FTC Chapter 1(Part 8)

 

One dress. Then another.

 

Under the hands of the boutique staff, Seoyeon was dressed up like a Barbie doll.

 

The first was a classic silk ballgown with a voluminous skirt.

 

Even putting it on was a struggle—how was she supposed to breathe in this thing?

 

But the real ordeal began when the curtain was drawn back, revealing her in front of Jaebin.

 

What the hell are you staring at?

 

She smiled with her lips, but her eyes shot daggers at him.

 

And why did they have to stick so many accessories in her hair?

 

The tight updo already hurt, but the countless hairpins digging into her scalp made it worse.

 

Unlike the male leads in dramas, Jaebin didn’t widen his eyes or part his lips in admiration.

 

Of course, he wouldn’t.

 

“…”

 

His gaze traveled over her from head to toe, scrutinizing every inch like he was assessing a product.

 

It was the same look that had suffocated her the first time they met.

 

Then, his brows furrowed deeply.

 

“Sir, perhaps we should try a different design—”

 

The manager hesitated as Jaebin remained silent for a long time.

 

With an awkward cough, she motioned for the staff to close the curtain.

 

And then, finally, he spoke.

 

No—he ground out the words.

 

Like a curse.

 

In that moment, Seoyeon caught something in his eyes.

 

“You look… kind.”

 

The way he looked at her—as if she were an enemy who had killed his family.

 

The manager and staff exchanged glances.

 

What kind of reaction was that?

 

Seoyeon didn’t understand it either.

 

But one thing was clear—Jaebin was making every decision alone.

 

The marriage, the dress, everything.

 

As if he had the sole right to decide.

 

Not that she cared about wedding dresses, but this too?

 

Bastard. Absolute bastard.

 

She muttered “stay calm” under her breath like a prayer—until the words started to feel foreign.

 

The second dress was a mermaid-style gown adorned with beads.

 

It was off-the-shoulder, leaving her collarbones and neckline exposed, hugging every curve of her body.

 

When the curtain opened, Jaebin’s gaze swept over her again.

 

“…”

 

His black eyes traced over her face.

 

Her bare neck.

 

Her collarbones.

 

Her pale shoulders.

 

The boutique staff, noticing Jaebin’s complete lack of reaction, overcompensated with exaggerated gasps and praise.

 

“Director, your collarbones are so beautiful, and your neck is so long—the off-shoulder design suits you perfectly.”

 

For god’s sake, could he say something?

 

Stop just staring like that.

 

Seoyeon’s eyes screamed the words as she bit down hard on her lower lip. Her hands, gripping the bouquet, trembled slightly from the sheer force of her grip.

 

“…”

 

Nothing.

 

The boutique manager, growing increasingly restless, hesitantly asked,

 

“Sir, shall we move on to the next dress?”

 

No response.

 

Just that gaze.

 

Like he was about to stride over and wrap his hands around her neck.

 

Seoyeon stared back, unwavering. Her lips parted slightly before she could stop herself, and the words slipped out.

 

“Could you step outside for a moment?”

 

She forced a smile that barely looked like one.

 

The staff and manager quickly bowed and exited.

 

It all happened in an instant—the request, their departure, the sudden realization that they were alone in this vast room.

 

She swallowed every curse, every insult, every bitter retort, until all that remained was one painfully polite sentence, stripped of emotion.

 

A suffocating silence settled between them.

 

Slowly, Seoyeon placed the bouquet onto a small side table.

 

“What exactly am I supposed to be doing in this marriage?”

 

A thousand words clawed at her throat, fighting to be spoken.

 

She wanted to stride toward him, but the dress, the shoes—everything held her in place.

 

Standing there, in front of Jaebin, she felt like a mannequin on display.

 

For her mother.

 

For him.

 

“Of course, you’d never ask me anything. Just like a proper blackmailer.”

 

“…”

 

“If I keep my mouth shut and let myself be used, I should at least be treated nicely, right? What, are you scared I might lose my mind and do something reckless?”

 

“…”

 

“Get a grip. We’re supposed to be acting like newlyweds.”

 

“And why would I?”

 

Seoyeon frowned. Had she misheard?

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“Is it so strange that I get to evaluate and decide in my own planned marriage?”

 

“What?”

 

“Consideration?”

 

Jaebin tilted his head.

 

There wasn’t even a trace of a smile—just sheer mockery written all over his face.

 

His eyes, devoid of warmth, locked onto her.

 

“Who’s considering whom?”

 

A sharp exhale escaped her parted lips.

 

“Baek Seoyeon.”

 

Jaebin called her name in a low voice as he walked toward her.

 

The weighty thud of his dress shoes against the floor matched the pounding of her heart.

 

He leaned in close, his face just inches from hers, and spoke.

 

“I get that you’re upset about being sold off by your mother.”

 

“…”

 

“But I don’t have the patience for childish tantrums.”

 

“…”

 

“How long are you going to act like the helpless victim?”

 

His dark brown eyes glinted dangerously.

 

Her hands trembled.

 

For a moment, it felt like her voice had been stolen.

 

The name Baek Seoyeon and the number 9 million dollars resurfaced in her mind, looming over her like a brand burned into her skin.

 

It was her name, and yet, in that moment, it felt more foreign than ever.

 

“Why are you doing all of this?”

 

Her voice, low and cold, settled heavily between them.

 

“Do you even see me as a person?”

 

Of course not.

 

Seoyeon answered her own question before he could.

 

And then—

 

“‘Reason.’”

 

Jaebin suddenly seized both of her hands. Before she could react, he shoved her backward.

 

The impact barely registered before she felt the cold wall against her back.

 

Thud—!

 

In mere seconds, her wrists were locked in his grip, trapped.

 

Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst.

 

His voice, laced with something dark—something close to madness—fell over her.

 

“Let’s call it this.”

 

She barely had time to tell him to let go before her lips were sealed shut.

 

She hadn’t expected this.

 

Not in a million years.

 

A muffled sound escaped from between their locked lips as she struggled.

 

Her wrists, caged in his grip, wouldn’t budge no matter how much she fought.

 

His lips devoured hers in an instant.

 

Heat surged between them as his tongue grazed her lower lip, forcing its way in.

 

“Mmph—!”

 

She turned her head, desperate to escape, but he followed, refusing to let go.

 

His hand tightened around her wrists with a force that threatened to break them.

 

His mouth pressed deeper, his tongue curling against hers as if to consume her completely.

 

Her breath hitched against his cheek.

 

With the suffocating dress holding her in place, she could barely move.

 

“Hah…!”

 

When he finally pulled away, his face came into view through her blurred vision.

 

And for a moment, she thought he might actually kill her.

 

Chills ran down her spine.

 

“…”

 

A vein throbbed angrily against his temple.

 

His pupils were blown wide, his entire expression teetering on the edge of something terrifying.

 

What the hell was that emotion swelling inside him?

 

That fury—no, that sheer madness—what was it?

 

And this disgusting kiss—

 

Spit.

 

Seoyeon didn’t hesitate.

 

Still panting, she spat at his face.

 

With her body and hands bound, it was the only act of defiance she had left.

 

“Let go.”

 

Her voice trembled, but the threat in it was unmistakable.

 

A sharp glint of fury flashed in her eyes.

 

“Before I start screaming my lungs out.”

 

Jaebin looked down at her with eyes as cold and unfeeling as a killing machine.

 

Slowly, he released his grip.

 

Seoyeon yanked her hands away and immediately tore out the countless accessories pinned in her hair, ripping them free as if she couldn’t stand their touch. Then, she grabbed at the dress, roughly crumpling the fabric as she peeled it off.

 

It wasn’t just that she was undressing—it felt as if she was escaping from the dress itself.

 

Jaebin took a step back, watching her every movement without looking away for even a second.

 

“Release the ledger. Every single detail, down to the last cent.”

 

Standing there in just a white off-shoulder bra and panties, Seoyeon didn’t hesitate. She grabbed her coat and bag from the side and strode out through the curtain.

 

She didn’t pause.

 

She walked straight to the door of the room and swung it open.

 

“Director…!”

 

The waiting staff gasped, their eyes going wide in shock.

 

The only one who remained unfazed by her near-naked state was Han Mooyoung.

 

“Call a taxi. The fastest one you can get. Right now.”

 

Mooyoung glanced at his phone—no calls from Jaebin yet.

 

He hurriedly began shrugging off his jacket to offer it to her, but at that moment, the room’s door swung open again.

 

“…”

 

It was Jaebin.

 

Seoyeon sucked in a deep breath.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Jaebin calmly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

 

She didn’t need to turn around to see his expression—she already knew.

 

That smile, that carefully curated mask of warmth, the look that said, “My wife is a little eccentric. Please understand.”

 

It was all too easy to picture.

 

Mooyoung stood at a distance, watching her closely.

 

Don’t move.

Don’t say another word.

He’ll destroy you.

 

Her chest tightened to the point of pain.

 

“Just five minutes.”

 

Jaebin wrapped his arm around her shoulders again, leading her back inside.

 

The weight of complete and utter defeat wrapped around her throat like a noose.

 

She had walked out with boldness, demanding the ledger be made public. But now, as Jaebin’s grip pulled her back, reality crashed down on her like a bitter wind.

 

This was the end.

 

If that ledger was exposed, everything she had planned—her business, her escape from Hyunju, her entire life—would be over.

 

That couldn’t happen.

 

And she knew it.

 

Click—

 

The door shut behind them.

 

At that moment, Seoyeon fully understood.

 

To this man, she wasn’t a person.

 

This marriage wasn’t a relationship.

 

She was a shield—an excellent one, built to protect his company and his empire.

 

She was nothing more than a vessel, a convenient cart carrying him into Mare.

 

Seoyeon stared blankly at his back.

 

She wasn’t even human in his eyes.

 

How furious must he be that she had dared to resist him?

 

Jaebin walked over to the desk in front of the sofa, picked up the champagne bottle, and uncorked it with a quiet pop.

 

The soft trickle of liquor followed.

 

The cold marble floor sent a chill through her bare feet.

 

“…”

 

A half-filled champagne glass appeared before her.

 

Jaebin held it out as if nothing had happened—as if he hadn’t just forced a kiss on her moments ago.

 

Alcohol? Now?

 

Seoyeon, pale and drained, lifted her gaze to him.

 

“Drink.”

 

“…”

 

“If you think being drunk will help you keep your mouth shut.”

 

Something hot and heavy spread through her chest.

 

She had never realized before—never truly understood—

 

That when anger burned too fiercely, it could leave you dizzy.

 

That when emotions broke past their limits, they could turn into something so cold, so sharp, that even your teeth would chatter.

 

* ~ *