"The cruelest thing about absolute happiness is that it makes you terrifyingly aware of how much you have to lose. In the brightest of mornings, even the smallest shadow feels like the approaching dark."
The morning sun filtered through the massive, floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, casting long, warm beams of golden light across the absolute destruction of the master bedroom. Torn pillows and scattered white feathers still littered the expensive hardwood floor, a silent testament to the beautiful, chaotic war we had fought the night before.
Slowly, heavily, my consciousness began to drift back to reality.
I blinked my eyes open, my vision slightly blurry. My dark hair was an absolute, tangled mess, spilling wildly across the white silk pillowcases. A deep, heavy, and incredibly pleasant exhaustion settled deep into my bones. Every single muscle in my body felt warm, completely melted, and hyper-aware of what had transpired in the dark.
Suddenly, a flood of vivid, breathless memories crashed into my brain. The fireworks. The ring. The heavy, desperate way he had claimed me.
My eyes flew wide open. Pure, unadulterated panic and absolute shyness violently hijacked my nervous system.
With lightning speed, I scrambled backward against the mattress, grabbing the thick, luxurious down comforter and yanking it fiercely up to my chin. I wrapped it tightly around my body, practically cocooning myself, leaving only my bare shoulders and my hands visible as I clutched the fabric for dear life.
Taking a shallow, trembling breath, I slowly, cautiously turned my head to the side.
Jang Woonseok was already awake.
He was lying directly next to me, propped lazily on his left elbow, his head resting heavily in his large hand. The thick blanket was pooled dangerously low around his waist, putting his incredibly broad, heavily muscled chest and perfectly sculpted abs entirely on display in the morning light. He wasn't wearing a single piece of clothing.
And he was staring right at me.
His dark hair was sexily tousled from sleep, falling across his forehead, and a slow, devastating, and incredibly smug smirk was painted flawlessly across his sharp face.
My entire face instantly erupted into a furious, burning shade of crimson.
"Y-You are awake?" I stammered, my voice barely a squeak as I pulled the blanket even tighter around my chest, trying to hide completely under the covers.
Woonseok's deep, velvety morning voice rumbled through the quiet room, vibrating straight through my spine. "Good morning, my beautiful sleeping beauty."
"Mr. Idol," I whined softly, squeezing my eyes shut and burying my burning face into the fluffy pillow. "Please... please don't start."
Woonseok chuckled, a rich, incredibly dark sound. He shifted his massive weight, effortlessly closing the distance between us on the massive mattress.
"Start what?" Woonseok murmured, his tone dripping with pure, feigned innocence as his large, warm hand reached out, gently brushing a tangled lock of hair away from my completely flushed cheek. "I simply asked a question. Did my future wife sleep well?"
"Stop teasing me!" I peeked out from behind the blanket, glaring at him with absolutely zero intimidation. "And yes... I slept well."
"If you slept so well," Woonseok whispered, his dark eyes sparkling with a dangerous, predatory mischief as he suddenly leaned in, his hot breath fanning across my nose. "Then why are you hiding from me, Butterfly?"
He effortlessly reached out, his long fingers wrapping around the edge of the blanket I was desperately clutching. With a gentle, but completely immovable strength, he began to slowly pull it down.
"I'm not hiding!" I gasped, desperately trying to hold onto the fabric, completely failing against his sheer physical power. "It's just... I... ahh! Please stop teasing me, Woonseok!"
"Oh, really?" Woonseok's voice dropped into a dark, husky register that made my heart violently flip in my chest. He completely abandoned his tug-of-war with the blanket, instead wrapping his massive arm entirely around my waist and pulling my cocooned body directly against his bare, burning chest.
"I am not even teasing you, Sana," Woonseok murmured, leaning down and pressing his hot lips right against the sensitive skin of my bare shoulder. "I am just loving my Butterfly."
"Woon, please, let's just—"
I couldn't even finish my sentence. Woonseok cut me off, burying his face directly into the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent deeply as he murmured straight into my ear, his stubble grazing my skin.
"Yeah... let's just stay exactly like this," he groaned heavily, his arm tightening around me like a steel vice. "For another ten hours. I don't want to move. Ever."
I let out a breathless, frustrated laugh, pulling one of my hands free from the blanket to lightly punch his solid bicep. "Please, Woonseok! Get up! We need to shower!"
Woonseok let out a loud, beautiful laugh, throwing his head back. "Okay, okay. The Queen has given her orders."
Before I could even process what was happening, Woonseok suddenly sat up. With a single, fluid motion, he wrapped the massive blanket entirely around me, turning me into a literal human burrito, and scooped me up into his arms effortlessly.
"Hey!" I squealed as he carried me straight into the luxurious, marble-tiled master bathroom.
After a very chaotic, slightly distracting shower, we finally emerged looking like somewhat functioning human beings.
I had completely raided his side of the massive walk-in closet. I was currently wearing a pair of my own comfortable, soft cotton shorts, but my upper half was entirely swallowed by one of Woonseok's massive, white shirts. The sleeves completely covered my hands, and the hem fell all the way down to my mid-thigh. It smelled exactly like him—a heavy, intoxicating mix of expensive cologne and cedarwood.
Woonseok had changed into a pair of soft grey sweatpants and a matching, perfectly fitted grey t-shirt that did absolutely nothing to hide the broad width of his shoulders.
He walked up behind me, suddenly scooping me up by the waist and carrying me right back into the bedroom, gently tossing me onto the freshly made side of the bed.
He leaned over me, planting a firm, deeply passionate kiss on my lips.
"You must be exhausted," Woonseok whispered, his thumb gently tracing my jawline. "Stay right here. I will be right back with breakfast. And then... if you want to..." His eyes darkened slightly, his gaze dropping to the way his oversized shirt slipped off my shoulder.
"Shut up and just go!" I shrieked, my face turning red all over again. I placed both of my hands flat against his chest and physically shoved him backward. "What am I supposed to do with this insanely shameless man?! Go make food!"
Woonseok threw his head back, letting out a loud, echoing chuckle as he finally retreated toward the bedroom door. "I am going, my aggressively shy wife! Don't miss me too much!"
The door clicked shut, and the heavy, chaotic energy of the room instantly settled into a profound, peaceful silence.
I let out a long, dramatic sigh, falling back against the pillows. A massive, uncontrollable smile broke across my face. I brought my left hand up, holding it directly in front of my face, watching the sunlight hit the massive stardust diamond resting on my ring finger.
Fiancée. Wife.
The words echoed in my head, wrapping my heart in a layer of absolute, terrifying joy. I was so incredibly happy. My entire life had felt like an endless, chaotic struggle, but right here, in this exact moment, everything was finally, perfectly falling into place. I had everything I could ever want.
Throb.
Suddenly, without absolutely any warning, a violent, blinding spike of pain drove straight through the front of my skull.
I gasped loudly, my vision instantly blurring out of focus.
My hand dropped from the air, instinctively flying up to clutch my forehead. The pain was sharp, intense, and deeply familiar. It felt like a massive iron spike was being hammered directly into my brain behind my eyes.
"Ahh..." I whimpered, curling onto my side on the mattress, squeezing my eyes tightly shut as the room began to violently spin around me.
No. Not now. Please, not now, I thought frantically, my breathing turning rapid and shallow.
I sat up on the edge of the bed, gripping the silk sheets with white-knuckled fingers, trying to steady my violently shaking body. The intense throbbing was making me nauseous.
Slowly, an uncomfortable, warm sensation began to tickle the inside of my nose.
I froze. My heart practically stopped in my chest.
With a trembling, freezing hand, I slowly reached up, pressing two fingers right beneath my right nostril. I pulled my hand away and opened my eyes.
Right there, smeared across the tips of my pale fingers, was a single, bright drop of crimson blood.
The air completely left my lungs.
A heavy, suffocating wave of absolute terror crashed over me. I stared at the blood, my mind instantly flashing back to the last few months. The sudden exhaustion. The random spikes of dizzying pain I had brushed off as stress from writing and studying.
How did I forget about this? I thought, my chest heaving with silent panic. How could I just completely ignore it?
I heard the faint sound of footsteps coming down the hallway. Woonseok was coming back.
"Oh god," I whispered in panic.
I threw myself off the mattress, ignoring the blinding dizziness, and sprinted directly into the master bathroom. I slammed the heavy wooden door shut behind me, practically diving toward the marble sink.
I turned the cold water on full blast. My hands were shaking so violently I could barely cup the water. I furiously scrubbed at my face, washing the blood away from my nose and my trembling fingers. I grabbed a white towel, pressing it hard against my face, checking the mirror.
My skin was entirely pale, completely drained of the warm, flushed color I had just a moment ago. I looked sick. I looked terrified.
Click.
The bedroom door opened.
"Butterfly?" Woonseok's deep voice carried through the room. "Breakfast is served. I made your favorite."
I squeezed my eyes shut, taking a deep, violently trembling breath.
I can't tell him. The thought instantly hardened into an unshakeable, desperate resolve. I absolutely cannot tell him. We just lived the most romantic, perfect moment of our entire lives. He just gave me his entire heart. If I tell him I am sick... if I tell him something is wrong... it will completely shatter his happiness. I can't trouble him right now.
I forced my lungs to steady. I forced the panic down, burying it deep beneath a fake, perfect smile. I will just go to the doctor when he leaves for work. It's probably nothing. Just stress.
I tossed the towel into the hamper, took one last look in the mirror, and opened the bathroom door.
Woonseok was standing near the edge of the bed, holding a massive, silver breakfast tray loaded with warm pastries, fresh fruit, and two steaming cups of coffee.
The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, his dark eyes instantly snapped to me. The soft, loving smile on his face faltered slightly, his sharp eyebrows drawing together in immediate concern.
"Butterfly?" Woonseok asked, setting the tray down onto the nightstand. He took a long stride toward me, his large hands reaching out to gently cup my face. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."
I forced a bright, flawless laugh, leaning my face deeply into the warm, comforting palm of his hand.
"It's nothing, Mr. Idol," I lied smoothly, flashing him a wide, innocent smile. "I just... splashed some really cold water on my face. And I am just a little bit tired from... you know... last night."
Woonseok's eyes searched mine for a fraction of a second, looking for any trace of a lie. But my smile held firm.
Slowly, the tension drained from his broad shoulders. He let out a soft sigh, his thumb gently stroking my cheekbone. "Come here. Have breakfast. You need to rest today."
He guided me to the bed, sitting me down as he sat right next to me, picking up a perfectly sliced piece of strawberry and feeding it to me directly.
As I chewed, trying to ignore the lingering, dull throb in my head, Woonseok let out a heavy sigh, dropping his chin to rest lightly on my shoulder. He wrapped his long arms securely around my waist from behind.
"You know..." Woonseok murmured, his voice slightly muffled against the collar of the oversized shirt. "I am seriously thinking about taking a leave of absence today. I can cancel my commercial shoot. My manager will handle it."
I stopped chewing, turning my head to look at him with wide eyes. "What? Why? Mr. Idol, you can't just cancel a multi-million-won commercial shoot!"
"Mm," Woonseok grumbled, stubbornly tightening his hold around me, pulling me impossibly closer into his chest. "I do not care about the money. I don't want to leave my Butterfly today. I just want to stay here and cuddle my fiancée. The world can wait."
My heart broke slightly at how incredibly clingy and deeply affectionate he was being. A part of me—the terrifying, panicked part—desperately wanted him to stay. I wanted to hide in his arms and forget about the blood and the pain.
But I had to go to the hospital. And I couldn't let him know.
"Please, Mr. Idol," I smiled softly, reaching up to gently run my fingers through his dark hair. "You have to go. You know exactly how important this campaign is for the agency. I am perfectly fine! I will literally just rest all day and eat snacks. So don't worry about me."
Woonseok frowned, his dark eyes looking at me with absolute reluctance. "But I still do not want to leave..."
"No buts!" I declared.
Suddenly, I pulled my left hand up, practically shoving the massive stardust diamond directly into his line of sight.
"Look at this!" I stated fiercely, raising my chin in absolute defiance. "You gave me an official right, didn't you? You made me your fiancée, and you said I am going to be your wife. So, as the absolute Sovereign's wife, I am giving you an official order!"
Woonseok blinked, completely taken aback by my sudden burst of authority.
"Listen up for your wife, Jang Woonseok," I said, pointing a strict finger at his chest. "Eat your breakfast, put your suit on, and go to your shoot!"
For a second, Woonseok just stared at me. And then, a slow, incredibly beautiful, deeply defeated smile spread across his handsome face. He was entirely, completely helpless against that word.
"Yes," Woonseok whispered, his voice vibrating with absolute adoration. "Yes, my wife."
He leaned in, pressing a deep, lingering kiss to my cheek, before finally pulling away to finish his coffee.
Thirty minutes later, Woonseok was standing by the front door of the penthouse. He was dressed in a flawless, custom-tailored black suit, his hair perfectly styled, looking every bit the untouchable global superstar he was born to be.
But his eyes were still soft as he looked at me.
"I will be back exactly at seven," Woonseok promised, adjusting his expensive watch. He stepped forward, pulling me in for one last, deep kiss. "Rest well, Butterfly. Call me if you need absolutely anything."
"I will," I smiled, waving my hand as he finally stepped out the door. "Good luck with the shoot!"
Click.
The heavy mahogany door shut, the automated locks engaging with a soft beep.
The moment the sound echoed through the massive, empty apartment, the flawless, bright smile on my face instantly dropped.
The absolute silence of the penthouse suddenly felt crushing. My hands began to tremble again. I slowly raised my fingers to my head, rubbing my temples as the dull, ominous throbbing continued to beat against my skull like a terrifying countdown.
I turned around, walking slowly back into the master bedroom.
I stripped off Woonseok's massive white shirt, the scent of his cologne suddenly making my chest ache with a heavy, unbearable sadness. I quickly pulled on a warm, thick sweater and a pair of dark jeans. I grabbed my purse and my keys.
Don't think too much, Sana, I whispered fiercely to myself in the quiet room, desperately trying to steady my breathing as I walked toward the elevator. It's just a headache. Just a nosebleed. It won't be something big.
But as the private elevator slowly descended toward the lobby, taking me to the hospital alone, I couldn't shake the terrifying, cold dread pooling in the bottom of my stomach.
The shadow had officially entered the morning light.
"We build fortresses out of spun sugar and laughter, desperately hoping they will be strong enough to keep the approaching shadows at bay. But love's greatest power is not in hiding the dark; it is holding the light when the dark finally arrives."
The moment the heavy mahogany door of the penthouse clicked shut, the warm, secure bubble I had been living in violently popped.
My hands were trembling so badly I could barely manage the buttons on my clothes. I quickly pulled on my thickest, longest winter coat, wrapping a heavy scarf around my neck to combat the freezing Seoul winter waiting outside. I grabbed my phone, rushed down to the lobby, and immediately hailed a taxi.
The drive to the hospital felt like an absolute blur. The vibrant, bustling streets of the city flashed by the frozen window, but all I could focus on was the terrifying, rhythmic throbbing pressing against the front of my skull.
When I finally arrived at the private clinic, the stark, blindingly white lights and the sharp smell of antiseptic immediately made my stomach churn. I felt so incredibly dizzy walking up to the reception desk that the nurses immediately guided me into an examination room, placing a light oxygen cannula under my nose just to help me stabilize my shallow, panicked breathing.
A few minutes later, Dr. Han walked in, reviewing the digital chart on her tablet.
"Ms. Sana," the doctor said softly, pulling up a stool to sit across from me. She looked at the faint trace of crimson I hadn't managed to completely wash away from my skin. "Let's talk about this bleeding. The immediate cause of what just happened right now could simply be environmental. Sometimes, the medical gas is very dry, which dries out, cracks, and irritates the delicate tissues in your nostrils. The constant flow of oxygen from the cannula we just gave you can also cause minor physical trauma inside the nose, leading to small blood vessels breaking."
I nodded slowly, pulling the plastic tube away from my face. "But... it happened at home, too. Before the oxygen."
Dr. Han's expression tightened slightly into a mask of pure professional concern. She set her tablet down.
"Yes. And you are also saying you have been facing this severe headache problem for the last two weeks, right?" Dr. Han asked, her eyes scanning my pale face.
"Yes," I whispered, my voice sounding incredibly small in the sterile room. "I thought it was just stress from writing my novel, or maybe lack of sleep. But the pain is getting sharper."
"I see," Dr. Han said quietly. "We cannot ignore this. We have done some basic checkups today, but we have to take blood samples. A full panel. I need to see exactly what is happening inside your body."
My breath hitched. "Blood samples? Is it... is it something bad?"
"Let's not jump to any conclusions," Dr. Han offered a reassuring, yet highly clinical smile. "Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I will call you again when your reports come. For future management of this pain, I will prescribe you some medicine. Take it exactly as directed, and make sure you rest, okay, Ms. Sana?"
"Okay," I nodded numbly.
I rolled up my sleeve, letting the nurse draw the vials of blood. I watched the dark red liquid fill the glass tubes, a deep, terrifying cold settling permanently into my bones.
When I finally left the clinic, stepping back out into the freezing winter wind, I couldn't stop the chaotic thoughts swirling in my head. What happened? Why did they have to take my blood sample? What if it's not just stress?
I looked down at the massive, glittering stardust diamond on my left hand. Woonseok's face, so incredibly happy and full of love this morning, flashed across my mind. My heart shattered. I couldn't go back to the penthouse like this. I couldn't let him see this terrified shadow on my face.
I need a distraction, I thought desperately, pulling my coat tighter around my body. I just need to fade away this tension. I need to celebrate us.
Instead of directing my taxi back to the luxury apartment, I had the driver drop me off at the bustling Myeongdong shopping district. The streets were filled with festive lights, couples holding hands, and the sweet smell of street food.
I walked into an incredibly high-end, aesthetic bakery. The display cases were filled with cinematic, beautiful pastries. I immediately pointed to a stunning, two-tiered strawberry shortcake decorated with delicate, edible gold leaf. It was perfect for a proposal celebration.
But as I walked out of the bakery, carefully holding the pristine white cake box, I realized I still hadn't gotten him anything.
What do you even buy a billionaire? I thought, biting my lower lip in pure frustration. He literally owns everything. He can buy an entire island if he wants to. What kind of gift could I possibly give him to show him how much last night meant to me?
As I wandered down a quieter side street, a small, brightly lit window caught my eye. It was a cozy, warm craft store. A handwritten sign in the window read: Learn to Knit! Custom Plushies & Gifts.
An idea instantly sparked in my mind.
I pushed the bell-chimed door open, greeted by the overwhelming scent of warm cinnamon and endless walls of colorful yarn. I didn't need the owner to teach me—I already knew how to knit from my college days—but I bought the softest, most premium grey and white yarn they had. I sat in the corner booth of the shop for nearly three hours, my fingers flying expertly with the needles, pouring all of my nervous energy, all of my terrifying anxiety, and all of my overwhelming love for Woonseok into the tiny, intricate stitches.
By the time I finished, the tension in my chest had miraculously faded, replaced by a soft, warm sense of accomplishment.
It was exactly 7:30 PM when the private elevator chimed, opening into the grand foyer of the penthouse.
I balanced the cake box on my hip and clutched a small, carefully wrapped paper bag in my hand as I pushed the heavy door open.
"I'm home!" I called out softly.
I didn't even make it past the entryway.
Jang Woonseok was already standing in the middle of the living room. He was still wearing the same flawless black suit he had left in this morning, though his expensive silk tie was completely loosened and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone. He looked like he had literally just walked through the door seconds before me.
But the moment he saw me, the intense, dark worry swirling in his eyes instantly broke.
Woonseok took two massive, incredibly fast strides across the hardwood floor, closing the distance between us. He already had his sleek black smartphone gripped tightly in his hand.
"Butterfly," Woonseok breathed out, his deep voice thick with relief and a trace of strict authority. "I was just about to call you. I told you to rest in bed all day. Where were you? I checked the bedroom, and when you weren't there? I felt a sudden, sharp pang of guilt in my chest. He was so protective, so deeply devoted.
I quickly forced the brightest, most radiant smile I could muster, stepping forward and holding up the pristine white bakery box.
"Don't be mad, Mr. Idol!" I smiled playfully, my eyes sparkling. "See? I went out to buy a cake! And... I bought a return gift for you. For this incredible proposal you gave me!"
Woonseok completely ignored the cake box. He gently, but firmly, took it out of my hands, setting it safely onto the marble console table. Then, without a single word of hesitation, he wrapped his massive, powerful arms entirely around my winter coat, pulling me flush against his solid chest in a crushing, deeply emotional hug.
He buried his face into the cold fabric of my scarf, inhaling deeply.
"Butterfly," Woonseok murmured into my hair, his voice unbelievably soft. "You do not need to do that. You don't need to buy me anything. Just having you here, safe in my arms, is the only gift I will ever need."
I smiled, my heart fluttering wildly at his words. I gently pushed against his chest, looking up into his dark, mesmerizing eyes.
"Why not?" I argued softly, tilting my head with a teasing grin. "Why should only a man spoil his girlfriend? Or rather... his fiancée, hmm? A woman can spoil her man, too!"
Woonseok's breath hitched at the word fiancée. A slow, devastatingly handsome laugh rumbled deep within his chest, entirely melting away the remaining stress of his workday. His dark eyes absolutely shined with pure, unfiltered adoration.
"Is that so, Mrs. Jang?" Woonseok chuckled, his large hands resting warmly on my waist. He looked down at the small paper bag still clutched in my hand. "So... what did my incredibly generous wife bring me? I am highly excited to see."
Suddenly, all my confidence completely evaporated.
Looking at this towering, terrifyingly wealthy man in his custom designer suit, my handmade gift suddenly felt painfully inadequate.
"Well..." I hesitated, nervously biting my bottom lip. I looked down at the bag, suddenly feeling incredibly shy. "It's... it's not expensive. Like, at all. It's actually very cheap compared to... well, everything you own."
Woonseok's smile softened into something profoundly tender. "Rashi. Give it to me."
With trembling fingers, I slowly handed him the small bag.
Woonseok took it carefully, opening the paper with the reverence of a man handling a priceless historical artifact. He reached inside and pulled out the small, highly detailed object.
It was a small, perfectly knitted plushie keychain. I had meticulously crafted it to look exactly like the giant, clingy koala he had bought for me at the amusement park right before he proposed. It even had a tiny, embroidered smile.
Woonseok stood entirely still, staring down at the small, grey yarn figure resting in his massive palm.
"I... I saw a shop in Myeongdong where they teach you how to knit," I started rambling quickly, my face burning with a furious blush as I nervously played with the edge of my coat. "I already knew how to do it from college, so I just sat there and made it. I wanted to make something that matched the koala..."
Woonseok didn't say a word. He just kept staring at the keychain.
"I know it's not a big, worthy gift," I whispered, my voice dropping in sudden insecurity, tears of frustration prickling the corners of my eyes. "I just... I didn't know what to give you. You have everything in the world. I am so sorry. Just tell me what you want, Woonseok! Tell me what you actually want, and I will find a way to buy it for you—"
I didn't get to finish my sentence.
Woonseok violently dropped the keychain into his pocket. He surged forward, his large hands instantly capturing my face. He didn't just hug me; he completely enveloped me, pulling me so tightly against his chest that my feet practically lifted off the floor.
"You foolish, beautiful girl," Woonseok whispered hoarsely, his deep voice actually trembling with a raw, overwhelming emotion that completely shocked me.
He buried his face into the crook of my neck, holding me as if his entire life depended on it.
"Do you have any idea what this means to me?" Woonseok breathed heavily against my skin, his hands desperately tangling into my dark hair. "I can buy a thousand sports cars. I can buy a hundred diamond rings. But I cannot buy the three hours of your precious time that you spent sitting in a shop, weaving your love into something just for me."
A tear slipped down my cheek, soaking into his expensive suit jacket.
"This is the most priceless thing I have ever owned in my entire life," Woonseok vowed, pulling back just enough to look fiercely into my tear-filled eyes. He pressed a deep, bruising kiss to my forehead. "I don't want anything else, Sana. Never ask me what I want. Because I am currently holding the only thing I will ever need."
As I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, burying my face into his chest, I squeezed my eyes shut. I focused entirely on the heavy, steady beating of his heart, desperately praying to whatever universe was listening that I would be allowed to stay right here, in this perfect, protective embrace, forever.