Chapter 17
Bora truly felt what people meant when they said, “Time flows like water.”
After taking their wedding photos, she hadn’t even realized how much time had passed—and suddenly, it was already the day of the wedding.
“Are you tired, Bora?”
A familiar voice settled by her ear as she dozed off briefly after coming to the salon at dawn to get her bridal makeup done.
“Ah… Kangyoon….”
“Didn’t sleep well?”
“I had a lot of meetings yesterday…. Since there’s a long gap while we have the wedding and go on our honeymoon, there were so many things I had to wrap up. I stayed up late organizing everything….”
“That must be exhausting. It’d be good if you could get a little sleep before the ceremony.”
“It’s okay….”
Bora’s murmured reply came out faint and hoarse.
“Oh my, my son-in-law! You’re here?”
“Ah, Mother.”
Wearing a pale yellow jacket and a pink skirt, her long hair elegantly swept up, Bora’s mother looked even more dazzling than the bride herself.
“You look absolutely beautiful today.”
“Oh my, stop. But you know, right? Bora’s pretty because she takes after me.”
“Mom, seriously….”
Bora narrowed her eyes and poked her mother in the side, but her mother paid no attention and kept talking.
“You’re taking my precious, beautiful daughter, so make sure you treat our side of the family well from now on, okay?”
“Of course. I look forward to your guidance, Mother-in-law.”
At Kangyoon’s use of the word “Mother-in-law,” her mother’s cheeks puffed up as she smiled broadly.
As Kangyoon looked at Bora’s mother—who looked strikingly similar to Bora—he felt a strange mix of emotions.
He was grateful that she had passed on such looks, but… did she really need to outshine her own daughter on her wedding day?
A life where she always had to be the main character.
The woman who had pushed her only daughter into an unwanted blind date.
Though she was in her mid-fifties, her youthful face made her seem childish. Kangyoon quickly turned his gaze back to Bora.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t dress up too beautifully and shock everyone.”
“Oh, seriously. Just go already.”
Bora waved him off, slightly frowning.
Once Kangyoon left, still smiling fondly at Bora, her mother immediately hurried over to her side.
“Looks like Mr. Han is completely smitten with you.”
“‘Mr. Han’ still sounds so awkward.”
“Hehe. When I sent out all the invitations, my shoulders were practically up to here. Everyone kept asking how I managed to land the son of the Kangsan Group.”
“Are all your golf club friends coming today?”
“Of course. Do you think just one or two people would pass up the chance to show their faces? Well, it’d have been even better if he were the eldest son, but—”
“Mom! Enough!”
“Oh, fine, fine. Why are you glaring like that? I said fine. Still, looks-wise and stature-wise, Mr. Han is definitely the better catch. You two look perfect together—such a handsome couple, really.”
“Anyway, don’t ever say things like that in front of Kangyoon. Please be careful and think before you speak, okay?”
“Alright, alright. Oh, looks like they’re starting makeup. I should go get mine touched up too.”
Watching her mother leave, Bora thought she really was impossible.
She stared at her bare face reflected in the large mirror.
In just a few hours, she would truly be getting married.
She would begin a new life—as Han Kangyoon’s wife, and as the daughter-in-law of the Kangsan Group.
‘Even if this is a contract marriage… I really want to do well. He saved my company. He even took care of the urgent interest on Dad’s company debts. I’ll definitely help Kangyoon too. Give and take—don’t forget.’
While other brides might be fluttering with excitement, Bora’s anticipation came from a different place.
She hated living with debts hanging over her head. Determined to fulfill whatever Kangyoon wanted, she closed her eyes as the makeup brush softly touched her cheek.
“Oh my, just look at the bride and groom. This is unbelievable.”
“How can they suit each other so perfectly? Their wedding photos look like a fashion spread.”
“I thought the CEO of Kangsan Construction would never get married. Guess his standards were just sky-high. Maybe he needed a face like Bitchan Group’s prized daughter to catch his eye.”
An enormous crowd attended Kangyoon and Bora’s wedding.
Most of the guests were prominent figures from prestigious families, endlessly marveling at the couple’s flawless looks together.
In the bridal waiting room, Bora received an outpouring of congratulations from friends and acquaintances.
“Yoon Bora! Is it fair for you to get married this fast?”
“Oh my god, Bora, you’re seriously gorgeous today! You were always pretty, but today—wow. You look like a Disney princess!”
Her college friends, with whom she’d shared countless memories, crowded around her excitedly, snapping photos.
“By the way, your husband’s the CEO of Kangsan Construction? Wow. That’s insane.”
“And those wedding photos at the entrance—both of you look unreal. Guess people really do end up with their own kind…. Makes me not want to think about mine.”
“Hey, shut it. Bora, congratulations, seriously. Where are you going for your honeymoon?”
“Dubai. Yeah—when I get back, let’s stay up all night and talk like old times. Thank you so much for coming, guys.”
“Hello. Are you Bora’s friends?”
Kangyoon, who had been greeting guests at the entrance, came into the waiting room after hearing they wanted photos with the bride.
“Oh my—he’s even more handsome in person!”
“Our Bora… yeah, with a man like this, no complaints. Please take good care of her.”
“There’s no one like Bora these days. You’re making a really good choice!”
At the friends’ chorus of “our Bora,” Kangyoon nodded.
“Of course. Thank you for coming today. When we’re back from our honeymoon, let’s all have a meal together.”
His polite demeanor made Bora’s friends blush as they nodded.
“Alright, bride and groom, please look at the camera. Groom, place your hand lightly on the bride’s shoulder from behind.”
At the photographer’s request, Kangyoon stood behind Bora’s chair and rested his hand on her shoulder.
“Both of you, look at the camera and smile. Just a gentle smile—great. Now let’s try sitting face-to-face for a more intimate shot.”
The photographer, clearly excited by their unreal visuals, directed them enthusiastically.
“The ceremony will begin shortly. Please get ready.”
As the staff spoke, the friends headed into the hall, and Kangyoon and Bora looked at each other.
“Wow, Kangyoon. It’s really our wedding now.”
“It is. I’m nervous.”
“You don’t look nervous at all…. I’m really shaking. My heart’s pounding.”
Whether it was the blush she’d applied or her nerves, the color spreading across Bora’s pale cheeks looked beautiful to Kangyoon.
“Let’s go, honey.”
At the word “honey,” Bora’s cheeks flushed even deeper as she gently placed her hand over the one he held out.
“Yes. Let’s go, honey.”
No matter what, from this moment on, they would be husband and wife for three years.
They gazed at each other briefly, then stepped out of the waiting room toward the hall entrance.
“Now, we will begin the wedding ceremony. Bride and groom, please enter!”
As the officiant finished speaking, romantic music filled the hall and the closed doors slowly opened.
Kangyoon tightened his grip on Bora’s trembling hand.
As they walked slowly down the aisle, guests applauded with blessings.
This is real… I’m really getting married.
Trying to calm her racing heart, Bora glanced up at Kangyoon, who stood firmly beside her.
Sensing her gaze, Kangyoon met her eyes gently.
Following the officiant’s lead, they exchanged rings and read the declaration of marriage and vows.
Bora faltered slightly when she felt the displeased gaze of Kangmoon directed at them.
But Kangyoon subtly leaned in, shielding her from view as if to say not to worry.
Even if this is a contract marriage… I’ll live well. I’ll definitely help Kangyoon. For these three years… I’ll be a truly good wife.
Smiling brightly at the dazzlingly handsome Kangyoon, Bora beamed.
Kangyoon smiled back at the perfectly beautiful Bora.
From this moment on, the contract between Yoon Bora and Han Kangyoon truly began.
