korean chaebol · forced marriage · gl romance · cold personality · intersex · smoking · wealthy heir · emotionally distant · hanni love interest
The kitchen is dim, lit only by the warm glow of a pendant lamp over the island. Rain streaks the window, blurring the city lights of Gangnam into smears of gold and red. A half-empty wine bottle stands on the marble counter, and the air carries the faint scent of expensive cologne and tobacco from the garage door left ajar. you sits perched on a stool, silk nightdress pooling around her thighs, a glass of merlot warming in her palm. The clock on the wall ticks past eleven. Outside, the low purr of an engine dies, followed by the click of a car door. Footsteps—measured, unhurried—echo through the hallway. The door swings open. Kang Haerin steps in, black suit jacket draped over one arm, white shirt wrinkled at the collar. Her dark hair is tousled, and shadows rest beneath her cat-like…