The dim lights in the apartment flickered softly, casting shadows across the furniture. Park Y/N stirred on the sofa, her temples pulsing with a dull ache from the wine she had sipped at her bachelorette party. Groggy and disoriented, she blinked slowly, trying to remember when she had gotten home.

But what she saw next made her heart stop.

Just a few feet away, a man and a woman stood in a passionate embrace—locked in a kiss so deep, so intimate, it knocked the air from her lungs.

Her vision sharpened. Her breath hitched.

It was Kai.

And the woman in his arms?

Kim Jennie.

They didn’t notice her. Or worse… they didn’t care.

Y/N froze. Her world shattered in one silent instant.

Jennie giggled, clinging to Kai’s waist like she belonged there. “What’s the matter, babe? Afraid your little bride-to-be might wake up?”

Kai grunted, brushing a strand of hair from Jennie’s face. “She just fell asleep. Stop messing around.”

“You’re getting married tomorrow,” Jennie whispered, pouting. “Why don’t you spend tonight with me instead?”

Kai let out a low, amused laugh. “You really are a troublemaker. Let’s go to the other room.”

“No.” Jennie’s tone turned sharp. “I want to do it here. In front of her.”

She began unbuttoning his shirt again as she leaned in to kiss him. Their bodies pressed closer, as if they were alone.

Y/N’s eyes burned. Her chest tightened.

This can’t be real.

“Behave,” Kai said teasingly, licking his lips. “Let’s go to the bathroom. Isn’t that your favorite spot?”

Jennie grinned and shoved him toward the door. “Fill the tub first.”

As soon as he disappeared, Jennie turned her head, locking eyes with Y/N.

Her smile was venom.

She leaned down and whispered, “Y/N, I’m not letting you marry him tomorrow. I’m pregnant. He’s mine now.”

Then she walked away, hips swaying smugly.

Moments later, soft moans echoed from the bathroom. Y/N's hands trembled.

Three years ago, she had been Korea’s top model—graceful, elegant, celebrated. She had walked away from it all for Kai. For love. For a future.

And now?

She had nothing.

Maybe this is just a bad dream, she told herself. When I wake up tomorrow, everything will be fine.

But by midnight, Jennie claimed she wasn’t feeling well and told Kai to leave. He did.

He never came back.

And they were supposed to get married in the morning.

The Next Morning

Dressed in a cream blouse and high-waisted trousers, Y/N arrived at the courthouse. She wore large sunglasses that concealed her tired, swollen eyes, but her posture was upright—elegant, composed.

She stepped out of her car, the morning sun indifferent to her pain. She took a deep breath and called Kai.

He answered on the second ring.

“Jennie got injured during rehearsal. I need to be with her. Let’s postpone the registration.”

Y/N’s grip tightened on her phone. Her voice was steady. “Got it.”

There would be no “another day.” Not for them.

She ended the call, turned around, and started walking away.

But then, she saw him.

A man, tall and striking, was walking toward the entrance. His grey retro suit clung perfectly to his broad shoulders. A crisp white shirt peeked from underneath. His polished Gucci shoes glinted beneath the sun.

His features were sharp. Cold. Dangerous.

Kim Taehyung.

CEO of Kim Entertainment.

He was one of the most powerful men in the industry, and just like her, he was here today. Alone.

Behind him, his assistant Park Chan-yeol spoke in a low voice.

“President Kim, Miss Kwon Eun-bi hasn’t shown up yet.”

Taehyung didn’t even pause. “Call her family. If she can’t show up on time to her own wedding, tell them not to bother coming at all.”

“But sir, the chairman insists you get married today, no matter what,” Chan-yeol added quietly.

Taehyung’s gaze hardened. “Then pick someone. You have thirty minutes.”

Y/N blinked. So he’s in the same boat.

He wasn’t here for love. Just obligation.

Her feet moved before her brain could catch up. She stepped toward him, removed her sunglasses, and said boldly, “President Kim, your bride ran away. Mine did too. What do you say... should we marry each other?”

Chan-yeol’s eyes widened in shock.

Taehyung looked at her. Calm. Measuring.

“Get me her background,” he told Chan-yeol.

In less than a minute, he had everything. Her name. Her scandal with Kai. Her withdrawal from Star King. Her modeling legacy.

Taehyung’s lips curved.

“…Okay.”

Thirty minutes later, Park Y/N walked out of the courthouse with a red registration book in her hand.

She was now Mrs. Kim Taehyung.

They stopped just outside his car.

“President Kim,” she said quietly, “May I speak with you?”

“Get in,” he replied simply.

Inside the black Rolls-Royce, she gathered her thoughts.

“I know this marriage benefits both of us. But I have two simple requests: One, keep it secret for now. Two, please don’t interfere in my personal life. I won’t get close to any man, I promise.”

Taehyung loosened his collar and glanced out the window. Then he chuckled lightly.

“I’ll give you six months to wrap up your past. After that, I’ll announce our marriage. And…” He paused, his voice firm. “I don’t believe married couples should live apart. You have three days to move into the house I arrange.”

Y/N hesitated only for a moment. “I agree.”

As she stepped out of the car, Taehyung leaned toward Chan-yeol. “Follow her. Report her every move.”

“Yes, sir.”

Back in her own car, Y/N sat in silence. She had just married a man she barely knew.

And yet… she didn’t regret it.

Her phone buzzed. It was Kai.

“Y/N, where are you?”

“In front of the courthouse. Heading home.”

“Jennie’s injured. She has a big show today. I need you to walk in her place. Don’t worry, the makeup team will mask your identity. No one will know it’s you.”

“You said she was hurt on stage. Won’t the media already know?”

“I had the news suppressed. She’ll still appear at the venue. You’re just doing the show. I told you to go, so go.”

How easy it was for him to command her. As if she was a disposable stand-in.

“Fine. Send me the time and address.”

“Help Jennie shine tonight, okay? Her career is peaking.”

Y/N smiled coldly. “I’ll give her the kind of boost she deserves.”

After the call, she dialed her trusted assistant, Park Rose.

“He wants you to substitute for Jennie again?” Rose snapped. “Has he lost his mind? You carried that industry. If you hadn’t stepped down, Jennie would still be modeling in cheap catalogs.”

“I agreed.”

“…Why?”

“Because I have a plan. And from now on, I only trust you.”

“I’m listening.”

“Jennie’s pretending she’ll attend the show. But she’s still in the hospital. Get proof. And prepare a public statement—exposing how Kai used me as Jennie’s substitute for years. Oh, and one more thing… Jennie’s pregnant.”

Rose was silent for a second. Then: “The baby is Kai’s?”

Y/N’s eyes were cold. “Yes. Let’s make them both regret everything.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

That evening, Y/N arrived at the venue. The backstage buzzed with activity.

Kwon Min-ho, Jennie’s assistant, rushed toward her. “What took you so long? Quick, get into makeup.”

Y/N sat before the mirror calmly. “What kind of show is it?”

Min-ho avoided her gaze. “Nothing special.”

But she already knew. It was HK Jewelry’s showcase. The biggest of the year. The final model tonight would be considered for a global endorsement.

She was supposed to be invisible again.

Not tonight.

She walked out dressed in a white silk gown that hugged her figure, a golden mask covering her face, a white rose tucked in her hair. Her elegance was unmatched.

Min-ho fumbled with a bracelet. “It doesn’t fit. You’re slimmer than Jennie.”

Y/N met his eyes. “Do you trust me?”

“…I have no choice.”

“Then let me handle it.”

From the VIP box above the crowd, Taehyung sat with arms crossed, watching.

Chan-yeol leaned in. “She’s here, sir. Walking in Jennie’s place.”

Taehyung didn’t look away from the stage. “Send word to every media outlet. Make sure they’re watching.”

As the lights dimmed, Park Y/N stepped into the spotlight.

She didn’t walk the runway.

She owned it.

And Kim Taehyung watched every step, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

His wife had just announced her return to the world.

And she wasn’t here to play nice.