Mine, Again Chapter 1

“Now, there are no more excuses to avoid it.”

 

A private room in a seven-star hotel restaurant. Su-hwa’s gaze, which had been fixed on the night view beneath her feet, shifted to her reflection in the floor-to-ceiling glass window.

 

A black wrap-style dress that clung tightly to her body. The deep neckline subtly revealed her cleavage, and the hem of the dress parted at the thigh, leaving little to the imagination.

 

“You take after your mother completely, so glamorous things suit you. Outfits like these stimulate a man’s imagination. Just a pull on the string, and your bare body will be revealed. How enticing is that? Being able to wear something like this without looking vulgar is a skill in itself.”

 

To think that the clothes her so-called father had chosen were like this. But she couldn’t defy him. The one holding her leash was none other than her biological father, Song Won-sik.

 

“Don’t forget that if you mess up this matchmaking again, the interest on your debt will only pile up further. I never invest in failures. Just think about what has already been spent on you.”

 

The ever-increasing debt. And it wasn’t even a debt she had incurred herself. From the moment she was born, she had ruined her mother’s life, and in return, she had inherited a mountain of private loans.

 

“I-I’m sorry, Su-hwa. This is all my fault. At first, it was just ten million won. I thought I could pay it off quickly, but…”

 

From ten million to one hundred million, then adding a few hundred million more on top. Even after deducting the advance interest, the accumulating interest turned the debt into billions in no time.

 

Could she escape from this? She had tried to run away, only to be caught within days.

 

The deliberation didn’t last long. If this marriage was the answer, then she could only hope that a decent man would appear.

 

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m a bit late, aren’t I? I had an important contract to take care of.”

 

A greasy face. A scalp that shone even more than his face. Sticky eyes that swept over her body the moment he saw her.

 

The man who walked through the door looked to be well over forty.

 

Well, when had life ever been kind to her?

 

Su-hwa bit the flesh inside her cheek and lowered her head.

 

“It’s okay. Mr. Park, I’m Song Su-hwa.”

 

“Wow, you’re even prettier in person. I saw you on that TV survival program for agency trainees.”

 

“Ah… You did? It wasn’t even a highly rated show.”

 

“I even voted for you. Imagine, the daughter of Soul Entertainment’s chairman debuting as an idol. It was intriguing.”

 

The man’s eyes gleamed as he pulled his chair closer.

 

Luckily, the table was wide enough. Otherwise, he would have shoved his face right up to hers.

 

“I only did it because I pestered my father when I was young. In the end, my debut never happened.”

 

Su-hwa smoothly recited the answer she had prepared. She didn’t forget to add a wistful expression she had practiced in the mirror.

 

“I was so disappointed when I saw the news of your withdrawal. But thanks to that, I get to meet you today, so I suppose it’s a blessing in disguise. Haha.”

 

“I appreciate you thinking that way.”

 

“I heard you left due to health reasons. Are you okay now? There were also rumors at the time that Chairman Song Won-sik didn’t want his daughter to become a celebrity.”

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

“Back then, fans used to argue whether you had a deer-like or rabbit-like face. Seeing you in person, you’re an elegant fawn. Haha.”

 

The man continued talking excitedly, as if this was an idol fan meeting rather than a matchmaking session.

 

Su-hwa only responded with a practiced eye smile, keeping up with the atmosphere.

 

Three years ago.

 

A survival program to select members for Soul Entertainment’s new girl group.

 

Following Song Won-sik’s plan, Su-hwa had participated.

 

– “You don’t have to worry too much about dancing or singing. You don’t have the basics anyway. Just smile when the camera is rolling. You have the face of a guaranteed center.”

 

His prediction was spot on.

 

Her striking looks, tall height, and model-like proportions made her stand out. Her dancing and singing barely surpassed the average, but when she stood at the center, the stage always became a hot topic.

 

She compensated for her lack of skill by cutting down on sleep. Her hard work moved the audience, and she made it to the debut lineup in the finals.

 

She withdrew immediately afterward due to “health issues,” but that, too, was all part of Song Won-sik’s scheme.

 

It was merely a strategy to make his daughter famous so he could sell her at a high price.

 

Her wishes had never been considered.

 

“I’ll be direct. I like you, Su-hwa. It feels like I’ve become a successful fan. The thought of living with an ex-idol wife, sharing the same bed…”

 

She had to endure this time. But facing a man who was leering at her face and chest made her feel suffocated. Su-hwa abruptly stood up from her seat.

 

“I’m sorry. I need to use the restroom for a moment…”

 

“You must be nervous. Cute. Go ahead.”

 

Her steps quickened as she exited the room. Before she knew it, she had reached the end of the hallway in front of the powder room.

 

A ringing sensation. A wave of dizziness hit her.

 

Come to think of it, all she had eaten today was a single plate of salad. During matchmaking periods, her diet was strictly controlled. No wonder she lacked energy.

 

Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, Su-hwa pushed open the restroom door.

 

“Aren’t the rumors about him being gay true?”

 

A sharp voice snapped from inside. Su-hwa’s heels halted as if she had tripped over a rock.

 

“Writing a confidentiality agreement just to go on a matchmaking date? Does that even make sense?”

 

A confidentiality agreement? She had no intention of eavesdropping on someone else’s call. But how could she block out voices coming from beyond the stall?

 

“Still, what choice do I have? There’s no one else in Korea like him! I threw away my pride to come here. If he suddenly presents some bizarre conditions…”

 

The woman’s voice faded. Feeling awkward, Su-hwa stepped into an empty stall.

 

“Ugh, whatever! Someone just entered the restroom. I’ll call you later.”

 

Sensing someone’s presence, the woman grumbled and ended the call. Having spent her life reading the room, Su-hwa felt guilty even toward a stranger. She only left the restroom long after the other woman had gone.

 

Did I take too long? If Mr. Park gets upset, it’ll be a problem.

 

In this marriage, she was the powerless one. The accumulating debt would simply be renamed as an “investment” and passed on to the man who married her.

 

So how was this any different from being sold off?

 

“I’m sorr…”

 

She opened the door, ready to apologize—but then she saw an unfamiliar face. Or rather, not unfamiliar, but entirely unexpected. Su-hwa covered her mouth in shock.

 

Ryu Sung-woon?

 

His hair was neatly swept back, revealing thick eyebrows and a straight nose bridge below. Beyond the silver-rimmed glasses, his sharp eyes gleamed as if they could cut through anything.

 

The three-piece suit draped over his firm body exuded an aura so lofty that it felt difficult to approach. It was unmistakably Ryu Sung-woon.

 

The young master of the Birchwood Mansion.

 

How is he in this room?

 

Before she could even process her shock, Sung-woon’s lips parted. But his words were not directed at her—they were meant for the person seated across from him.

 

“I have no intention of laying a hand on any woman. That includes my wife as well.”

 

Only then did Su-hwa grasp the situation. She had entered the wrong room. This was the room adjacent to the one she was supposed to go into.

 

“What… So the rumors were true?”

 

“Hm.”

 

Neither a confirmation nor a denial.

 

The woman sitting across from Sung-woon trembled, clearly offended. Her voice was familiar—it belonged to the woman Su-hwa had encountered in the restroom.

 

It had nothing to do with her, yet Su-hwa found herself focusing intently on Sung-woon’s words.

 

“Then why are you here at all?”

 

“Because an heir is necessary.”

 

“But you just said you have no intention of touching a woman.”

 

“There are medical technologies available that allow one to have a child without physical contact. I don’t see why that should be a problem.”

 

What on earth had she just heard?

 

Her fingers trembled as she gripped the doorknob. The room was spacious enough that she remained unnoticed until the door fully closed behind her.

 

A way to have a child without touching a woman? No matter how she thought about it, he was referring to in-vitro fertilization.

 

She had overheard something she absolutely should not have.