The penthouse they now shared was nothing short of a masterpiece—sleek, modern, and filled with the finest furniture and decor money could buy. But despite its grandeur, it felt empty. Cold. The walls, once meant to shelter them in a shared life, now only separated them further.
Min-jae's decision to live in separate rooms—his own large, pristine bedroom on one side, and Seo-jin's on the other—was the first sign of how little he cared for the bond that once existed between them. To him, it was a mere formality. They were both trapped in a game of appearances, maintaining the illusion of a married couple to satisfy the public and their families. But behind closed doors, they were strangers.
Min-jae spent his days consumed by work. His role at Kang Group, the responsibilities piled on him by his father, and his constant research into new business strategies took up every minute of his time. When he wasn't in meetings or on calls, he was either exercising in the penthouse gym—pushing himself to achieve perfection—or writing research papers that gave him a sense of purpose, a way to channel his anger, his self-loathing, and his boredom.
He cooked his own meals, a ritual that allowed him a brief moment of peace before the house staff arrived. He had no time or energy for Seo-jin, and it was as though he had locked away his emotions entirely. His indifference to her was palpable, a constant reminder of how much he had changed since their past together. It was as if the person she had known no longer existed, replaced by someone who was too absorbed in his own world to care for anyone else.
Seo-jin, on the other hand, felt the loneliness weighing on her. She had once been the center of Min-jae's attention, but now she was an afterthought. The silence between them was deafening. Every evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, she would retreat to her room, pouring herself glass after glass of wine in a desperate attempt to fill the emptiness that consumed her.
She tried to distract herself with other things—shopping, reading, anything—but it was all in vain. Every day, it felt like she was drowning in a sea of boredom and regret. She couldn't help but replay the events that had led to this point, the choices she had made, and how it had all culminated in her isolation.
In her quieter moments, she would wonder if she had truly been punished for breaking off their engagement four years ago. Was this what she deserved? Had she brought this cold, distant man into her life because of her own foolish decisions? She had once thought that rejecting him would free her, but now, she was trapped in a gilded cage—living with a man who barely acknowledged her existence.
Her thoughts spiraled, and the alcohol did little to ease the ache in her chest. She missed the old Min-jae, the one who had been reckless and carefree. The man she had once dreamed of building a life with. But that Min-jae was long gone, and she couldn't help but feel as though the consequences of her actions had come full circle. She had broken his heart, and now, in return, she was the one left shattered.
Every day, she would sit in her room, surrounded by the silence of the penthouse, wondering if there would ever be a way back. But deep down, she knew the truth: she had lost him forever.