“I donāt think you’re attending this matchmaking meeting because you like the idea of marriage.”
Curious about where the conversation was going, Jaeha remained silent and continued listening. What followed was even more absurd.
“If marriage can help us both achieve our goals, wouldn’t it be more beneficial to go through with it?”
Jaeha knew well the nature of those who saw marriage as a means to an end.
If personal or business goals and conditions aligned, that was all that mattered.
For Jin Nayoon, this marriage was the goal, and divorce was the condition.
But Jaehaās goal wasnāt marriage.
It was Jin Nayoon herself.
A girl who couldnāt be defined by wordsāan extraordinary child of a rich but foolish household.
After staring at her quietly for a moment, Jaeha finally spoke.
“What if I say I wonāt get married?”
In a marriage that couldnāt happen without Jaeha, Nayoon didnāt hesitate to make her move.
“Then Iāll find someone else with similar qualifications.”
Even as she spoke, Nayoonās heart sank. Jaeha frowned at her casual words.
A subtle silence fell between them.
Yet behind that silence, both minds were racing through their respective dilemmas.
Then, Jaeha broke the silence.
“Letās hear the terms. The purpose and conditions of this marriage.”
He had only just found her againāhe couldnāt let someone else take her away.
When he asked that, Nayoon answered calmly.
“Ruin my life.”
Her words were composed, but Jaehaās eyes turned cold.
With just that one sentence, he no longer needed to ask what had happened to her or how she’d lived.
“Not something you say to a guy you’re being set up with. You’re awfully honest.”
“I thought you might actually be able to do it.”
Noāit had to be him.
Even under his piercing gaze, Nayoon remained steady.
“And how, exactly, do you want me to ruin it?”
“From the highest point. When everything’s going perfectly.”
Until she fell all the way to the bottomāutterly and miserably.
Sensing the unspoken part of her sentence, Jaeha’s dark eyes glinted with interest.
“Then what will you give me in return, Ms. Jin Nayoon?”
“Anything you want.”
As if you know what I even want.
Jaeha tilted his head slightly and gave a faint laugh.
“I like that answer.”
“If you like it, thenā¦”
“Butā¦”
“ā¦”
“What if thereās nothing I want from you?”
For the first time, a flicker of confusion passed over Nayoonās previously calm face.
She hadnāt considered that possibilityā
That to him, marriage itself, she herself, might be utterly useless.
“And I’m not the type who enjoys ruining people either.”
His indifferent tone stung. Nayoon forced herself to stay composed.
“If thereās nothing you want, then Iāll create something you do.”
Even if he asked for the company, sheād give it up. No matter the fallout.
Thatās how serious she was about this revenge.
“Not that I particularlyā¦”
“Then why did you arrange this meeting?”
Irritation flickered across her voice, making Jaeha stare at her.
Her eyes seemed to ask: Donāt you want something, too?
That may have been trueābefore she’d mentioned divorce and destroying her life.
“What kind of husband ruins his wife’s life?”
His calm statement sent a chill down her spine.
“If thatās really what you need, I could introduce you to someone. Gambling, women, alcoholātake your pick.”
Nayoon felt dizzy.
Realizing how disrespectful and outrageous her earlier words had been, shame rushed in like a wave.
“Do you dislike those options? Would you prefer something else?”
The cold question snapped her back to her senses.
“Iām sorry. That was inappropriate of me.”
Her voice trembled as if she truly meant it. Her eyes quivered.
As his gaze lingered, Nayoon added softly,
“You donāt have to ruin me. Just marry me, and then divorce me. Thatās all I ask.”
Silence fell again. Nayoon lowered her gaze, her lips barely moving.
Then, he spoke first.
“For how long?”
“ā¦Excuse me?”
“How long are you planning to stay married?”
Her eyes widened in surpriseāhis tone was not a refusal.
“You meanāyouāll marry me?”
“Letās put together a proper plan later. For now, letās agree to date with marriage in mind.”
“Ahā¦”
She had succeeded. A full acceptance.
And yetāshe felt rattled.
If they were dating with marriage in mind, it meant marriage might not happen right away.
She wanted it to happen quickly. She needed to get out of that house as soon as possible.
“Why that expression?”
Jaeha asked, and Nayoon quickly masked her face.
“Oh, itās nothing. I just didnāt expect you to decide so quickly.”
“Should I have pretended to hesitate?”
“No, I didnāt mean it like thatā¦”
This time, her flustered state was obvious.
“Really, Iām just grateful for your quick decision.”
She thought she had successfully reeled him inābut still, Nayoon felt unsure if this was truly the right path.
His eyes narrowed.
“You really are honest.”
Nayoon lifted her gaze. He had read her again.
“No need to overthink it. Just focus on the reason you wanted this marriage in the first place. Iāll take care of the rest.”
He wasnāt interested in ruining someoneās life, but he needed to know why Jin Nayoon had made that choiceā
And what she thought she could gain from a life that had already collapsed.
* * *
Morning sunlight streamed in through the window.
Frowning slightly at the brightness, Nayoon buried herself under the blanket, then suddenly threw it off and sat up.
Still half-asleep, she began getting ready for work.
She glanced at the clockāit was almost time for breakfast.
Usually, she would be dressed and seated in the dining room, waiting with her father and stepmother.
And yet, she didnāt rush.
With light makeup on, Nayoon picked up her bag and car keys and left the room.
As she descended the stairs and entered the dining room, her family was already eating.
Daewoon, seeing the empty seat, looked visibly irritated.
Thatās when Jurahn turned toward Nayoon.
“Nayoon, why are you so late today? You know your father hates missing breakfast. Sit down, quickly.”
Nayoon stopped in her tracks, saying nothing.
Jurahn, expecting her to apologize and quietly take her seat as usual, was startled to see her standing frozen.
“What are you doing just standing thereā¦?”
Daewoon and Suhyeok also paused their meals and looked at her.
As all eyes landed on her, Nayoon spoke.
“Iām sorry. I donāt think Iāll be having breakfast today.”
Daewoonās frown deepenedāuntil her next words.
“Also, I have something to tell you. Iāve agreed to start seeing CEO Koo Jaeha with marriage in mind.”
“What? Really? Oh my goodness!”
At the mere mention of a successful match, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
No one noticed the chill on Nayoonās face.
Nor did they sense that the curtain had just risenāon the beginning of her revenge.
