A decision that shouldn't have been possible

Lina did not sleep much that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Adrian Vale’s photo—the sharp lines of his face, the distant look in his eyes, the quiet rumors hidden behind his perfect public image. Her imagination replayed dozens of scenes like a drama: secret meetings, forbidden love, a lonely man forced into a marriage he didn’t want.

And in those scenes, Lina was always standing quietly at the side, watching everything unfold.

By morning, the idea that had felt like a joke the night before no longer seemed funny at all.

She sat at the small dining table in her apartment, stirring her coffee long after the sugar had already dissolved. Her laptop was open again, filled with articles about the Vale family—business achievements, charity events, social gatherings filled with elegant women who all looked far more beautiful and confident than Lina felt.

“What am I even thinking…” she muttered, adjusting her glasses.

She was just an ordinary girl. She worked a simple office job, wore plain clothes, and spent most of her free time watching dramas instead of building a social life. The chances of someone like Adrian Vale even noticing her were almost zero.

But still… the thought refused to disappear.

She remembered the line from the article: The family is urgently searching for a bride.

Urgently meant they were desperate. Desperate people made unusual decisions.

Lina’s fingers hovered over her keyboard. Her heart beat so loudly she could almost hear it in her ears.

“This is crazy,” she whispered.

Then she began to type.

She drafted an email to the Vale Corporation’s public relations address, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to sound formal and composed.

To the Vale family,

My name is Lina Park. I recently read about your search for a suitable marriage partner for Mr. Adrian Vale. I understand this is a sensitive matter, but I would like to express my interest in being considered.

She paused, staring at the words in disbelief. It felt unreal, like she was writing a message to a fictional character rather than one of the most powerful families in the city.

After taking a deep breath, she continued typing.

I am aware of the rumors surrounding this situation, and I want to clarify that I am not seeking a romantic marriage. I am someone who values privacy, stability, and mutual understanding. If Mr. Vale requires a partner for family expectations rather than love, I believe I could fulfill that role respectfully.

Lina reread the message three times. It sounded strange, bold, and embarrassingly honest.

But it was also the truth.

Her finger hovered over the send button. She imagined the possible outcomes: being ignored, laughed at, or even blocked. A normal person would have deleted the email and pretended this idea had never crossed their mind.

Lina closed her eyes and clicked send.

The whoosh of the email leaving her outbox echoed in the silent apartment.

For a moment, she simply stared at the screen, her heart racing as if she had just jumped off a cliff.

“Well… that’s done,” she murmured weakly.

The rest of the day passed slowly. Lina went to work, answered emails, and attended meetings, but her mind stayed far away from her desk. Every time her phone vibrated, her breath caught in her throat.

Of course, there was no reply.

By evening, she felt both relieved and disappointed. Maybe this had been nothing more than a childish fantasy after all.

But just as she was about to go to bed, her phone lit up again.

Unknown Number.

Lina frowned. She almost ignored it, assuming it was a spam call. But something inside her told her to answer.

“H-hello?” she said cautiously.

A calm, professional female voice spoke from the other end.

“Good evening. Am I speaking to Miss Lina Park?”

“…Yes?”

“This is Ms. Han from the Vale family office. We received your email earlier today.”

Lina’s breath stopped.

Her fingers tightened around her phone as she sat down heavily on the edge of her bed.

“I… I see,” she managed to say.

There was a brief pause, then Ms. Han continued, her tone polite but direct.

“Mr. Vale’s parents were intrigued by your message. They would like to invite you for a meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss your proposal in person. Would you be available?”

Lina’s mind went completely blank.

A meeting. Not a rejection. Not silence.

A real meeting.

“…Yes,” she whispered before she could overthink it. “I’ll be there.”

After the call ended, Lina remained frozen in place, staring at her dark phone screen. The quiet of her apartment felt heavier than ever before.

This was no longer a fantasy or a drama plot she could pause whenever she wanted.

She had just been invited into the real story of Adrian Vale’s life.

And tomorrow, she would meet the family of the man she had only known for less than twenty-four hours.

Lina slowly lay back on her bed, her heart pounding with a mix of fear, excitement, and disbelief.

“What have I just done…?” she murmured to herself, staring at the ceiling.

But deep inside, beneath the nerves and the shock, there was a small, glowing feeling she couldn’t deny.

For the first time, she wasn’t just watching a love story.