Seo’s Mansion

In the grand living room of the Seo family mansion, the air was filled with an unspoken tension. The soft ticking of an antique clock echoed through the space as Seo Jin sat on the couch, his expression calm but unreadable.

His mother, sitting across from him, sighed before speaking.

“Seo Jin, your grandfather has made his decision. You should listen to him and get married soon,” she said firmly. “You’re almost thirty now. You’re not getting any younger. It’s time to settle down.”

Seo Jin exhaled slowly, leaning back against the couch. He had heard this conversation too many times before. But this time, there was no avoiding it. His grandfather wasn’t simply suggesting it—he was demanding it.

Seo Jin ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice.

“How am I supposed to marry someone I don’t even know?” he said, his tone firm. “I haven’t seen her, I don’t know anything about her, and yet Grandpa expects me to agree just like that?”

His mother sighed, already expecting his resistance. “At least meet her, Seo Jin,” she reasoned. “There’s no harm in that. Just meet her once, and then we can talk.”

Seo Jin let out a deep breath. He knew his grandfather wouldn’t let this go easily, and now his mother was pushing him too.

“Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll meet her.”

His mother smiled, satisfied. “Good. The sooner, the better.”

Next Morning

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the Seo mansion as Seo Jin’s mother picked up her phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, a soft, polite voice answered.

“Hello?” Jieun’s voice came through.

“Jieun-ah, this is Seo Jin’s mother,” she said warmly. “Are you free today? I’d like you to come over to our house.”

Jieun hesitated for a moment. She knew why she was being called. Her grandfather had already told her about the arranged marriage, and though she respected his wishes, she still felt uneasy about meeting a man she had never met before.

“Yes, I’m free,” she finally answered.

“That’s good to hear,” Seo Jin’s mother said with a smile. “Come by in the afternoon. I’ll be waiting.”

As the call ended, Jieun let out a small sigh, gripping her phone tightly. She had no idea what to expect from this meeting, but one thing was certain—it was going to change her life.

Jieun’s Room

Jieun placed her phone down and sighed, staring at the ceiling.

“I’m already 25, yet I’ve never seriously thought about marriage. But meeting him once won’t change anything… right?” she muttered to herself.

She shook her head, trying to push away her nervousness, and walked toward her closet. Pulling the doors open, she scanned the rows of clothes inside.

Nothing felt right.

“Why don’t I have anything nice to wear?” she groaned, running her fingers through the hangers. She wasn’t the type to dress up much—her daily life as a teacher was simple, and she never had a reason to buy fancy clothes.

After a few more minutes of searching, she finally pulled out a soft beige dress. It was simple, but elegant enough for a first meeting. Holding it against herself, she took a deep breath.

“Alright, Jieun. Just meet him, be polite, and come home. That’s it.”

Even as she told herself that, a strange feeling settled in her heart.

Jieun stepped out of her room, still holding the dress in her hands. As she walked towards the front door, her eyes landed on her scooter parked outside.

She sighed, glancing down at her dress.

“How am I supposed to ride a scooter wearing this?” she muttered to herself. The thought of struggling to keep her dress in place while navigating through the busy streets made her shake her head.

“No way. Not today.”

Pulling out her phone, she quickly opened a ride-hailing app.

“A cab is the better choice today,” she decided, booking a ride.

As she waited, she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. This meeting wasn’t something she wanted, but it was happening anyway.

On the Way to Seo Mansion

Jieun sat quietly in the cab, staring out the window as the city passed by. Her thoughts were racing—what kind of person was Seo Jin? Would he be as cold and unwilling as she imagined? Or was there a chance he might be kind?

Just as she was lost in thought, a sudden realization hit her.

“Oh no!” she gasped.

She had completely forgotten to buy a gift.

Her grandfather had always taught her that bringing a small gift when visiting someone’s house was a sign of respect. How could she show up empty-handed?

“Excuse me, can you stop for a moment?” she quickly asked the driver.

The cab pulled over near a small shopping area. Jieun hurried into a store, scanning the shelves for something appropriate. After a few minutes, she picked out a neatly wrapped box of high-quality fruits, a set of elegant scarves for Seo Jin’s mother and grandfather, and a classic tie for his father.

“This should be okay, right?” she thought, hoping she had chosen well.

With the bags in hand, she rushed back to the cab.

“Sorry for the delay!” she said, slightly out of breath.

The driver nodded, and the car pulled back onto the road. As the Seo mansion grew closer, Jieun’s grip on the gift bags tightened.

She was about to step into a world completely different from her own.

Jieun held her phone tightly, checking the location that Seo Jin’s mother had sent her. She leaned forward slightly, guiding the cab driver.

“Ahjussi, take the next left… Yes, and then go straight for a few more blocks.”

The closer they got to the Seo mansion, the faster her heart pounded.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but it was useless. The weight of the meeting, the unknown future ahead of her—it was all making her nervous.

“Why am I so anxious? It’s just a meeting. Nothing more,” she told herself, gripping the gift bags a little tighter.

As the cab turned into an upscale neighborhood, the sight of luxurious houses and grand mansions made her even more aware of the gap between her world and Seo Jin’s.

And then, finally, the car slowed down in front of an enormous iron gate. Beyond it stood the Seo family mansion—elegant, intimidating, and nothing like the small, cozy home she had grown up in.

Jieun swallowed hard.

As Jieun stepped inside the grand mansion, a maid appeared from the side and approached Seo Jin’s mother.

“Madam, everything is ready. She is here,” the maid said politely.

Seo Jin’s mother nodded. They walked together towards the front gate, where Seo Jin’s grandfather and a few other maids were already waiting to welcome her.

Jieun’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the house—its sheer size and the large number of maids working around the estate. She couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.

“How could I ever become the wife of this mansion?” Jieun thought to herself, her mind racing. “This house is enormous, and there are so many maids. How could I ever fit in here?”

The thought lingered as she followed Seo Jin’s mother, trying to adjust to the vastness of the mansion she had stepped into.

Jieun stepped forward, holding the carefully selected gifts in her hands. With a polite bow, she offered them to Seo Jin’s family.

“I brought these as a token of respect,” she said, her voice steady but quiet.

Seo Jin’s mother smiled graciously and accepted the gifts. “Thank you, Jieun. You’re very thoughtful,” she replied warmly.

When Jieun looked up to greet Seo Jin’s grandfather, she felt a moment of tension. His presence was powerful, and she hesitated before speaking.

“Grandpa, I’m sorry. I haven’t seen you before, but I hope you understand…”

Before she could finish, Seo Jin’s grandfather looked at her and smiled gently, his voice calm but full of authority.

“Jieun, since your grandfather’s passing, life has been difficult for you. But now that you’re here, in my home, everything will be fine. You’re a part of our family now.”

Jieun felt a warm wave of relief, his words comforting in a way she hadn’t expected.

Just then, Seo Jin’s sister, who had been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly spoke up.

“Why not let them get married already?” she said with a teasing smile, making the situation a little lighter. “Just let them have a peaceful marriage already, okay?”

The room went quiet for a moment, and then Seo Jin’s mother chuckled softly.

“Let’s not rush things,” she said, though there was a glint of amusement in her eyes.

Seo Jin’s mother smiled and looked at her daughter, Ah Rin. “Ah Rin, why don’t you go and greet Jieun properly?”

Ah Rin nodded and walked over to Jieun, offering a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Jieun,” she said, her voice friendly and warm.

Everyone gathered in the living room, engaging in light conversation. The atmosphere was still a bit tense, but it seemed to ease slightly as they spoke.

Ah Rin, noticing the silence, decided to speak up. “So, today is the meeting for Seo Jin and Jieun, right?” she asked, her tone teasing but curious. “Isn’t it? By the way, Seo Jin is still at the hospital, isn’t he?”

Upon hearing Ah Rin’s words, Jieun couldn’t help but ask, “Why? Is he sick?”

Seo Jin’s mother smiled softly, shaking her head. “No, he’s not sick. He’s a doctor, so he’s probably just busy with work. I may have mentioned it before, but he hasn’t been home yet today. It’s possible he’s still at the hospital, dealing with emergencies or consultations.”

Seo Jin’s mother’s voice carried a sense of pride for her son’s profession, but Jieun couldn’t help but feel a bit concerned. She had no idea that Seo Jin was a doctor. She had expected him to be a businessman, not someone constantly dealing with patients and hospital work.

Just then, a maid entered the room and announced, “Madam, Seo Jin has arrived.”

Hearing this, Jieun felt her nerves spike. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but the thought of meeting Seo Jin in person for the first time made her feel uneasy.

Moments later, Seo Jin entered the room. He walked in, immediately going to his mother and giving her a warm hug. He then greeted his father with a respectful bow, and did the same for his grandfather, who smiled approvingly. Seo Jin then patted his younger sister, Ah Rin, on the head affectionately, making the family atmosphere feel a bit lighter.

Jieun stood there, unsure of how to act. When Seo Jin finally looked at her, she felt her heart race. What should I say? How should I act? she thought.

Seo Jin’s mother, noticing the tension, smiled at Jieun and said, “Jieun, this is my son, Seo Jin. Seo Jin, this is Jieun, the granddaughter of your grandfather’s old friend.”

Seo Jin paused for a moment, then nodded politely. “It’s nice to meet you, Jieun,” he said, his tone neutral but not unfriendly.

Jieun, still feeling nervous, bowed respectfully to Seo Jin, mirroring the courtesy he had shown her.

Seo Jin’s mother, noticing the exchange, smiled and spoke up. “Seo Jin, please show Jieun around the mansion and introduce her to everything slowly.”

“Of course, Mom,” Seo Jin replied. He then turned to his grandfather, who seemed a bit unwell. Ah Rin, noticing this, gently guided their grandfather inside.

Seo Jin and Jieun walked together toward the garden, where the quiet surroundings made it easier to speak. But as they approached, two maids appeared, which made Jieun feel uncomfortable. Seeing this, Seo Jin quickly dismissed them. “Please go inside,” he said, and the maids left, leaving the two of them alone.

Now alone, Jieun felt unsure of how to start a conversation. Seo Jin looked at her curiously.

“So, you’re sitting alone, huh?” he asked casually.

Jieun let out a small sigh. “Ah, yes. I sit alone.”

Seo Jin then asked, “Where are your mom and dad?”

Jieun paused before replying. “My mom and dad aren’t around. I’ve been raised by my grandfather since I was young. And now, my grandfather is gone too, so I’m all alone. I’ve always been by myself.”

Seo Jin was silent for a moment, processing her words. Jieun continued, “You probably live with your parents, right? In the same house?”

Seo Jin shook his head. “No, I have my own house.”

Jieun’s eyes widened in surprise. “Your own house?!” she exclaimed, shocked. “Your own house… like your own personal house?”

Seo Jin gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable.

Seo Jin let out a small sigh and said, “I rarely come home. I spend most of my time at the hospital, so I bought a house near the hospital to make things easier for me.”

Jieun didn’t respond, simply nodding in understanding.

A quiet moment passed between them. The two of them weren’t sure what to say next, and the silence felt heavier by the second.

Seo Jin gestured toward a nearby bench in the garden. “Let’s sit,” he suggested.

They both sat down, keeping a noticeable distance between them. Even as they sat there, neither of them spoke. The atmosphere was slightly awkward, but neither of them tried to break it right away.

Then, at the exact same moment, they both spoke.

“Where did the idea of marriage come from?” they both asked in unison.

Surprised by their timing, they exchanged glances. Then, once again, they both answered at the same time.

“It was Grandpa’s dream.”

A small chuckle escaped Jieun’s lips, and even Seo Jin’s usually serious face softened just a little.

For the first time, the tension between them eased slightly.

Jieun looked at Seo Jin curiously and asked, “So, you’re also getting married just because of your grandpa?”

Seo Jin let out a small sigh. “There’s no other option,” he replied, his tone neutral but firm.

Hearing this, Jieun hesitated for a moment before asking, “Did you have any love life in the past?”

Seo Jin wasn’t expecting that question. He was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond. After a brief pause, he said, “Right now, we’re not even that close. Do we really need to talk about my love life?”

Jieun frowned slightly. “Not close? What are you talking about? We’re about to enter a relationship. We’re supposed to become husband and wife. That means I have the right to know about your past.”

Seo Jin’s expression hardened. He didn’t like being pressured, especially about something so personal. His jaw tightened slightly as he looked at her. “Our relationship hasn’t even begun yet,” he said coldly. “And if it bothers you that much, I can just say no. I don’t have to marry you.”

Jieun was taken aback by his sharp response. She hadn’t expected him to react so strongly. A small silence fell between them, and for the first time, Jieun wondered if this arranged marriage was going to be even more complicated than she had imagined.

Jieun frowned slightly and said, “I just asked about your love life. No need to overreact.”

Seo Jin remained silent, his face unreadable.

In her mind, Jieun sighed. I only asked a simple question, why is he reacting like this?

After a brief pause, Seo Jin finally spoke. “Why did you agree to this arranged marriage?”

Jieun looked at him and answered honestly, “Because ever since I was young, I always believed I would marry the person my grandpa chose for me.”

Seo Jin raised an eyebrow. “No matter what kind of guy it was?”

Jieun nodded without hesitation. “Yes, because my grandpa would never choose the wrong person for me. I trust him completely.”

Seo Jin observed her for a moment, slightly surprised by her unwavering faith in her grandfather’s decision. Unlike him, who was being forced into this, Jieun seemed to genuinely believe in the marriage arranged for her.

For the first time, Seo Jin wondered—was she really okay with this? Or was she just trying to convince herself?

Just then, a maid rushed toward them, her face pale with worry. “Seo Jin, Grandpa had another heart attack! We need to get him to the hospital immediately!”

Seo Jin and Jieun stood up instantly, their conversation forgotten. Without wasting a second, they hurried inside.

Seo Jin quickly checked his grandfather’s condition. His pulse was weak, and his breathing was unstable. Wasting no time, he took out his phone and called an ambulance.

Jieun stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Her heart pounded in fear as she watched the scene unfold.

When the ambulance arrived, Seo Jin and his father got in with the paramedics, ensuring Grandpa was taken care of on the way. Seo Jin’s mother and Ah Rin prepared to follow them in their own car.

“Jieun, come with us,” Seo Jin’s mother said, gesturing for her to get in the car.

Without hesitation, Jieun nodded and got into the car with them.

Once they arrived at the hospital, the doctors immediately took Grandpa in for emergency treatment. The entire family stood outside the treatment room, their faces filled with worry and exhaustion.

Jieun stood quietly, feeling a strange sense of fear settle in her chest. She had only met Grandpa today, but the thought of losing him felt terrifying.

A few minutes later, a doctor walked toward them, his expression serious. “His condition is critical,” he said gravely. “I don’t think he has much time left. If you want to talk to him, do it now… He could pass away at any moment.”

The weight of his words crashed down on everyone, filling the air with heavy silence.

Everyone rushed inside the hospital room, their hearts heavy with fear and sorrow.

Seo Jin sat beside his grandfather, gently holding his frail hand. His usual composed expression wavered as he watched his grandfather struggle to breathe.

Ah Rin couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer—tears streamed down her face as she sobbed quietly.

Jieun stood nearby, feeling an overwhelming wave of sadness. She wasn’t sure what to do or how to react. Her heart ached at the sight of the grieving family, but she couldn’t bring herself to cry. She had never been good at expressing her emotions.

Instead, she gently placed a comforting hand on Ah Rin’s back, whispering, “It’s okay… Grandpa is strong.”

Grandpa, struggling to keep his eyes open, turned to Seo Jin and spoke in a weak voice, “Seo Jin, my child… Marry Jieun.”

Seo Jin stiffened, gripping his grandfather’s hand tighter.

Jieun’s eyes widened as she turned to look at Grandpa.

Then, Grandpa looked at Jieun and signaled for her to come closer.

Jieun hesitated but eventually stepped forward. Grandpa took her hand in his weak grip and whispered, “My dear, will you marry my grandson?”

Jieun didn’t know what to say. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Grandpa’s tired eyes softened. “It was your grandfather’s and my dream to see you two married… so that even after we are gone, our families will remain connected.”

Jieun felt her chest tighten. She had always believed she would marry the person her grandfather chose. But hearing Grandpa’s words now, in such a critical moment, made everything feel much heavier than she had imagined.

Seo Jin, who had been silent, finally spoke. His voice was steady and firm.

“I will marry Jieun.”

The room fell into complete silence. Everyone looked at him in shock.

Seo Jin’s mother and father exchanged surprised glances. Ah Rin, who had been crying, stopped for a moment, unable to process his words.

Even Jieun, who had been standing in confusion, turned to look at him with wide eyes.

She frowned. “Marriage isn’t a game, Seo Jin.”

Seo Jin didn’t look at her. Instead, he turned to his grandfather, still holding his weak hand.

“Grandpa, I will marry Jieun,” he repeated, his tone unwavering.

A faint smile appeared on Grandpa’s face. His tired eyes shone with relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart.

Jieun, however, still couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

A month had passed since Grandpa’s death. The house, once filled with his presence, now felt empty. The pain of losing him still lingered in everyone’s hearts.

Seo Jin had buried himself in work, spending long hours at the hospital. His mind had no space for anything else.

Jieun, on the other hand, was busy with her own work as a teacher. But even as she sat in her office, reviewing lesson plans, her thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.

One month… One whole month has passed…

She sighed, tapping her pen against her desk. Seo Jin said he would marry me, but he hasn’t called even once but he don’t have my number.… but still… even his mom hasn’t contacted me. Hah, Jieun, why are you even thinking about this?

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Stop overthinking. If this marriage was meant to happen, it would’ve happened by now…

Jieun was still lost in her thoughts when a fellow teacher rushed into her office, looking worried.

“Jieun! One of your students just fainted in class! We need to take them to the hospital quickly!”

Jieun’s heart skipped a beat. Without wasting a second, she stood up and hurried towards the classroom.

She saw one of her students lying unconscious on the floor, surrounded by panicked classmates. Her heart clenched in worry.

“Let’s not waste time! We need to get them to the hospital now!” she said urgently.

One of the male teachers quickly offered his car, and Jieun, along with a few staff members, carefully carried the student and rushed to the hospital.

As the car sped towards the hospital, Jieun held the child’s hand tightly, whispering, “You’re going to be okay. Just hold on a little longer.”

Jieun and the other teachers rushed the unconscious child into the hospital. As soon as they arrived, Jieun quickly called the child’s parents. The principal had also come, looking concerned.

The principal turned to Jieun. “How did this happen?”

Before Jieun could respond, another teacher spoke up. “The children were playing outside in the sun for too long. Jieun Ma’am let them stay out for a while, so maybe the heat caused this.”

Jieun felt a sting in her heart at the accusation, but she stayed silent. She knew defending herself now wouldn’t help.

Meanwhile, in the same hospital, Seo Jin was busy with his work. He had no idea Jieun was there.

As he walked past the emergency area, he saw Jieun from a distance. Something about her felt familiar, but he couldn’t recognize her immediately. Curious, he asked a nurse, “Who are they?”

The nurse replied, “A schoolteacher brought in a student who fainted in class.”

Seo Jin nodded and was about to walk away when a commotion broke out.

The child’s parents had arrived, panic and anger written all over their faces. “My child was fine this morning! How did this happen?” the mother demanded.

A teacher quickly responded, “Maybe it was because of too much playing. We’re sorry—we take full responsibility.”

The mother’s eyes darkened. “Who was responsible for my child?”

Jieun hesitated before stepping forward. “I was.”

Before she could say anything else, the child’s mother suddenly raised her hand and slapped Jieun across the face.

A shocked silence fell over the room.

Seo Jin, who had been watching from a distance, immediately stepped forward. His voice was sharp. “What’s going on here? Why is there a scene in the hospital?”

Jieun turned in shock. She hadn’t expected to see Seo Jin here, of all places.

The child’s parents turned to him, still furious. “My child fainted because of this teacher!” the mother accused.

Seo Jin frowned. “Let’s check the facts before blaming anyone. Nurse, bring me the test results.”

The nurse handed him the report, and he quickly scanned through it.

After a moment, he looked up and said firmly, “The teacher is not at fault.”

The room fell silent.

Seo Jin continued, “The report shows that your child is weak due to a lack of proper nutrients and low blood levels. This didn’t happen because of playing in the sun. This happened because your child hasn’t been eating properly.”

The mother’s face paled. She suddenly remembered that her child had been eating very little for the past few days.

Seo Jin crossed his arms. “Instead of blaming the teacher, you should be asking yourself—have you been giving your child proper meals?”

The mother looked down, embarrassed. She hesitated before mumbling, “I… I didn’t know…”

Seo Jin’s voice softened just a little. “Now that you do, you should apologize to the teacher.”

Jieun stood there, still processing everything. She hadn’t expected Seo Jin to step in like this.

The mother finally turned to Jieun and whispered, “I’m… I’m sorry.”

Jieun simply nodded, not sure how to respond.

Seo Jin glanced at Jieun, his expression unreadable. “Are you okay?”

Jieun met his gaze and nodded slowly. “I’m fine…”

But deep down, her heart was racing—not just because of the situation, but because of Seo Jin’s unexpected presence in her life once again.