The grand Song estate stood in quiet splendor beneath the late afternoon sun, its towering gates guarded by men in pristine uniforms. Inside, however, the atmosphere was anything but calm.
Ji Eun descended the marble staircase with hurried steps, a small handbag clutched tightly in her hand. She had already changed into the white lace gown she had carefully selected earlier - simple, elegant, and deceptively modest. Her long hair fell softly over her shoulders, and though her face remained composed, her heart hammered wildly in her chest.
Everything was ready.
Mo Han was expecting her.
Today, she would finally confess, and tonight, she would leave everything behind.
Just as she reached the foyer, her personal maid, Mrs. Lin, rushed toward her with an anxious expression.
"Young Miss… you cannot leave just yet."
Ji Eun's brows creased. "What do you mean? Move aside, Aunt Lin, I'm in a hurry."
Mrs. Lin hesitated, clearly distressed. "The Master and Madam have invited a very important guest. He just arrived… and they requested your presence in the main hall."
Ji Eun froze.
"A guest?" she repeated, irritation rising in her tone. "Then entertain him without me. Since when do I need to attend to every visitor?"
Her patience was already thin; this disruption was the last thing she needed.
However, before Mrs. Lin could respond, the deep, authoritative voice of her father echoed through the hall.
"Ji Eun."
She turned sharply to see Song Minkyu standing at the entrance of the main sitting room, his expression calm but firm. Beside him stood Kate Song, equally composed, though the slight tension in her gaze did not escape Ji Eun.
"Come here," her father added, leaving no room for refusal.
Ji Eun clenched her fists subtly, her nails pressing into her palms.
This can't be happening.