THICA 8

Chapter 8

The bridal waiting room on the day of the wedding. The space, decorated with lisianthus, reminded Yeseo of her mother.

“Do you really think you can be happy like this? It’s an arranged marriage, after all.”

Yejin, who had been lingering nearby, sneered quietly enough that the others could not hear her.

Her expression reminded Yeseo of how she had looked when they met before Yeseo’s death. The memory of her previous marriage came back to her, along with the words “discarded replacement” and “tool.” Her blood boiled with anger.

However, she realized that showing such a reaction was exactly what Yejin wanted, so she calmed herself down.

“Even if it’s an arranged marriage, we trust each other, so I’ll be happy.”

“Trust?”

Yejin let out a mocking laugh.

“You’re so naive, Sis. Do you think trust is that easy to build?”

Yejin leaned closer and whispered in her ear.

“Sis, did you know? If your mother were still alive, she would never have allowed an arranged marriage like this.”

For a moment, Yeseo felt as if her heart had been gripped tightly.

“You were just lucky. Something like that can fall apart so easily.”

Yejin frowned, then composed herself and left the bridal waiting room.

Apparently, her goal in visiting had been to upset Yeseo before the wedding.

However, Yeseo had become less affected by her family’s behavior than she had expected.

That was especially true since she had resolved to live for herself.

Still, bringing up her mother had struck a nerve.

Her previous marriage had left deep wounds. It had been nothing more than a marriage used as collateral for an investment. Her current situation was similar, since this marriage of convenience was also based on certain conditions.

As she tried to calm her growing anxiety over the possibility of history repeating itself, Seoyeon entered the room.

“What was your sister doing here? Is she still being spiteful even today?”

Seoyeon knew how Yejin usually tormented Yeseo, so she was displeased.

“It wasn’t anything special. Thank you for coming today.”

“Of course I had to come! You were attracted to someone on the list I prepared, weren’t you?”

Thinking that her research had played a major role in this marriage, Seoyeon tried to tease Yeseo.

“Yes. Your research helped.”

Yeseo admitted it so easily that Seoyeon lost interest in teasing her and spoke seriously instead.

“Just because it’s an arranged marriage doesn’t mean you have to live like strangers. You can grow attached to each other over time.”

Worried about Yeseo’s married life, Seoyeon wanted to encourage her.

“What do you think? Do you think we can live together with trust?”

“Yes. Mr. Do-gyeom is consistent in his actions, so I think you can.”

“I never thought I’d hear you say something like that.”

Seoyeon found this side of Yeseo fascinating because it was so different from her usual self.

“I was worried because it was an arranged marriage, but now I feel much better. Today is your day, so don’t let anyone intimidate you!”

After encouraging Yeseo one last time, Seoyeon left the bridal waiting room.

As the waiting time passed, the moment for the bride to enter finally arrived.

Yeseo walked in with her father holding her hand. Just as in her previous life, he wore an unreadable expression.

What is Father thinking right now? And what was he thinking in my previous life?

There was no answer. She could not even ask him the questions, which made it all the more difficult.

One step, then another. Once she walked down this aisle, there would be no turning back.

As she walked down the aisle, tense with anticipation, she spotted Yejin. Unlike in her previous life, when Yejin had smiled brightly and congratulated her, she was now biting her lip and suppressing her emotions.

Apparently, what had happened in the bridal waiting room earlier had not been enough for her.

Compared to the way Yejin had sneered at her at the end of her previous life, her current expression seemed almost comical.

Her stepmother, Mi-hee, was trying to appear as kind and loving as she had before. However, unlike in her previous life, when she had seemed genuinely happy, her face now looked somewhat stiff.

Seeing that expression reminded Yeseo that it had been her stepmother who had persuaded her to go through with her previous marriage.

The memories of that marriage resurfaced, making her tense.

Just then, a familiar scent reached her.

It was the scent of sandalwood that she noticed whenever Do-gyeom was nearby.

She remembered how calm she always felt whenever she met him. Thanks to that memory, she began to feel more secure and at ease.

Then he held out his hand.

As her fingertips touched his warm palm, the warmth spread throughout her body. The sounds around her seemed to fade into the distance, while Do-gyeom’s presence grew stronger.

When did this happen? When did Mr. Do-gyeom become such a big part of my world?

He had been someone she chose simply to avoid another arranged marriage.

Yet he had gradually become someone so important to her that she found herself relying on him without even realizing it.

She wondered how far those feelings would go.

“Do you, the groom, promise to love the bride forever?”

“Yes.”

She heard Do-gyeom’s answer.

Then the officiant asked the next question.

“Do you, the bride, promise to love the groom forever?”

“Yes.”

She did not know whether she loved him, but she thought she could live with him while trusting him.

Perhaps it was all right to have at least this much faith in him.

“Then the bride and groom may seal their vows with a kiss.”

The word kiss echoed in her thoughts, reminding her of her first encounter with Do-gyeom.

Her eyes wavered for a moment.

Am I really going to kiss this man in front of everyone?

Do-gyeom, who had been moving closer, noticed her reaction and let out a quiet, amused laugh that only she could hear.

“Are you hesitating?”

Hearing that, Yeseo composed her expression and stepped toward him instead.

Do-gyeom immediately wrapped an arm around her waist, pulled her closer, and kissed her deeply.

As the two kissed, the guests erupted into cheers.

After the ceremony ended, the reception began, and they went around greeting the guests.

Throughout the reception, Do-gyeom never left Yeseo’s side. Whenever someone playfully insisted that they drink the traditional newlywed wine, Do-gyeom drank it in her place.

By the time they finished their schedule, Yeseo was exhausted.

She climbed into the car that would take them to their honeymoon destination, dragging her tired body along.

“Thank you for today.”

“It was part of making us look like the perfect married couple.”

Do-gyeom was different from her ex-husband, who had treated her like a trophy.

Thanks to him, she had been able to keep herself from being overwhelmed by memories of the past.

As they headed to the airport, it finally began to sink in that the day was coming to an end.

She was now married to Do-gyeom, and they would be living under the same roof.

There’s no turning back now.

The car carrying Yeseo continued toward the airport.

When they arrived in the Maldives, a car was waiting for them.

As they loaded their luggage and continued on their way, the surroundings became increasingly deserted.

Puzzled, Yeseo looked around, and Do-gyeom explained.

“We’ll have to deal with public attention even after we return, so I chose a secluded place.”

Just as he said, the farther they went, the fewer signs of people they saw.

When they finally arrived beneath a remote cliff, they found a private overwater bungalow standing alone.

There were no other facilities in sight.

“There are no other accommodations nearby. You should be able to relax without worrying about anyone watching us.”

Just as he had said, there was no one around except the staff.

The quiet bungalow seemed like the perfect place to escape from other people and rest.

After entering the accommodation, the two unpacked in separate spaces and checked their work emails.

They had given their final instructions before leaving, but checking on the progress of their work still put their minds at ease.

They were checking their emails in separate rooms when they finally looked up at the staff member calling them.

“The spa is ready.”

An employee approached each of them and showed them the clothes prepared for the occasion.

The spa had been arranged as a couples’ spa, fitting for newlyweds.

After changing into their swimsuits, Yeseo wrapped a towel around herself and entered the spa.

“Ahh.”

“Do you enjoy spas?”

“When I’m stressed, I like taking half-body baths.”

She enjoyed sitting in warm water in a quiet place, listening to the gentle sound of the water moving.

She especially liked the feeling of her tense muscles relaxing. She often turned to half-body baths not only when stress built up, but also when she felt nervous.

“What do you do when you’re stressed, Mr. Do-gyeom?”

“I usually burn incense. I used to smoke when I got stuck on work, but I recently quit and have been reaching for candy instead.”

Yeseo had imagined that Do-gyeom would enjoy more active hobbies.

But incense in a quiet environment?

That only made her more curious about him.

As her tension eased, her hand loosened its grip on the towel she had wrapped around herself, causing it to come undone.

Do-gyeom’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before moving up to meet her eyes.

However, Yeseo did not notice.

They continued chatting and enjoying the spa in relative comfort.

Then Do-gyeom’s hand touched the fingertips she had gently lowered into the water.

Even underwater, she could feel his warmth.

Startled, she flinched slightly, but Do-gyeom did not withdraw his hand.

Silence settled between them.

Just as they were naturally maintaining that position, a staff member approached.

“The yacht tour is ready. We need to leave now if you want to see the sunset.”

Yeseo flinched and quickly pulled her hand away.

She knew no one could have seen them because they were underwater, but she still felt self-conscious.

Why did I get so flustered?

As Yeseo hurried out of the spa, Do-gyeom watched her retreating figure.