Hidden Marriage
Chapter 1
His body was burning with heat as strong as volcanic lava, and the only one who could save him, was the man before him ……
He clung to his icy, marble-like skin, his desperation to survive leaving him with no other choice but to surrender himself.
After the pain ended, pleasure began to fly, like fireworks exploding inside his mind, making him feel as though he was in the middle of a sea of fire.
Drifting in and out, there was no escape.
Nurse
Hey, wake up… the air conditioning is cold here. Don’t sleep or you’ll catch a cold.
The weight on his shoulder woke Taehyung, his eyes opening disoriented to see the nurse standing before him. He felt slightly embarrassed, and his small face blushed red, he could not avoid the nurse’s gaze.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Damn, it happened so long ago already."
Flashes of that night when he had gotten drunk and fooled around with Yook Sung-Jae would often appear in his dreams.
Because he had consumed too much alcohol, he couldn’t remember much of what had transpired that night. He didn’t know how he could face Brother Jae.
The nurse saw that he was awake and passed the paper in her hand to him.
Nurse
You forgot to take your pregnancy report with you! Dr. Zhang would have wanted you to come back again next week if you had left it here!
Taehyung received the report with a sweet smile and put it away safely in his Tote bag.
Sung-Jae had been studying abroad and would return today. When Taehyung thought about meeting him tonight, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Because Sung-Jae had gone to a very remote place, he hadn’t been able to contact him until their child had become seven months old.
Thinking of the shock Sung-Jae had received from knowing about his pregnancy, Taehyung was tense.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Perhaps my pregnancy was making me rather sensitive and on edge?" *felt that Sung-Jae was not as happy about the news as he was*
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"The doctors had reassured me that with their first child, men would always appear indifferent and in denial at first."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"However… the matter of getting married, I couldn’t possibly mention it to him first, right?"
When he left the hospital, the sky was clear and the sun was scorching.
Supporting his hip with one hand, Taehyung was about to call for a taxi, when suddenly, a flashy, red sports car sped towards him.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*heart skipped a beat and retreated backward*
The sound of brakes hurt his ears as the red sports car stopped, brushing the edges of his clothes.
Taehyung was so scared, his heart almost stopped beating, and he could barely stand straight. Opening the door in a tight-fitting red dress which revealed a lot of cleavage, Kim Irene stepped out of the car.
Looking at her, Irene laughed with deep meaning. Crossing her arms, she sauntered over to stand in front of Taehyung. In her high heels, she looked down arrogantly at big-bellied Taehyung.
Kim Irene
What? Are you scared I’ll crash into you and kill the bastard inside your stomach?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*protected her belly, took a few more steps backward and worriedly observing her* Irene, don’t cross the line!
He always knew that Irene was hostile towards him, but Taehyung had never thought she could say such poisonous things.
Kim Irene
I cross the line? I should say you crossed the line! Getting drunk and then getting pregnant with a stranger’s child. And yet you still want Sung-Jae to play the dad. Tch… Taehyung, do you still have any face left?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*froze and asked* What did you say?
Kim Irene
You, do you really believe the person you slept with that night was Sung-Jae? *laughed hysterically* You always say you grew up with Sung-Jae, that you two are childhood sweethearts, yet you don’t even know what his body is like?
Taehyung’s face got paler and whiter with every word she said. Standing here on such a blistering hot day, his whole body felt ice-cold.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"That’s right, that man that night…"
He had thought… that perhaps because of puberty, his body was bulkier than he had originally imagined.
But with Irene’s reminder, he now suddenly recalled that besides his build, nothing else about that man resembled Sung-Jae…
Kim Irene
I’ll tell you the truth right now! That night you drank wine which I spiked. You were so lustful and unsatisfied that I found two good men for you. Who knew that you wouldn’t appreciate my kindness? You even barged into a stranger’s room and took advantage of that man… *said disgustedly* Brother Jae is far too gentle and kind for his own good because when you woke up, he was afraid you wouldn’t be able to accept the truth, so he told you that it was him that night!
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
You… *trembled, couldn't hold it in any longer and grabbed Irene by her arm* Why do you treat me this way? Why?! Haven’t you screwed me over enough?
Irene furrowed her brow, and just as she was about to push Taehyung away, she noticed Sung-Jae approaching them behind Taehyung.
Kim Irene
*Voice immediately softened and expression turned pitiful* Elder Brother, I know I’m wrong. If you want to hit or yell, do it to me, please don’t blame Brother Jae…
Taehyung paused, and in the next second, Irene fell to the ground as if Taehyung had pushed her.
Unknown
Taehyung! What are you *said accusingly behind him*
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*turned around and saw an unfriendly-looking Sung-Jae*
Yook Sung-Jae
*brushed past him and helped Irene up* Irene, are you alright?
Kim Irene
*pressed nearly her entire body against Sung-Jae* Brother Jae, I didn’t mean it, I really know I’m wrong… this only happened because I wronged Elder Brother…
Yook Sung-Jae
That’s enough! Don’t blame yourself. No matter what happens, you have me! *patted her shoulder and helped her into the car* I’ll explain everything to Taehyung.
Taehyung’s mind was blank as he watched Sung-Jae stride towards him and open his mouth.
He spoke for a long time.
Furthermore, he spoke of the past and their happy childhood. He spoke of the struggle he went through when he fell in love with Irene. He spoke of his fury and anger when he found out Irene had schemed against Taehyung. Not only that, but he spoke of the fright and regret he felt when he found out about Taehyung’s pregnancy. Not only that, but he spoke about how he accepted Irene’s apology…
Yook Sung-Jae
Taehyung, I’m sorry. I can’t marry you — not because of that night nor because of the child that I don’t want — but because I cannot wrong Irene and because I can’t lie to myself about my feelings.
He and Irene had been travelling outside the country in the past few months, and having been with her morning and night, it was harder to separate from her now more than ever. Although he had initially wanted to ease Taehyung’s pain by pretending that he did indeed have intercourse with him, in his heart, he had already chosen Irene.
That was why after finding out that Taehyung was pregnant, he couldn’t stop himself from immediately going to the Kim family and explaining everything to the Second Master. Despite this, he had not told the truth to Taehyung herself.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
You mean… Sung-Jae… from the start, you knew that it was Irene who drugged me and ruined my innocence? Just because you wanted to protect her, you told me the person that night, was you? *found her voice, but could only look numbly at Sung-Jae*
Yook Sung-Jae
Taehyung, Irene didn’t mean it. She’s still young so she might be impulsive…
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Then what about me? *looked up at Sung-Jae hopelessly* Did you never once consider what it would be like for me?
Yook Sung-Jae
*did not speak, after long moment of silence then reached out for Taehyung’s hand* The sun is too hot, let’s return home…
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Don’t touch me! *immediately slapped his hand away and laughed aloud*
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"My whole life until now had been a joke."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"For him, I had worked hard to get into B University to come to the city where he lived."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"For him, I had abandoned my dream to become an actor."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"So that our family statuses would match, I had pushed aside my adoptive parents in order to return to the Kim family, and I had stupidly tried to please those so-called upper-class families."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"And as a result of all my efforts, I only received: "I cannot wrong Irene." "
Irene had not only stolen his identity and his birth parents, but today… she had even stolen the person he loved most. Irene was young… but even so, how could she be forgiven? If he really did forgive her, then who could he blame for his life's misfortune? He didn't even know who the man from that night was!
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*covered his face, body quivering, for he had reached the limit of his despair*
Sung-Jae watched as Taehyung mindlessly started to cross the road, and was about to chase after him when from behind.
Kim Irene
*tugged on his sleeve and said* Brother Jae, where are you going?
In Sung-Jae's moment of hesitation, there was a loud bang; Taehyung was thrown back on the road, and he hit the ground hard.
Unknown
Help! Help! A pregnant lady has been hit!
In the piercing light, Taehyung could make out two silhouettes and faces which made him want to throw up. He felt his stomach cramp, and he slowly started to lose consciousness from the intense pain. He blinked, and the blood trickling down his forehead flowed into his eyes… he entered a world of darkness.
Chapter 2
In the Eton bar, in a corridor on the empty top floor.
Kim Taehyung been drinking for the entire night to accompany some investors. With a splitting headache, he wanted to find somewhere clean and quiet to sober up, but he had not expected that Kang Seulgi would follow him. He could only gather his spirit to deal with her.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Sister Kang, is there something you want to say?
Kang Seulgi
Taehyung, let me ask you, did you register to audition for the female lead in《Land Under Heaven》?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Yes, why?
Kang Seulgi
You’re not allowed to go tomorrow!
Although Kang Seulgi was his manager, she was stopping him from auditioning for this role that all the major entertainment companies were jostling for.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*not at all surprised, raised his brows and asked* Reason?
Kang Seulgi
You went behind my back and acted by yourself, and you still dare to ask me for the reason? Didn’t you know that the company has already arranged for Kim Irene to audition?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
This doesn’t seem to conflict with the company’s arrangements. *smiled faintly at her* Kim Irene made you come find me? Don’t tell me she’s afraid that I, a small-time actor whose name isn’t even known, will snatch her role?
Kang Seulgi
You think you have the ability to snatch Irene’s role? You’re still talking in your dreams! Let me tell you, don’t waste your efforts. The Kim family has invested 30 million into this movie, Irene is already sitting securely in this role!
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Then why are you so anxious?
Kang Seulgi
Since you’re my artist, you have to listen to my arrangments! *said as if that was how it ought to be*
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Heh, so sister Kang still knows that I’m an artist under you.
As she finished speaking, Taehyung felt a strong blow from behind. Caught off guard, he was pushed into the storeroom in the corner, and his phone was also taken away.
Kang Seulgi
Taehyung, I don’t have the time to bicker with you, since you’re refusing to comply, don’t blame me for resorting to force!
With a bang, the door was heavily shut.
The footsteps outside the door slowly drifted away.
Knowing that shouting was useless, Taehyung kept silent. Leaning against the door, he slid down to the floor with an indifferent expression.
When he had first entered the company, Irene was still able to restrain herself, and only made Seulgi arrange for some villain roles for him at most. However, she was growing bolder and starting to go too far. She was even able to throw out such a low level tactic……
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"If I fail to get the role this time, then I had to find a way to leave Starlight Entertainment……"
Amidst his messy thoughts, a small sound travelled to his ears.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Is there a mouse?"
Taehyung followed the direction of the sound and looked over— and was stunned.
He saw a little boy behind a stack of boxes……
That little guy looked to be about four or five; he looked like a finely carved jade piece, white, soft, like a little bun. He was currently shivering and hiding in the corner, his dark eyes filled with precaution and vigilance.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Uh, why would there be a child in a storeroom of a bar?"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"There shouldn’t be a customer so crazy as to bring their child to a bar, right?"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Hey, little bun, who are you?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
How did you get in here?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Did you sneak in?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Do you eat sweets?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Were you also shut in here by someone?
After questioning him for half the day, the child remained silent, but started shaking even more, as if he were a frightened little beast.
Finally, Taehyung did not bother continuing to speak, it had nothing to do with him anyway.
The two of them, adult and child, thus peacefully occupied a corner each.
At this moment, the light bulb above them flashed brightly, then went out.
In the darkness, Taehyung vaguely heard a chattering sound. After carefully listening for a bit, he realized that it was similar to the sound of teeth chattering.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*laughed in spite of herself, and turned towards the little bun to say* Scared of the dark?
The chattering sound paused for a second, before increasing in volume.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Oh, how was he so cowardly?"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*patted his bottom and stood up, then walked towards the little guy*
Little Bun
*so scared of her that his face went pale*
However, Taehyung just sat down next to the little bun and did nothing, immediately shutting his eyes and going to sleep.
He had been pushed by Seulgi to accompany people in drink the whole night, he had a blinding headache right now.
When Taehyung finally woke up after a while, he felt that the side of his leg was warm. Lowering his head, he could see that at some point, the little bun had snuggled up to the side of his leg, and his little hand was even holding on to the corner of his shirt.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*could not help but laugh*
Previously, when he was still in the countryside, he had owned a bunny. It was particularly cowardly and afraid of people, and would run if it saw any person. However, as long as you did not notice it, it would let its guard down and feel like you were not a threat. Once that happened, it would sneakily snuggle up to your side by itself, even climbing into your lap to sleep.
The little bun seemed to have felt his gaze, his little face blushed a bit, but this time, there was no more panic in his eyes. Instead, his big eyes were filled with curiosity.
He was really just like a little pet bunny, even his eyes were the same.
Taehyung’s lips curved up, his hands were itching to pet him; he gave up on resisting and reached out to pet that adorable fluffy little head.
With that one touch, his face immediately changed.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Why was his forehead this hot!"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
You’re having a fever?
Kang Seulgi would keep him locked up until the audition was over tomorrow, at the very least.
If the child continued burning for that long, it would be too dangerous.
While getting anxious over the time, he found that something was not right.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"The light bulb had blown, why was there still light in the room?"
Raising his head, he saw that there was a small skylight, and light was falling from that small window.
Taehyung looked around the storeroom, and finally moved a ladder over.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
Little bun, come over, I’ll help you get out!
Little Bun
*finally showed a response to his words, but he shook his head with a resolute gaze*
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*understood his meaning, but smiled and pinched his cheeks* You’re quite loyal after all, you want to suffer together with me? Go up, this window is too small, I can’t get out. If you get out first, you can find someone to come save me.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*Seeing that the little guy was still hesitating, carried him and placed him on the ladder* Quickly, if you’re a man, then don’t hesitate. I’ll protect you from the bottom!
After finally sending the child out with much difficulty, Taehyung felt a wave of dizziness. He lost control of his legs, and fell from the ladder in one movement
From the edge of the window, the little bun saw this scene, and panic rose up on the previously dull and lifeless little face.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*held on to the last bits of his strength and said one word* Go……
Under the light of the stars, the woman’s face was pale and fragile, but that did not obscure his startling beauty. Especially that pair of moist and lively eyes, that were like a sea filled with endless stars.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"I am no longer the ignorant countryside oŕe and ugly duckling."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"However, what use was that now?"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*smiled bitterly, before he had his revenge, he would fall to her death here*
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"However, before dying, at least I had done a good deed in saving the little bun."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"If my child had not died back then, he would probably be around this age"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"After the car accident five years ago, in shame, the Kim family had sent me away to a university specializing in accepting wayward children of the elite in America, leaving me to fend for myself."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"I withdrew from that university and reapplied for the University of South California, almost going crazy in my pursuit of all kinds of knowledge."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Because I wanted to defeat Irene, and take back everything that was mine!"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Most importantly, acting is the biggest dream of my life."
After returning to his homeland, using this face and a solid foundation of acting skill, he was spotted by Kang Seulgi, and successfully entered the industry’s largest company, Starlight Entertainment.
He should have had a bright future from then, but Kim Irene followed him into Starlight, and through bribing Kang Seulgi, was suppressing her from all directions
Chapter 3
Meanwhile, inside the guest room of the Eden Wine Bar, the atmosphere was very tense.
The bar owner, manager, security, and all related staff trembled together in a huddle, as if they were all about to face imminent disaster.
This was all because the Jeon Corporation’s young heir, Jeon Jungkook’s precious son, had gone missing in their bar.
Sitting on the sofa, Jeon Jungkook’s expression was very cold. He was like an ice sculpture, without the slightest trace of emotion, but he exuded such tremendous pressure that everyone standing before him felt their legs shake, and their sweat fall like rain. No one dared to make a sound.
Unknown
*cried at Jungkook’s feet while wiping his snot and tears* Brother, I’m sorry, this is all my fault! I shouldn’t have brought Little Treasure to a bar! If anything happens to him, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself anymore!
After he stopped talking, a kick flew at his chest.
The sound of bone crunching caused goosebumps. Everyone who was present trembled a bit.
Jung Hoseok
*clutched his chest and coughed, before climbing back up to resume grovelling*
Right now, his parents were on vacation outside the country, and did not know that Little Treasure was missing. If they knew, they wouldn’t do something so simple as a kick like his brother — they would carve him alive.
Jung Hoseok
*Feeling hopeless and pathetic*
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Standing the closest to the door, the bar owner opened it, and found it odd when he saw no one. But then he lowered his head, and was stunned.
Bar owner
Young… Young Master!!!
Jung Hoseok
Little Treasure…? My god! Little Treasure! My darling! Where have you been? *rolled himself up, hugged him tightly, so emotional and cried bitterly while his snot ran freely.*
Jeon Jungkook
*Walked a few steps towards the door, grabbed J-hope by the collar and threw him aside then knelt down to speak to his son* What is it?
Finally, having escaped his second uncle’s monstrous grip, Little Treasure seized Jungkook’s hand and hurriedly pulled him forward.
Jungkook drew closer to his son and could smell not only the scent of wine, but also a faint fragrance; it wasn’t heavy like perfume, but more like flowers growing out of a glacier, emitting a light and cool scent. It gave him a sense of vague familiarity, but also a small dose of fear.
Noticing that Jungkook was not moving, Little Treasure pointed in a direction with his small finger with an extremely worried expression. Jungkook picked his son up in his arms and started in the direction his son wanted him to go.
Behind him, the remaining people looked at each other helplessly before following.
Five minutes later, the group was standing before the door to the bar’s storeroom on the top floor.
Jeon Junggukk
*twisted his body to get down from his father’s arms and started banging anxiously on the storeroom door*
Jung Hoseok
What is it, Little Treasure? What’s in there? *forehead covered in sweat*
Jeon Jungkook
*Without expression ordered* Open the door
Bar owner
Yes, yes, yes! *repeatedly nodded his head, then turned around to look at the female manager beside him* Manager Ye, why are you still just standing around? Open the door quickly! Where are the keys?
Manager Ye
Ah… open… open the door? *went rigid*
Manager Ye
"What bad luck! That Oŕe Kim Taehyung is still in there! I have promised Kang Seulgi that I would lock him up in there at least until the audition was over!"
However, with the Jeon family’s two masters and her boss waiting, she couldn’t say no. She could only tremble as she took out the keys to open the door.
Once the door was opened, everyone saw an Oŕe lying on the floor unconscious.
Bar owner
What is this? Why is there an oŕe in here? *flew into a rage*
Manager Ye
I… I don’t know! I checked this area earlier and there wasn’t anybody here! *hid her guilt as she defended herself*
Jung Hoseok
Quick! Let’s just save her first and then discuss it!
Just then, someone ran over to Taehyung. Little Treasure threw himself onto Taehyung, his expression fierce, not letting anyone approach him.
Bar owner
President Jeon, this… *helpless as he didn’t understand at all how this situation had come about*
Jungkook glanced coldly at the female manager’s guilty expression, then looked at the ladder, which was under the skylight in the ceiling, big enough to allow a child through. He could roughly deduce what had happened here.
Jeon Jungkook
*waved his hand to dismiss everyone, then walked over and directly picked the oŕe up in his arms*
In his embrace, the soft, cool scent from before returned, and was even more distinct.
Seeing Jungkook pick him up, Little Treasure did not stop him, but his expression showed his unwillingness. It appeared as though he was saying that if he wasn’t so small, he’d pick him up himself.
In the First People’s Republic Hospital in B City.
By the time Taehyung woke up, it was already the next morning.
When he opened her eyes, he could see a man sitting on a chair by the window.
His long legs were casually crossed. He wore a slim-fitting tailored suit which emphasized his broad shoulders and slender waist. His white shirt was buttoned all the way up to the collar. He was bathed in sunlight, but his body appeared to be shrouded in an ancient frost. His cool and calm demeanor was like that of an olden day emperor.
The man noticed him observing him, and directed a gaze as deep as the ocean at him. His chilling stare seemed to pierce through him.
The look he gave him felt intrusive, like a sharp surgery knife dissecting him piece by piece; it made his bones shudder.
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*Decided to join the battle, unwilling to lose to this stranger and his uncomfortable gaze and asked impatiently* Mister, if I may ask, how did I end up here? Did you see a little boy? He’s four to five years old, doesn’t like to speak, appears white and soft but also a bit dull!
Jeon Jungkook
*Raised an eyebrow at his description, then glanced to his right, his voice as cold as his appearance* Are you talking about Little Treasure?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*Quickly followed his line of sight and saw a white, soft little bun lying asleep on the small bed by his side* Right! That’s him! His name is Little Treasure?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*Out a sigh of relief and reached over to feel Little Treasure’s forehead*
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"His fever had already subsided."
Before, when he had helped the child escape, he had regretted it a bit. He was just a child, and with a fever, in such a rough place like that wine bar, what would he have done if something had happened to him?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*Turned around to face the ice statue* You are this child’s…?
As soon as these words left his mouth, Taehyung realized he didn’t even need to ask.
The man and the child seemed to have come from the same mold. It was apparent that they were father and son.
Jeon Jungkook
*replied* Father.
Jung Hoseok
Hi beautiful, you’re awake. I’m Little Treasure’s Second Uncle!
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
*Abruptly, a large face rushed over towards him, causing hi. to retreat backward until he saw the man’s face and stopped* Jung....Jung Hoseok?
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"He is the Jeon Corporation’s second prince, Glory World Entertainment’s boss, but leaving his stunning looks and titles aside, he was a playboy. He had made more scandalous appearances in the media than many celebrities and artistes."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"I could never have mistaken his face."
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"If the ice statue was Little Treasure’s father, and Jung Hoseok was Little Treasure’s second uncle…"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Then wouldn’t the ice statue be Jung Hoseok’s older brother, Jeon Jungkook?"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Jeon Jungkook was Jing City’s famous God of Fortune. His existence was like a king sans a crown!"
Kim Taehyung (Female Oŕe)
"Who would have thought the child I had saved was the mysterious illegitimate son of Jeon Jungkook, the sparkling golden prince…"
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
