Na-ri sat by the window in Minji's room, her eyes lost in the cloudy sky. Hours had passed, but her heart still felt heavy. She hadn't said much all day, just sat in silence while her thoughts slowly tangled themselves into something clear.
She finally stood up.
She now knew what she had to do. She didn't just want to avoid the future she had already suffered once—she wanted revenge. She wanted to take everything from those who had wronged her. She wasn't going to wait for pain to knock on her door again. This time, she would strike first.
But she couldn't do it alone. She needed help. And the only person who came to her mind was him. Han Jin-woo.
Without hesitation, she turned from the window and walked to Minji, who was folding laundry. "I'm going to meet someone," she said.
Minji raised her head. "Who?"
"Han Jin-woo."
Minji blinked. "Han Jin-woo?"
Na-ri rushed into the small room and pulled her floral dress from the hanger. It had been washed and dried after the rain. She got dressed quickly, tying her hair back into a neat ponytail.
She came out with a small bag and the blazer Jin-woo had given her, now folded neatly. "Where can I find him?"
Minji, still shocked, said slowly, "He should be at the Paradise Group head branch. It's in Seoul."
Na-ri nodded and left quickly.
---
Meanwhile, in another part of Seoul, Ji-a called Tae Joon. They laughed and flirted over the phone, planning to meet at Royal Hotels to spend time together.
---
Na-ri sat in the back of a taxi, gripping the folded blazer in her hands. She looked out the window, watching the city blur by, and her thoughts followed.
She knew Jin-woo and Ji-a never got married in her past life, but she also knew that her aunt and cousin desperately wanted that marriage to happen. And Tae Joon… he had only ever wanted her wealth.
What if I married Han Jin-woo?
She imagined the look on Ji-a's face, the fury in her aunt's voice, the complete collapse of Tae Joon's plans. If she married someone else, everything he plotted would fall apart. He wouldn't just lose her—he'd lose the future he thought was guaranteed.
But still, would Han Jin-woo agree to marry her just like that?
Then she remembered something. He had wanted to buy a piece of land from her grandfather, land by the seashore in Songjeong, but her grandfather had refused. If she married him, her grandfather would have no reason not to sell.
That would make her offer useful to him. She had to try.
---
When she finally arrived at Royal Hotels, she was stunned. The hotel looked like a castle, towering with luxury. The front was decorated with wide fountains and trimmed gardens. Inside, the marble floors stretched endlessly, with gold-framed mirrors and polished chandeliers above.
She made her way to the reception and politely asked to meet Han Jin-woo. The receptionist looked at her like she'd gone mad.
"I'm sorry, miss, but Mr. Han is not available," the woman said coldly.
Na-ri stared at her blankly. Of course. She didn't look the part—just a simple floral dress, no makeup, no assistant, no sign of wealth. She looked like any other girl. Nobody would guess she was the granddaughter of Chairman Kang.
Disappointed, she turned to leave. Just as she reached the front door, a sleek black car pulled up beside her.
The door opened, and to her surprise, Han Jin-woo stepped out.
Without thinking, she rushed over like someone chasing their last hope. "Mr. Han!"
He stopped and turned, his sharp gaze landing on her.
"I'm Kang Na-ri," she said, breathless. "We met yesterday."
"I know who you are," he replied calmly.
She blinked. "You do?"
He nodded. "Why are you here?"
"I need to talk to you. It's urgent."
He studied her for a second, then gave a slight nod and turned. "Come with me."
---
He led her to his office on the top floor. It was large but simple—clean lines, shelves of books, a few well-placed pieces of artwork, and a wide window that gave a full view of the city.
Once they entered, he shut the door behind them. "I'm a very busy man, so let's not waste time. You have five minutes."
He picked up a remote and actually set a timer. The soft beep filled the quiet room.
Then, without saying more, he walked to a side counter and started making coffee.
Na-ri glanced around his office, trying not to feel overwhelmed. She slowly handed him the small bag in her hands.
"Thanks for yesterday," she said. "I came to return your jacket."
He brought her a cup of coffee, took the bag, and sat down across from her. "Is that all?" he asked, sipping his drink.
She looked straight at him. "Will you marry me?"
He choked slightly on his coffee and set the cup down. "What?"
"I said, marry me."
He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Why? Do you love me?"
"No." She answered without flinching. "But you have something I want, and I have something you want."
He leaned back. "And what exactly do you think I want?"
"The land by the seashore in Songjeong. My grandfather owns it. He won't sell it to you. But if we get married, he will."
He stared at her for a while, then slowly shook his head. "No."
Na-ri's heart dropped. "Why?"
"I hate greedy people," he said. "You're an heiress. You already have everything. If you're just looking to use me for your own goals, then I'm not interested."
Her hands tightened in her lap.
He stood up and walked to the door. "Your time is up."
He opened it for her and waited. She stood up, stunned, and walked out. He shut the door without another word.
Na-ri slowly made her way to the elevator. Her chest felt tight.
As she reached the hotel lobby, a familiar laugh caught her attention.
She turned—and froze.
Ji-a and Tae Joon had just walked in, holding hands, smiling, close like lovers.
Na-ri immediately stepped back and hid behind a large pillar.
They moved to the reception, booked a room, and headed up in the elevator.
Na-ri stood frozen in place. Even though she already knew, the pain felt fresh all over again. The betrayal burned through her. Her knees felt weak, and she slowly lowered herself to sit on the front steps outside the hotel.
She covered her face with both hands and began to sob.
---
A few minutes passed.
Jin-woo came down, his phone in hand, ready to leave. He saw her sitting there, curled into herself.
He paused, then turned back.
"You really love crying, don't you?" he said casually. "Every time I see you, you're crying."
She lifted her tear-stained face. "Help me," she whispered.
He blinked. "What?"
"You asked why I wanted to marry you," she said, her voice trembling. "It's not just a deal. It's revenge."
She stood up, shakily.
"The man I trusted and loved… he betrayed me. He's cheating on me with my cousin. The same cousin I treated like my own sister. And my aunt… she's planning to take everything from me. My inheritance, my life. She's going to destroy me."
Her eyes met his, desperate and fierce.
"Marrying you is the only way I can get back at them. You said I was being greedy. Fine. Then let me be the greediest person in the world. But at least let me fight back. Let me make them suffer the way I did."
Her voice broke near the end, but her eyes didn't waver.
Jin-woo didn't say anything. He just stood there, watching her quietly.