When I was told I had to get married, only two things came to mind. One was, I figured as much. The other was that this really was the end. Whether it was my life, my responsibility as a son, or the bare minimum of compensation they expected from me.

It wasn’t some cliché like “marriage is the grave of life.” It was something I’d always have to do anyway, and if anything, it was happening later than expected. I just felt hollow at the fact that even the moment I was finally stepping out of this long cage, I still didn’t get a say in it.

“It worked out well. A place like that is willing to take in a half-baked omega like you.”

My father, throughout the conversation, barely bothered to hide his rare unease. He would raise his voice now and then, and his eyes sparkled like someone who’d finally struck gold. Of course, behind those rare glances of excitement, his eyes were full of loathing for the half-assed omega in front of him.

“Don’t take it too personally. That’s just how business works. You’re old enough now—I trust you’ll understand your father’s position.”

If he was going to sound that benevolent, he could’ve at least masked the look on his face. His greed-glazed eyes looked like he was putting a valuable item up for sale. What kind of understanding was I supposed to offer when there was only ambition left in a place where trust should’ve been?

“Sejin, we’ve got high hopes for you. If you play your part, you’ll be the hero who saves this company. You know this is our last chance, right?”

“...Yes, Father.”

This time, I had no choice but to answer. It was a half-hearted reply, but my father was too giddy to notice. He let out a self-important cough and forcefully lowered the corners of his mouth.

“The engagement ceremony’s next Saturday, so clear your schedule and go get some grooming done or whatever. You know—the place Minjae goes to.”

Next week. That meant this arrangement had been in the works for quite some time. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to refuse, they went ahead and left me entirely out of the discussion. No—more likely, they never even thought to include me, knowing I had no say in the matter.

“If you’ve understood, go on now.”

In truth, there were a lot of things I wanted to ask. Why the other company agreed to take me. Why they chose a male omega instead of a competent female one. And what my father—or rather, Haesin Group—was getting in exchange for handing me over.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get ready.”

But even if I asked, nothing would change. At most, I’d get a clearer sense of how much—or how little—I was worth. In times like this, a bit of avoidance was better for self-preservation.

“Then I’ll be off.”

I bowed slightly and slowly turned away. Normally, I would’ve asked after his health out of politeness, but today I just couldn’t muster the energy. I hadn’t slept a wink, and it felt like I had a boulder sitting on my shoulders.

“Ah, right. Wait.”

Just as I grabbed the doorknob, my father let out a pleased noise. Then he told me to hold on for a second as he dug through his desk drawer. As I turned my head, a small object flew through the air.

“I told Professor Choi and got it for you. Don’t show up looking like a corpse and disgrace the family. Just take it this week and get some proper sleep.”

The pill bottle rolled across the floor until it stopped right in front of my shoe. He’d clearly thrown it where I couldn’t catch it, and now he was busy clicking his tongue at me for failing to do so. As I bent to pick it up, I heard his muttered grumbling.

“Only thing you’ve got going for you is your face...”

Should I be grateful, I wonder. That the only thing I had to boast about was at least something. That must be why my father proposed a political marriage—clinging to the one decent thing about me.

“So you knew I couldn’t sleep.”

“Of course. You’re my son.”

I gripped the round bottle tightly in my hand. Through the gaps in my fingers, I could just make out the name of the drug printed on the label. It was ridiculous how comforting such an insincere remark could be.

“Thank you for your concern.”

As I forced a warm smile, my father’s expression bloomed with satisfaction. The crow’s feet around his eyes crinkled with pride—for himself, no doubt. He nodded and waved me away.

“Good. Go on.”

“Yes. You take care of your health too, Father.”

I offered a polite bow and finally left the chairman’s office for real. Mr. Kim, who had been waiting quietly outside, fell into step behind me. I quickened my pace, turning the pill bottle over with my thumbnail.

Zolpidem tartrate. I didn’t need to say it aloud for anyone to know I’d long since developed a tolerance.

***

Last year, an application released by Haesin Bank was hit with a malicious virus. Ninety percent of users had their personal information leaked, and over a hundred digital certificates were misused. They rushed to improve security, but the trust they lost never returned.

And that wasn’t the end of it. Not long after, a hiring corruption scandal broke at Haesin Financial Group’s headquarters. My father immediately fired the involved employees, but when an applicant attempted suicide around the same time, the scandal blew up even more. Naturally, Haesin was bombarded by the press and began to crumble under scrutiny.

The stock price plummeted and hadn’t recovered, even a year later. No matter how much they tried to rebrand the company, Haesin would never regain its former glory. The only difference now was whether the collapse happened quickly or slowly. The decline was already irreversible.

And during all this, I—son of the chairman—received a marriage proposal.

A company willing to tie the knot with a sinking ship like Haesin Financial Group. I didn’t even have to see it to know what kind of business that must’ve been.

“...What did you just say?”

Yes. That’s what it should’ve been.

“I said the engagement with Seonho Group is scheduled for next Saturday.”

All my cynical thoughts evaporated in an instant. In their place was only the image of my father’s thrilled expression. Mr. Kim looked at me with his usual blank face as he continued the report.

“It will take place at Myeongseong Hotel at 5:30 p.m. You’re expected to begin preparations from the morning...”

“Wait, wait. One second, Mr. Kim.”

I pushed aside the employee adjusting my tie and bit down on my lip. Sensing my hesitation, Mr. Kim dismissed the staff from the fitting room. Click. The door closed, and only then did the question burst from my chest.

“My fiancé is from Seonho Group?”

Next Saturday was the same day my father had mentioned for the engagement. Mr. Kim had called it an “appointment,” but there’s no way anyone would double-book something like that with a group like Seonho. And the venue? Myeongseong Hotel—one of Seonho’s affiliate businesses.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

His answer was neat and without hesitation. The tone of someone wondering why I’d even ask something so obvious. But the problem was, I really hadn’t had the slightest clue. I tugged at my messed-up tie again and asked once more.

“My marriage partner is from Seonho Group?”

“Yes, but...”

Mr. Kim’s expression twisted ever so slightly. He stared at me as if trying to read my mind.

“You really didn’t know?”

“...”

No, I didn’t. I hadn’t even tried to find out. I didn’t know if the person was male or female, how old they were, what they looked like. I just assumed they were an alpha—what else?

“...So you were picking out your engagement outfit without even knowing who your partner was?”

Given that, it wasn’t surprising he looked so dumbfounded. My father, who’d failed to mention the most crucial point, and me, who hadn’t bothered to ask—no wonder we both seemed absurd.

“Well, it’s not like I’ll be meeting them naked...”

I hung the silk tie on the rack and turned away, hoping to escape Mr. Kim’s gaze—but the mirror on the opposite wall betrayed me. Mr. Kim sighed softly and locked eyes with my reflection.

“You don’t want to ask anything else?”

“About what?”

What should I ask? Why Seonho chose Haesin was strange, sure, but that was my father’s business, not mine. I just had to put on the suit, smile politely, and go through with the wedding.

“I believe Seonho Group has two unmarried children.”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard as well.”

I answered calmly, but Mr. Kim still looked unsatisfied. He even let out a sigh this time, and behind his glasses, his eyes were a storm of emotion.

“You’re not going to ask which one?”

“Ah.”

A dumb sound slipped out. Not because I hadn’t thought of it, but because I hadn’t expected him to bring it up.

“Why bother asking?”

Vice President Kwon Sang-mi of Seonho Group had three children. One was already married and serving as a VP. The other two were alphas, slightly past the standard marrying age. Both of them were far too high up the ladder for someone like me.

“As long as it’s someone from Seonho, it doesn’t matter.”

“That’s not what I meant—”

Mr. Kim began to object but stopped himself abruptly. Probably because I’d turned my head and was now meeting his gaze directly, not through a mirror. Looking away slightly, he spoke with a newly leveled voice.

“Director Jung, your engagement is with the second son of Seonho Group.”

The words stripped bare the reality I’d been avoiding. As if telling me there was no point pretending anymore. He added firmly:

“The partner is Executive Director Kwon Yido.”

“...”

Kwon Yido.

I’d heard that name more times than I could count. One of TIME’s 100 most influential people of the year, and a rising star in the corporate world. At thirty-two, he’d already earned the title of Executive Director and taken over as head of Seonho Electronics.

“That’s... unexpected.”

Honestly, I thought I’d be marrying his older brother. There’s only a three-year age gap between them, but while Kwon Yido was sharp and capable, Kwon Yijeong was a leech with no real foothold. If Seonho wanted to balance things out with Haesin, it made more sense to send out their defective piece.

“Guess I really should hit the aesthetic clinic...”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

I waved it off casually. Mr. Kim narrowed his eyes at me, clearly expecting some kind of reaction. But instead of giving him that, I just smiled pleasantly.

“Please call the staff. If my partner’s Kwon Yido, I should probably stop by the same shop Minjae uses.”

“...”

His lips parted and closed again. ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ I could practically see the words on the tip of his tongue. Is that all? or Don’t you want to know anything else? In the end, he chose the second.

“There’s nothing else you’re curious about?”

His eyes were full of something—not expectation, but lingering hope. He’d known me for years. What on earth was he hoping to see from me now? Surely he knew I never had a choice to begin with.

“There is. One thing I’m curious about.”

I threw it out casually. Mr. Kim’s eyes lit up in surprise. I shrugged and pointed to the necktie hanging on the rack.

“A necktie’s better than a bowtie, right?”

Throughout the fitting, Mr. Kim had kept his mouth shut like a clam. His mood must’ve been really sour—he didn’t even stop the staff when he should’ve. As a result, I had to sit through endless compliments as payback for my petty stubbornness.

“People who look this good in this color are so rare. Your proportions are practically mannequin-perfect. Every time I tailor a suit for you, I feel like I chose the right profession.”

The already chatty staff turned even more talkative with no one to stop them. One-button jackets were out—two-button was better. The vest needed to hug the waist more. Something about leg length, something about skin tone. They dressed me in nearly everything in the shop. Only when they finished tying the unique knot on my tie did they nod with satisfaction.

“You really suit bright colors, thanks to your pale skin.”

“Haha... Is that so?”

“Absolutely. This fabric just came in, but pearl shades don’t usually suit men. But you, Director Jung...”

Is there really a need to pick an engagement suit this thoroughly? I heard the ceremony was supposed to be private, no media involved. Still, I guess it made sense to prepare carefully to avoid gossip down the line.

It was probably time to wrap this up... or so I thought, right before sending a pleading look to Mr. Kim—

“Jung Sejin!”

Bang! The door to the fitting room slammed open. I turned my head on reflex—and saw a familiar face barging in, dragging two employees along. The staff behind him pleaded for him to stop, but the man didn’t seem to hear a thing.

“Fuck, Jung Sejin, you—!”

He marched in with purpose. The employee helping me quickly stepped between us.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but you can’t enter this area.”

It was a professional response—but the intruder was far from cooperative. He halted, glared at the staff with a furious face, and growled:

“Move. You deaf?”

There was a faint whiff of aroma on him. He was dressed head to toe in luxury brands, his hair perfectly bleached and styled. Must’ve just come from some kind of treatment. That was the impression I got—until he sneered and said:

“Hey, do you guys not know who I am? You all wanna get fired or what?”

“...”

The staff’s expressions turned stiff. Customers who say things like that rarely leave quietly. Either he was the real deal, or just a high-maintenance brat. But they couldn’t back down easily—not when I was also a big deal.

“Sir, please, if you would step outside for now—”

Finally, the employee who had blocked him spoke with resolution. Despite the polite preface, the man’s face only grew darker. Just as he opened his mouth, I cut him off:

“He’s my brother.”

“...”

Like cold water had been splashed across the room, silence fell. The staff, the man restraining him, and even Mr. Kim all turned to look at me.

Jung Minjae, second son of Haesin Financial Group.

The one name they must’ve all immediately thought of, now smirking proudly.

“Fuck, that’s what I said.”

“Everyone, please step out.”

I kept my voice intentionally light, but the staff still hesitated. Their eyes were trembling with visible unease. I offered a soft smile to reassure them.

“It’s fine. Go ahead. I’ll call if I need anything.”

Minjae frowned, clearly displeased, but he didn’t object to the staff leaving. After a long moment of awkward hesitation, they bowed stiffly and exited the room.

“Apologies, sir.”

Though it wasn’t their fault—it was Minjae’s—it always seemed to play out like this. What made it worse was the one last thing Minjae muttered as they were leaving:

“Buncha nobodies getting cocky...”

“...”

Maybe I should just buy every suit I tried on. They all looked about the same anyway. I’d just have Mr. Kim pick one.

“Mr. Kim!”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Minjae plopped down onto the central sofa like he owned the place, crossing his legs like a king. He raked a hand through his hair and jerked his chin toward the door.

“Fire all the ones who laid hands on me.”

Like it was no big deal. Even the way he scanned me with that disgusted look.

“And the one who was helping him too.”