Chapter 14
Leaving the stiff Sorim behind, Tae-ha turned away without hesitation and disappeared into his room.
Bang.
The sound of the door slamming echoed through the wide penthouse.
Only after even his shadow was gone did Sorim finally stand up.
She stood in the middle of the huge living room and looked down at the night view of Seoul spread beneath her feet.
The shining lights looked like a giant jewelry box.
It didn’t feel real that just yesterday she had been wandering dark alleyways far below—and now, overnight, she was standing this high.
“…Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped her.
Was this a slave contract, or a Cinderella story?
Some unbelievable twist of fate.
But one thing was clear.
If she wanted to survive in this beautiful prison, she needed to stay sharper than ever.
Sorim clenched her fist.
If Song Tae-ha planned to treat her like a toy, she was willing to become one.
But a very dangerous toy—one that would bite off its owner’s fingers if pushed too far.
He probably didn’t realize that yet.
She glared once toward Tae-ha’s room, then turned toward the stairs he had pointed out earlier.
This was the moment her new—and dangerous—life began.
* * *
The next morning, Sorim woke up staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.
She had barely slept.
The highest-quality mattress and bedding.
Even though it felt like sleeping on clouds—nothing like the hard bed in her storage-room-sized bedroom—she hadn’t been able to rest.
Morning sunlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling window, half-covered by blinds.
She sat up and carefully opened the door.
A warm, savory smell drifted up from the first floor.
‘Does he eat breakfast early…?’
As she went downstairs, she heard clinking sounds from the kitchen.
She cautiously peeked inside.
Surprisingly, Tae-ha was there.
More precisely, Tae-ha was wearing a denim apron and operating the coffee machine.
With practiced movements, he pulled an espresso shot and took toast out of the toaster.
“….”
Sorim was speechless at the unreal sight.
A fourth-generation chaebol making his own breakfast—she had expected a housekeeper and a full traditional meal.
Sensing her presence, Tae-ha turned his head.
“You’re up early.”
He asked casually, enjoying the aroma of fresh coffee.
“…What are you doing?”
“Can’t you tell? I’m making breakfast.”
“No, I mean… why are you doing it? Where’s the housekeeper?”
“I don’t like other people in my space. I only call cleaners when I’m not home.”
Tae-ha placed toast and scrambled eggs neatly on a plate and set it on the table.
“Come eat. I made yours too.”
“….”
After hesitating briefly, Sorim awkwardly approached the table.
The plating was neat, like a hotel breakfast.
“…This is unexpected. You can cook.”
“Survival cooking. Learned it while studying abroad.”
Tae-ha sat across from her and began cutting his food elegantly.
Sorim picked up her fork.
When she took a bite, the buttery flavor and soft eggs spread in her mouth.
It was good.
Annoyingly good—better than most brunch cafés.
“…It’s good. Unexpectedly.”
“Hm.”
Tae-ha smiled slightly, as if to say “of course.”
“Now earn your keep. Eat and go to work. The driver is waiting in the underground parking lot.”
“…Thank you.”
Sorim said it sincerely.
It felt strange to thank someone who had basically kidnapped her, but this warm breakfast was a small comfort.
“Oh, and.”
Tae-ha suddenly added while sipping his coffee.
“Clear your schedule tonight.”
“…Why?”
“We’re visiting my family home.”
“…!”
She nearly choked on her bread.
“Your family home… you mean the chairman’s house?”
“You catch on fast.”
“Th-that—!”
“My father wants to see you. I suddenly announced I was bringing home a future daughter-in-law, so of course he’s curious.”
Tae-ha spoke calmly, but cold sweat ran down Sorim’s back.
Song Ilsang, chairman of Yoonsan Group.
A man rumored to be like a Baekdu Mountain tiger.
Facing him felt like climbing another mountain after already surviving one.
Seeing Sorim’s face turn pale, Tae-ha spoke again.
“Don’t worry too much. My father won’t oppose you.”
Will that really be true…?
No matter what Sorim muttered to herself, Tae-ha wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up.
“Prepare yourself properly. You need to play the role of my woman well.”
He lightly tapped her shoulder and left the kitchen.
Left alone, Sorim stared at the empty plates and sighed.
Today wouldn’t be easy either.
But strangely, she wasn’t as scared as yesterday.
“My woman.”
The words he had tossed out so casually felt like a spell—like they were protecting her somehow.
Sorim drank the rest of her coffee in one gulp.
After the bitterness, a surprisingly sweet aftertaste lingered.
* * *
Entering the dressing room, Sorim looked around blankly.
The space, filled according to Tae-ha’s orders, looked like a luxury department store.
The latest high-end brand clothes lined the room, but to Sorim, they felt like stage costumes.
“…There’s nothing I can wear to work.”
She pushed aside the fancy clothes and pulled outfits from her old bag in the corner.
A gray knit sweater worn thin over the years, and black slacks.
Plain and unimpressive—but this was the real Yoon Sorim.
After changing, she went down to the underground parking lot.
The waiting driver opened the back door and greeted her respectfully.
“Good morning. I’ll take you.”
She gave a small nod and got into the car.
Leaning into the soft leather seat, she looked out the window.
“Driver.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Please stop at the intersection before the restaurant.”
“I was instructed to take you directly to your destination, but—”
“I just want to walk the rest of the way. Please.”
Her voice was calm, but firm.
The driver studied her briefly in the rearview mirror, then turned on the signal without another word.
When Sorim got out at the intersection, she straightened her clothes.
Breathing in the cold air, her floating sense of reality finally settled back into place.
* * *
“You’re early again today.”
Nam Taeyoung glanced at Sorim while inspecting ingredients.
“Chef, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I won’t be able to work the dinner shift tonight. I’m sorry for the late notice.”
At her words, Nam Taeyoung’s eyebrow twitched.
“Reason?”
Just thinking about Tae-ha’s family home made her chest feel tight, but Sorim forced herself to answer.
“There’s a family event.”
“…A family event.”
Nam Taeyoung looked her over with a sharp, thoughtful gaze.
He sensed something had changed—but had no proof.
“Alright. But you’ll work extra hard during lunch.”
“Yes, understood.”
As soon as she got permission, Sorim returned to her station and picked up a bag of onions.
Working helped clear her mind.
Her relationship with Tae-ha, the “play” she’d have to act out tonight—she could forget all of it while chopping.
Then, at exactly 4 p.m., her phone rang.
– This is Driver Jung. I’m waiting at the back entrance.
The back entrance meant the other staff wouldn’t notice.
Sorim took off her apron and left the kitchen.
“I’ll head out first.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
Outside, a familiar sedan was waiting.
As soon as she got in, her chest felt tight again—but she shook her head, forcing the feeling away.
