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Chapter3:"Nuptials"

Jaewon exited the elevator on the tenth floor, striding briskly toward the room. He stopped before the door, his hand gripping the handle, ready to enter, grab that defiant girl, and drag her out.

After all, how dare she defy him? No, that wasn’t going to stand. But he paused, taking a breath. Maybe she was just afraid of him.

"Of course, you pointed a gun at her brother." The thought stung, making him mutter a curse under his breath. He was a mafia boss, not a dictator.

"Manners, Jaewon... manners," he reminded himself quietly.

He knocked on the door, waiting, but there was no answer. He knocked again, then a third time, and finally turned the handle and entered.

"Excuse me, I’m coming in," he announced, his tone cautious.

Catherine was gazing out the window when she heard him, turning swiftly and freezing as she saw him standing just a few steps away, the bed between them. Jaewon took in her appearance—young, delicate features highlighted by makeup, blonde hair pinned in a bun. He had to focus to remember his purpose for coming. His gaze drifted briefly to the gentle neckline of her lace dress that hugged her body.

He cleared his throat, looking back at her, though she remained unmoving.

"Would you care to explain what exactly is going on?" he asked.

"You heard me." Her tone was sharp, her voice firm, the defiance unmistakable.

"And could you please tell me exactly what I heard?"

"Well, if Mrs. Si-u didn’t make it clear enough... I said I’m not getting married." Catherine lifted her chin slightly, staring him down.

Jaewon laughed, shaking his head and placing his hands on his hips.

"Did I not make myself clear?"

Catherine swallowed hard; her entire body was trembling, but she wouldn’t let him see her falter.

"Perfectly clear. But I refuse."

Jaewon chuckled again, covering his face with his hands.

"What was he even doing? Was he out of his mind to let a woman talk to him like this?"

His expression turned serious, and in an instant, he crossed the distance between them. She stepped back, but he grabbed her arms, spinning her and pressing her against the wall. She gasped as he closed in, his body pinning hers.

"I’ll say this again, and I hope you understand. I did not ask you to marry me. I told you what was going to happen. So you will fix that face, walk downstairs, and smile. Then, you’ll walk to me before the judge and say, ‘Yes.’ Do you understand, Catherine?"

A tear slipped down her cheek, which Jaewon followed unintentionally until his gaze stopped on her full, red-painted lips. Her small frame shook beneath his grip. He was so much taller, so strong—he could do anything he wanted with her right here. But he wasn’t some vile rapist. Killer? Maybe. But rapist? Never.

"You’re going downstairs now, okay?"

"No... I won’t," she replied, her eyes closed.

"DAMN IT!" he yelled. He released her, walking to the balcony. "And what do you plan to do? I’ll drag you down there if I have to!" he shouted, turning back to see her wiping her tears.

"Then do it, and I’ll scream for everyone to hear that I’m being forced to marry and that you have my brother locked up somewhere," she replied through more tears.

He looked into those defiant blue eyes, silently cursing himself for finding her so beautiful.

"Alright, if that’s how you want it." He pulled out his phone, dialing a number, and put it to his ear while still staring at her. "Hello, I need a wedding gift brought up for me. Oh, yes! I could use a little help. Okay." He hung up. "I’ll let you cool off and reconsider." He smiled, sitting down on an armchair in the room. "Please, have a seat. I don’t want you too tired; the ceremony is a bit draining."

Catherine felt a chill when Jaewon’s severe tone changed to a calm one. He watched her with that sly smile, almost certainly planning something. She chose to remain silent, but whatever he was up to, it wouldn’t be anything good.

...

The doorbell rang.

"Oh, look who’s arrived." Jaewon smiled, heading to the door.

Catherine was looking out from the balcony again but stepped inside as Jaewon returned, holding a white box with a red ribbon.

"For you."

"What’s this?"

"A gift." That smile again.

"What happened? The threats aren’t working anymore?" she asked, sarcasm in her voice.

"Fashion is timeless." He replied with the same tone. "But since your brother can’t be here today, I wanted you to feel welcomed, a warm handshake, maybe." Jaewon shrugged, feigning innocence.

Catherine swallowed hard.

"Go on, open it; it’s a gift from your brother."

"My... brother?" she asked, her eyes bright with expectation.

"Yes," he answered.

Catherine took the box, her hands trembling. She sat on the bed, placed the box on her lap, and slowly untied the ribbon, which slipped off. She lifted the lid and saw the horrid contents inside.

"No…no..." She covered her mouth with a trembling hand, tears streaming down her face. "OH MY GOD!" she screamed, dropping the box, and a severed hand fell onto the floor at Jaewon’s feet.

"Oh, dear! Blood stains." Jaewon nudged the hand aside with a light kick, and it rolled away.

"What… what have you done?" Catherine asked, lunging at him, pounding his chest as he grabbed both her hands and threw her onto the bed, leaning over her.

"Now listen here, and listen well. I won’t back down from my decisions, and I suggest you do the same. You want your brother alive? Hm?" She nodded. "Then get into that bathroom, fix your face and hair, and come down with Si-u. Are we clear?"

Catherine could only cry, feeling his weight pressing down on her.

"ARE WE CLEAR OR NOT?"

"Yes..."

"Yes, what, Catherine?"

"Yes... I understand..."

"Very good." He straightened, adjusting his gray suit. "I’ll go downstairs, and don’t be late this time. You have 15 minutes, or the next thing you’ll receive will be his head."

...

Catherine took a deep breath as the double doors of the hall opened. She clutched her bouquet of yellow orchids, gripping it tighter than she should. Everyone there was a stranger to her, with Jaewon waiting at the small makeshift altar. She walked slowly along the red carpet, the soft sound of an Italian waltz playing in the background. She stopped as she reached him. Jaewon smiled, took her right hand, and kissed it gently.

His hands were soft, surprisingly so for an assassin used to handling weapons, she thought, looking at him. The ceremony continued, with the officiant giving a feeble speech about love and loyalty, until they reached the vows. To her, they were not wedding vows, but a veiled death sentence, an eternity of captivity.

"Yes," Jaewon replied firmly.

Catherine’s breath trembled when the question was addressed to her.

"Yes…" She responded, feeling his hand squeezing hers.

"Please, sign here, and then the witnesses," said the officiant.

"Signing my own death certificate," Catherine thought morbidly, her pen gliding over the parchment-like paper of the registry.

"Give me your hand, dear," Jaewon said, picking up one of the rings handed to him by Mi-Jun.

She extended her hand slowly, and he slid the ring onto her finger.

"Here, Catherine," Mi-Jun handed her the other ring.

"Thank you," she replied, placing the ring on Jaewon’s finger.

"Great, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, Mr. Kim," announced the officiant.

Catherine tensed, lowering her gaze. Jaewon held her face with both hands, looking into her eyes. Her heart was pounding, a wave of nausea running through her, but she relaxed as he placed a kiss on her forehead, allowing her to breathe again.

"Let’s have a toast and celebrate!" Mi-Jun cheered.

"Serve everyone here; I’ll be heading home. I’m tired," Jaewon said, checking his watch.

"Jaewon, it’s your wedding," Mi-Jun laughed as Jaewon rolled his eyes in disdain.

"Si-u," Jaewon called, and she responded immediately. "Go up and gather all of Catherine’s things and bring them to my house. Bring down both her bags and mine."

"Yes, sir."

"Come now; let’s go home. I’m exhausted," he said, grabbing Catherine’s hand as she suddenly stopped.

"Bags? Where are we going

? And my brother?" she asked, panic in her voice.

"We’re going on our honeymoon, dear," Jaewon replied with a sinister smile.

Catherine froze.

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