EP 1

The Engagement Nobody Wanted

Chang hated three things in life.

Late meetings. Fake smiles.

And Yunjin.

Unfortunately, all three stood right in front of him.

The chandelier above the banquet hall glittered like it was mocking him. Rich laughter echoed, crystal glasses clinked, and at the center of it all—his parents stood proudly, announcing the worst news of his life.

“Everyone,” Chang’s father said, smiling like he’d just won a war,

“We’re happy to announce the engagement of our son, Chang, and Miss Yunjin.”

Silence.

Then applause.

Chang turned his head slowly.

Yunjin stood beside him in a pale blue dress, her posture perfect, her smile polite—and her eyes burning with pure hatred.

She leaned closer, teeth clenched.

“Don’t smile,” she whispered. “People might think you’re happy.”

Chang smirked. “Don’t worry. I’d rather jump off this building.”

Her smile widened for the guests. “Same.”

They were both 24. Both successful. Both stubborn.

And now—fiancés.

Chang had known Yunjin since childhood.

She was sharp-tongued, fearless, and impossible to control.

And she knew him just as well.

Arrogant. Calculated. Always ten steps ahead.

They had competed in everything—grades, business deals, even family praise.

Love had never been part of the equation.

Yet here they were.

Bound by their parents’ ambition.

After the applause faded, Yunjin turned to him, voice low.

“This engagement?” she said. “It’s not real.”

Chang raised an eyebrow. “Good. Because I don’t plan on being loyal.”

She laughed softly—dangerously.

“Neither do I.”

And just like that, the war began.

Chapter 2: Rules of Hate

Three days later.

Chang opened the door to his penthouse—and froze.

Yunjin stood inside.

Arms crossed. Suitcase beside her. Calm. Confident. Infuriating.

She looked like she belonged there. That annoyed him more than her presence.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he snapped, shutting the door harder than necessary.

She didn’t flinch.

Instead, she reached into her bag and tossed a document onto the marble table.

“Read.”

He scanned it once.

Then again.

His jaw tightened.

Cohabitation clause.

“For image purposes,” Chang read aloud bitterly, his voice dripping with sarcasm,

“our families require us to live together until the wedding.”

He looked up slowly. “You moved in without telling me?”

She smiled sweetly—too sweet. “You were busy pretending this wasn’t happening.”

Chang dropped the paper onto the table.

“This is my house.”

“And now,” she replied, wheeling her suitcase past him toward the hallway,

“it’s our battlefield.”

He watched her walk in like she owned the place, opening doors, inspecting rooms. Too comfortable. Too confident.

“You’ll take the guest room,” Chang said sharply.

Yunjin stopped, turned, and raised an eyebrow.

“I already chose the master bedroom.”

Silence exploded between them.

“You’re joking,” he said.

She stepped closer, eyes challenging. “Check again.”

For a moment, Chang considered throwing her suitcase straight out the balcony.

Instead, he laughed—low and dangerous.

“Fine. Take it. I don’t sleep much anyway.”

That night, they sat across from each other at the dining table like rivals negotiating a ceasefire.

“We need rules,” Yunjin said, folding her arms.

Chang nodded. “Agreed.”

He grabbed a pen.

“Rule one,” he said. “No touching.”

“Good,” she replied instantly. “I don’t want your hands anywhere near me.”

“Rule two,” he continued. “No questions about personal life.”

Her eyes flickered—just for a second.

“Accepted.”

“Rule three,” Chang said slowly, watching her reaction,

“No feelings.”

She laughed. A sharp, humorless sound.

“Trust me. That won’t be a problem.”

He wrote the last line.

“Absolute secrecy about our real relationship.”

Yunjin leaned back, studying him.

“So we pretend to be the perfect couple in public… and enemies in private.”

Chang smirked. “We already excel at that.”

They both stood at the same time.

Easy.

Or so they thought.

Because Chang didn’t know Yunjin had enemies watching her—people who smiled at her in daylight and planned her downfall in the dark.

And Yunjin didn’t know Chang was already involved in something dangerous—something illegal, powerful, and deadly enough to drag her into its shadow.

That night, as Yunjin lay awake in a house that didn’t feel like home, she stared at the ceiling, sensing eyes on her life she couldn’t see.

And across the hall, Chang stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, voice low.

“She’s moved in,” he said.

A pause.

“Yes. I’ll handle it.”

The closer they were forced to be…

The harder it became to hate.

And the easier it became to get hurt.

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