Yoon Ara stood frozen as the woman held Jae-min's arm.
She was beautiful in a way that demanded attention—elegant, confident, the kind of woman who looked like she belonged beside a man like him.
Her grip on his arm wasn't shy or uncertain. It was familiar.
"Oh," the woman said, finally noticing Ara.
"Who is she?"
Jae-min gently moved his arm away, though not fast enough to erase what Ara had already seen. "She's… someone who will be staying here."
The words hurt more than Ara expected.
"Staying here?" The woman's lips curved in faint amusement as her gaze traveled over Ara. "Interesting."
"I'm Seo Yura," she said, offering a hand.
"Jae-min's close friend."
Ara hesitated before taking it. "Yoon Ara."
Chairman Han spoke before anyone else could. "Ara is my son's wife."
The air changed instantly.
Yura's smile froze. "Wife?"
Jae-min didn't correct it. He didn't explain it either.
"That's surprising," Yura said softly.
"You never mentioned getting married."
"It happened quickly," Jae-min replied.
"So quickly you didn't even tell me?" Yura's tone was light, but something sharp flashed in her eyes.
Ara felt like an outsider in her own marriage.
Dinner was worse.
Yura sat close to Jae-min, talking to him as if Ara wasn't there—laughing at his short replies, pouring him water before he even asked.
"You still don't like too much spice, right?" Yura said.
Jae-min nodded. "I don't."
Ara looked down at her plate.
Yura knew him. Not the cold man Ara had met, but someone familiar.
After dinner, Jae-min stood. "I'll show Ara to her room."
"Of course," Yura smiled. "You know your way better than anyone."
As they walked down the long hallway, Ara finally spoke.
"Is she… important to you?"
Jae-min didn't answer right away. "It's none of your business."
"I know," Ara whispered. "But I'm still your wife."
That made him stop.
He turned to her, his eyes dark. "Only on paper."
Ara lowered her gaze.
He opened a door. "This is your room. You'll stay here."
The room was beautiful—but it didn't feel like hers.
Before she could say anything, Yura's voice echoed down the hallway.
"Jae-min, you forgot your phone."
She walked right up to him, close enough that Ara had to step back.
"Are you sure she's okay alone?" Yura asked sweetly. "This place is so big… it can feel lonely."
"I'll be fine," Ara said softly.
Yura smiled at her. "Good."
But the look in her eyes said something very different.
As Jae-min took his phone, Yura's fingers brushed his.
Ara watched.
And for the first time since signing that contract, she felt something sharp and painful settle deep in her chest.