Unholy Binding

We were never anything more than physical. That’s how it began—and that’s how I told myself it would stay. Even if everything Kwon Tae-ha gave me—his touch, his gaze, his words—was a lie, I accepted it. Because I loved him. And that love made me willing to endure anything just to stay by his side. Until the day he said it. “I’m getting engaged next month.” The words hit like a slap. “…Then what happens to us, sir?” “Our arrangement doesn’t have to change,” he said calmly. “We’ll still sleep together.” “But… doesn’t that feel wrong?” He reached out, wiping the tears I hadn’t realized were falling. His touch was gentle—painfully so—but his expression was like ice. “Why are you crying, Seoyoon?” “You’re the one who turned down my offer, remember?”