“I donât 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 Jaehaâs goal wasnât marriage.
It was Jin Nayoon herself.
A girl who couldnât be defined by wordsâan extraordinary child of a rich but foolish household.
After staring at her quietly for a moment, Jaeha finally spoke.
“What if I say I wonât get married?”
In a marriage that couldnât happen without Jaeha, Nayoon didnât hesitate to make her move.
“Then Iâll find someone else with similar qualifications.”
Even as she spoke, Nayoonâs 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.
“Letâs hear the terms. The purpose and conditions of this marriage.”
He had only just found her againâhe couldnât let someone else take her away.
When he asked that, Nayoon answered calmly.
“Ruin my life.”
Her words were composed, but Jaehaâs 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.”
Noâit 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 bottomâutterly 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, then⌔
“But⌔
“⌔
“What if thereâs nothing I want from you?”
For the first time, a flicker of confusion passed over Nayoonâs previously calm face.
She hadnât considered that possibilityâ
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 thereâs nothing you want, then Iâll create something you do.”
Even if he asked for the company, sheâd give it up. No matter the fallout.
Thatâs how serious she was about this revenge.
“Not that I particularly⌔
“Then why did you arrange this meeting?”
Irritation flickered across her voice, making Jaeha stare at her.
Her eyes seemed to ask: Donât you want something, too?
That may have been trueâbefore 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 thatâs really what you need, I could introduce you to someone. Gambling, women, alcoholâtake 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.
“Iâm 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 donât have to ruin me. Just marry me, and then divorce me. Thatâs all I ask.”
Silence fell again. Nayoon lowered her gaze, her lips barely moving.
Then, he spoke first.
“For how long?”
“âŚExcuse me?”
“How long are you planning to stay married?”
Her eyes widened in surpriseâhis tone was not a refusal.
“You meanâyouâll marry me?”
“Letâs put together a proper plan later. For now, letâs agree to date with marriage in mind.”
“Ah⌔
She had succeeded. A full acceptance.
And yetâshe 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, itâs nothing. I just didnât expect you to decide so quickly.”
“Should I have pretended to hesitate?”
“No, I didnât mean it like that⌔
This time, her flustered state was obvious.
“Really, Iâm just grateful for your quick decision.”
She thought she had successfully reeled him inâbut 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. Iâll take care of the rest.”
He wasnât interested in ruining someoneâs life, but he needed to know why Jin Nayoon had made that choiceâ
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 clockâit 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 didnât 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.
Thatâs 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 thereâŚ?”
Daewoon and Suhyeok also paused their meals and looked at her.
As all eyes landed on her, Nayoon spoke.
“Iâm sorry. I donât think Iâll be having breakfast today.”
Daewoonâs frown deepenedâuntil her next words.
“Also, I have something to tell you. Iâve 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 Nayoonâs face.
Nor did they sense that the curtain had just risenâon the beginning of her revenge.
