The Wedding Bells

The week before the wedding should have been peaceful.

It wasn't.

Ji Hye made her move.

Three days before the ceremony, a series of photographs appeared online.

Old photographs.

Photos of Ji Hye and Seo Jun together.

Family gatherings.

School events.

Vacations.

The captions were worse.

"Lee Seo Jun's First Love Returns Before Wedding."

"Is The Wedding Still Happening?"

"Sources Say Former Couple May Reconcile."

Within hours, every news outlet was discussing it.

Ga Eul stared at the headlines in disbelief.

The comments were even worse.

"Ji Hye and Seo Jun look perfect together."

"The bride is probably temporary."

"He should marry Ji Hye."

She immediately closed her phone.

Unfortunately, she had already read enough.

That evening, there was a knock at her apartment door.

Seo Jun stood outside.

Holding takeout food.

Ga Eul blinked.

"What are you doing here?"

"You skipped dinner."

"You checked?"

"You always skip dinner when you're upset."

She froze.

When had he started noticing things like that?

A few minutes later they sat at her dining table.

Neither touched the food.

Finally Seo Jun spoke.

"You saw the articles."

Ga Eul looked down.

"Everyone saw them."

"They aren't true."

She laughed quietly.

"Which part?"

"The part where I want to be with Ji Hye."

His answer came instantly.

Without hesitation.

Without thought.

As if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Ga Eul slowly looked up.

Their eyes met.

Neither looked away.

For a moment the room felt strangely quiet.

Dangerously quiet.

Then Seo Jun cleared his throat.

"We should eat."

The moment vanished.

But neither forgot it.

The next morning, Ji Hye requested a meeting.

Alone.

Seo Jun agreed.

She waited in a private café.

When he arrived, she smiled.

"You came."

"You said it was important."

"It is."

She placed a wedding invitation on the table.

The same invitation she had been carrying for weeks.

"You can still stop this."

Seo Jun stared at her.

"No."

Her smile faltered.

"For her?"

"For myself."

The answer shocked even him.

Ji Hye looked away.

For the first time, she finally understood.

This wasn't a contract anymore.

Not for him.

"When did it happen?"

Seo Jun thought about it.

The cake tasting.

The flower arguments.

The rooftop café.

The way she smiled.

The way she worried about everyone except herself.

The way she had become the first person he wanted to see every morning.

A small smile appeared on his face.

"I don't know."

Ji Hye's eyes filled with tears.

That answer told her everything.

The wedding day arrived.

The venue looked like something from a fairy tale.

Thousands of white roses cascaded from crystal arches.

Golden chandeliers glittered overhead like stars.

Soft candlelight illuminated every corner of the hall.

An elegant ivory aisle stretched toward the altar.

Fresh flowers lined both sides, transforming the venue into a blooming garden.

A live orchestra filled the air with beautiful music.

Every detail had been planned to perfection.

Every detail reflected elegance.

In the bridal room, Ga Eul sat nervously.

Her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Her mother squeezed her shoulder.

"Still time to run."

Ga Eul laughed.

Barely.

"I'm considering it."

A knock sounded.

A staff member entered.

"It's time."

Her heart nearly stopped.

Meanwhile, Seo Jun stood at the altar.

For the first time in years, he looked nervous.

His best friend noticed immediately.

"You're terrified."

"I'm not."

"You've checked your watch twenty-seven times."

Seo Jun frowned.

"I counted."

"That doesn't help your case."

Then the music began.

The grand doors opened.

And the entire hall fell silent.

Ga Eul stood at the entrance.

Beautiful.

Radiant.

Perfect.

Everything else disappeared.

The guests.

The music.

The decorations.

Everything.

Only she remained.

Slowly she walked toward him.

Step by step.

Closer.

Closer.

Until finally she stood beside him.

Their eyes met.

Neither smiled.

Neither spoke.

But somehow it felt like they were having an entire conversation.

You're really here.

So are you.

The ceremony began.

The vows were simple.

Elegant.

Sincere.

"Do you take Choi Ga Eul as your wife?"

Seo Jun looked at her.

His answer came immediately.

"I do."

"Do you take Lee Seo Jun as your husband?"

Ga Eul's eyes shimmered.

A smile appeared.

"I do."

The officiant smiled.

"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The room erupted into applause.

Cheers.

Celebration.

Happiness.

Seo Jun turned toward Ga Eul.

For a brief moment, neither moved.

The entire room seemed to disappear.

Then, slowly, he reached for her hand.

His thumb brushed lightly across her knuckles.

A silent question.

Ga Eul's answer came in the form of a small smile.

Seo Jun leaned forward.

Gently.

Carefully.

As though she were something precious.

Their lips met in a soft kiss.

Not dramatic.

Not passionate.

Simply sincere.

A promise more than a display.

When they pulled apart, the guests erupted into even louder applause.

Ga Eul's cheeks immediately turned pink.

Seo Jun looked suspiciously pleased with himself.

"You're smiling," she whispered.

"So are you," he replied.

Seo Jun looked at Ga Eul.

His wife.

The realization felt strangely wonderful.

For the first time, neither of them cared how this marriage had started.

Only how it would continue.

Hours later, after endless photographs, congratulations, speeches, and family celebrations...

The newlyweds finally escaped.

Their new home was quiet.

Peaceful.

At last.

The large house Seo Jun's father had gifted them felt completely different tonight.

For months, it had simply been a house.

Tonight, it was their home.

Ga Eul stepped inside first.

The familiar living room suddenly felt unfamiliar.

Everything felt different.

Maybe because nothing was supposed to change.

And yet everything had.

She kicked off her heels.

"I survived."

"Barely."

She pointed at him.

"I saw your nervous face."

"I don't have a nervous face."

"You absolutely do."

"I don't."

"You looked like you were about to faint."

Seo Jun sighed.

"Let's never discuss this again."

Ga Eul laughed.

Then froze.

Suddenly realizing something.

The empty house.

The silence.

The fact that they were alone.

Very alone.

Seo Jun noticed immediately.

A dangerous smile appeared.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Really?"

"Really."

"You seem nervous."

"I'm not nervous."

"Interesting."

He took one step closer.

Ga Eul narrowed her eyes.

"Don't start."

"Start what?"

"Whatever you're doing."

Seo Jun looked entirely too amused.

For a man who had spent months looking emotionally unavailable.

"Ga Eul."

"What?"

"Do you realize this is our wedding night?"

Her face immediately turned red.

"Seo Jun!"

He laughed.

Actually laughed.

Openly.

"You should see your face."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

Unfortunately...

Both of them knew he was right.

Ga Eul folded her arms.

"You're enjoying this far too much."

"A little."

"A little?"

Seo Jun stepped closer again.

Close enough that her heart immediately betrayed her.

"You've been teasing me for months."

Ga Eul blinked.

"I have not."

"You absolutely have."

"When?"

"The flower shop."

"That doesn't count."

"The cake tasting."

"That definitely doesn't count."

"The rooftop café."

Ga Eul groaned.

"You're impossible."

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

One she was beginning to see more often.

And strangely...

It was becoming her favorite sight.

For a moment neither spoke.

The teasing faded.

The laughter settled.

The reality finally caught up with them.

Married.

They were actually married.

Seo Jun reached for her hand.

His expression softened.

"Ga Eul."

This time she noticed the change immediately.

"What?"

For once, there was no teasing in his voice.

No jokes.

No sarcasm.

Just sincerity.

"I'm glad it's you."

The words were simple.

Yet somehow they stole her breath.

Ga Eul stared at him.

Then smiled.

A real smile.

The kind reserved only for him.

"I'm glad it's you too."

Outside, the city lights sparkled in the distance.

Inside, the house that had once been part of a contract finally felt like a home.

And as the newly married couple stood together in the quiet living room...

Neither of them thought about obligations.

Or family expectations.

Or contracts.

Because somewhere along the way...

The arrangement had become real.

And this time...

It was forever.

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