to finish, promising we would celebrate on Sunday instead. I had texted them both thirty minutes ago, and they replied simultaneously.

The clues were right in my face and I... didn't know.

Gosh, I felt so stupid! I told myself they were just busy adults, but it was all a lie.

Suddenly, anger surged through me. My best friend of a decade and my boyfriend had betrayed me. The nausea evaporated, replaced by a boiling rage.

I paid the fair and immediately swung the door open.

Fueled by fierce determination, I grabbed my belongings and stepped out of the cab, slamming the door behind me. I had no plan for what I would say or do when I walked into that restaurant, but I was not going to let this slide without confronting them.

Sunjae Lee

I folded my arms and leaned back in my seat as Taeho, my secretary and best friend, laid out my schedule for the day while driving.

"Your grandfather wants you to attend the family dinner tomorrow evening––"

"Not happening," I interrupted firmly. He shot me a puzzled look, "Why not? You haven't seen him in a while."

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Just tell him I'm busy."

Taeho's expression grew more serious. "Chairman Lee personally called me and it sounded like he wasn't going to take no for an answer, Sunjae. I don't want to have to answer to him again."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance, "Fine. I'll take care of it."

"Also," he continued, "after work, you have a blind date lined up. She was personally chosen by Chairman Lee. You already know her very well, it's Choi Chaewon. She just got back from England after getting her master's degree from Oxford--"

"Cancel it. I'm not in the mood to go on any more blind dates," I cut him off again, and he inhaled deeply to steady himself.

"Sunjae, this is the third date you've canceled this week! You're going to face serious consequences with your grandfather when he finds out. He expects you to get married if you want to be the heir. Otherwise, your stepmother will do everything in her power to elevate your half-siblings."

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. After my mother left, my father remarried, resulting in younger half-siblings. It was clear that my stepmother was determined to win Chairman Lee's favor for her children over me.

"Anyway, we're here," Taeho said as he parked the car in front of my favorite restaurant. We stepped out and headed toward the entrance.

As we walked, a woman violently collided with a me, causing her to stumble.

She closed her eyes as she braced for impact, and out of reflex, I immediately wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her towards me to break her fall.

As I stood there holding her, her eyes slowly opened, and at that point, I found myself staring at her. She had full lips that held a natural pout, complementing her deep brown eyes framed by thick lashes. Softly arched brows and high cheekbones enhanced her radiant caramel skin, while her delicate nose balanced her striking features. Her curly hair framed her face elegantly, making her effortlessly captivating.

I frowned, deeply annoyed by this inconvenience.