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eclipsaria · 3 months ago

Text

Summary // A drunken mistake leads to an unexpected marriage between two strangers.

Pairing:

Chef! Donghyuck x CEO! Reader

Warnings:

Smoking, fluff, harassment and stalking, drinking alcohol (not detailed)

Side characters:

W/C:

11 121

Rating: [ 16+ SFW ]

Song:

Main Masterlist

NCT Dream Masterlist

The sound of clinking glasses and murmured conversation buzzed faintly through the luxurious hall of your father's flagship restaurant. You stepped out of the washroom, exhaling quietly as you adjusted your blazer. Tonight was supposed to be a small celebration—your boyfriend had invited some friends over, saying he wanted them to meet you properly at "your family’s fancy place."

You turned the corner toward the private dining room when you heard it.

"Man, she’s so stiff. It’s like dating a resume," your boyfriend’s voice floated out between bursts of laughter.

Your heart paused. You pressed yourself quietly against the corridor wall, just out of sight.

"I mean, don’t get me wrong—her dad owns half the city’s fine dining scene. Perks are insane. But every dinner feels like I’m being interviewed. She’s either talking about business or future plans. It’s exhausting."

Laughter erupted from his friends.

One added, "So what, you’re just in it for the steak and networking?"

Your boyfriend laughed too loudly. "Isn’t everyone? Please, I’m not marrying her. I’m just... hanging in there until someone better shows up."

You didn’t feel the tears at first—just the dull roar in your ears. You turned, forcing your legs to carry you somewhere—anywhere.

Up.

The rooftop door creaked open, pushed by your trembling hands. The cool night air hit your face instantly, but it wasn’t enough to numb the ache in your chest. You walked out, dragging your feet toward the edge, needing space—needing anything but that suffocating restaurant.

You weren’t alone.

A guy was already there, leaning against the railing with a cigarette between his fingers. His chef’s jacket was loose, collar slightly stained with the chaos of the kitchen, apron bundled in one hand. His eyes flicked toward you, but he didn’t say anything.

You stopped a few feet away, arms crossed—not for warmth, but to hold yourself together.

"You don’t smoke," he said simply.

You glanced at him. "No. Do you mind?"

He shook his head, exhaling a puff of smoke that curled into the sky. "Rooftop’s free. Not like I reserved it."

You stared at the ground, jaw clenched. You didn’t know why, but something about his silence felt... safe. Unassuming. And you couldn’t hold it in anymore.

"My boyfriend of three years just laughed with his friends about how I’m 'stiff'," you blurted. "He said he’s just keeping me around until someone better shows up."

The words came out like poison. Bitter and burned. The stranger didn’t move, but you saw the shift in his expression—a slow blink, a tighter grip on the cigarette.

"I heard him say it," you added, voice cracking. "I wasn’t supposed to. I was just coming back from the washroom."

He didn’t offer pity. Didn’t say sorry, or "he doesn’t deserve you." Just stood there, quiet, letting your words settle into the night.

Then finally: "What an idiot."

You let out a bitter laugh. "Tell me about it."

He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a silver can, the metallic clink sharp in the still air. "Want one?""

You eyed it suspiciously. "You’re working, aren’t you?"

He raised a brow, then smirked like he’d been caught stealing. "Shift’s over. I’m not that reckless."

You hummed in response, not taking the can. A different idea was already forming in your head.

"Actually..." you began slowly, turning to him with a hint of mischief in your tone, "there’s a bar not far from here. Good music, dark lighting, and just loud enough that no one cares who you are."

He raised an eyebrow.

"I say we go," you continued. "Dance all this stress and frustration away. Just for one night."

He let out a short chuckle, amused but curious. "Sounds like you’re the one who needs it more than I do."

You shrugged, already taking a step toward the rooftop door. "If you don’t want to, I’m going alone."

You didn’t wait for his answer, letting your footsteps echo softly as you pushed the door open. He hesitated, the cigarette burning low between his fingers.

Then: "Wait up."

You paused.

"I’m not letting a stranger out-drink and out-dance me in one night," he muttered, flicking the cigarette away and catching up.

And so you did.

You and the stranger danced the night away like the world owes you nothing and you owed it even less. You left the restaurant behind—left your boyfriend and his obnoxious friends mid-laugh, without a word. Your phone stayed in your bag the whole time, buzzing endlessly somewhere you couldn’t care to reach.

Tonight wasn’t about them.

It was about you, and a stranger with tired eyes and a crooked smirk, spinning in dim neon lights and cheap alcohol, screaming the lyrics of songs you didn’t even know. You laughed more than you had in months, drank like your heart wasn’t bruised, and let the weight of your emotions dissolve into the blur of music and movement.

The night was a haze of laughter, clinking glasses, sweaty palms, and dizziness that felt too good to question.

And when morning came—

The first thing you registered was the softness beneath you. The bed felt like clouds, far too comfortable to even think of getting up. You let out a soft groan at the brightness bleeding through your eyelids and instinctively turned your head toward the window.

Too bright. Definitely too bright. You squinted, frowning.

Wait a second. You always closed your curtains before bed. Your eyes opened slowly this time. The ceiling was unfamiliar—white, high, and sterile in the way hotel ceilings always were. You turned your head… and froze.

He was there. The stranger. The one from the rooftop. Sleeping next to you. Naked.

You blinked fast, then looked down at yourself. You were in a hotel bathrobe, the belt barely knotted. And when you sat up in a rush, the shift of fabric on your skin told you all you needed to know.

Both your clothes were scattered across the room like some drunken hurricane had ripped through. A heel lay by the lamp, his shirt was slung across a chair, your jeans were under the coffee table.

"What the-?"

Something caught your eye. A single sheet of paper on the nightstand. Still half-asleep, you leaned over and picked it up, rubbing your eyes for focus. The paper crinkled in your grip.

And then you saw the header. Bold, impossible to misread: Marriage Certificate.

You didn’t move. Couldn’t move. Your eyes traced over the names printed on the document—yours... and his. You scan the details like they might change if you read them enough times.

Name: Lee Donghyuck.

Well. At least now the stranger had a name.

If the weight of the document in your hand wasn’t giving you a headache, then the pounding in your skull from last night definitely was. You winced, pressing your palm to your temple. It felt like tiny construction workers were hammering away at your brain—and doing a damn good job.

More problems, just what you needed.

You glanced sideways.

Mister Lee Donghyuck was still peacefully asleep, one arm sprawled over the blanket like he had no care in the world. His hair was a tousled mess, lips slightly parted, chest rising and falling in a rhythm that irritated you for some reason. Maybe it was because he looked too calm while you were having a mental breakdown.

Your eyes trailed down to yourself again. The hotel gown. You groaned quietly.

Marriage certificate… missing clothes… hotel bed… and this damn bathrobe.

You didn’t need to be a genius to piece things together. Something definitely happened after the alcohol took over. You didn’t want to think about it, didn’t want to confirm it, but it all pointed to the very thing you were trying to avoid.

You exhaled sharply, gripping the certificate tighter in your hand. Your head throbbed again in response.

"Great," you muttered bitterly, staring at the ceiling. "Just great."

As if things weren’t bad enough… you were married to a stranger. And not just any stranger—one who was naked in your bed, and now had a name that somehow made it all feel more real.

Lee Donghyuck.

This was going to be a mess.

Donghyuck stirred, groaning lightly in his sleep as his body shifted under the blanket. For a moment, you thought he might sleep through this mess, but that thought was quickly crushed when his eyes fluttered open, blinking in the bright light.

And then, just like that, the calm, peaceful stranger you’d been staring at screamed—a high-pitched, girlish squeal that made your headache flare up even more. His arms flailed, knocking the blanket off of him as he scrambled backward and hit the floor with a thud.

You stared at him, unamused, eyes narrowing. "Are you done screaming?"

He froze on the floor, face flushed with embarrassment as he scrambled to sit up, looking around in a panic. His chest was still bare, and his face had the same bewildered look that you felt inside.

He finally stopped screaming and nodded quickly, like he was trying to process the chaos happening.

You sighed, rubbing your temples. It was almost impressive how much more dramatic his reaction was compared to yours. But then again, you weren’t in the mood to appreciate that right now.

The pounding in your skull wasn’t helping either.

You glanced at him again, deciding to give him some space to clear his mind. You waited for the inevitable questions to pour out, knowing he’d be just as lost as you were.

He blinked at you, his eyes flicking between you and the room. He opened his mouth, looking confused, but all he managed was a pointed gesture from you to him, then back to you. Finally, his eyes widened in realization. He gasped.

He had figured it out. It was almost as if he understood the situation just by seeing your attire, and his naked body.

You held up a hand, cutting him off before he could go any further into his overactive imagination. You waved the document in front of him. “Let’s settle this first,” you said, your voice steady despite the internal chaos. You pushed the paper toward him, not giving him a chance to protest.

His eyes went wide as he took the marriage certificate, blinking at the bold text on it. You watched him as he processed it.

"We still have time to get a divorce before my father finds out about this," you added, trying to sound calm, though your headache wasn’t making it easy.

He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then he paused. His eyes flickered down at the clubbing outfit you were still wearing. His lips parted again, but this time, he only shook his head, clearly deciding not to get lost in questions just yet.

"We really need to change into something before this conversation continues," he said finally, his voice a little calmer but still strained.

You blinked at him, realizing he was right. You couldn’t have a serious conversation in these clothes, especially with all the drama still lingering in the air.

"Right," you said, standing up and brushing the wrinkles from your gown. "Let’s go."

He stood up too, the blanket still hanging off his body. You grabbed your things from the floor, quickly slipping on your shoes, and then you both made your way out of the hotel.

It didn’t take long before you hailed a taxi. The ride was mostly quiet, neither of you knowing what to say. The only sound in the car was the occasional rumble of the tires on the pavement.

Once you reached Donghyuck’s house, you followed him inside, trying not to overthink everything that had happened. The place was nicer than you expected, reflecting his wealth and success. The interior was sleek, modern, and minimalist, with large windows that allowed natural light to pour into the space.

He led you straight to the living room, where you took a seat on the couch, feeling the weight of everything still pressing on your chest. Donghyuck disappeared for a moment, returning with a fresh T-shirt in hand.

"You can wear this for now," he said, handing it to you with a faint smile. You took it from him gratefully, glad to be able to change out of your clubbing outfit for a more comfortable one.

As you changed into his T-shirt, Donghyuck set down a glass of water and a few pills on the coffee table in front of you. "I thought you might need this for the headache," he said, sounding a little more relaxed now that you were both in a less chaotic environment.

You took the pills with a sigh of relief, swallowing them down with the water. The coolness of the glass against your hand felt oddly comforting, but the reality of the situation still weighed heavily on your mind.

"Thanks," you muttered, glancing at the marriage certificate in your hand once more, still trying to process what had happened. Donghyuck sat down next to you, his posture casual, but you could see the flicker of confusion in his eyes as he waited for you to speak.

You sat there for a few moments, trying to collect your thoughts. The headache was beginning to dull, thanks to the medicine, but the whirlwind of last night still had your mind spinning. Donghyuck sat beside you, his silence inviting you to speak first.

Finally, you broke the silence, glancing at the marriage certificate in your hand. "Okay, so… what now?" you murmured. "We can't exactly just pretend like this didn’t happen, right?"

Donghyuck nodded slowly, his gaze focused on the document as well. "Yeah, I think the best thing we can do is figure out what happened last night. We need to make sure we don’t do anything we’ll regret more, and we have to keep this between us—for now."

You sighed, still trying to come to terms with the chaos. "We need to get a divorce. I can't keep this from my dad, or my family. If they find out, this could destroy everything." You glanced at Donghyuck, hoping he'd agree.

He nodded, leaning back into the couch. "Agreed. But before we do anything, we need to figure out what actually happened last night—exactly what we did, and if there’s anything more we need to deal with."

"Right," you muttered. You were about to say something more when you remembered that you hadn’t even checked your phone since the night before. With everything that happened, you’d completely forgotten to turn it back on.

You grabbed your phone from your purse and hesitated for a moment before powering it on. The screen lit up, and as it booted up, you noticed the flood of notifications.

A wave of dread washed over you as you unlocked your phone. Dozens of missed calls from your family and—your red flag boyfriend.

Your heart sank as you scrolled through the endless messages. There were calls from your family, likely trying to get in touch with you to see if you were okay. You knew you hadn’t exactly explained what happened last night to anyone, and now your absence must be causing them to worry.

But then there were also texts from him—your boyfriend. Each message grew more frantic and possessive as the hours passed. His messages were filled with accusations, questions, and demands. "Where the hell are you?" "Are you ignoring me?" "Why aren’t you picking up?""

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes in frustration. He was always like this, but now it felt like even more of a burden. The last thing you needed right now was more drama from him.

Donghyuck noticed the shift in your mood and leaned forward, his expression curious but concerned. "Everything okay?" he asked quietly, though you knew it wasn’t really okay at all.

You sighed deeply, showing him the screen, with your boyfriend’s red flag messages staring back at you. "My boyfriend… he’s freaking out. And my family, too. This isn’t going to be easy."

Donghyuck glanced at the messages, then back at you, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Do you want me to take care of this? I can talk to him if you want."

You hesitated, then shook your head. "I don’t know. I don’t even know what to say to him. I think I just need some space from everything."

"Well," Donghyuck said, leaning back, "I think it's important we focus on this first, right? We need to handle this marriage certificate, figure out how to get out of it, and make sure no one finds out until then."

You nodded, but the tension in your chest didn’t ease. You needed to think, but your phone kept vibrating with the constant stream of messages from him. You were already feeling the weight of having to deal with it all over again.

"You should probably call your family first," Donghyuck suggested softly, his voice gentle. "Let them know you're safe. They’ll probably be worried."

You nodded again, still holding onto your phone. "I will. But the last thing I want to do is deal with my boyfriend right now. He’s the last person I want to talk to."

Donghyuck gave a slight smile, though there was an understanding in his eyes. "Yeah, I get that."

You pressed your phone to your ear, still reeling from everything that had unfolded. Your parents' voices came through the speaker, loud and frantic, barely giving you a chance to explain.

"Why are you married?!" your mother shouted, her voice high with panic. "Why on earth would you get married without telling us first?"

You froze, confusion clouding your thoughts as you tried to process what she meant. "What are you talking about?" you asked, struggling to make sense of the situation. "I don't understand."

"Didn’t you hear?" Your father’s voice cut in, filled with disbelief. "The news about you and... Donghyuck? You two got married, and now it's all over the place. The media has been talking about it!"

Your jaw dropped as your eyes slowly shifted to Donghyuck. He hadn’t made a sound since your phone call started, but now his eyebrows furrowed as he caught the shock on your face. He seemed completely unaware of what you were hearing.

The shock hit you like a freight train. News? How could anyone know? You hadn't even figured out what happened yet, let alone let anyone know. You scrambled to explain to your parents, your words coming out in a rush.

"I— I don't remember how it happened," you stammered, "I woke up this morning, and... and there's this marriage certificate, and Donghyuck is here, and I don't remember anything from last night. We were both drunk, and now we're—married, apparently!"

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, then your father spoke up, his tone now more measured. “Wait, hold on. So, you’re telling me you don’t remember a thing?”

"Yeah," you replied, feeling the weight of it all sinking in, "nothing at all."

Suddenly, your father let out a sigh, like he’d been expecting something along these lines. “Well, if that’s the case, it’s already out in the open. You and Donghyuck are married now, so there’s no turning back.”

You blinked, trying to process the absurdity of it all. "Wait, what do you mean by that? We can’t just get a divorce?"

You took a deep breath, clutching your phone tightly as you tried to piece your thoughts together. After the shock of everything—getting married to Donghyuck, the unexpected reactions from your parents, and the headache that just wouldn’t quit—you knew you had to tell them the truth about your boyfriend. You hadn’t mentioned it yet, but now was the time.

"Hold on, wait," you said into the phone, your voice a bit more steady now. "I—there’s more to it. You’re asking me to stay married to Donghyuck, but I need to tell you something about my boyfriend."

Your parents were quiet on the other end, their impatience palpable. You let out a shaky breath, pushing the dread aside. "He—he said some awful things about me last night, right in front of his friends. Behind my back, he... he basically made fun of me, talked down about me, and acted like I was some sort of burden."

There was a stunned silence on the line before your father sighed heavily, his voice more thoughtful now.

"I see. Well, if that’s the case, you need to make sure you don’t stay in that relationship," your father replied firmly. "Not if what you say about your boyfriend is true."

Your heart skipped a beat as you heard the shift in your father’s tone. “Donghyuck’s family is close to ours. He’s worked for us for a long time. He’s not just ‘any worker’—his family is well-established, rich like us. If what you said about your boyfriend is true, maybe you should consider sticking with Donghyuck. He’s a good person, and honestly, he’s better than that guy you were with.”

Your mouth went dry as his words sank in. You glanced at Donghyuck again, who had been listening carefully, his expression unreadable. "What?" you said in disbelief. "You—he’s..." Your mind raced with the information you were getting, trying to piece together what your father had just told you. Donghyuck was rich? His family was friends with yours? It didn’t make sense. You’d never known this side of him.

"Dad, wait, hold on—why would you say that?" you asked, the confusion bubbling in your voice. "We just—barely know each other. I don’t even remember how I ended up getting married to him! How can you even suggest this?"

"Because," your father’s voice softened, "not only will it affect your relationship with him, but the reputation of both your family and his will be tarnished. And I know you don’t want that. This marriage, even if it was unexpected, might turn out to be a good thing for you. If your boyfriend is really like that, then maybe it’s time to consider this seriously."

You felt your heart race as you processed your father’s words. Was he really telling you to stay married to Donghyuck? Even though you were both strangers and had no memory of how this happened?

The weight of his words hit you hard, and you fell silent, the headache from last night still pulsing faintly in the background. You barely had time to digest what your father was saying when Donghyuck, who had been quiet throughout your phone call, leaned in and whispered, "I need to take this call."

You gave him a quick nod, signaling him to go ahead, your mind too foggy to process everything all at once. You could feel the tension in the room as Donghyuck stepped away, heading toward a corner of the room to make his call.

"Are you saying... you want me to stay with Donghyuck?" you asked cautiously, your voice small.

"Yes," your father said firmly. "If it’s true that your boyfriend treated you like that, then yes, I want you to stick with Donghyuck. His family is close to ours, and I trust him. You can’t just divorce him now—it will create more problems. You’ve got to make this work."

Your mind spun with everything your father was saying. You hadn’t expected this response. You thought they’d be angry, disappointed, or at least sympathetic to your situation, but instead, they were encouraging you to stay married to Donghyuck—someone you barely knew. But the weight of what your father said about reputation and family was hard to ignore. If you divorced now, it would not only affect you, but it would affect both families in ways you couldn’t fully anticipate.

"Listen," your father continued, his voice now more measured, "I know this is a lot to process, but you need to think this through. If you really can’t remember, then maybe it’s time to let things settle. No divorce for now, alright?"

You wanted to protest, to fight back against the absurdity of the situation, but your father’s words were final. "Do it for the family’s sake, and for your own peace of mind. I’m sure Donghyuck is a good match for you. He’s more reliable than that boy of yours."

Your heart sank, a mix of confusion and frustration rising in your chest. You didn’t want to hear this. You hadn’t even processed everything yet, and now you were being told what to do by your own family?

"Okay, fine," you finally muttered, defeated. "I’ll figure it out."

Your father gave a gruff, satisfied sigh. "Good. Take care of yourself. And don’t do anything rash."

The call ended, and you lowered the phone from your ear, still in disbelief. You stared at it for a moment, the world feeling like it was spinning.

Donghyuck stepped back into the living room, his presence filling the space with an odd tension. The air seemed thick, the weight of the situation bearing down on both of you. Neither of you spoke at first, simply standing there, the silence growing uncomfortable.

Finally, you both spoke at the same time.

"You first," you said, almost reflexively.

"No, you first," Donghyuck replied, his tone equally hesitant.

There was a brief pause before Donghyuck sighed and broke the silence. "My family knows about the marriage," he said quietly, his voice filled with reluctance. "They’re not rejecting it. In fact, they’re... they're not letting me divorce you."

You blinked, feeling the weight of his words. You didn’t immediately respond, your thoughts racing as you tried to make sense of the bizarre situation.

Donghyuck glanced at you, waiting for a reaction.

"My family’s the same," you finally said, your voice quieter. "They aren’t letting me divorce either."

The room lingered in an awkward silence, both of you taking in the weight of the situation. The air felt thick, like everything you said now would somehow make the reality of it all hit harder.

Donghyuck cleared his throat after a beat, but neither of you seemed to know what to say next. You glanced at him, seeing the same confusion mirrored on his face, his shoulders tense.

"So... we’re stuck with each other, huh?" Donghyuck finally asked, breaking the silence again.

You nodded slowly, the gravity of it all sinking in deeper. "Seems like it," you muttered.

Donghyuck let out a breath, leaning back slightly against the couch, a small, dry laugh escaping him. "Well, this is... not how I imagined my morning going."

"Yeah, me neither," you replied, rubbing your temples, the headache still throbbing behind your eyes.

Both of you sat there for a moment, the silence between you not feeling as uncomfortable as before, but still heavy. Neither of you had the answers yet—just the reality that you were now bound by something neither of you had planned for.

And in the back of your mind, you couldn’t shake the thought: Your parents were probably already planning the wedding.

—

The days passed in a strange, detached rhythm. You, as the successful entrepreneur, immersed yourself in the grind of managing your company. You had a myriad of projects to oversee, meetings to attend, and decisions to make. Life felt like it was going on as it always had, with the demands of your business filling up your days and distractions keeping you occupied.

As for Donghyuck, he continued his work at your father's restaurant, just like before. However, neither of you made any effort to interact outside of the basic, casual exchanges you shared at work. You didn’t have his phone number, and he didn’t have yours. The lines of communication were non-existent, and it seemed like you were both trying to put the whole marriage fiasco out of your minds. It was as if the strange, drunken mistake that had bound you together was something neither of you wanted to acknowledge.

You kept to yourself, buried in your work, and Donghyuck did the same, managing his duties at the restaurant. There were no texts, no calls, no casual conversations. The awkwardness was mutual but unspoken. It was like the world around you continued on, and you both had decided to just move along with it, never mentioning the reality of your marriage.

Neither of you addressed what had happened, nor did you make any effort to. It was easier this way—keeping things strictly professional, treating each other like strangers despite the shared history that was now yours. The more you focused on your business, the less you thought about it. The less you had to deal with it.

Donghyuck, for his part, seemed content to let things lie. He was still the same at work, still the dependable, capable chef that everyone knew him to be, but outside of that, he kept his distance. There were no awkward run-ins, no small talk—just the routine of daily work that didn’t involve any personal interactions.

It was almost as if you were both trying to erase the memory of the bizarre night that had changed everything. And maybe that was for the best—for both of you to just go on with your lives, pretending that nothing had happened. But deep down, you both knew it was impossible to truly forget.

A whole month had passed since the chaotic night that led to your unexpected marriage, and honestly, you had managed to suppress the memory. The marriage certificate was tucked away in your room, hidden from sight and out of your mind, almost like it didn't exist. Your life continued, as did Donghyuck's, each of you going about your business, keeping your distance from the awkward reality that tied you together. But today, that would all change.

You received a call from your parents asking you to come home early, their tone insistent yet calm. You didn’t think much of it, figuring it might be some family event or another. After all, you’d been so caught up in work that you hadn't even checked in with them properly lately.

So, you parked your car outside your family’s house, not expecting anything out of the ordinary. However, there were two unfamiliar cars parked in front of the house, which made you furrow your brow slightly. You shrugged it off. Maybe a business associate or a friend of your parents had come by. You removed your heels, adjusting your outfit as you made your way inside.

When you stepped into the living room, the sight before you made your heart stop.

There, sitting on the couches like they belonged, were Donghyuck and two people you didn’t recognize. Judging by their composed, authoritative presence, they must’ve been his parents. Your parents were there too, looking unusually calm. The sight was enough to make your mind go blank for a moment.

And then it hit you.

The marriage certificate. The one you had completely forgotten about. The one you thought would stay hidden, buried away from your mind. But now? Now it all made sense.

This—this was it. This was the moment when you realized the entire farce wasn’t over.

You stood frozen for a moment, your thoughts racing as the reality of the situation settled in. There was no way this was real. This had to be some kind of cruel joke.

You blinked, trying to process what you were seeing, but all that came to mind was:

Please, tell me it’s April Fools' Day.

You barely heard your parents’ voices calling you to sit down, their words muffled by the ringing in your ears. You couldn’t tear your gaze away from Donghyuck. The weight of everything suddenly pressed down on you, and you felt the familiar headache from that night creeping back, just from the thought of the situation escalating.

This couldn't be happening.

You took a hesitant step forward, your thoughts still spinning from the sight of Donghyuck and his parents sitting there with your own family. You were barely aware of your parents greeting you, their words falling flat as they gestured for you to sit.

Donghyuck’s eyes met yours for a split second, and you could see the same calm, yet knowing expression on his face. He was already aware of what was going on—his parents and your parents had clearly been in communication about the marriage preparations before you were even called here. He wasn’t as surprised as you, but there was still an air of quiet uncertainty about him, likely because this whole situation was moving faster than either of you had anticipated.

"Sit down, dear," your mother said, her voice unusually calm, almost too calm for your liking.

You slowly took a seat next to Donghyuck, still in disbelief that you were now face to face with your parents and his, all because of a marriage. You looked at him, and for a brief moment, you could see the hesitation in his eyes—he was trying to figure out the same thing as you. You weren’t the only one feeling lost.

Before you could gather your thoughts, your mother spoke up again. "We’ll start making arrangements for a ceremony soon. I’m sure you two will want to discuss the details, but rest assured, we’ll make this as smooth as possible."

"Ceremony?" you repeated, your voice rising slightly in disbelief. "You’re really planning to go that far?"

Your father’s eyes softened, but there was no sign of hesitation. "Of course. It’s important for both of you to start this properly, and that means a proper wedding. You’ll get used to this arrangement, I’m sure."

You stared at your parents, trying to process their nonchalant attitude toward the whole situation. Meanwhile, Donghyuck’s parents exchanged looks of approval, as if this was all just a formality to them.

"This is insane," you muttered under your breath, barely able to believe that your life had somehow become a tangled mess of marriages, families, and expectations.

— ♬ ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ♬ —

The days blurred together as the wedding preparations took full force. Despite your initial shock and reluctance, the constant pressure from both families made it clear that this was happening, whether you were ready or not. The wedding plans moved quickly, with your parents and Donghyuck’s parents coordinating every detail, while you and Donghyuck remained largely passive observers of the process.

In the weeks leading up to the big day, there was an endless stream of phone calls, fittings, meetings with event planners, and discussions with photographers and caterers. It was overwhelming, and you found yourself retreating into work whenever possible, hoping to avoid the chaos that was unfolding around you. But no matter how hard you tried to ignore it, the wedding loomed closer each day.

Donghyuck, on the other hand, seemed oddly calm throughout it all. He attended every meeting with his parents, nodded through all the planning, and kept to himself mostly. Occasionally, you’d find yourself locked in brief, awkward conversations with him, but there was a sense of quiet understanding between you. He wasn’t happy about the situation, but he was playing along, just as you were.

The day before the wedding, you stood in front of a mirror, dressed in the elaborate wedding gown your mother had insisted on, the soft fabric hugging your body perfectly. You stared at your reflection, trying to absorb the surreal reality of it all. This wasn’t how you imagined your life to be—being married to a stranger, someone you barely knew beyond the surface level.

But then you thought back to the night of the hotel, when you had drunkenly signed the marriage certificate. The confusion, the panic, the way you both seemed to be swept into something that neither of you had planned. Now, here you were—about to marry him in front of everyone.

Your phone buzzed, snapping you out of your thoughts. It was Donghyuck, his name flashing across the screen. You hesitated before answering, not sure what this conversation would bring.

“Hey,” his voice came through the speaker, low and calm as always.

“Hey,” you replied, your voice tight.

There was a brief silence, and then he spoke again. “Look, I know this is... all a bit much. But I just want to say that, whatever happens tomorrow, we’ll get through it. I’m not expecting anything from you. I just want to get this over with, like you do.”

You couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, a dry, bitter sound. “Yeah. I just want it to end, too.”

“We’ll make it work,” he added quietly. “For both of our families, at least.”

You agreed with a soft sigh, your mind running through a million thoughts at once. There was nothing more you could do. Tomorrow was inevitable.

— ♬ ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ♬ —

The day of the wedding arrived, and it felt like a blur. You didn’t have time to process anything, as everything moved too quickly. The ceremony was beautiful, and although you barely felt like you were present, everything went as planned. The guests arrived, the flowers were in place, the music played softly in the background, and the vows were exchanged.

When you stood across from Donghyuck at the altar, you couldn’t help but notice how calm he looked. There was no emotion, no joy, and certainly no love between you two, but there was something oddly peaceful about it. You had no expectations of him, and he seemed to have none of you, either. You weren’t sure whether that made the whole thing better or worse.

The priest spoke, and before you knew it, you were pronounced husband and wife. The rings were placed on your fingers, the kisses exchanged, and the applause rang out from the guests. Everything was happening so fast that it was hard to truly comprehend.

After the ceremony, there was a reception. You had to smile and make small talk with relatives, acquaintances, and friends, but inside, you felt like a stranger in your own life. Your parents beamed with pride, while Donghyuck’s parents looked on with quiet approval. The whole affair felt like a show, a performance for everyone around you, and you were just going along with it.

As the night wore on, Donghyuck and you exchanged a few words here and there, but nothing meaningful. The both of you were still strangers in many ways, and it seemed that this marriage was just another step to fulfill obligations that you had no control over.

At the end of the night, when the last guests had left and the music had died down, you found yourself standing next to Donghyuck on the balcony, looking out at the stars.

“Well, that’s that,” he said, his voice surprisingly light.

You nodded, feeling the weight of everything hit you all at once. “Yeah. That’s it.”

“You’re not upset?” Donghyuck asked, his gaze on you.

You shrugged. “I don’t know what to feel. It’s just... done. No going back now.”

He sighed and leaned against the railing. “Yeah. No going back.”

For a moment, the silence stretched between you two, comfortable yet strained.

“Well,” Donghyuck said, straightening up, “tomorrow is another day. I guess we’ll figure out what comes next.”

You looked at him, and for the first time in a long while, you weren’t angry, frustrated, or confused. It was a strange feeling, but it was there—something like acceptance.

— ♬ ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ♬ —

Time passed in a blur after the wedding. Days seemed to run together as you settled into an unexpected routine. Living with Donghyuck felt more like sharing space with a roommate than living with a husband. The communication between the two of you was polite, almost clinical, but there was no emotional bond, no intimacy. You both operated in separate spheres, rarely discussing anything too personal or meaningful. The house felt quiet, distant, as though the weight of the marriage was hanging over both of you without ever being addressed.

Donghyuck kept to himself most of the time, working long hours, coming home late, and retreating into his own world when he wasn’t busy. You, on the other hand, had your business to manage, which kept you occupied, but even in those moments, there was a lingering discomfort at the back of your mind. This was supposed to be a marriage, but it felt more like two people trying to avoid the glaring truth that neither of them had asked for this, nor wanted it.

But one thing still remained constant in your life: your ex-boyfriend. Despite the wedding, despite the fact that you were now legally married to Donghyuck, he refused to let go. The harassing texts, the calls late at night, and the occasional appearance at your office—he was relentless. He still thought he had a chance, and each time you blocked his number or changed your contact information, he found another way to reach you. It wasn’t so much about love anymore, but about control and manipulation.

You never told Donghyuck about it. There was something about the situation that felt too messy, too complicated to involve him. After all, you weren’t really a married couple. You weren’t in love. Your marriage, as you both knew, was the result of a clumsy, drunken night. Telling Donghyuck about your ex might complicate things, and you didn’t want to do that. The last thing you needed was more drama.

But the harassment didn’t stop. It escalated, as it always did with him. Late-night calls filled with demands for your attention, texts asking why you hadn’t come back to him. You had long stopped responding, but it didn’t stop him. You could feel the anxiety rising within you, the tightness in your chest every time you checked your phone and saw his name. You tried to push the thoughts aside, but it wasn’t easy.

One evening, after another round of relentless messages from your ex, you sat on the couch, staring at your phone, weighing your options. You could block him again, change your number for the fifth time, but it didn’t seem to matter. He always found a way back. You didn’t want to involve Donghyuck, not when he seemed to have his own burdens to bear. But there was a part of you that just couldn’t carry this weight alone anymore.

You looked over at him, sitting at the kitchen counter, working on his laptop. He was lost in his task, completely unaware of the turmoil brewing inside you. The silence between you two felt thicker than ever, but you couldn’t ignore it any longer.

You took a deep breath and stood up, walking over to where he sat. He glanced up as you approached, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Hey," you said, your voice almost a whisper, "I... I need to tell you something."

Donghyuck raised an eyebrow, his attention now fully on you. "What is it?"

You hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to frame the words. The thought of bringing up your ex seemed strange, out of place, but you knew it was something that couldn’t stay hidden any longer. He deserved to know, even if the truth felt too complicated.

You took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation hanging between you. "It started right after the wedding, honestly," you explained, your voice a little shaky as you remembered the constant messages and calls. "My ex wouldn’t let it go, even though I blocked him. He kept finding new ways to get in touch, through email, social media, everything. It’s like he can’t accept that it’s over. The last straw was last week when he showed up at my office, demanding to talk to me. I didn’t let him in, but... I don’t know. It’s just been wearing me down."

Donghyuck’s expression darkened as he listened. He seemed to process your words for a moment before he spoke, his voice firm but not angry. “How long has this been going on?”

"Almost a month now," you replied, rubbing your forehead. "I didn’t want to tell you, honestly. I didn’t want to complicate things... especially when this marriage is already so messy."

Donghyuck’s gaze softened, and he stepped closer to you, his tone more serious than ever. "You should’ve told me sooner. But it’s not too late now. From now on, if he harasses you again, tell me. I don’t care if this marriage isn’t what we expected, but you don’t have to deal with this alone."

You blinked, surprised by the calmness in his voice, yet there was an intensity to it. "I don’t want to cause you any trouble. It’s not... it’s not that serious."

"It is serious," he said, shaking his head. "No one should have to put up with that kind of behavior, especially not someone close to me. I’ll take care of it."

You felt a slight shift in your chest—something you hadn’t expected. You had never considered Donghyuck as someone who would actually care about what you were going through. You nodded, though still hesitant. "I don’t know how you’ll handle it. I’m not sure what he’s capable of."

"Leave that to me," Donghyuck said with more conviction than you anticipated. "If he shows up again, if he calls or sends more messages, let me know immediately. We’ll handle it. You’re not in this alone, even if this isn’t the kind of marriage you wanted."

You swallowed hard, feeling a bit of warmth spread through you at his words. It wasn’t love, but it was something real, something you hadn’t expected to feel in this situation. A small part of you was grateful, even though you hadn’t known how to ask for help.

"Okay," you said quietly. "I’ll tell you next time."

Donghyuck gave you a small, reassuring nod. "Good. We’ll deal with it, together."

You weren’t sure where this would go, or what this marriage would become, but for the first time in a long while, you felt a little less alone in it. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something. And for now, that was enough.

— ♬ ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ♬ —

It was a normal Saturday afternoon, and you and Donghyuck decided to go shopping for ingredients together. The two of you had been getting along well, despite the awkwardness that lingered from your unconventional marriage. You’d grown used to living with him in this strange, roommate-like dynamic, and, for the most part, things were calm. It had become part of the routine—shared meals, trips to the grocery store, and casual conversations that never felt too personal.

Today, the store was a little busier than usual, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. You were scanning the shelves in the aisle, trying to decide between two brands of olive oil when you heard Donghyuck call out from a few aisles over.

You grabbed what you needed, pushing the cart slowly toward his voice, when suddenly, you heard a man’s scream, sharp and high-pitched. You froze for a second, wondering what was going on.

Turning around, you saw Donghyuck—faster than you'd ever seen him move—racing toward you. Before you could even ask what was happening, he was right next to you. Your heart skipped a beat as you followed his line of sight, and there, in the middle of the aisle, was your ex-boyfriend, looking completely caught off guard.

Donghyuck moved quickly, grabbing your ex’s wrist and locking it in a way that made him yelp in pain. The next thing you knew, your ex was on the floor, flat on his back, with Donghyuck standing over him, still holding his wrist in a firm grip.

The entire store seemed to pause as people stared in disbelief. You quickly approached, your mind racing. "Donghyuck, what the hell?" you shouted, your voice filled with both surprise and panic.

Donghyuck didn’t even acknowledge you at first, his focus entirely on your ex, whose face was twisted in pain and humiliation. "You think you can just keep harassing her?" Donghyuck’s voice was cold, his grip tightening slightly. "You’re going to regret this."

Your ex, still trying to get up, glared up at Donghyuck. "You think you can tell me what to do? Who the hell are you to interfere in my business?" he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.

Donghyuck stepped closer, his eyes darkening with fury. "I’m the guy who’s going to make sure you stay the hell away from her," he replied calmly, his tone sending a shiver down your spine.

You stepped forward, a little too stunned to react. "Donghyuck, stop!" you said, your voice trembling slightly. "Let him go!"

Donghyuck didn’t seem phased by your words, his gaze still fixed on your ex. He raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the scene he was causing. "You’re lucky I’m not doing more than this," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

The tension was thick, and you could feel your heart racing. You hadn’t seen this side of Donghyuck before. Normally laid-back and easygoing, now he looked like someone entirely different, someone who was willing to go to great lengths to protect you. And for the first time, you realized just how serious things were between you and him—whether you wanted to admit it or not.

Your ex, now on the ground, still struggling to get up, shot you a look of frustration.

"Next time," Donghyuck said with finality, his voice firm, "don’t make me repeat myself."

You watched your ex scramble to his feet, now more than embarrassed, and make a hasty retreat. You could hear the murmurs of other shoppers around you, but you were too rattled to care.

Donghyuck turned to you, his expression softening just slightly, though there was still a hard edge to his demeanor. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.

You nodded, though your heart was still racing from the encounter. "Yeah, thanks," you murmured, glancing down at the spot where your ex had been moments ago. "I didn’t expect that to happen."

Donghyuck just shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Neither did I," he said. "But I don’t want him bothering you again."

You couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions—surprised by Donghyuck’s protectiveness, confused about where you stood in this strange marriage, but also grateful for his support in a way that you hadn’t expected.

After returning home from the store, your mind couldn't help but replay the events of the day. You kept thinking about Donghyuck—how quickly he had acted, how he had taken charge when things had escalated with your ex. He had always been charismatic in his own way, but today, something had shifted. The way he had stood over your ex, calm and confident, like he wasn’t afraid to defend you no matter what, made you see him in a different light.

As you unloaded the groceries, your thoughts wandered, and you found yourself constantly coming back to the same conclusion. Donghyuck had this undeniable presence about him. His features, which you had often taken for granted, seemed sharper now, more striking. His eyes, usually playful, were intense today—full of fire when he’d confronted your ex, but also a quiet, protective warmth when he’d turned back to check if you were okay.

You couldn’t stop noticing how handsome he suddenly seemed, even though you had seen him countless times before. The way his clothes fit him just right, the way his hair fell effortlessly into place, the way his smirk made your heart flutter despite how irritating it had been at first—everything about him had started to feel different.

You shook your head, trying to focus as you arranged the groceries in the kitchen. What was happening to you? You had always known that Donghyuck was attractive, but this? This was something else entirely. Your mind kept replaying the scene in the store—his quick reflexes, his confident movements, and how he had protected you without hesitation. It was something you hadn’t expected to admire as much as you did.

As you turned to face him, who was still putting the bags away with his usual nonchalance, your gaze lingered for a moment longer than it should. His back was turned, but you caught the muscles in his shoulders as he moved. Why had you never noticed how... appealing he was before?

You quickly snapped your eyes away, feeling a blush creep onto your cheeks, hoping he hadn't caught you staring. The last thing you needed right now was to let him know how his mere presence could make your heart race in ways you weren’t ready to acknowledge.

Donghyuck, still humming a random tune as he moved around the kitchen, glanced at you and flashed that signature smirk of his. "You good?" he asked, his voice casual, though there was an underlying hint of concern, as if he could sense something was off.

You blinked, forcing your attention back to the present. "Yeah, just... a little distracted, I guess." You let out a nervous laugh, trying to brush it off.

Donghyuck raised an eyebrow, sensing your unease, but didn't push it. Instead, he continued what he was doing, his movements fluid and confident. But you couldn’t shake the thought that kept repeating itself in your head: Donghyuck is really, really handsome.

It wasn’t long before the feeling came back again. You were working from home, the rhythmic sound of typing filling the quiet atmosphere, when the front door opened. The familiar sound of Donghyuck’s voice echoed through the hallway, and you heard his footsteps grow louder as he entered the living room, his wet hair dripping slightly, a faint scent of shampoo and fresh sweat lingering in the air.

You didn't think much of it at first; you knew Donghyuck’s routine well enough by now. Every week, he would go to the gym, come back, take a shower, and go about his day. You had gotten used to it, even if the sight of him walking back in after a workout sometimes made your heart race a little. Today, however, was different.

You looked up from your laptop as Donghyuck walked in, his gym clothes clinging to his toned frame, his hair damp and sticking slightly to his forehead. For some reason, seeing him like this—sweaty, fresh from a workout, and slightly disheveled—made your heart flutter in a way that had nothing to do with routine. It felt different.

Was it because of what had happened with your ex? The way Donghyuck had stepped up and defended you so fiercely, so protectively? Or was it just the natural aftermath of being in close proximity to him, living with him, and having shared so much together in such a short period? You couldn’t tell. Maybe both.

Donghyuck tossed his gym bag casually to the side before heading toward the bathroom, his damp hair falling in strands around his face. He caught your gaze, giving you one of his usual, carefree smirks. "Just got back from the gym," he said, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "You know the drill by now."

You nodded, forcing a smile, trying to keep the fluttering in your chest at bay. "Yeah, I know." But even as you said it, your thoughts weren’t on the gym routine. They were on him—his body, the way his muscles flexed under the tight fabric of his shirt, the water droplets on his skin that made him look so... raw, so real. You had never noticed how appealing his natural state could be before.

It wasn’t until he disappeared into the bathroom that you realized how long you had been staring at him. You snapped yourself out of it, shaking your head and focusing back on the work in front of you. But your mind kept wandering back to him.

Was it just the stress of everything lately? Was it because of the way he handled the situation with your ex? You kept asking yourself that, but the truth was, you weren’t sure anymore. It wasn’t the first time you had seen him come back from the gym, but today—today, everything felt different.

It wasn’t just the way he looked or the way he acted. It was how he made you feel, and it was starting to make you question everything.

Your thoughts were interrupted as Donghyuck came back from the bathroom, now dressed in a simple t-shirt and sweatpants, his hair dry but still a little messy. He flashed you a grin, catching your eye. "How’s work going?" he asked, as casual as ever.

You forced a smile, but your heart was still racing. "It’s fine," you said, a little too quickly. "Busy, you know."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing something was off. "You sure?"

You nodded, but deep down, you knew. It wasn’t just work that had you distracted. It was him. And for some reason, it felt like everything was starting to shift in ways you couldn’t explain.

— ♬ ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ ♬ —

Days passed by with more subtle moments that caused your heart to flutter. It wasn't just his presence anymore, but the way he would do small things that seemed so ordinary to him but felt extraordinary to you. The way he would reach out to grab something from the top shelf, his shirt stretching across his back, making you glance away quickly. Or the way his eyes would meet yours when you caught him looking, as if he was already aware of what was on your mind, yet he never mentioned it.

One evening, you were in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, when he walked in, wearing a relaxed smile, his hair still damp from the shower. You felt that familiar flutter again in your chest, and you didn’t try to hide it this time. It was getting harder to ignore the feelings you had for him, even if you still didn’t know what to make of them.

He leaned casually against the counter, watching you with a playful glint in his eyes. "Need any help?" he asked, his voice light but with a touch of something more, something you couldn’t quite put your finger on.

“No, I’m fine,” you replied, trying to focus on the vegetables in front of you. You felt your cheeks heat up when he chuckled, not helping the growing warmth in your chest. The sound of his laugh, so carefree and genuine, sent a wave of something you didn’t expect to feel.

As the days went by, there were more little moments—him making you coffee in the mornings, asking how your work was going, offering to take care of things around the house when you were busy. Each one, a simple act, but it chipped away at the walls you had built around your heart. It was all so natural, so easy with him, and yet there you were, feeling a weight you hadn’t felt before—a desire to be closer, to not just be roommates or strangers who happened to be married.

It hit you one afternoon when you were sitting together on the couch, both lost in a movie. His arm brushed against yours, and without even thinking, you leaned into him, your body naturally finding comfort in the small space between you. He didn’t pull away, but instead, his arm gently shifted, and you ended up resting your head on his shoulder. You both stayed like that for a while, the movie forgotten, the only thing that mattered being the quiet, shared moment.

That’s when it hit you. You liked him. You liked him more than just as the guy you were married to out of a drunken mistake. You liked him in ways you hadn’t fully understood until now.

When you finally pulled away, you looked up at him, and for the first time, you didn’t feel awkward. His gaze was soft, and there was something in his eyes that made your heart beat a little faster. You could see it now—there was no mistaking it. You weren’t the only one feeling something more.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice low, a slight smirk on his lips.

You smiled, your heart skipping a beat. "Yeah," you replied quietly, your gaze meeting his. "I’m more than okay."

And just like that, you knew—this wasn’t just some fleeting, heart-fluttering feeling anymore. It was something deeper, something that had been quietly growing between the two of you, something you were finally ready to admit.

—

It was your one-year wedding anniversary, and you had decided to do something special for Donghyuck, something that felt right. After all the time that had passed, the growing feelings, and the quiet moments that made your heart race, it felt like the perfect time to finally let him know how you felt. The cake you were baking had the perfect words written on top, "I like you," followed by a question, "Do you like me back?" You spent the afternoon decorating it, carefully piping frosting onto the cake and trying to make everything just right.

The house was filled with the sweet scent of the cake, and you couldn’t help but smile at the final result. It looked perfect. The decorations around the house were simple but cozy, and you were proud of what you had done to make the day feel special.

Your heart raced. You quickly looked down at your flour-stained T-shirt and realized you had to change. You dashed into your room and just as you were taking off your T-shirt, you heard his voice echo through the house.

"Hey, I’m back!" he called out, his voice bright and casual.

You gasped, startled that he had come home earlier than expected. Quickly, you grabbed the dress you had prepared for the occasion, a soft, flowing fabric that seemed to match the romantic mood you were going for. You pulled it on and tried to quickly tie your hair, but it was a bit messy from the rush. Regardless, you didn’t want to waste any more time and rushed out of the room to greet him.

Donghyuck was standing in the living room, already eyeing the cake you had so carefully decorated. His gaze moved from the cake to you, and suddenly, you felt so embarrassed. Your hair was a little messy, and you had rushed to get dressed. The small part of you that had hoped everything would be perfect now felt insecure, but Donghyuck didn’t seem to notice.

He was already smiling at you, his gaze soft and warm. You could feel your face turning red from the way he was looking at you. It was then that he let out a small giggle, and with a playful glint in his eyes, he stepped toward you.

Without saying a word, he reached for the cake, and with his index finger, he scooped up a small bit of the frosting and gently placed it on your lips. You blinked, unsure of what he was doing, but before you could react, he leaned in close, his breath warm against your skin.

His whisper was low, only for you to hear. "Yes, I like you back."

And then, with that sweet frosting still on your lips, he kissed you. It was gentle at first, but when his lips touched yours, it was as if everything you had been holding inside of you finally broke free. The cake, the confession, the nervousness, and the feelings you had kept hidden all this time—it all melted away in that moment, leaving only the warmth of his kiss and the undeniable truth of the way you felt about him.

You didn’t need to say anything more. The answer was already clear.

After the cake, the two of you sat together on the couch, your hands intertwined naturally. The soft glow of the television illuminated the room, but it was the warmth between you and Donghyuck that filled the space. You couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace, like this—this was what home felt like. After a year of unexpected twists and turns, this was the place you’d both found together.

Donghyuck’s hand was still resting in yours as you watched the screen, the comfort of his presence making everything feel so right. A sudden thought popped into your mind, and you turned to him, curiosity getting the better of you.

"Hey," you started, your voice a little shy, "since when did you like me?"

Donghyuck gave you a playful glance, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "You really want to know?"

You nodded, eager to know the answer, your heart racing just a little. It was hard to imagine that someone as confident and collected as Donghyuck had been nervous about you at one point.

He paused, as if considering his answer, before giving you a knowing smile. "It was when you killed that cockroach for me."

You blinked, momentarily speechless, before bursting out laughing. "What? The cockroach? Are you serious?"

He laughed along with you, his gaze never leaving yours. "Yeah. You were so brave—completely fearless, and you handled it like it was nothing. That’s when I started to think… maybe she’s pretty cool."

You couldn’t help but laugh harder at his explanation, but there was a warmth in your chest, a flutter of realization that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t just joking around. Donghyuck continued, a little sheepish now, his voice low.

"Brave women are really cool, you know? It made my heart flutter in a way I didn’t expect."

The simple sincerity in his words made your heart skip a beat. You looked at him, your eyes soft, feeling an overwhelming sense of affection that had been growing over time. How strange it was, that something as simple as killing a cockroach had been the turning point in your relationship. But, somehow, it made sense. It was these little moments, these unexpected things that made your connection real.

With a contented sigh, you leaned back into the couch, still holding his hand, your heart light. "I guess you could say that our strange marriage turned out beautifully after all."

Donghyuck chuckled, his fingers gently tightening around yours. "Yeah, I think so. Who would’ve thought?"

And as the two of you sat there, hands entwined, you realized that this strange, unexpected marriage—born from a drunken mistake—had turned into something more than you could have ever imagined. It was more than just a contract; it was a partnership, full of laughter, support, and, yes, love.

Sometimes, the most unexpected of circumstances could lead to the most beautiful endings. And this, you realized, was just the beginning of a new chapter.

@stvrrylove @sol3chu @firstclassjaylee @cherry-zip

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