Sooah had made up her mind. She could no longer ignore the gnawing feeling in her chest, the way her heart ached every time she thought of Jaemin. She could no longer pretend that the engagement to Lee Joon-Ho meant anything more than an obligation, a formality that had been put in place to protect her from the fallout of her past mistakes. But now, after seeing Jaemin at the gala—after feeling the sheer difference in him, the way he stood so confidently in his new skin—she knew what she had to do.
It wasn't just regret that drove her now. It was something deeper. The realization that Jaemin had become someone so much more than she could have ever imagined had shaken her to the core. She had been wrong about him, and that mistake had been eating away at her. The only way to prove her sincerity was to break free of the engagement with Joon-Ho, to go after the one person who could make her feel whole again.
The thought terrified her, but the decision had been made.
She stormed into the Mirae Group headquarters, determination coursing through her veins. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floors as she moved swiftly through the corridors, ignoring the surprised glances of the employees. Jaemin's office was at the end of a long hall, and as she approached it, her heart pounded louder in her chest. She didn't know what to expect once she saw him again, but one thing was clear—she had to take the plunge.
Without knocking, she flung open the door to Jaemin's office.
Jaemin was on the phone, his back to her, speaking with the kind of cold efficiency that always impressed everyone around him. He was seated at his desk, papers scattered in front of him, but his focus was entirely on the conversation. Sooah stood frozen in the doorway, watching him for a moment, mesmerized by the sight. This wasn't the lazy, unmotivated boy she had once known. This was a man who commanded respect—someone who had built something for himself, someone who had found his place in the world.
She shook off her reverence and cleared her throat. Jaemin's head snapped up at the sound, and his brow furrowed slightly when he saw her standing there, an unexpected presence in the sterile, professional space of his office.
He ended the call quickly, his voice cool. "Sooah. What brings you here?"
Sooah took a deep breath, stepping forward, her heart racing. She had no plan—no script—but she knew she had to do this now. No turning back.
"I've come to talk about the engagement," Sooah said, her voice steady but her insides trembling. She couldn't let him see how vulnerable she was. Not yet. "I'm breaking it off with Joon-Ho."
Jaemin didn't immediately respond. He didn't need to say anything; his eyes narrowed as if he was waiting for her to elaborate. Sooah pressed on.
"I made a mistake, Jaemin. I thought I could move on, but I can't. I need to make things right between us," she said, her voice a little more fragile now. "But I can't just expect you to take me back, right? I know I hurt you, and I need to prove I'm serious. So… here's my proposal."
Jaemin raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Go on."
Sooah took a deep breath, walking closer to his desk. She'd rehearsed this in her mind a hundred times, but now, standing in front of him, it felt impossible. She forced herself to be bold.
"I want to marry you, Jaemin. But I know you won't take me back easily. So, I'm willing to sign a contract—a deal, really—so you'll know I'm not going to run away again."
Jaemin's eyes flickered, but he didn't interrupt, letting her continue.
Sooah reached into her bag and pulled out a folded contract, her hands slightly trembling as she placed it on his desk. "Here are the terms: If we marry and divorce, no alimony. If we have children, the first one will be yours, and the second will be mine. Any children after that will be yours. We'll finance our own spending, and there will be no love commitments required. And, most importantly… only you can initiate the divorce."
Jaemin stared at the contract, his eyes scanning the absurd terms she had laid out. For a moment, there was complete silence between them, and Sooah felt the weight of the situation pressing down on her.
"You're serious about this?" Jaemin finally asked, his voice low.
Sooah nodded, not meeting his eyes. "I know it's ridiculous. But this is how I'm showing you that I won't leave you again. I won't run away. I'm ready to make it work, on your terms."
She watched him closely, unsure of what he was thinking, but Jaemin's face was impossible to read. He leaned back in his chair, considering the contract with a contemplative expression. There was no sign of the boy she had once known, no hint of the weakness she had used to manipulate. Instead, there was only this calm, unshakable man, someone who was in control and wasn't about to let anyone dictate the terms of his life.
Then, to her shock, he nodded slowly.
"Alright. I'll accept your proposal. But know this, Sooah," Jaemin said, his voice cool but firm. "I'm doing this because you need to prove you're serious. Not because I believe you'll stay. But if we do this, you'll follow the terms I've set, and there will be no room for emotions getting in the way."
Sooah blinked, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn't expected him to accept so easily, nor had she expected his cold, detached response. But she knew this was Jaemin's way of taking control. He wasn't going to let her manipulate him again.
"Understood," Sooah said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind inside her.
Jaemin took the contract, signing it without hesitation. "Let's make sure this time, there's no turning back."
Sooah exhaled, a small, uncertain smile tugging at her lips. This was it. The beginning of something new, something that might just work—if she could hold onto it.