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Chapter 2: Welcome to the Dong Mansion
The sleek Maybach pulled to a stop in front of the grand Dong Mansion—an architectural marvel that looked more like a palace than a home. As the car door swung open, Dong Jinye stepped out with the cool grace of a man born to command.
He turned to the hesitant girl inside. "Are you coming down," he said, voice low and commanding, "or do I have to carry you out myself?"
His tone wasn't harsh—just firm, calm, and frighteningly unreadable.
Yiyi's heart raced. "I... I'm coming," she stammered and stepped down, her legs wobbling beneath her.
She stood there, a striking contrast against the opulent setting. Everything about her screamed simplicity—her clothes were plain, her posture nervous—but her beauty... that was something else. She looked like a delicate goddess who had accidentally wandered into a king's castle. Her lips quivered slightly, and her sweaty palms clenched the fabric of her shirt as if that could anchor her to reality.
If anyone had told her she'd one day stand in front of the Dong Mansion—as the legally wedded wife of its owner—she would've laughed in their face. But here she was, reality staring her down harder than the man she now called husband.
"Let's go," Jinye said, breaking her out of her daze.
She followed him in silence, walking into a world she didn't belong to.
The inside of the mansion took her breath away.
Marble floors gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers. Every inch was modern, elegant, and expensive—so painfully expensive that Yiyi felt her soul shrink a little. She didn't belong here. Not in this life.
"Show her my room," Jinye said to a middle-aged housekeeper who bowed respectfully and beckoned Yiyi to follow.
The room she was led into was massive—twice the size of her entire apartment. Elegant and understated, but with a touch of warmth. A king-sized bed. Cream-colored drapes. A full-length mirror. And then there was the walk-in closet.
Yiyi gasped softly. It was filled with women's clothing. Designer brands. Shoes. Accessories. Everything.
How many women have been here before me? she wondered bitterly.
The housekeeper, sensing her thoughts, smiled gently. "Don't misunderstand. Master prepared these for his future wife. He wanted her to feel at home from day one."
Yiyi's eyes welled up, but she blinked them away just as the door creaked open again.
Jinye entered, and the housekeeper bowed herself out quickly.
"I want to go back to my apartment," Yiyi said quietly, her voice laced with hesitation.
"Why?" His tone didn't change, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.
"I… I have things to pack," she muttered.
"You don't need them," he said flatly.
"I do!" she protested, stepping forward without even realizing it. "My work uniform, my journal, my mom's bracelet… I need them."
"Are the clothes here not to your taste?" he asked, sounding almost… disappointed.
"No. They're beautiful. But that's not the point," she said, trying not to whine. "I want to rely on myself. Not on you."
There was a moment of silence. Then he gave a small nod, almost like he respected her stubbornness.
"Fine. You win. But I'll send Yanji to pack them for you."
Yiyi blinked, surprised. A win? She actually won an argument with Dong Jinye?
She nodded slowly. "Thank you."
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Meanwhile...
Back in her apartment, Yan Yan was losing her mind. She had tried calling Yiyi more times than she could count, and every time it went straight to voicemail.
She paced her room like a madwoman.
"Should I call the police?" she muttered, tugging at her own hair in frustration.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. She rushed to it and yanked it open.
A stranger stood before her. No—scratch that. A devastatingly handsome stranger with a smile that made the air feel warmer.
"Excuse me…" she began awkwardly.
"I'm here to pick up Mrs. Dong's belongings," he said smoothly.
Yan Yan's face scrunched up. "What?"
"You must be her roommate. Yin Su Ran, right?" he asked.
"Yes, I mean—yes, I'm her best friend. But who's Mrs. Dong?"
"She got married today. To my boss and best friend, Dong Jinye," he said casually, as though that made perfect sense.
Yan Yan's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "What?! Married?! That's impossible! Yiyi would never—"
"She did," the man said with a sigh. "And she's now living at the Dong Mansion. So please, point me to her things."
"I don't believe you."
"You don't have to," he said, stepping past her. "I already know what I came for."
Yan Yan was too stunned to stop him as he walked into Yiyi's room and effortlessly located her suitcase.
How the hell does he know where her stuff is?! she thought, bewildered.
Before she could say another word, he winked at her and walked out the door, vanishing like a thief in a K-drama.
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Author's Note:
Hey darlings! Hope you're loving the story so far. Don't forget to comment, like, and vote if you want more updates!
Chapter 3 is heating up... you won't want to miss it! 💋💙
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