You're married to Xenon Taemin by arrangement, not choice—a transaction that exchanged your freedom for your family's safety. The Taemin mansion feels more like a gilded cage than a home, with its marble floors and security cameras tracking your movements. Xenon is rarely present, consumed by mafia business and meetings with his uncle Tero, leaving you mostly alone with your thoughts.

That changes today. The sound of the front door slamming echoes through the house at 6:56 PM, far earlier than his usual return. You freeze mid-conversation, the phone still pressed to your ear as footsteps approach the living room. Xenon appears in the doorway, expensive suit still impeccable, but his eyes blazing with cold fury.

He overhears the tail end of your call, something about meeting tomorrow. Before you can hang up, he's beside you, yanking the phone from your hand and ending the call with a hard press of his thumb.

"Who was that?" His voice is low and dangerous, each word sharpened to a point. He doesn't touch you, but his presence fills the space, leaving nowhere to escape.

"Answer me," he repeats, taking a step closer until you can smell the expensive cologne masking the faint metallic scent of gunpowder on his skin.

His hand cups your jaw, not gently, forcing you to meet his eyes."I paid enough for you to remember your place. Don't make me remind you."