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‘the world of sinner’ is just SOOO GOOOOD?? i like it so much 😭 the story line, phrases, words, are just perfect! 🥹 please i love you stay alive love 😭❤️

thank you !!!! sad there’s only one chapter left 🥲 hope you’re taking good care of yourself nonie !! <33

world of sinners vi | sim jaeyun

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦: your parents are the head of one of the nation’s most lucrative syndicates and your older brother is heir to the throne which leaves you free to leave this world of evil behind. you’ve been waiting for this day for twenty years of your life, you can practically taste the freedom. what will you do, however, when your parents arrange a marriage for you to bind together their empire with the lee’s to stop a full on gang war?

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: sim jaeyun x f!reader ft brother sungchan and heesung

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mafia!au, arranged marriage!au

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 8.4k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: dark themes, mentions of violence, vulgar language, mentions of death, forced marriage, corruption, consumption of alcohol, possessiveness, mentions of pregnancy, slight talk about childhood trauma. pls let me know if i missed anything !

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“Send me in.”

Jake’s eyes widen, his voice hardening. “No way. Absolutely not. I’m not sending you in there.”

You take a step closer, your resolve unshaken. “Jake, listen to me. I know how to corner Yerin and get her to show her cards.”

Jake shakes his head vehemently. “You don’t understand how dangerous this is. Yerin’s ruthless. If she even suspects something—”

“That’s exactly why I need to do this,” you interrupt, your voice firm. “Think about it, Jake. Why would Yerin want me out of the picture? It’s because with me gone, Heeseung gets the ‘throne’. The only thing standing in the way of Heeseung taking over now is if we had a baby. Yerin is banking on us not having a child to take us out and give the position to Heeseung.”

Jake’s face tightens with realization. “But we don’t have a kid. Nor are you pregnant. And everyone knows that.”

You smirk, a determined glint in your eye. “I have a plan. Just trust me on this.”

Jake’s skepticism is palpable. “What plan? How can I trust you if I don’t know what you’re planning?”

You shake your head. “The less you know, the better for now. Trust me, Jake. I can do this. I just need some time to plan it out.”

Jake’s eyes search yours, looking for any sign of doubt. Finding none, he sighs heavily, still hesitant. “Fine. But I don’t like this. Not one bit.”

You turn to Sunghoon. “Get Jungwon to tap Yerin’s phone. I want every conversation she has monitored.”

Sunghoon nods, immediately pulling out his phone to make the call.

Then you look at Jay. “I need you to keep a close eye on Yerin. Follow her, watch her every move. See if she slips up.”

Jay gives a curt nod before walking away to make the necessary phone calls.

Jake, still clearly unhappy, pulls you aside. “I don’t like not knowing what’s going on. And I hate the idea of letting you walk into the wolf’s den like this.”

You place a reassuring hand on his cheek. “I know it’s hard, but you have to trust me. We need to act like everything is normal, like we’re none the wiser.”

Jake’s pout is almost endearing. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

You smile softly, pressing a kiss to his lips. “I’ll be careful.”

Jake sighs but nods, “okay.”

With that, you both say your goodbyes and head home. You slip into Jake’s bed, maintaining the facade of normalcy, but your mind is racing with plans and contingencies. Jake pulls you close, his warmth a comforting reminder that you really are in this together, it’s no longer you versus the world but instead, you have Jake fighting not just with you but for you.

A week later, Jake is still tense, his worry evident in his every action. As you sit down for breakfast, he’s unusually quiet, his eyes flickering to you with concern.

“You need to eat,” you remind him gently, pushing a plate of French toast Rose had prepared towards him. “We have to keep up appearances.”

Jake picks at his food, his appetite clearly diminished by the stress. “I know. I just can’t shake this feeling, you know? That something’s going to go wrong.”

“Nothing will go wrong if we stick to the plan,” you reassure him. “Yerin won’t see this coming. She’s too confident in her position, too sure that she’s covered all her bases.”

Jake sighs, finally taking a bite of his food. “I hope you’re right.”

You sip your coffee, watching him carefully. “We need to act normal, Jake. If she senses anything off, she’ll bolt, and we’ll lose our chance.”

Jake nods, chewing slowly. “I just don’t like not knowing what’s going on. I’m worried about you.”

“I know you are,” you say softly, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. “But I won’t let anything happen to me.”

Jake grips your hand tightly, his eyes searching yours. “I wish I could do more. I hate feeling helpless.”

“You’re not helpless,” you assure him. “You’re doing everything you can by supporting me and keeping an eye on Yerin.”

He sighs again, but some of the tension in his shoulders seems to ease. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

“Always,” you promise, giving him a small smile.

The two of you continue breakfast in relative silence, the only sound being the clinking of silverware against plates. Despite the tension, you try to enjoy the moment, savoring the familiar comfort of your home and the presence of Jake.

After breakfast, you check in with Sunghoon and Jay. Sunghoon informs you that Jungwon has successfully tapped Yerin’s phone and they’re already gathering data. Jay reports that Yerin has been acting normally, which in itself is suspicious.

“Everything’s set,” Sunghoon confirms. “We’re monitoring her every move. If she makes a call, we’ll know about it.”

Jay nods. “I’ll keep a close eye on her today. If she slips up, we’ll be ready.”

You thank them, feeling a bit more reassured knowing they’re on top of things. You end the FaceTime call and head to your room to start getting ready, sitting down at your vanity to do your makeup. As you focus on the task, trying to keep your mind clear, Jake enters the room, watching you for a moment before speaking.

“Am I allowed to know the plan now?” he asks, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

You meet his gaze in the mirror, pausing your makeup routine. “Alright. I’ll fill you in. The plan is to trick Yerin and your father into believing that I’m pregnant. It’ll force Yerin’s hand. She’s been banking on the fact that we don’t have a child to take us out and give the position to Heeseung. But if she thinks we’re expecting, she’ll have to make a move.”

Jake’s eyes widen slightly. “How are you going to pull that off?”

“I have a plan for that too,” you explain. “I’ll be subtle about it at first, drop hints. Then, when I’m with them, I’ll have a doctor’s note confirming the pregnancy. It’ll be enough to make them believe it. Yerin will start making calls to ensure everything goes her way, and that’s when we’ll find out her plans and end her.”

Jake runs a hand through his hair, looking both impressed and worried. “That’s a smart plan, but you’re willingly putting yourself in danger.”

“I know,” you admit, resuming your makeup. “But it’s the best way to get Yerin to reveal herself and figure out who else she might be working with. Once we have that information, we can deal with them.”

Jake watches you carefully, his concern evident. “I hate this. But I can see how it could work. Just... promise me again you’ll be careful.”

“I will,” you promise, finishing up your makeup. As you stand up, Jake wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you close.

“Why are we still using separate bedrooms?” he asks softly, his breath warm against your ear.

You blush, realizing you don’t have a good answer. “I don’t know,” you admit. “We probably shouldn’t be.”

Jake smiles, pressing a kiss to your temple. “While you’re off with Yerin, I’ll have some of the maids move my things into your room. You have the master bedroom, after all.”

You nod, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. “I’d like that.”

You kiss him goodbye, a lingering kiss filled with unspoken promises and reassurances. Then you head outside, where Niki is waiting by the car. He gives you a nod as you slide into the backseat.

“Ready?” he asks, his eyes meeting yours through the rearview mirror.

“Ready,” you confirm, steeling yourself for what’s to come.

As Niki drives you to your in-laws’ home, you take a deep breath, focusing on the plan and the roles everyone is playing. Before you enter the compound, the car rolls to a stop and Niki hands you a Manila colored envelope.

“Jay-hyung left this with me, he said it has what you asked for.”

You smile curtly and thank him before placing the envelope in your Rive Gauche tote. “Thank you for taking good care of this.”

Niki nods before proceeding to drive. The car pulls up to the grand estate, and you step out, smoothing down your dress. With one last glance at Niki, you turn and walk towards the house, ready to put your plan into action.

Inside, the house is as opulent and imposing as ever. The staff greets you with polite smiles, but there’s a tension in the air, an undercurrent of unease that matches your own. You make your way to the sitting room where Yerin and your father-in-law are waiting.

Yerin looks up as you enter, her expression unreadable. "Good morning," she says, her voice sweet but laced with something sharper.

"Good morning," you reply, forcing a smile. "I hope I'm not too early."

"Not at all," your father-in-law says, rising to kiss your cheek. "We're glad to see you. How are you feeling?"

"A bit tired, but otherwise fine," you say, subtly placing a hand on your stomach. It's a small gesture, but you see Yerin's eyes flicker to it for a split second before she masks her reaction.

As you sit down, you notice Yerin's gaze lingering on you, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. You force yourself to relax, to play your part convincingly.

"So, how have things been here?" you ask, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Busy as always," Yerin says smoothly. "There’s always something to take care of."

You nod, pretending to be interested in the mundane details of their lives, while your mind races with the next steps of your plan. Yerin may be sharp, but you have the advantage of knowing her endgame. And you're determined to turn the tables on her, no matter the cost.

Jake’s father stands, gesturing towards the dining room. “Why don’t we move into the dining room for brunch? I have a new wine imported that I’d love to try.”

You force a polite smile, shaking your head gently. “I’ll pass on the wine, thank you. Could I have some tea instead?”

Yerin’s eyes narrow slightly, but she says nothing, while Jake’s father looks a bit disappointed. “Alright, I’ll save it for when Jake comes around. The three of us can enjoy it together.”

You nod, pretending to be flustered. “That sounds wonderful.”

As you take your seat in the dining room, the maids bring out a charcuterie board. The sight of the pepperoni makes your stomach churn, and you place a hand over your mouth, mimicking a gesture as if you’re about to vomit.

Yerin’s grip on the table tightens, her eyes sharp. “What’s wrong?”

You give her a bashful smile. “I’ve been having an upset stomach for some time now. It’s nothing serious, just something that comes and goes.”

Jake’s father, concerned, signals the maid. “Take that away and bring something else. What would you like, dear?”

You apologize, looking genuinely sorry for the inconvenience. “I’m so sorry for being a bother. Some cut-up fruit would be lovely.”

Once the maid brings the fruit and everyone has been served, Jake’s father clears his throat, looking at you intently. “You know, we talked about grandchildren at our last family brunch. Any improvement on that front?”

You act shy and embarrassed, lowering your eyes. “I’d rather not talk about that.”

Yerin, her curiosity piqued, presses further. “Oh, come on. You can share with us.”

You pause, sighing softly before reaching into your bag for the envelope Niki had given you. It contains pictures of doctored sonograms you had asked Jay to obtain for you. He handed the job down to Jungwon who was able to change the name and date for you. You hand it to your father-in-law, who takes it with a puzzled expression.

“What’s this?” he asks, opening the envelope.

“Well,” you begin, casting your eyes downward in feigned embarrassment, “Jaeyun wanted to break the news together, but now is as good a time as any. I’m pregnant.”

Yerin’s eyes flash with disbelief, her skepticism evident. “May I see the envelope?”

Jake’s father passes it over to her, and she examines the sonogram. Despite her best efforts, her face betrays her shock.

“You’re three months pregnant?” Jake’s father exclaims, his voice filled with confusion.

“Yes,” you confirm, a small, proud smile on your face. “Jaeyun and I couldn’t keep our hands off each other before the wedding. After a night of drinking, we were so hammered we forgot the condom. We were too embarrassed to say anything until I was farther along, which is why we lied about not having consummated our marriage when asked about kids.”

Yerin, her eyes narrowing to slits, asks pointedly, “If you’re so close, why do you sleep in separate rooms?”

Feigning a blush, you explain, “Jaeyuine was scared he’d hurt the baby with his constant moving in his sleep. But rest assured, we’re moving into one room now. The maids are moving his things as we speak.”

Jake’s father, convinced and ecstatic, beams at you. “You should have said something sooner! This is wonderful news!”

Yerin offers a forced smile, her words through gritted teeth. “Congratulations.”

You return her smile with one just as insincere. “Thank you.”

Patting your stomach, you stand. “I’d better go. The further along I get, the more tired I am.”

Jake’s father stands as well, concern in his eyes. “Should one of my drivers take you home?”

You shake your head, smiling. “No, thank you. I came with my own driver.”

He nods, already planning. “We should have a dinner to inform Heeseung about the news as well.”

You nod in agreement and make your way to the door. As you step outside, you feel the weight of the encounter lift slightly. Once in the car, you pull out your phone and call Jake.

“How did it go?” he asks immediately.

“Hook, line, and sinker,” you reply, a triumphant smile spreading across your face.

Jake exhales, relief evident in his voice. “That’s great news. I knew you’d pull it off.”

“I’ll be home soon,” you say. “We’ll go over the next steps then.”

Niki glances at you in the rearview mirror, giving you a small nod of approval. As the car drives away from the estate, you feel a surge of confidence. That bitch is going down.

Niki pulls into your driveway, the afternoon sun casting long shadows against the garage. As the car rolls to a stop, you notice Jake waiting near the garage, his posture tense. Niki swiftly opens the door, allowing you to step out. He stands protectively behind you as Jake approaches.

Jake greets you with a kiss, his arms wrapping around you in a comforting embrace. As you hug, he whispers in your ear, "Jungwon’s inside. He said Yerin made some phone calls once you left. I'm not sure who yet, but-"

Before he can finish, the roar of a sports car pierces the quiet afternoon. You turn to see Sungchan's car speeding towards you. He parks abruptly, nearly skidding to a stop, and frantically makes his way to your side. Jake holds you a little tighter as Niki reaches for his gun, but Jake stops him with a subtle shake of his head.

“That was quicker than I thought.” Jake mutters under his breath as Sungchan gets closer.

Your brother reaches for you, attempting to pull you away. "You're not safe," he mutters under his breath, his grip firm. "You need to leave."

You wince and pull away, acting concerned and oblivious. "Sungchan, you're hurting me. What are you doing here?"

He doesn't relent, repeating, "You need to leave with me. You're not safe."

Jake steps in, pulling you to his side and wrapping an arm around your stomach. "Stop, Sungchan, before you hurt her."

Sungchan pauses, staring at your stomach. You take a deep breath and speak up, "I'm not going anywhere, Sungchan. I'm safe here."

He tries to argue, desperation in his voice. "You don't know what you've gotten yourself into. You're not safe here. You need to leave."

All the while, he keeps staring at your stomach. You hold Jake's hand and shake your head, still acting coy. "Jake will protect me from whatever it is you're talking about.” You wait a beat before adding, “especially since I'm pregnant."

You wait for his reaction, but when Sungchan doesn't respond, you follow up, "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Sungchan is taken aback, his confusion evident. "W-what? How did- how did you know that-?"

You don't back down, maintaining your gaze. "We know about you and Yerin. Talk. Now."

Sungchan sighs deeply and pulls at his hair in frustration but finally begins to speak. "It's true. I've been sleeping with Yerin, but-"

Jake cuts him off, growing impatient. "Yes, we already established that. We want to know when it started and what she's planning."

Sungchan looks down, ashamed. "It started the night of the dinner party. When Jake took you to the garden to propose, Yerin needed to use the bathroom but got lost. I was getting a new bottle of wine our dad had requested. I helped her find the bathroom, but before I could leave, she stopped me and made a move on me. We kissed and had sex in the bathroom."

You try to hide your disgust, but it’s clear as day, making Sungchan even more embarrassed. He continues, "I thought it would be a one-time thing, but it continued. It’s almost like she could tell how desperate I was to help you out of the engagement and preyed on that. During one of our pillow talks, she told me she would help me if I helped her. She wanted Heeseung to take over, so she convinced me to help sabotage Jake. That way, he wouldn’t be the eligible heir, and you could leave him. Heeseung would take over as it was meant to be."

Your anger boils over, and you take a step towards him, your voice shaking with fury. "How could you, Sungchan? Not only did you put yourself in danger by crossing our father to work with Yerin, but you also put me in danger. You’ve jeopardized everything for a woman who never had any intention of keeping her promises."

Sungchan shakes his head, desperation in his eyes. "No, we agreed nothing would ever happen to you. The plan was to get Jake out and Heeseung in. You were never supposed to be hurt."

You scoff, incredulous. "Did you forget about the attempt on my life? Yerin was only ever in this for herself. She was never going to uphold her end of the deal, and you were a fool to believe she would."

Tears well up in Sungchan's eyes, and he begins to cry, his voice breaking. "I did this for you. Please, you have to understand. I thought I was helping you."

Shaking your head, you step back, the disappointment clear in your voice. "I’m so disappointed in you, Sungchan. You’ve let her manipulate you into risking everything."

Sungchan is visibly distressed, reaching out to you, but you pull away and move closer to Jake. Jake holds you securely, kissing the top of your head. Sungchan watches in confusion, having always believed Jake to be a bad person.

Jake steps in, his tone firm but calm. "Sungchan, do you know what Yerin is planning now?"

Sungchan nods and sniffs, struggling to regain his composure. "She called to tell me that ____ showed up at her home to announce her pregnancy. She said our original deal is off. She has to kill you now. That’s why I came to get you out of the country. Yerin is going to order a hit on you."

A cold silence falls over the three of you. Jake tightens his hold on you, his expression turning steely. Sungchan continues, his voice trembling. "Before, the plan was to make Jake look unfit so his father would take him out of power and the marriage could be broken off. But now that there’s a possible heir, even if they were to kill Jake, the empire goes to you and the baby. Yerin would never allow that."

Jake’s eyes flash with anger as he nods. "I’ll take care of it."

Sungchan's frustration flares, and he takes a step towards Jake, his anger palpable. "She’s in this position because of you! How can you be so calm about this?"

Niki steps between them, ready to intervene, but Jake raises a hand to stop him. "I love her, Sungchan. I will do everything to protect her and our baby. Make no mistake though, you’re only still alive because of the love she has for you. But if you ever dare to cross me or hurt my family again, I won’t let you off so easily."

Your heart skips a beat as Jake’s words sink in. He loves you. It's the first time he's ever said it, and it catches you completely off guard. You’ve never heard those words directed at you with such genuine emotion. Sure, you’ve experienced love from your brother and friends, but this is different. This is a romantic love, a deep, all-encompassing feeling that you’ve never felt before. For a moment, the world stops. You want to say it back, to let Jake know that you’re equally in love with him, but now isn’t the time. There are more pressing matters to address. So, you tuck the words away, making a mental note to talk to him about it later. You need to let him know how you feel, how his love has become your anchor in this storm.

As you stand there, your mind drifts back to your own parents. The love you’ve witnessed between them is nothing like this. Your mother’s love for your father always eclipsed any affection she showed you. She’s so brainwashed by his power and influence that you always felt like an afterthought. It hurt, knowing she didn’t have the capacity to love you the way you deserved. And your father? He’s only ever seen you as a walking dollar sign, ready to sell you off to the highest bidder for his gain. His cold, calculating nature left no room for genuine affection.

But Jake? He’s different. He values you—not just your opinions, but you as a person. He goes out of his way to make sure you’re comfortable and safe, to protect you from the dangers that lurk in your world. The love he’s shown you is something you never thought you’d experience, and you’re certain you never want to let him go.

You stand a little taller at his words, from the knowledge that you have someone who loves you and will stand by you no matter what. It’s a new, unfamiliar feeling, but one that you cherish deeply. And as you look into Jake’s eyes, you know that despite the mess of your life, you’ve found something truly precious.

Turning back to Sungchan, you try to keep your emotions in check. "Sungchan, you need to stop sleeping with Yerin. If today has shown us anything, it’s that she’s willing to kill anyone to get what she wants. You need to get out."

Sungchan nods, tears streaming down his face. "I will. I promise."

You offer him a small, reassuring smile. "I still love you, Sungchan, but I need some time. This has been too much."

Sungchan understands, his expression filled with sorrow and regret. He weakly congratulates you on the baby before slowly walking to his car. You watch as he drives away, the tension in the air finally beginning to dissipate.

Jake gently squeezes your shoulder. “We should go inside now. Jungwon’s waiting for us.”

You nod, following Jake into the house. As you enter, you see Jungwon sitting at the dining table, his hacking setup sprawled out around him. He’s focused on his laptop, typing furiously. When he hears you both come in, he looks up and greets you with a nod.

“Hey,” Jungwon says, giving a small smile.

Jake nods back and gestures for you to sit down. “Jungwon, give her an update on what’s happening.”

Jungwon leans back in his chair, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Okay, so after you left your in-laws, Yerin made three phone calls. One to Sungchan, one to Heeseung, and one to Byun Baekhyun.”

You feel a jolt of shock at the mention of Baekhyun. You turn to Jake, but he’s already heard this information, his expression more controlled.

“What did she discuss with Baekhyun?” you ask, trying to keep your voice steady.

Jungwon flips through his notes. “All she said was ‘green’ before hanging up.”

Jake cuts in, his face grim. “I’m assuming Baekhyun is the one who’s going to carry out the hit on you. And if not him, he’s the one who’ll find the hitman.”

Jungwon nods. “I’m trying to tap Baekhyun’s phone to see his next moves.”

You feel a new wave of frustration and fear wash over you. “How are you going to handle this, Jake?”

Jake looks at you, his eyes steady. “I have Sunghoon tailing Baekhyun until we can tap his phone. We need to know what his next step is before acting. Can’t let him know we’re on to him.”

Unable to contain your frustration, you stand up, the force knocking your chair over. “I can’t believe Sungchan could be so reckless! Now I can’t even leave my home because I have a literal target over my head.”

Jake stands and pulls you into a hug, trying to reassure you. “I’ll fix this. Sungchan was just trying to help you, even if it was a terrible plan. His intentions were never bad. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

As Jake tries to calm you down, Jungwon’s voice cuts through. “Uh, guys.”

You and Jake turn to look at him as he beckons you over. “Yerin is making another phone call.”

The room falls silent as Jungwon listens in on the conversation through his headphones. The call is quick, and Jungwon’s face goes pale as he removes the headphones.

Jake asks, his voice edged with urgency, “What’s wrong?”

Jungwon swallows hard. “She ordered another hit.”

Jake scoffs. “Is it for me?”

Jungwon shakes his head. The worry gnaws at you, and you step closer. “Is it for Sungchan?”

Jungwon’s face is tense as he shakes his head again. Jake’s patience snaps. “Just say it, Jungwon! The suspense is making it worse.”

Jungwon takes a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. “The hit is for your father.”

The air seems to freeze around you. Jake’s father is the head of the biggest syndicate in Seoul, the one with the power to decide anyone’s fate. The implications of this hit are enormous.

Jake’s jaw tightens, and he clenches his fists. "She’s trying to destabilize everything. If my father is taken out, it throws everything into chaos. Yerin and Heeseung are making their move."

You shake your head. “No, there’s no way she would be that reckless? Does she know we’re on to her?”

Jungwon looks up from his screen, his expression serious. “My system is legit and undetectable. I wouldn’t have brought this to you if I wasn’t sure.”

Jake paces the floor, his frustration evident. “What’s her angle? Why would she want to take out both my father and you?”

You place a hand on your chin as you try to wrack your brain for any reason as to why Yerin would compromise her entire operation by placing a hit on her husband.

“It doesn’t make sense. Everyone would know Yerin killed her husband. He doesn’t have any competitors, and if this goes according to her plan, both ‘the baby’ and I will be dead. There’s no way anyone would think it’s all a coincidence. She’s getting sloppy.”

Jake pauses at the mention of sloppiness, muttering under his breath. “Loose ends.”

You and Jungwon both focus on Jake, your concern growing. “What?”

Jake’s eyes widen with realization. “This is Yerin tying up any loose ends. My father will be dead, you’ll be dead, I’ll be stripped of my power, and she might even kill me too. The only person left who would come after her would be Sungchan! Yerin is going to frame Sungchan for my father’s death. That way, she gets what she wants, and no one besides Heeseung will ever know what really happened.”

You feel physically ill, unable to believe the depths of Yerin’s evil. Jungwon curses in shock, but you’re left gobsmacked by how good Yerin is at being a mafioso.

Jake starts barking out orders. “Get Niki to keep an eye on Sungchan. Wherever he goes, Niki follows. Have Jay set up an extra security detail around the family home, and make sure they’re discreet. Go do a check around the perimeter to ensure no one suspicious is on the property. Take one of the guards with you.”

Jungwon nods, already moving to comply with Jake’s commands. He taps furiously on his laptop, sending out the necessary messages. Within moments, he’s coordinating with the team, his fingers flying over the keyboard.

You watch Jake, his anger palpable. He stops pacing and pulls you into a tight embrace, his voice steady and reassuring. “I just need to hold you.”

As you melt into his arms, you’re struck by how Jake, despite everything, remains vulnerable and open with you. He’s not the cold, calculating mafioso the world sees; he’s a man fighting to protect the people he loves. Your heart aches for him, for the weight he carries and the danger that constantly surrounds you both. His embrace feels like a sanctuary, a moment of peace amidst the storm.

You pull back slightly, looking into his eyes, and then you lean in, capturing his lips in a kiss. The kiss starts slow, tender, but quickly escalates. You pour all your fear into it, desperate to feel close to him. Jake responds with equal fervor, his hands gripping your waist, pulling you closer. The world fades away as the kiss deepens, becoming more urgent and passionate. You lose yourself in the sensation, in the warmth of his touch and the intensity of his love.

Just as you begin to forget the chaos outside, Jake’s phone rings, shattering the bubble of intimacy. He groans but pulls away anyway, looking at the screen. It’s Stella.

“Stella, what’s up?” Jake answers, placing the call on speaker.

Stella’s voice crackles through the speaker, her tone chipper and bubbly. “Hey there, you two lovebirds! Guess what? I’ve got some juicy updates for you! So, I managed to get the morgue to release the chief’s body—don’t ask me how, it involved a lot of charm and maybe a bribe or two—and my buddy at the NFS is going to do an official autopsy. We think the original results might have been tampered with. Scandalous, right?”

“What does this mean for me?” you ask, your voice trembling slightly.

Stella’s tone remains upbeat. “Right now, it means the case can’t be closed, and you, my dear, will not be arraigned. Also, I received information about the witness. I’ll be sending the files over to Jake. I’m sure if you pay him a little visit—wink, wink—the witness will recant their statement. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.”

Your eyebrows shoot up. “Isn’t that... illegal?”

Stella giggles. “Well, technically, yes, but let’s just call it ‘creative problem-solving.’ Given the circumstances, we won’t split hairs, will we?”

Jake’s expression is resolute. “Thank you, Stella. That’s good news.”

Stella hums in agreement. “Once the autopsy is complete, you’ll be a free woman. And then, we’re going to go after the police department for conspiracy, civil rights violations, and malicious prosecution. Oh, and we’ll make sure they issue a public apology so your company stocks can rise again. We need to keep those investors happy, right?”

You’re shocked. “Is that necessary?”

Jake scoffs. “Of course it is. With the way they treated you and handled your arrest as a public figure, we should sue for more.”

Stella chimes in, her voice firm despite the bubbly tone. “I can throw in negligence, false arrest, defamation, and harassment for how they interrogated you. The works!”

Jake nods. “Do it. I won’t stop until the bastards who put her in cuffs and conspired with Heeseung are behind bars as well.”

Stella’s voice is filled with understanding. “Got it. I’ll take care of it. And don’t worry, I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve if we need them.”

Jake smiles slightly, a hint of relief in his eyes. “Thank you, Stella. We appreciate everything you’re doing.”

Stella’s voice warms even more. “Anything for you two. Now, go take care of each other, and I’ll handle the legal circus. We’ll be in touch soon.”

You, Jake, and Stella bid your goodbyes, and Jake ends the call. The room falls into a heavy silence as you process the information. It’s a small victory in the midst of a war, but it’s a step forward.

Jake pulls you close again, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “A win is a win, right?”

You nod. “Hopefully the first of many.”

Just then, Jungwon returns, his expression calm but focused. “Jay is stationed outside the family home, and the property is clear. Niki also says he has become Sungchan’s official shadow. Everything is secure.”

Jake and you both nod in gratitude. “Thanks, Jungwon,” Jake says. “You’ve been a huge help. You’re free to go home now and get some rest.”

Jungwon smiles slightly, a hint of relief in his eyes. “Take care, both of you.” With a final nod, he gathers his equipment and heads out.

Once he’s gone, you turn to Jake, a mix of anxiety and curiosity in your eyes. “What now? We still have to be cautious, you know.”

Jake gives you a reassuring smile. “It’s still light out, and I was thinking we could have a date night.”

You scoff, unable to suppress a smile. “A date night? Have you forgotten that someone is out to kill me?”

Jake chuckles, shaking his head. “I never said we had to leave the house. I’ve got a surprise planned. All you have to do is go shower and get dressed up.”

You roll your eyes playfully and give him a light shove. “Stop being weird.”

Jake catches your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours. “What? Can’t I spoil my beautiful wife?”

A giggle escapes your lips, a mix of embarrassment and delight. His words send a warm flush through you, contrasting sharply with the tension of the past few days. Jake leans in and pulls you in for a kiss. It's soft at first, but the intensity builds, the world around you fading into the background. His lips are warm and insistent, conveying a depth of emotion that makes your heart race.

Just as you're getting lost in the kiss, Jake gives your butt a light slap, causing you to gasp in surprise. "Go on, get ready," he says with a grin.

You try to slap his butt in return, causing Jake to curse and reach to tickle you. You yelp, dodging his hands, and sprint to the stairs, your laughter echoing through the house. As you reach the top, you glance back to see Jake watching you with a tender smile, his eyes filled with love and something deeper—something you're starting to recognize as home.

As you reach the top of the stairs, you dash into your room, your laughter echoing from the playful chase downstairs. You slow to a stop, breathing heavily, and push open the door. The sight that greets you makes your heart skip a beat.

Your room is still familiar, but it's now distinctly Jake's as well. His belongings are scattered around, blending seamlessly with your own. His glasses sit on the bedside table beside a well-worn book, and his multiple rings are laid out next to the book, catching the soft light. A soft smile tugs at your lips as you take in these personal touches.

You walk further into the room, each step revealing more of his presence. The closet door is ajar, and you peek inside to find his extensive shoe collection neatly arranged. His jackets hang in the closet, along with a few pairs of baggy jeans—the kind he only ever wears around the house. Seeing his items amidst your own creates a warm, comforting sense of unity.

A wave of emotion washes over you as you look around. This room, once a sanctuary solely for you, is now shared with Jake. The small details—the glasses, the rings, the casual clothes—reflect a life intertwined with yours. Knowing that Jake, who grew up in a room stripped of personal comforts, has chosen to fill this space with his belongings for the sake of being close to you makes your heart swell.

You run your fingers over the familiar items now infused with his presence. It’s a poignant reminder of how different his life was before and how he’s building a new, shared life with you. This room, filled with his personal touches, signifies his commitment and love for you—a love that goes beyond mere words.

You step toward the bathroom, carrying the comforting warmth of the room with you. The gentle hum of the shower invites you in, and you let the warm water cascade over you as you prepare to unwind. As the steam envelops you, your mind drifts back to Jake and the love he has shown you.

He’s made such a significant effort to be close to you, to share his life with you in such an intimate way. His presence in your room is a testament to his dedication and affection. It’s a love that feels so genuine and different from anything you’ve experienced before. In the midst of everything happening, this gesture reminds you of the strength of your bond.

You take a deep breath, letting the soothing water clear your mind. You think about how you want to express your love to Jake, how you want him to know that you’re just as deeply in love with him. For now, you set aside that thought, ready to enjoy the surprise he has planned for you. As the water washes over you, you feel a sense of peace and anticipation for the evening ahead.

Stepping out of the shower, you wrap yourself in a plush towel, the softness a comforting contrast to the heat. You move to the mirror, wiping away the steam to reveal your reflection. You begin to apply light makeup, enhancing your features with a touch of color and glow. The act of getting ready feels almost therapeutic.

Once finished, you head to the banister and call down to Jake, “What should I wear?”

He looks up, a playful grin on his face. “Something comfy!”

You chuckle, turning back to the closet. As you browse through your options, your eyes drift to Jake’s side of the closet. You decide on a pair of comfy sweats and a hoodie from Jake’s collection. It’s one of his baggier ones, enveloping you in its soft fabric and his lingering scent. It makes you feel close to him, even when he’s not right beside you.

Dressed and feeling cozy, you head downstairs. Jake comes running to stop you at the base of the stairs, excitement in his eyes. “Wait, I’m not ready yet!”

He pauses when he sees you in his clothes, his expression softening. “You look so cute.”

He leans in to kiss you, but you gently push him away with a giggle. “I want my surprise first!”

Jake pouts, leaning in again. “Just one kiss?”

You giggle again, turning your cheek so he kisses there instead. He whines, but you can see the amusement in his eyes. “Please, just one real kiss?”

Relenting, you give him a soft kiss, feeling the warmth and love in the simple gesture. When you pull away, he sighs contentedly. “You’re the best.”

He then straightens, his expression turning serious again. “I’m not ready for you yet. You need to wait a bit longer.”

You raise an eyebrow, curious. “What could you possibly be up to?”

He smirks, guiding you toward the living room. “It’s a surprise, remember? Just sit tight.”

Reluctantly, you sit on the couch, watching him with amusement. He kisses your forehead and heads upstairs, calling over his shoulder, “I’m going to take a quick shower and then I’ll be right back down to join you.”

You nod, settling into the couch and trying to quell your curiosity. The house is quiet except for the faint sound of the shower running upstairs. You smile to yourself, feeling a sense of contentment and anticipation.

After a few minutes, you hear Jake’s footsteps coming down the stairs. He appears, dressed in sweats and a hoodie similar to yours. He grins, spreading his arms wide. "Look at us, a cute matching couple."

You snort, shaking your head. "You’re so corny, Jake."

He pouts, crossing his arms. "You’re such a meanie."

Laughing, you get up from the couch and take his outstretched hand. He leads you toward the kitchen, glancing back with a mischievous smile. "I dismissed all the staff for the night, so it’s just us."

You raise an eyebrow. "Who’s going to cook dinner then?"

Jake’s smirk widens. "I am."

Your eyes widen in surprise. "You can cook?"

He nods, looking quite pleased with himself. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

He ushers you to the kitchen island, where some drinks are laid out. He picks up a glass and hands it to you. "I made us some cocktails."

You smile in delight, taking the glass from him. "You really went all out, huh?"

Jake chuckles, holding up his own glass. "Only the best for you. Cheers."

You clink glasses and take a sip of your mojito. The strong taste makes you cough, and Jake grimaces apologetically. "Sorry, I think I added a bit too much liquor."

You laugh it off. "It’s a good thing I’m not really pregnant then."

Jake laughs with you, but there’s a hint of something else in his eyes. You notice the shift and ask, "What’s up?"

He shrugs, looking down at his drink. After a moment, he asks, "Do you want kids?"

The question takes you by surprise. You play with your drink, thinking carefully about your answer. "I’ve always wanted to be a mom. I want to prove to myself that I can love my child the way they deserve, to raise them surrounded by love and happiness. And if it’s with you, I know there would be so much love. But... our lifestyle... it’s dangerous. It wouldn’t be fair to bring a child into that world."

Jake takes in your words, nodding slowly. He sets his glass down and looks you in the eyes. "I want out."

You’re confused. "What do you mean?"

He takes a deep breath. "I’m giving the reigns to Heeseung. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that nothing compares to the love I have for you. I meant it earlier when I said I love you. I’m willing to do anything to make you happy, even if it means going legit. If giving Heeseung what he wants means I get to have you and maybe one day a family, then fuck it. It’s his."

Tears well up in your eyes. "Are you sure?"

Jake nods, his voice steady. "I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. You’re it for me."

You lunge at him, wrapping your arms around his neck and kissing him fiercely. Between kisses, you murmur, "I love you. I love you. I love you."

Both of you are crying now, the intensity of your emotions overwhelming. This type of love is new to both of you, and it feels almost surreal. You pull back slightly, looking into his eyes.

"I’ve never experienced anything like this before," you say softly. "I’m so happy that you’re the one I get to love in this lifetime. You make me feel safe, cherished, and valued in a way I never thought possible. I love you more than words can express, Jake. You’re my home, my heart, my everything."

Jake’s tears mingle with yours as he kisses you again, his arms tightening around you. "You’re my world," he whispers. "And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe and happy. I love you so much."

Jake wipes away your tears with his thumbs, his touch gentle and reassuring. "No more tears," he says softly, pressing a final kiss to your forehead. "It’s time to make dinner."

You sniffle, a small smile forming on your lips. "What are we making?"

"It’s a staple from my childhood," Jake replies, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Intrigued, you watch him move around the kitchen, collecting ingredients with a practiced ease. As he starts preparing the meal, you lean against the counter, your curiosity piqued.

"So, how many kids do you want?" you ask, your tone playful.

Jake glances at you, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "I’ve always imagined having two or three. Enough to keep things lively but still manageable. What about you?"

"I think two sounds perfect," you reply. "A small, close-knit family."

Jake nods in agreement, his focus shifting back to the ingredients in front of him. "Do you have a preference for a boy or a girl?"

"Not really," you say, considering the question. "But I can see you as a great girl dad."

Jake laughs, shaking his head. "Really? I’ve always pictured myself teaching a son how to play football."

You smile, imagining the scene. "You scream girl dad, Jake. And who knows? You might end up being a ballet dad too."

Jake grins at the thought, his eyes lighting up. "I’d be honored to have a daughter who wants to dance. I’ll be there at every recital, cheering her on."

As you continue to brainstorm about your future family, Jake finishes cooking and turns to face you, presenting the plates with a flourish. You burst into laughter when you see the meal: a grilled cheese sandwich with a side of barbecue sauce.

"Is this it? A grilled cheese sandwich?" you ask, amusement clear in your voice.

Jake feigns offense, holding up a finger. "For your information, it’s a ham and cheese toastie, not just a grilled cheese sandwich."

You laugh harder, but you relent, taking your plate. "Alright, I’ll give it a try."

Jake raises his own half of the sandwich, and you clink them together like glasses. "Cheers."

You take a bite, and to your surprise, the combination of melted cheese, ham, and barbecue sauce is delicious. "Wow, this is actually really good," you say, a note of wonder in your voice.

Jake beams with pride. "Told you."

You finish your sandwich quickly, licking your fingers. "You have to make another one."

Jake laughs, shaking his head. "I have the rest of our lives to make ham and cheese toasties for you."

He steps closer, wrapping his arms around you in a warm hug. He holds you tightly, his chin resting on top of your head. "I love you," he whispers once more, his voice filled with sincerity.

You close your eyes, savoring the moment, feeling the strength of his love surrounding you. After a few moments, Jake pulls back slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Come on," he says, taking your hand and leading you into the living room.

He walks over to the stereo, queues up a soft, romantic playlist, and then turns to you, extending his hand. "Dance with me?"

You smile, placing your hand in his, and he gently pulls you close. You rest your head on his chest as you sway to the music, the world outside fading away. The slow dance feels like a perfect encapsulation of your love—gentle and steady.

As the music plays, you lose yourselves in each other, moving in sync, sharing soft whispers and tender glances. Jake occasionally twirls you around, making you laugh, and then pulls you back into his embrace, his arms a safe haven.

After a while, you both settle onto the couch, deciding to spend the rest of the day enjoying each other's company. You watch movies, baking cookies during intermissions and sneaking kisses as you share the warm treats. You cuddle under a cozy blanket, your bodies intertwined as you laugh at the screen, savoring the sweetness of these simple moments.

As the sun sets you turn to Jake, a contented sigh escaping your lips. "We should go to bed," you suggest, feeling the day’s happiness settle into a gentle fatigue.

Hand in hand, you walk up the stairs, entering your room together. You both go through your nightly routines, brushing your teeth side by side, sharing smiles and soft touches. Once you’re ready for bed, you slip under the covers, and Jake immediately pulls you close, his arms wrapping around you protectively.

"I'm so happy I get to hold you," he murmurs, pressing a tender kiss to your forehead.

You snuggle into his embrace, feeling completely at peace. "Goodnight, Jake," you whisper, your voice filled with love.

"Goodnight, my love," he replies, his voice gentle.

With your heart full and your body warm against his, you both drift off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms.

taglist: @dreamiestay @inkpot-winters @minniejenseo @faithnsstuff @sumzysworld @sunpov @laurradoesloveu @iheartjayke

i swear i keep rereading chapter 5 and it's so far my fave chapter 🔥🥵🧡

i feel like a lot of people like 5 and i wonder why 😭😭

chapter 6 will be up soon !! 😙

chapter 6 coming out in 20mins 🥰🥰

WORLD OF SINNERS IS TOO GOOD 😮‍💨 like I am beyond hooked and your world building is amazing I’m just having such a great time reading it and always look forward to it! Thanks so much for writing this and can’t wait for the next chapters 🫶

AHHHHH THANK YOU SNOOKUMS <3333

i can’t wait for you to read the last few chapters hehehe 🤭🤭🤭

world of sinners v | sim jaeyun

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦: your parents are the head of one of the nation’s most lucrative syndicates and your older brother is heir to the throne which leaves you free to leave this world of evil behind. you’ve been waiting for this day for twenty years of your life, you can practically taste the freedom. what will you do, however, when your parents arrange a marriage for you to bind together their empire with the lee’s to stop a full on gang war?

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: sim jaeyun x f!reader ft brother sungchan & lee heesung

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mafia!au, arranged marriage!au

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 7.0k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: dark themes, mentions of drugs, mentions of violence, vulgar language, mentions of death, forced marriage, corruption, consumption of alcohol, possessiveness, dirty talk, oral (f receiving), rough(?) sex, penetrative sex, vaginal sex, slight nipple play, praise, fingering (f receiving), dom!jake, sub!reader, unprotected sex.

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Jaeyun had done a fantastic job of choosing your attorney. Stella, a tall, slim woman with bright red hair in her late twenties, is sought out by rich business owners who often find themselves in legal trouble. Though she's only a few years older than you and relatively new to law, she exudes an air of high maintenance and smugness.

Stella takes her seat beside you, her smile unwavering, followed by the officers who had made a spectacle of arresting you in public for all of Korea to see. They settle across from you, letting a beat pass before they begin questioning you again.

"Mrs. Sim," the detective begins, his tone formal, "we need to ask you a few questions regarding your whereabouts during the time of the chief's death."

You swallow hard, glancing briefly at Stella, who gives you a reassuring nod and a cheerful wink. "I was at home with my husband," you reply steadily.

The officer who arrested you, Taehyun, leans forward slightly. "Can anyone else confirm that?"

You take a deep breath, trying to keep your voice calm. "Yes, our staff can confirm it. We were together all evening."

The detective scribbles something in his notebook. "Can you provide any more details about your evening? Any visitors? Any phone calls?"

You think back, trying to recall anything that might help. "We had dinner together. No visitors, no phone calls that I can remember."

Stella interjects, her voice bright and confident. "My client has already provided her alibi. Unless you have further evidence to suggest otherwise, we see no reason for this continued detention."

Officer Kang ignores Stella. “Mrs. Sim, you do understand that the evidence against you is pretty damning, right?”

You don’t say a word.

The detective and officer share a look. “The chief was last seen having lunch with you a week prior to his disappearance. Care to explain?”

Stella scoffs with a playful roll of her eyes. “What’s wrong with going out to eat with an associate? Haven’t you done it before, detective?”

Detective Choi tisks but disregards Stella’s comment. He places a sheet of paper on the table and twists it so you have a clear view. “You were the last person Chief Minho called,” he says, placing down two other call logs. “You also seemed to share multiple calls dating back to before you even announced your engagement to Sim Jaeyun.”

You frown. “Impossible,” you mutter as you look down at the call logs. Taehyun uses this as an opportunity to sink his claws into you.

“Impossible? Why do you say that?”

Stella places a hand on your shoulder and encourages you not to answer, but you’re too out of it to comply. “I mean, yeah, we’ve called each other a few times, but I can’t be the last person he called.”

Yeonjun hums. “Is that so?”

Stella hisses, “Do not engage with them, ____.”

You shrug her off. “The call logs have to be wrong, maybe even doctored. I remember this date,” you say as you point to it. “It was yesterday. My husband took me to the museum that day. I didn’t get a call from the chief, just a call from an unk—” You cut yourself off as you realize exactly who called you from the unknown number yesterday. “That son of a bitch!” you hiss. It was the chief. It makes sense. Whoever killed him did a hell of a job making sure all fingers would point back to you.

Yeonjun smirks and sinks back into his seat. “The museum, huh? Thought you were at home with your husband?”

You gape at the detective as you realize the hole you’ve dug yourself into. You and Jake spent that night at his safe house, there’s no CCTV of you ever making it back home from the museum. Seeing as these cops are hellbent on putting you away they can easily check the street camera to see when you made it home.

“They went to the museum in the morning and spent their afternoon at home. What are you getting at, Yeonjun?” Stella asks, her voice lilting with mock curiosity.

His eyes flicker to your defense attorney before he turns back to you. “Are you happy with your marriage, ____?”

Your body freezes at the question. Are you happy? You entered your engagement and marriage indifferently, angry at the world for where you had ended up. But things are different now. You’re falling in love with Jaeyun; he’s made you incredibly happy in these short few weeks. Maybe you’re beginning to become content with where you are now?

“What does my client’s marriage have to do with the murder charges against her?”

“The FBI has an ongoing case against your husband. I assume murder isn’t below him just as it isn’t below you. I suspect you were having an affair with the Chief, wanted to make things official, but he didn’t seeing as you were getting married. In a fit of rage, you killed him. Your husband, who’s madly in love with you, then proceeded to cover up your crimes.”

You feel a dull throb in your temple. You have no doubt you'll have a migraine by the time you leave this interrogation room.

“Stop badgering my client; this is all speculation.”

Detective Choi doesn’t stop. “We understand the chief owed your family money?”

You nod. “Yes.”

The bastard had upped his bribe fee once it was announced that Sungchan would be taking over but never followed up on his half of the deal. Sungchan had asked you what he should do two days before your wedding, but you told him you would take care of it and arranged to meet Minho the next night.

You’re willing to bet that the pictures they claim to have of the two of you out to lunch are probably of you two in a heated argument over when he would uphold his half of the deal. Either that or he’d pay back the money. Taehyun flips through pages of paper on his clipboard.

“That’s motive.”

You raise an eyebrow. Motive? “Stop stating false claims. I didn’t kill him.”

Taehyun ignores you. “Okay, I believe you. You weren’t having an affair, but you thought you could get an upper hand on your father who handed the company over to your brother when it should have been yours. You figured if you couldn’t have the company, you could at least get away with the money. You met with the chief for lunch to discuss a payment plan for what he owed your father, but when he refused to give you the money, you stormed to his home and killed him, then had your husband cover it up.”

You let out a dry laugh. They think you're envious of Sungchan? If anything, you pity your elder brother. You despise that company with your whole being. “You think I want the company? It can burn to the ground for all I care. As for the money, have you forgotten I married rich? Why would I need the four billion won your Chief stole from my family when my husband spoils me with extravagant gifts?”

Stella places a hand on your thigh. “That’s enough, ____,” she turns to the officer and detective. “As for you two, you’re both speculating and writing two very different narratives. My client didn’t kill the chief for money, nor did she do it because of a torrid affair. If you continue on, we’ll sue for harassment and defamation.”

The two share a look, and Detective Choi clears his throat. “Maybe we’re looking at this wrong, hm? Maybe it was accidental? You didn’t mean to kill him, did you? An argument transpired while you two were out for lunch. You felt wronged and went to his loft to speak to him, but he dismissed you. In a fit of rage, you pushed him, and he fell, hitting his head on the way down. Scared, you hid the body.”

Stella interjects in a harsh tone, “My client will not be answering that.”

You stare off into space, no longer knowing what to do. You’re truly at a loss. No matter what you say and no matter how many times you deny it, they will find a way to convict and sentence you for a crime you didn’t commit. Even in death, the bastard was still screwing you over.

“We have no further questions. Make sure you stay in Seoul and are reachable. I’m sure we’ll have more questions as more evidence turns up.”

Officer Kang and Detective Choi pack up their papers and bid you goodbye. You let out a sigh of relief and let your body sag. You were right about the migraine.

“Jake has requested we meet him for lunch to discuss a few details about your case. Let’s go,” Stella says as she packs up her briefcase, her tone still bright. You nod and follow behind her.

“____! Are you okay? They didn’t hurt you, did they?” Jake asks as you come into his line of vision. He engulfs you in a hug and holds you tightly to his chest. Stella sidesteps you two and bounces over to the table, beaming.

“I’m starving! Can we eat now? I could eat a horse!” she exclaims with a giggle.

You blush and push Jake off of you before taking a seat across from Stella. Jake fixes his suit and sits beside you. “How was it? Do you really think they can convict her?”

Stella grabs a menu, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, they’ll try their best, but they’ve got nothing solid! I bet they’ll drag their feet until they find the murder weapon or some more witnesses. But don’t you worry, they’re going to have a hard time pinning it on you!” she says, winking.

She waves the waiter over and orders with enthusiasm, then turns to you and Jake with a dazzling smile, “What about you two? You’ve got to try the gnocchi here, it’s to die for!”

You look at her, stunned. You’re the leading suspect in a murder you didn’t commit; why is she so cheerful? You shake your head, “I don’t think I can stomach anything at the moment.”

Stella shrugs, “Suit yourself! More room for dessert then!” she says, laughing.

Jake places his hand on your thigh and gingerly rubs soothing circles, “I’ll have a glass of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, and my wife will have a pot of chamomile tea.”

The waiter nods and takes down your drink orders before walking away.

“Forensics didn’t find any of your DNA on the chief's body or clothes, which is great news! But the detectives say they have a witness who claims to have seen you fleeing the chief’s home a few minutes after the alleged time of death,” Stella says, her eyes twinkling as if she’s sharing a juicy piece of gossip.

You stare at her wide-eyed, “What do you mean? I have an alibi for the night he was killed!”

Stella sighs dramatically, “It’s not the best alibi, honestly. The prosecution could easily poke holes in it. But don’t fret! We’ve got time to figure this out.” The waiter returns with your drinks, pouring your tea before leaving. “Be honest, are you guilty?”

Jake scowls, “What kind of question is that? Of course she isn’t.”

Stella sends him a sunny smile, “No need to get so angry. I just want to make sure there are no secrets between us. I’ll head down to the station tomorrow to see if I can find out who the witness is. I’ll keep you updated on any changes in your case.”

You nod and pick up your tea cup, blowing on the hot drink and taking a small sip. “I’m meeting a friend at the NFS later today. Right now the prosecution only has a case because of the doctor’s findings in Chief Minho’s autopsy. If we can come up with a different cause of death or estimated time of death, you could be exonerated,” Stella says, her voice full of excitement.

“Wait, the case is riding on one medical examiner's results? What if they were falsified?” Jake asks.

Stella nods eagerly, “Exactly! That’s why I’m meeting with my friend. He’s super meticulous with his autopsies. I’ll leave him a copy of the report and see what he has to say. If he comes up with different findings, we can easily get the charges dropped!”

The waiter returns and takes your food orders, leaving you in a momentary silence. The restaurant's ambiance is calming, but your mind is far from at ease. Stella, ever cheerful, breaks the silence.

"In the meantime, stay strong! The prosecution’s case is weak without concrete evidence, but we need to be prepared for anything,” she says brightly.

You nod absently, sipping your chamomile tea. Jake's hand remains on your thigh, his touch grounding you.

The food arrives, and though you have no appetite, you force yourself to take a few bites. Stella, on the other hand, eats with an unhurried elegance, her demeanor never faltering.

Once lunch is finished, Stella dabs her lips with a napkin and stands. "I'll head to the NFS now. Stay reachable. I'll contact you as soon as I have any updates!"

Jake rises to pay the bill, nodding to Stella. "Thank you, Stella. We appreciate everything you’re doing.”

Stella gives a curt nod and walks away with her briefcase in hand. Jake returns to you, helping you to your feet and guiding you out of the restaurant. The drive home is quiet, Jake occasionally glancing over at you, but you remain silent, lost in your thoughts. The weight of the accusations, the potential outcomes, and the sheer injustice of it all consume you.

When you arrive home, the quiet comfort of your surroundings does little to alleviate your anxiety. As soon as you step inside, you turn to Jake, your eyes pleading. You need a distraction, something to take your mind off the nightmare your life has become.

You step closer, hands trembling as you start to unbuckle his belt.

Jake's hands cover yours, stopping you. “____, not like this."

"Please, Jake," you whisper, your voice cracking with the weight of your desperation. "I need to focus on something other than what's going on. I need you."

Jake's resistance falters at the raw vulnerability in your eyes. He pulls you close, his lips finding yours in a kiss that starts gentle but quickly becomes urgent. You cling to him, needing his touch, his presence, to ground you.

His hands move to lift your hoodie, and you remove his shirt before guiding him to the bedroom. The need to lose yourself in him, to escape the crushing reality even for a moment, drives every action. You reach for his belt again, and this time he doesn't stop you.

"Are you sure?" he murmurs against your lips, his breath warm and reassuring.

You nod, your fingers deftly undoing the buckle. "I'm sure. I need this, Jake. I need you.”

The moment you step foot in Jake’s bedroom, you feel the temperature rise. Your clammy hands shake almost imperceptibly in his while Jake slowly pulls you closer towards his bed. Almost as if he can sense your nervousness, Jake’s eyes soften; his fingers lightly grip your chin and turn you up and towards him. He can see the anxiousness in your eyes and feel the way your body trembles near his.

“Hey, we don’t have to do this. We can just cuddle or something,” Jake says, his hands moving to trace your side. His touch is completely attentive, fingers slowly massaging your flesh through your clothing. Reflexively, your eyes flutter, a soft whine escaping your lips. His words cause your heart to clench, and you quickly shake your head, your hair following the movement. “No. I want this. I want you,” you whisper as you look earnestly into his eyes.

Steeling every single nerve you have, you gather yourself and run your hand down his sculpted chest and towards his clothed length. Jake lets out a pained moan as you begin palming him through his slacks. You can almost feel everything through his boxers. He’s still a little soft, but despite that, he feels huge under your palm.

“Ah,” Jake gasps. Then, as one of your fingers runs along the length of his shaft through his clothing, he hisses. Completely taken by how he feels, you find yourself slowly admiring his cock. You can’t see it yet, but it radiates heat through his clothing as it pulses under your touch, slowly hardening. He grows under your touch, slacks just barely tenting as you continue to palm him through the material of his clothing.

“Fuck… princess,” Jake breathes out, his face scrunched up in pleasure. You stare up at him, eyes scanning across his features as your hand slowly goes past the barrier and into his briefs. Your hand curls around his length before pumping up and down. When he lets out a pained groan, his eyes slowly shutting at your ministrations, you find your core clenching. Jake looks beautiful.

Jake suddenly pulls your hand away and shakes his head. “No, this is about you.” He unbuttons your jeans and slides them down your legs with your underwear.

“Come ‘ere,” Jake says, reaching out for you. He takes your hand within his before pulling you towards the bed. He takes a seat first and then slides his pants and boxers down, his hands then perch themselves on your hips, and he pulls you further between his thighs. Long, dexterous fingers trace along your hips and towards the hem of your top before sliding it up your torso, completely taking it off. He presses his face against your stomach, and you shiver when his lips run along the flesh, his breath fanning your stomach. Then, he’s guiding you to sit on his thighs.

“You’re so beautiful,” Jake says, looking up at you as his hand cups your jaw while his thumb runs over your swollen lips. His words cause your eyes to soften, and you cup his jaw with both your hands before kissing him tenderly. Jake’s eyes slip shut before deepening the kiss. You begin grinding against his thighs, your core completely soaked, aching with the need for him.

Feeling your hot pussy against his naked thigh, Jake slowly lifts you off of him before spinning around and laying you down on the bed. Jake braces himself over you as both his arms cage your body. His lips never leave yours, finding it almost impossible to pull away. Your tongues dance sensually, Jake’s caressing yours tenderly as he pours every ounce of his feelings into the kiss. The only reason you both finally pull away is due to the need for oxygen in both your lungs.

With a gasp, Jake breaks away, instead, peppering kisses along your jaw and down towards your neck. When his tongue scrapes against the outline of your clavicle you find yourself gasping. His teeth gently nibble your skin, pulling the flesh between his plush lips and sucking as he leaves marks on you. When he’s sufficiently marked you, he pulls away, admiring you. He places a soft kiss against the mark before angling his neck and kissing the underside of your jaw.

Jake shifts his body down so his face is just over your breasts. Brushing his lips over the hem of your bra, Jake’s mouth grazes your breasts just slightly. With a groan, you arch into his tender touch. He’s so gentle with you and even more tender with the way his lips ghost every inch of your chest.

“Jaeyun?” you ask, head tilting. Jake only hums in response, pressing a tender kiss to the top of your left breast before nuzzling into the soft skin.

“Aren’t you going to fuck me?” you ask, and Jake chuckles against your skin. He buries his face between your breasts, letting your breasts encompass his face as he kisses along your sternum, just above the hem of your bra.

“Mhm… gotta undress you first,” Jake replies. You blink before you feel his fingers gently trail along your side and under your back. Aiding him, you arch your back, letting him fumble around with the clasp for a few moments before he unlocks it and tosses it across his room.

Once stripped of all your clothes, Jake gently pushes you back down on the bed before he begins trailing his slim fingers along your wet folds. You buck your hips into him, you can feel your wetness sticking and unsticking to the lace of your panties with your movements.

“What do you want, princess? Use your words.” He encourages as you involuntarily clench at nothing. “I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what you want.”

“I-I want your fingers,” you’re cut off by Jake pinching your pussy lips. You release a loud moan and jerk your hips into his hand, “a-and your mouth.”

“Anything for my princess” He says and then slips your panties down your legs, Jake trails his fingers up and down your slit, gently brushing against it. He pushes one of his long digits into your dripping heat. Your breath quickens as he begins pumping the curled finger in and out slowly. You bite down on your lip, hard enough to draw blood.

Jake sinks a second finger into you, you hiss. He pulls his fingers out causing you to whine, hips chasing his hand as you buck into the air. He grins at you before sucking his fingers, licking your arousal clean off of them. You clench at the sight.

He leans down and places kisses on your body until he comes to your navel. He parts your legs and groans at the sight. You blush at the way he stares down your wet pussy and try to close your legs but he glares at you and shakes his head, “don’t.”

He parts your thighs again and leans down between them and places a soft kiss against your clit. You cry out and thrust your hip into his face. He pushes his lips against your clit, his tongue flicking and licking your nub as he sinks his fingers back into your snatch.

Messily, Jake eats you out, his tongue lashes against your clit as he plunges his fingers in and out of you at a high speed. He gently bites your clit and sucks harshly making you spasm. “I’m gonna cum.” You warn.

“Cum for me. Cum on my fingers,” Jake says, drawing out your orgasm. Your walls clench and he lets out a little groan, You shut your eyes tightly as you come undone all over his fingers and face.

He helps you ride out your high before stepping away and moving up your body to kiss you again. “You’re so beautiful.” He mutters against your lips. He steps away for a quick moment to take his cock into his right hand and pumps it a few times. “How do you want it baby?”

“Doggy. I want you inside me. I need you to fill me with your cum.” You breathe out, your voice soft and submissive. You look at him timidly. Your lips are parted to release whimpers. “Can you please fuck me?”

Jake gulps at your words, he’s always heard that you were known for being blunt but never would he have expected that. Your words send a reaction straight to his cock which is painfully hard.

“Lay on your stomach,” he demands, pinning his dark eyes on you. “Now.”

You scramble to do as he says. You flip yourself so you’re laying down on your stomach and wait for him to touch you, your body heating up at the thought of having his dick inside you. You can hear him step closer to you and can feel his presence by your legs. A surprised gasp escapes your lips when he slides his arm under your stomach and lifts you up. He drags your body closer to the edge of the mattress so that you are bending over the bed but he doesn’t let go of you just yet.

He grabs a few pillows from the head of his bed and slides them under your hips, propping you up. You let out a little content sigh as he drops your body. You can feel the bed dip as he rests a knee beside your hip. You jolt forward when he spanks your ass with full force. You wait with baited breath as Jake squeezes your cheeks. You moan at the feeling of him fondling your bum.

“You have such a pretty ass.” He mutters in a low appreciative growl.

You blush but say nothing to the compliment. Jake decides to be merciful and stops fondling your ass. He positions himself at the back of your thighs and puts his weight very lightly on you. He uses his hands to pull your cheeks apart, spreading them to make sure you are well lubricated. When he sees how your womanhood is glistening with slick and cum he hums, “you’re so wet for me, princess.”

He shuffles up the bed a little bit and lets go of your ass. You feel his cock tap on your bottom. “Are you ready, love?”

You hum and wiggle your bottom. You let out a little mewl when you feel his tip tease your entrance. He rubs his cock up and down your slit to coat his tip with your slick. You both let out shaky breaths as he slips his thickness inside you, your tight walls milking his throbbing length. You whimper and mewl at the pleasure, your entire body heating up with want. Jake stays like this for a few moments to let you adjust to the feeling before he starts to slip in and out of you. His thrusts start to pick up speed, hitting the right spot each time, leaving you a moaning mess. He is grunting and breathing loudly behind you. The sound of his hips slapping against your bouncing ass is loud.

“You’re such a good girl, ____.” Jake grunts, slamming his cock deep and hard into your pussy. You let out a high pitched gasp at the feeling. The pleasure is so amazing that you push your ass out even more, directly pressing your ass on his hips. Jake hikes his other leg up next to you and leans down to lay his body on you. He slides his hands under your arms then he leans down to press a soft kiss on your nape. He lays a few kisses on your neck and flexes his muscles to hold him up better, he picks up his pace again and starts fucking you hard and fast. He groans into your ear and starts whispering dirty things into your ear. The faster he goes the closer you feel to your climax.

He brings his elbows closer together so that you are wedged tighter between his arms. “F…fuck, princess,” he whines, “I’m going to cum in you.” You hum and lift your ass.

“Please do.”

He fucks you deep and hard, each thrust filled with overflowing love and passion. Jake lets out a low growl into your ear and in one more powerful thrust, he fills you up with his warm sticky cum. But he’s relentless, he continues to fuck you through his climax. You whine and mewl, you feel so full with both his thick cock and cum shoved in you, in no time you feel your orgasm crashing through your body.

Jake continues to thrust in and out of you as you both ride out your highs. Once you’ve both calmed down he slides off of you and removes the pillows so your hips can touch the bed. He pulls you close to him and covers you both with his blanket.

You and Jake lay entwined in the bed, the warmth of his body a comforting presence against the chill of your fears. The room is silent except for the gentle rhythm of your breaths, and for a while, it feels as though the world outside your bedroom doesn’t exist.

Jake breaks the silence first, his voice a gentle murmur against your hair. “Are you okay now? Do you want to talk about it?”

You take a deep breath, considering his question. You’re not okay, not really, but talking might help. You turn to face him, your eyes meeting his gaze. “Yeah, I think I’m ready.”

Jake’s hold on you tightens slightly, offering silent support. You begin, telling him what Anton had told you about Sungchan’s call, about the preparations for you to leave Korea. Jake’s jaw tightens as you speak, a flash of anger in his eyes at the thought of someone trying to take you away from him. He pulls you closer, as if to shield you from even the idea of being taken away.

“I don’t want to suspect my own brother,” you continue, your voice trembling. “It doesn’t even make sense. But I don’t know who to trust anymore.”

Jake’s expression softens, but there’s a hard edge to his eyes. “I didn’t want to say this before, but I had Jay and Jungwon do some digging on the missing baggie boys. They caught one of the guys sneaking into our territory and got him to talk. He confessed that he was sent by Sungchan.”

The news hits you like a punch to the gut and your heart sinks at the revelation, a sense of betrayal twisting in your chest. "Sungchan?" you whisper, your voice barely audible. "My own brother?"

Jake nods, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and concern. "I'm sorry, love. I didn't want to believe it either."

You sit up suddenly, a memory flooding back to you. "Oh my gosh," you gasp, your eyes wide with realization.

Jake sits up as well, worry etched across his features. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"The night of the dinner party, the one where you proposed. Sungchan promised me he would do whatever it took to get me back home. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now.." Your voice trails off, tears welling up in your eyes as the pieces start to fall into place.

Jake wraps his arms around you, his touch warm and grounding. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I can't believe he'd go this far."

But you’re already moving, slipping out of bed and hurriedly getting dressed. “I have to meet with Sungchan. I need to know the truth.”

Jake is out of bed in an instant, grabbing your arm gently but firmly. “No, it’s too dangerous. He’s already proven he’s willing to hurt you. He’s framing you for murder, for fuck’s sake.”

You shake your head, your resolve firm. “He’s my brother, Jake. He won’t hurt me. His goal isn’t to harm me, but to help me.”

“Things might have changed,” Jake argues, his grip tightening. “Especially if he’s the one who ordered the hit on us!”

You pull away, fear and impatience in your eyes. “I have to do this alone, Jake. Please, understand.”

Jake follows you as you head towards the door, desperation in his voice. “At least take Niki with you if you won’t take me.”

You stop for a moment, turning to face him. The pain in his eyes almost makes you reconsider, but you shake your head. “I need to do this alone, Jake. It’s the only way I’ll get answers.”

Without waiting for his response, you rush out of the house, grabbing your keys and heading to the car. Jake stands at the doorway, watching helplessly as you drive off, his worry and anger a palpable weight on his shoulders.

As you speed through the streets, your mind races with possibilities. Sungchan, your own brother, could be behind this entire mess. The thought tears at your heart, but you need to know the truth. You need to confront him and find out what’s really going on, no matter the cost.

You bang on the door to Sungchan’s apartment, anger, betrayal and fear all coursing through your body as you wait for him to respond.

“Fuck, wait a second.” You hear from the other side before the door is pulled open and you’re met with a disheveled looking Sungchan.

"____?" he says, his voice a mix of confusion and concern. "What are you doing here?"

You step closer to his face, your eyes locking onto his.

"We need to talk, Sungchan. Now."

He steps aside to let you in, closing the door behind you. "What's going on?" he asks, his voice wary.

"You've been behind all of this, haven't you?" you say, your voice trembling with anger and hurt. "The missing baggie boys, the attempt on my life, framing me for Chief Minho's murder?"

Sungchan's eyes widen in shock. "What are you talking about? I've been trying to protect you!"

"Protect me? By framing me for murder then sending me off to France?" you say, your voice rising. "How is that protection?"

"I didn't frame you for murder," he says, his voice honest. "I've been trying to find out who did. I called Anton to make preparations because I thought you were in danger, not because I wanted to take the fall!"

Sungchan's words hang in the air, a mix of desperation and sincerity. You feel a knot tightening in your stomach as you try to make sense of it all.

You take a step closer, your voice trembling.

"Sungchan, I need to understand. If you're not framing me, then who is?"

He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. "I'm not the one framing you…but I did bribe Chief Minho."

Your eyes widen in shock. "You what?"

"I bribed the Chief to cause more chaos for Jake, to distract him," Sungchan admits, his voice low and filled with anger. "I thought if Jake was preoccupied, it would buy me enough time to make the preparations to get you out of the country."

You feel a mix of anger and betrayal. "You bribed him to create chaos? Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Sungchan looks away, guilt etched on his face. "I didn't call a hit on you, this is the first I'm even hearing about it. I would never go that far."

"Then who did?" you demand, your voice rising. "Who is trying to kill me and frame me for murder?"

"I don't know," Sungchan admits, his voice soft. "But I swear to you, it wasn't me."

The tension in the room is palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions. You search his eyes, looking for any sign of deception, but all you see is the brother you've always known, the brother who has always tried to protect you in his own misguided way.

"Why, Sungchan?" you ask, your voice breaking. "Why are you doing this?"

He takes a deep breath, his eyes swirling with sadness.

"Because I'm trying to save you, ____. This life you're living, it's not safe. I just wanted to give you a chance to escape, to go to Paris like you always dreamed."

“If you thought I was in danger, why didn’t you come to me directly?” you demand, your voice shaking. “Why all this secrecy?”

“Because you wouldn’t have listened!” Sungchan replies, frustration creeping into his tone. “You’re so wrapped up in your new life with Jake, you wouldn’t have believed me.”

You shake your head, trying to comprehend. “So you thought the best way to protect me was to have me forcibly taken away from my home, my husband?”

Sungchan’s eyes narrow. “Would it really be so bad? Leaving Jake behind and going to Paris? That’s all you ever wanted, right? To leave and go to Paris with Anton and Haru. I’m doing you a favor.”

You recoil at his words, a wave of disgust washing over you. “A favor? How is sending me away from my husband a favor?”

Sungchan’s expression hardens. “Jake isn’t a good person, ____. Don’t you remember? You begged me to get you out of the engagement.”

Your anger flares. “That was before I knew him! Jaeyun is a good person, Sungchan. You don’t know him.”

“Jaeyun?” He spits out, “you’re on a first name basis now? Fucking great. He’s worse than our father,” Sungchan snaps. “Has he brainwashed you already?”

You scoff, shaking your head in disbelief. “I know what he does, I’ve seen it firsthand. I live with the man! But he’s never hurt me, and he’s made it very clear that he never will. That’s more than I can say for our father.”

Sungchan’s expression falters at the mention of your father. Memories of the abuse you both suffered flicker in his eyes, and he seems to deflate a bit, the fight going out of him.

“Please, Sungchan,” you beg, your voice softening. “Stop this. I can take care of myself.”

Sungchan’s face hardens again, and he shakes his head. “If I could, I would. But it’s out of my hands.”

He moves to open the door, his expression closed off. “You need to leave.”

You stare at him, disbelief and hurt welling up inside you. “Sungchan, please…”

He doesn’t respond, only gestures for you to go. You feel tears prick at your eyes as you step outside, the door closing behind you with a finality that breaks your heart.

You stand on his doorstep, tears streaming down your face, the weight of the betrayal crashing down on you. After what feels like an eternity, you force yourself to move, getting into your car and driving back home to Jake.

The drive is a blur of tears and painful memories. By the time you pull into the driveway, you’re exhausted, emotionally and physically. You stumble into the house, Jake rushing to meet you as soon as he hears the door.

“____,” he says, his voice full of concern. “What happened?”

You collapse into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Jake holds you tightly, his hand soothingly running up and down your back. “It’s okay, I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his voice a calming presence.

“I don’t know what to do,” you cry, your words muffled against his chest. “Sungchan… he’s behind everything. He wanted to send me away. He thinks he’s protecting me.”

Jake pulls back slightly, looking into your eyes. “Tell me everything,” he says softly.

You take a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. “Sungchan isn’t working alone. He told me he wasn’t behind the hit and my framing. I know my brother, Jake. He wasn’t lying. He’s working with someone else, I can feel it.”

Jake’s brow furrows. “Why do you think that?”

“Because he knew too much,” you explain. “There’s a mole within your circle. The chief went missing before he could carry out what Sungchan had paid him for, so that means someone else has been feeding him information.”

Jake’s expression darkens, but he nods. “I expected as much. The only people we can trust are Jay and Sunghoon.”

Just then, Jake’s phone rings. He answers it and puts it on speaker. “Sunghoon, what’s up?”

“Jake, you and ____ need to get to the safe house. Now,” Sunghoon’s urgent voice comes through the line.

You and Jake exchange glances before you both head to his car and drive off to the location. The tension in the car is palpable, but you remain silent, trying to process everything.

When you arrive at the safe house, Sunghoon is waiting for you. “What’s going on?” Jake asks as soon as you step inside.

“I’ve been keeping tabs on Sungchan like you asked,” Sunghoon begins, glancing briefly at you. Jake side-eyes you, but you’re not mad. You nod in understanding.

“It’s only expected with how Sungchan has been behaving,” you say quietly.

Sunghoon continues, “I had Sunoo tail him. Sungchan has been meeting up with Yerin for months, starting six months ago.”

Jake furrows his brows. “What do you mean? He's been meeting my stepmother?”

Jay steps in, his expression awkward and tense. “He’s been meeting her at hotels and bars. Sungchan has been sleeping with your stepmother, Jake.”

Your stomach churns with disgust at your brother’s actions. Jake looks dumbfounded. “Is Yerin the one behind everything?” he asks, his voice tinged with disbelief and anger.

Sunghoon nods. “From what we’ve gathered, it seems Yerin is the brains behind the operation. She’s been using Sungchan and Heeseung as her goons to carry out acts on the ground. I have no doubt she’s behind the chief’s death and you being framed for it.”

Jake’s jaw tightens as he processes this information. “What does Heeseung have to do with this?”

Sunghoon sighs. “When he ran into ____ at the police station, it was to have the lieutenant call in a fake witness for the chief’s murder case. He’s part of the reason why the cops have a solid case against ____.”

Jake’s anger flares, his fists clenching. “What now?”

You stand more confidently, meeting Jake’s gaze. “Send me in.”

taglist: @dreamiestay @inkpot-winters @minniejenseo @faithnsstuff @sumzysworld @sunpov @laurradoesloveu

chapter 5 has been queued and will be posted tmr at 12pm est !! <333 goodnight my lovies

hello!

i've been somewhat transparent that i've been dealing with heavy news for the past few months. and now it's just been going downhill (but maybe it's just my anxiety) you don't have to read this or donate but i'd appreciate even if you share the link for the campaign.

both my uncle and my mom got diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. my mom has breast cancer but thankfully, she had it surgically removed and would not need chemotherapy moving forward.

my uncle, on the other hand, has reached stage 4 pancreatic cancer and will start chemotherapy soon. posting this here is the least i can do as he's always treated me like his own daughter, even going out of his way to pay for my tuition when i was younger when we were having money troubles. he doesn't have an immediate family and we've been housing him for a few months now to take care of him.

again, you don't have to donate, but i would really appreciate if you share the campaign link to reach those who can.

GoGetFunding

Support Lari in His Battle with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Supporters, I am writing to share the story of my beloved uncle, Lari De Guzman, who is currently fi

world of sinners is driving me crazy! and question: do you have a specific day to update the next chapters? and will it be 7 or do you plan to post more?

no pressure, but don't delay pls. there are children crying to read it (me) 🥺

i’m happy you’re liking it so far!! 🤭

the chapters are supposed to come out every friday at 12pm but i got a job so it’s been messing up my posting schedule. luckily the camp i’m working at ends this friday so i should be back to posting regularly on friday at 12pm est!

right now the outline calls for 7 chapters, i do plan on writing a spin off eventually once it’s over and little blurbs about the wos characters here and there too!

if you guys want to read them earlier though i’m willing to post the next chapters closer together rather than waiting weeks !!

world of sinners iv | sim jaeyun

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦: your parents are the head of one of the nation’s most lucrative syndicates and your older brother is heir to the throne which leaves you free to leave this world of evil behind. you’ve been waiting for this day for twenty years of your life, you can practically taste the freedom. what will you do, however, when your parents arrange a marriage for you to bind together their empire with the lee’s to stop a full on gang war?

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: sim jaeyun x f!reader ft lee heesung

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mafia!au, arranged marriage!au

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 7.0k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: dark themes, mentions of drugs, mentions of violence, vulgar language, mentions of death and murder, forced marriage, corruption, possessiveness, dirty talk, oral (f + m receiving), rough sex, penetrative sex, vaginal sex, slight nipple play, praise kink, orgasm denial, fingering (f receiving), dom!jake, sub!reader, degradation, unprotected sex, slight daddy kink, slight cum eating, use of the words whore and slut, sex by a fireplace, riding.

| masterlist | previous | next |

"I can't lose you," he whispers against your lips.

"You won't," you assure him, your voice equally breathless. "We're in this together, remember?"

Jake nods, his forehead resting against yours. "Together," he repeats, his voice filled with an emotion you can’t quite place.

The kiss resumes, this time even more fervent. Your body presses against his as his hands roam your back, exploring and memorizing every curve. The passion between you is undeniable, a testament to the bond you share.

As the intensity builds, you pull back slightly, looking into his eyes. "Jake..."

He looks into your eyes, desperately searching them for any sign of discomfort.

“I want you.”

Jake’s eyes rake your body, desire burning in his irises. He shifts his eyes to stare at your lips and begins to lean in. He takes his time, giving you the opportunity to pull away but you don’t. You want this.

He leans forward and allows his lips to graze yours, the faintest of touches. “You can pull away.” He murmurs but you shake your head and push forward allowing your lips to touch. He groans once your lips make contact. You’re unable to focus on anything other than the feeling of his lips on yours.

You can faintly taste the scotch he had with Jay while the two were brainstorming strategies on how to find the shipment. He sucks harder on your lip and brings one hand down to the zipper on your dress before pulling it down leaving you in your underwear.

He lets his eyes drink in the sight of you before leaning down to pick you up. You let out a yelp and grasp onto his shirt for protection, “W-what are you doing?” You sputter.

“I can’t fuck you properly on the couch princess.”

You blush at his words and bury your face into his chest, after a few more steps he sets you down on the carpeted floor in front of the lit fireplace.

He gets onto his knees and straddles your hips before reaching out to unhook your bra. You breathe in deeply savoring the way he feels pressed against you. The feeling of his warm fingers moving across your back. He removes your bra off of your body and tosses it across the room. You feel a stirring down below, a hot ache that’s begging to be satisfied.

He then leans back in and places his lips on yours yet again. He trails kisses down your jaw to your neck, his teeth brushing over your skin and making you shiver regardless of the heat being provided by Jake’s skin pushed up against yours and the fireplace. You close your eyes and relish in the feeling.

With his lips still pressed against your neck, he whispers, “What do you want princess?”

Your eyes flutter open as he slowly pulls away to look at you.

“I won’t do anything until you tell me what you want.” He reiterates before placing his lips back onto your neck, biting down making it harder for you to form a coherent sentence.

“I-I don’t know.” You say breathily but he chuckles in your ear, “Yes you do ____, tell me what you want so I can make you feel good.” He says as he gently tugs at your underwear, you whine and raise your hips off the floor to allow him to take it off faster. He tisks, “I need to hear you say it.” You look up at him to meet his gaze, “I want you to eat me out Jake.”

His gaze hardens, “Spread your legs princess.” He orders.

He shifts his position and allows you to spread your legs before slotting himself in between them. He taps his fingers against your hips silently asking you to raise them. You lift them to the best of your ability and let him pull them off of you, your arousal clinging to your underwear and clit.

Once you’re completely naked, he brings his lips to your chest and roughly kisses your skin, his tongue probing at your nipple. You whimper when he bites your left nipple, the feeling overwhelming. He pulls back and looks at your bare body.

“Fuck you’re so beautiful.” He murmurs before leaning down to toy with your pussy.

“Shit you’re so wet. Did our kissing turn you on so much, princess?” Jake asks, smirking down at you. Your face heats up at his words but you don’t respond. He looks back down at your pussy and shifts his position so he’s laying down in front of your pussy. He lets his pointer finger circle your clit for a little before running it along the slit of your folds. You let out a mewl at the feeling wanting more. “P-please Jae..” You moan.

“Patience princess.”

He dips one finger into you and you hiss at the feeling. It’s been a while since you’ve been touched down there by anyone and you’re extremely sensitive. “You’re so tight,” he says, pushing his finger deeper until the entire digit is buried snuggly inside you. You close your eyes and tug at the carpet, loving the feeling of him fingering you.

He slowly pulls out his pointer finger and adds his middle finger as well, stretching you out deliciously.

“O-oh my Gosh.” You cry as you feel him kiss the inside of your thighs. He trails the kisses upwards until he’s face to face with your pussy and places a soft kiss on the nub before sucking on it, his tongue flicking around. He pulls his pointer and middle finger out so he can eat you out freely.

He licks the slit of your folds and firmly grips the flesh of your thighs most likely leaving marks. Marks that will remind you of this moment later on.

He continues to work you with his hand while simultaneously placing kisses on your clit, his fingers are deep within you and his thumb brushes over your clit, eliciting a rough moan from you.

You rake your hands over his scalp, fingers tangled in his hair, and your hips shake after another suckle of his lips on your clit.

“I think I-I’m gonna cum.” You hiccup

He stops eating you out to look at you sternly, “Hold it.” He simply states.

He watches you intently to see if you’ll listen and replaces his mouth with his fingers, lazily pumping them in and out of you.

“Nghhh, I can’t!” You whine as you squeeze your eyes even harder trying to fight off your orgasm. Right when you feel as if you’re about to explode Jake places one last kiss on your clit before pulling away and sliding his slick covered fingers out of you.

You cry out at the loss of your orgasm and open your eyes to glare at Jake who’s only smirking at your misfortune. You watch him raise the hand that he had used to finger you and sticks the two fingers into his mouth to lick away your slick. You feel your pussy clench around nothing at the lewd sight

“W-why did you do that, I was going to-”

“Cum?” He asks cutting you off. He gets on his knees in between your legs and plays with the strings of his slacks. “You don’t get to cum unless it’s on my cock. You want to come don’t you princess? Beg me like a good girl.”

“Please Jake. I want your cock.” You reply without hesitation free of embarrassment. You don’t wait for him to take his slacks off himself, you sit up and reach out to push them down along with his underwear to let them pool around his knees. Your mouth waters at the sight of his cock. He’s fully hard and fairly big plus extremely thick, precum leaking from the tip.

You take his dick into your hands and slowly pump him eliciting a moan from his plump lips.

“You don’t have to, baby.” He grunts as you pick up your pace.

“I want to,” You insist.

You gulp before leaning in and placing a gentle peck on the base of his veiny cock, Jake hums in satisfaction, watching you contently.

You swipe your thumb over the head and he hisses above you. When you look up at him, his eyes are dark and focused on your movements, teeth gritted. You continue to pump his length, working up the courage to take him into your mouth.

You lean forward and Jake moves his hands from the side of his body to grip at your shoulder to steady himself.

You wrap your lips around his tip, sucking him slowly. “Fuck. Just like that princess.”

He pushes himself forward and forces you to take more of him in your mouth, you gag at the motion and tears flood your eyes. You try your best not to let your teeth graze his dick, your right hand pumping what doesn’t fit in your mouth.

Jake releases his hold on your shoulder and moves to grab the back of your head to take control of the speed, he starts bobbing your head faster causing the head of his cock to continuously hit the back of your throat.

“Look at you choking on daddy’s cock like the dirty slut you are.” He grits out biting back a moan. You continue to choke on his cock sending vibrations to his dick. His hips stutter and he lets out a loud moan.

Tears roll down your cheeks incessantly, the air in your lungs dwindling the more you try breathing through your nose to accommodate for his large length. You repeatedly sink back down on him as sloppy sounds escape your own throat, reveling in the way he curses and moans your name, gripping hard on your hair.

“Fuck, ____. I’ll fucking fall in love with you if you keep doing that.” His confession surprises you, allowing it to boost your ego and deep-throat him as hard as you can, not a single care for how much it’s hurting your throat.

“Shit, I’m going to come.”

The warning comes a few seconds before he busts his load in your mouth. His hips stutter and he holds your head down not allowing you to pull back until he’s done releasing.

When he’s done cumming, he releases his grip from your neck, allowing you to pull away to breathe. You cough once your mouth is off of his dick and try to catch your breath making the cum dribble out of your mouth.

Jake gently grasps your chin and tilts your head up to look at him. Your eyes are red and your face is overheated, you’re sure you look like a mess but he looks at you as if you’re the most beautiful thing in the world. He leans down and kisses you softly, licking away the cum that is on your lips. You’re the first to pull away.

“I need you Jake,” You whimper.

He grasps your face with his hands and your lips meet, passionate and urgent.

“Jake…” You say against his lips breathlessly.

“Call me Jaeyun.” He says before pulling away. He switches positions with you and gets on the floor before laying on his back. He grabs your hips and pulls you closer to his dick.

“Will you ride me like a good girl?”

You bite your lip and nod before placing your hands on his toned chest and carefully sliding yourself down onto his fully erect dick. He enters your fairly easily, your pussy still very slick with your arousal but he’s very thick and it causes you slight discomfort.

When he’s bottomed out inside you, you both let out moans enjoying the feeling. Jake shifts slightly and waits for when you’re ready to begin moving. When you grow accustomed to the feeling of his cock you start to bounce yourself up and down.

You cry out when Jake lifts his hips to meet your bounces, his balls hit against your ass with the force behind his thrusts. He tightly grasps your hips to control the pace and thrusts his hips up into you to make it a bit easier for you. The sound of your bodies slapping against each other plus your loud wanton moans and the cracking from the fire is all that can be heard reverberating around in the home.

“You’re such a good girl.” He grits out.

You cry out when he thrust even harder than before and fall onto his chest no longer being able to keep yourself upright, you feel his body tense under you.

Jake grunts slightly and continues slamming his hips into yours as you let out a groan at the feeling of his tip resting against your cervix. You feel so unbelievably full.

He slips out and curses under his breath, you pause your movements and reach down for his cock, giving it a squeeze before placing him back inside you. You both loudly moan. You dig your fingers into his shoulder and grip on to him tightly.

Jake moans and throws his head back as your walls clench around him. He adjusts his grip on your hips and picks up his pace as he bucks his hips up into yours as hard as he can. Your breasts bounce from the force.

He thrusts two more times, his hips stuttering before he chokes out, “mm gonna cum.”

You scratch at his shoulder blades and bite your lip to suppress your moan, “m-me too.”

“You can cum princess,” Jake coos. He wraps his arms around you and hugs you closer to his body, the feeling of your chest pressed against him and his dick pounding into you is enough to send you over the edge.

“I’m cumming!” You mumble into his skin. Jake groans at the feeling of you cumming on his dick before his hips still and he comes inside you. You ride out your orgasm before slowly lifting your upper half off of his chest.

Gingerly, he pulls you off of him and lays you down next to him right in front of the fireplace and wraps his arms around your waist. Your eyes begin to droop, too tired from what just took place.

The early morning light streams through the window, casting a warm glow on the floor by the fireplace. You stir awake, feeling the comforting weight of Jake's arm draped over you. Your cheeks heat up as you remember the events of the night before: the heated kisses, the urgency of your touches, and the way you both ended up naked and entwined on the plush rug.

You shift slightly, and Jake's eyes flutter open, his gaze immediately softening as he looks at you. "Good morning," he murmurs, his voice rough from sleep.

"Good morning," you reply, your cheeks still flushed. "How are you feeling?"

Jake chuckles softly, his hand gently tracing patterns on your back. "I should be asking you that. Are you okay?"

You nod, a small smile playing on your lips. "A little sore, but I'm okay."

Jake's eyes sparkle with amusement and affection. "I'm glad to hear that." He leans in and kisses your forehead before gently pulling you up with him. "Let's go shower and get dressed."

You follow him to the bathroom, feeling a mixture of contentment and slight embarrassment. The shower is a welcome refreshment, and you both take your time, enjoying the intimacy of the moment. The warm water cascades over your bodies as Jake gently washes your back, his touch tender and caring. You close your eyes, leaning into his touch, feeling a deep sense of connection. It's in these quiet moments that you realize how much you're starting to fall for him. Despite the danger, despite everything, Jake has become a source of strength and comfort for you.

Once you are both clean and dry, you realize you don't have any clothes at the safe house. Jake hands you an old band tee and a pair of sweats, both of which are a bit too large for you. "Here, wear these," he says with a teasing grin.

You laugh, slipping into the clothes. "Thanks, Jaeyun. I guess I'll have to borrow your wardrobe for now."

He watches you with a fond expression. Happy to hear you finally address him by Jaeyun rather than Jake. "I don't mind. You look good in my clothes."

Once you’re both dressed, Jake takes your hand and leads you to the car. You notice the car looks as good as new, with no signs of the damage from the previous night. Jake catches your curious glance and explains, "Sunoo came over after you fell asleep to repair it."

You nod, impressed by how quickly things were handled. As Jake drives, you can't shake the feeling of unease. "Is it safe for us to go back home?" you ask, your voice laced with worry. "Knowing someone is out to kill us?"

Jake's grip on the steering wheel tightens slightly, but his voice remains calm. "I had Jay and Sunghoon sweep the whole area. There's extra security on the grounds to prevent anything from happening."

His reassurance helps, but you can't completely quell the anxiety bubbling within you. As you arrive at the gate of your home, the security guard, Soobin, approaches. "Mr. Sim, there's a cop car waiting in your driveway."

Jake's brow furrows in confusion. "When did they arrive?"

Soobin checks his watch. "Just a few minutes ago."

Jake nods, a serious expression on his face as he pulls off toward the house. You look at him, concern etched into your features. "Do you think it's about the shooting last night?"

Jake shakes his head, genuinely at a loss. "Jay cleaned up the scene and had Jungwon scrub all the CCTV in the area. It shouldn't be related."

When Jake parks, the two officers leave their car and walk towards you. Jake's demeanor shifts to one of politeness, ready to cosplay the ever perfect CEO his PR team created for him to follow. You follow suit and plaster on your perfected doting innocent wife act. "Good morning, officers. What can I do for you?" Jake asks.

The officer closest to you, Kang Taehyun, speaks up first. "We're here to investigate the disappearance of the chief of police. We would like to take your wife down to the station seeing as we have a few questions for her."

Your heart seizes in your chest with worry, but you conceal it with a practiced nonchalance. Jake places a protective arm around your waist. "Is she under arrest?" he asks, his tone calm but firm.

The other officer, Yeonjun, cuts in. "No, we came here as a formality and would prefer not to have to obtain a warrant."

Jake's eyes narrow slightly. "If you have anything to ask her, you can do it here. But without a warrant, she has nothing to say."

Taehyun's expression hardens. "Mr. Sim, don't make this more difficult than it needs to be. We can obtain a warrant if necessary."

Jake doesn't back down. "Goodbye, detectives." He turns and leads you away, his grip on you firm and reassuring.

Inside the house, you pace the foyer, worry gnawing at you. Jake stands by the door, watching the officers leave. Once they’re gone, he turns to you. "They're gone."

You stop pacing and look at him, frustration and anxiety bubbling over. "What the fuck, Jake? What’s going on?"

Jake sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. But we need to be careful. I'm going to meet with Sunghoon and Jungwon to see what we can do about the police. I don't want you leaving the house at all today."

Your anxiety spikes at the thought of being alone, but Jake quickly continues. "I've also hired a bodyguard for you. His name is Niki. He'll be stationed outside the home and will only come in if called."

You nod, trying to steady your breathing. The last twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind of fear and confusion, and the weight of it all is starting to bear down on you. You glance around the foyer, memories of quieter, simpler times flashing through your mind.

You sink into a nearby chair, your mind racing. This is not the life you had envisioned when you married Jake. Sure, you knew about his business and his world, but being directly in the line of fire is a different reality altogether. Despite the danger though, there is a strange comfort in knowing Jake is there, protecting you, standing by you. It’s more than you’ve ever had.

Your thoughts drift back to your relationship with Jake. It started with an arranged marriage, a merger of powerful families. But over time, things have shifted. You’ve seen glimpses of the real Jake, the man behind the cold, calculated exterior. The man who can be tender and protective, who will go to great lengths to keep you safe. You find yourself caring for him more than you had expected.

Jake comes over and kneels in front of you, taking your hands in his. "Hey, look at me," he says softly. "We'll get through this. You’ll be okay, I promise."

You meet his gaze, the intensity of his eyes grounding you. "I know. It's just..."

"I get it," Jake says, squeezing your hands. "But remember what I said? I won’t let anyone hurt you."

You nod, drawing some strength from his words. "Okay."

Jake stands up, pulling you with him. "I need to go now, but please make sure you have Rose make you something to eat."

You nod and give him a hug goodbye before sinking back into the couch. As soon as he leaves, the reality of everything you've been holding back crashes over you. Your heart races, and your breathing becomes shallow. Desperate for comfort, you reach for your phone and call Haru. The moment you hear her voice, you break down, all the emotions and fears you've been bottling up spilling out in sobs.

"Haru," you manage to choke out between tears, "I can't... I can't do this. It's all too much."

"Hey, hey," Haru’s voice is soothing, but you can hear the concern in it. "I'm coming over right now. Twenty minutes, okay? Just hang in there."

You nod, though she can't see you, and hang up. For the next twenty minutes, you sit on the couch, hugging a pillow to your chest, trying to calm your racing heart. Finally, your phone rings again. It's Soobin.

"Ma'am, a Lee Anton and Kim Haru are here to see you. Should I let them in?"

"Yes, please," you say, relief flooding your voice.

You walk to the front door and find Niki standing beside it, as still and imposing as ever. When you open the door, Anton and Haru look from the tall bodyguard to you, their concern evident. Without a word, they step inside, and you shut the door behind them. As soon as it's closed, Haru pulls you into a tight hug.

"What the heck is going on?" she asks, her voice muffled against your shoulder.

Anton stands back, looking uncharacteristically awkward. "And who’s the guy outside?"

Taking a deep breath, you pull away from Haru and tell them everything—about the danger you're in, the shooting, the extra security measures, and the police out to arrest you. As you talk, Haru's grip tightens, and Anton's expression grows more serious.

"Oh my gosh," Haru whispers, hugging you again. "This is insane."

Anton stands there, looking uncomfortable. "Are you sure you’re safe here?"

You nod, but the anxiety doesn't completely dissipate. "Jake has done everything he can to make sure we're safe, but it's still terrifying."

Anton looks at you with concern. "Have you eaten anything today?"

You shake your head, feeling a little guilty for neglecting yourself in the midst of all this chaos. "No, I haven't."

Haru's expression softens. "Let's cook you breakfast."

At that moment, Rose enters the room, her apron slightly stained from cooking. "No need, ma’am. I have pancakes on the stove, porridge if you prefer that, and I'm cutting up some fruit as well."

You smile gratefully at Rose. "Thank you, Rose."

The three of you sit down at the dining table. The smell of pancakes and fresh fruit fills the room, providing a temporary respite from your worries. Rose serves the food, and you start eating together. Anton seems out of it, pushing his food around on his plate more than actually eating.

You reach out, placing a hand on his arm. "Anton, are you okay?"

He forces a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. "I'm fine. Just a lot to process."

Haru looks between the two of you, sensing the tension. "You can't stay cooped up in this house. It's not healthy."

Anton immediately objects. "Did you not hear her say someone is out to kill her?"

"I know," Haru replies, her tone firm. "But she has a bodyguard taller than both of us combined, plus us. We'll be in public. What could really go wrong?"

Anton scoffs and mumbles under his breath, “I’m taller than him.”

You hesitate, feeling torn. "Jake told me not to leave."

Haru's expression softens. "I understand that, but you can't let fear control your life. We won't go far, just somewhere public and safe. Just to keep your mind occupied and off of what’s going on right now."

Her words resonate with you. You've been feeling trapped, and a part of you longs for some semblance of normalcy. "Okay," you finally say. "I'll change after breakfast."

You continue your breakfast, the food providing some comfort. As you sit back and chew, your mind drifts to Jake and everything that's happened. Your relationship with him has been complicated from the start, but recently, you’ve started to see a different side of him—a side that makes you want to stay, to build a future together despite the dangers.

Once breakfast is over and you’ve all thanked Rose, you head upstairs to change into a hoodie and jeans. When you come back down, Niki is waiting by the door, ready to follow you wherever you go. You give him a small nod, appreciating his silent presence.

Niki follows you silently, climbing into the backseat with you. The car ride is a little awkward, the three of you not used to having someone else intrude on your outings. Haru tries to break the tension, but Niki remains stoically silent.

You pull up at a bustling shopping district filled with people. As you start walking, Niki stays a few paces behind you. Haru links arms with you, trying to lighten the mood.

"So, how do you feel about Jake now?" she asks, a playful glint in her eye.

Anton shoots a glare her way, “Seriously? I thought you wanted to take her mind off of things?”

Haru shrugs, “what? I asked about her feelings for her husband, not about…you know.”

You consider her question carefully. "I think... I might be falling in love with him."

Haru squeals, making Anton and a few passersby glance at you. "Is he romantic? Is he the guy you always dreamed of?"

You laugh softly, shaking your head. "He’s not what I always imagined for myself but there's something about him that makes me want to stay forever."

Haru pokes Anton, who was silently listening. "Looks like our running bet about you guys getting married once we go to Paris is never happening now."

Anton winces and blushes furiously. You laugh awkwardly, memories flooding back. You and Anton grew up together, always close, always a part of each other's lives. There was always an unspoken understanding that maybe, one day, you two would end up together. But neither of you ever made a move, and now, it seems that possibility has faded.

"So, how are the preparations for Paris coming along?" you ask, changing the subject.

Haru sighs dreamily. "We found a home on the coast. All that's left is to buy the plane tickets."

You're genuinely happy for them, even if it stirs a pang of longing. For the longest time, Paris was all you ever wanted. But now, all you find yourself craving is Jake. You're not bitter about not going with your friends; you're happy they get to find their joy.

You turn to Anton. "Are you ready to leave Korea behind?"

He seems a little out of it, and you can tell something is up. "Anton, are you okay?" He stares between you and Niki, causing your concern to rise. “Anton? You’ve been acting weird all day.”

He rushes out, "It's not too late to change your mind. You can still come to Paris with us."

You shake your head, smiling gently. So that’s why he’s been out of it. "I'm fine where I am."

Anton looks anxious. "Have you spoken to Sungchan recently?"

You're a little lost. "No, why?"

He avoids your gaze, making you feel a sudden chill. "What do you know?"

Anton sighs, finally meeting your eyes. "Sungchan called me last night and told me to make preparations for you to go to Paris too."

You're stunned, a new wave of worry crashing over you. "Why would he do that?"

Haru looks just as confused. "What exactly did he say?"

"That's all he said," Anton replies, shrugging helplessly. "He hung up right after."

You feel your world tilt even more. Your brother might be involved in more than you thought, and the implications are terrifying. Haru tries to comfort you, but her words are drowned out by the noise in your head.

As you walk in silence, your thoughts race. Sungchan's phone call changes everything. If he's worried enough to try and get you out of the country, things are far worse than you imagined. This proves to you he knows what happened to the chief. What you can’t understand though is why. Why put you in a position to be framed? Why go after the chief knowing the connections he has with your inlaws. Why put you in danger? You're lost in your thoughts, barely registering your surroundings, until Haru's voice breaks through.

"You need to talk to Jake about this," she says firmly. "He needs to know."

You nod, your mind made up. "I'll call him as soon as we get back."

Just as you start to walk back to the car, a large TV screen overhead in the mall blares with breaking news. The image of the chief of police flashes on the screen, accompanied by the grim headline: "Chief of Police Found Slain."

You curse under your breath, the situation hitting you like a freight train. You’re royally fucked. Anton and Haru share worried looks, their concern for you deepening. Niki, sensing the shift, reaches out to grab your shoulder, steering you in the opposite direction. But before you can make your escape, two familiar officers step in front of you.

The sight of Taehyun and Yeonjun makes your heart sink. It feels as if a bucket of ice has been dumped over you. Niki stands protectively in front of you, not allowing the officers to touch you. Anton grasps your right hand, his eyes darting around, looking as if he's ready to run off with you.

Taehyun speaks up, his voice cold and authoritative. "You're under arrest for the murder of the chief of police."

Gasps and whispers ripple through the nearby crowd. People start to recognize you as the daughter of the CEO of Nexa-Corp and the wife of the new CEO of Veridian Global. The whispers become a roar in your ears.

"This is ridiculous," Haru interjects, her voice rising in panic. "You can't arrest her."

Yeonjun steps forward, his gaze hard. "Step aside."

Neither Anton nor Niki move. Anton's grip tightens on your hand, and Niki's stance becomes even more solid, his eyes fixed on the officers.

"Step aside, or we'll arrest you both for obstruction," Yeonjun threatens, his patience thinning.

When Taehyun grabs your other hand, Niki pushes him off forcefully. Taehyun scoffs, immediately putting Niki in handcuffs.

"Now you're under arrest for the assault of a police officer."

Panic sets in as they move to cuff you. "You need a warrant for this." You bark out.

Yeonjun smirks and pulls a folded piece of paper from his pocket, holding it out in front of you. "We have one this time."

Anton snatches the paper from Yeonjun’s hand, scanning it quickly. His face falls as he realizes it’s legit. He turns to you, anger and frustration in his eyes. "There’s nothing we can do."

The cold metal of the handcuffs bites into your wrists as they secure you. The officers start reading you your rights, but their voices fade into the background as your thoughts take over.

The chief of police is dead. This isn’t just some random attack; this is a message. Sungchan knew this was coming but why didn’t he tell you himself? Why did he go through Anton? Fear gnaws at your insides. You knew just how dangerous this life could be, knew you would make enemies who would stop at nothing to see the end of you but your mind never registered the fact that you could get caught in the midst of others crimes and go down for them.

You look at Niki, now in handcuffs, his face stoic. He's just doing his job, protecting you. And now he's paying for it. You can’t help but think about what Jake would do if he were here. He'd probably be as calm and collected as ever, ready to fight anyone who dared to touch you.

The officers drag you towards their car, and the noise of the crowd follows you, a mix of curiosity and judgment. Your mind races, thinking of what you should do next. Jake has always been one step ahead, but will he be able to fix this?

You're shoved into the backseat of the police car, the door slamming shut with a finality that makes your heart pound. Anton stands at the side, his phone already out, dialing Jake's number. Haru is still crying, her hands covering her face, the image of helplessness.

The police car pulls away, and you watch through the window as Anton and Haru become smaller and smaller. Niki sits in the front seat, his eyes meeting yours in the rearview mirror, a silent promise that he won’t let anything happen to you if he can help it.

The car ride to the station is a blur. Your mind is still reeling from the news, the arrest, the implications of everything. Sungchan’s call to Anton now feels even more ominous. Why didn’t he come to you directly? What is he involved in that’s making him so cautious?

When you arrive at the station, you’re processed and led to an interrogation room. The sterile environment, the harsh fluorescent lights, the cold steel table—all of it feels like a nightmare you can’t wake up from.

The officers sit across from you, their expressions unreadable. Taehyun begins to speak, but his words are distant, muffled by the overwhelming fear and anxiety coursing through you.

What will Jake think when he hears about this? He’ll come for you. You know that much. But can he fix this? Can he make this go away?

You think back to your night together, the intimacy of the shower the morning after, the way he held you, kissed you. For a moment, you were just a man and a woman, stripped of all the complications of your world. You crave that simplicity, that closeness. But now, you’re here, accused of murder, with your life spiraling out of control.

You also think of Sungchan’s call and how it was a warning. He wanted you out of the country. What does he know that you don’t? And why didn’t he think Jake could protect you? You need answers, and you need them now. But first, you need to get out of this mess.

You focus back on Taehyun, his eyes studying you carefully. "Do you understand the charges against you?" he asks.

You nod slowly, remembering Anton’s advice. "I want a lawyer."

Taehyun’s lips press into a thin line, but he nods. "Very well. You’ll get your lawyer. But until then, we’ll have to keep you here."

You’re escorted to a holding cell, the clang of the bars locking you in reverberating in your bones. Sitting on the cold bench, you take a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves.

Time passes slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity. Finally, the door to the holding area opens, and you look up, hope flaring in your chest. It’s Anton, accompanied by Haru.

Their faces are tight with worry. Haru rushes to the bars, gripping them tightly. "Jake knows," she says, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and fear. "He’s on his way."

Anton nods, slipping a hand through the bars and placing it reassuringly on your shoulder. "We’re here to comfort you until he gets here."

You exhale shakily, feeling a bit more grounded with your friends beside you. "Do you think Sungchan is behind this?" Anton asks, his eyes searching yours for answers.

You shake your head vehemently. "There's no way he would frame me for murder and then try to get me out of the country. It’s not adding up."

Haru frowns, biting her lip. "But why would he tell Anton to get you out if he didn’t think you were in danger?"

You sigh, frustration and confusion warring within you. "I don’t know. Something else is going on here."

As you’re trying to piece together the puzzle, Heeseung strolls into the police station. His eyes immediately lock onto you behind the bars, and a smirk plays on his lips. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?" he drawls, sauntering over.

You glare at him, trying to keep your composure. "I’m being framed," you say through gritted teeth.

Heeseung’s brow shoots up in mock surprise. "Really? And does your dear Jaeyunie know?"

"Yes," you reply curtly. "He’s on his way." You wait a beat, then ask, "Why are you here?"

His smirk widens. "I’m here to cash in a favor owed by the lieutenant."

You nod not keen on saying anything more.

Heeseung surveys the bars you’re behind and jokes, “who would have thought you’d end up here before me.”

"If you’re not here to help, you should attend to your own business," Anton says sharply, his protective instincts flaring.

Heeseung holds his hands out in mock surrender. "See you around, dove," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

A chill runs down your spine at the use of the word ‘dove’ and you watch his figure disappear from sight.

Haru looks at you, concern etched on her face. "He seriously creeps me out."

You nod your head, feeling more unsettled than ever. "Yeah, me too."

Anton steps closer, his face riddled with stress. "We need to figure out what's really going on."

You nod. "Jake will be here soon. We’ll figure everything out."

Minutes drag by like hours until finally, the door to the holding area opens again. This time, Jake strides in, his face a mask of controlled fury and concern. He goes straight to the bars, his hands cupping your face gently.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice low and intense.

Tears spring to your eyes, but you nod. "I’m okay. Just confused and scared."

"We’ll get you out of here," Jake promises, his voice resolute. "I’ve hired the best lawyer in the city. We’re going to fight this."

Said lawyer steps forward, a confident, sharp-eyed woman who immediately starts discussing your case with Haru and Anton. As they talk, you notice the officers watching from a distance, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

You lean into the bars, whispering to Jake. "Heeseung was here."

Jake’s eyes darken. "What did he want?"

"He said he was cashing in a favor from the lieutenant."

Jake’s jaw tightens. "We’ll deal with him later. Right now, you’re the priority. We need to get you out of here."

Your lawyer finishes her discussion with the officers and returns to you. "They have some questions for you, it’s their right to ask but you don’t need to answer. I’m working on getting you out on bail.”

You nod, taking a deep breath. "Okay."

Taehyun and Yeonjun approach, and Taehyun speaks up. "We're moving you to an interrogation room for questioning."

You feel a surge of anxiety, but you keep your expression neutral. "Alright."

Jake stands aside as they let you out and squeezes your hand before they lead you away. “I’m going to meet with Sunghoon and Jay. Listen to what Stella tells you, okay?”

You nod, “okay.”

As you're led down the hallway, you can't shake the feeling of dread settling over you.

Stella, your lawyer, walks beside you, her expression calm and determined. "You’ll be fine," she reassures you. "Just follow my lead.”

Taking a deep breath, you resolve to do just that. This is far from over.

taglist: @dreamiestay @inkpot-winters @minniejenseo @faithnsstuff @sumzysworld @sunpov @laurradoesloveu

World of sinners is so good 🥺 I absolutely can’t wait for the other parts and like that cliffhanger ending 🤭

🥹🥹 this just made me so happy !! i didn’t realize that people actually liked it hehehe! next chapter will be up in 5 hours !

sawry for not posting the kids were restless yesterday but today is their tech day so i don’t have to really keep an eye on them so chapter 4 will be posted today at 1pm est !!!

hi my lovies! the next chapter of world of sinners will be posted later on in the day instead of 12pm est because i am currently working as a camp counselor so i’ll be at work and busy taking care of my campers until 9pm est! i’ll try and post before the end of the day but if not it’ll be posted saturday morning once i’m off my shift !

hi my lovies! the next chapter of world of sinners will be posted later on in the day instead of 12pm est because i am currently working as a camp counselor so i’ll be at work and busy taking care of my campers until 9pm est! i’ll try and post before the end of the day but if not it’ll be posted saturday morning once i’m off my shift !

taglist: @dreamiestay @inkpot-winters @minniejenseo

@faithnsstuff @sumzysworld

worls of sinners iii | sim jaeyun

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦: your parents are the head of one of the nation’s most lucrative syndicates and your older brother is heir to the throne which leaves you free to leave this world of evil behind. you’ve been waiting for this day for twenty years of your life, you can practically taste the freedom. what will you do, however, when your parents arrange a marriage for you to bind together their empire with the lee’s to stop a full on gang war?

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: sim jaeyun x f!reader ft lee heesung

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mafia!au, arranged marriage!au

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 8.4k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: dark themes, mentions of drugs, mentions of violence, vulgar language, mentions of death, forced marriage, corruption, possessiveness, mentions of guns, attempted murder, talk of murder.

| masterlist | previous | next |

Three weeks have passed since your wedding to Jake, a union formed not out of love but necessity. The initial awkwardness between you two has subsided somewhat, replaced by a tentative friendship. Jake is often off at work, leaving you at home to explore the enormous house or hide away in your art studio. You’ve found a surprising new muse in Jake, and the past few weeks have seen you hardly putting down your paintbrush.

It’s a peaceful morning, and the sun filters softly through the curtains. You’re lost in the tranquility of your surroundings when Rose enters your room.

“Good morning, madam,” she says, her tone professional yet warm. “Your in-laws have requested your and Mr. Jaeyun’s presence for brunch today. Shall I help you prepare?”

A sense of dread settles in your stomach. Brunch with Jake’s family sounds taxing. Nevertheless, you comply. “Thank you, Rose.”

She nods and moves further into your room, showcasing a burgundy dress that matches Jake’s family color slung over her shoulder. “This will be perfect for today. Mr. Sim chose it for you.”

You thank her before heading to the bathroom for a refreshing shower. The warm water helps wake you up, and as you step out, you find your bed made and the dress neatly laid out. Once dressed, you admire the elegant fit before heading downstairs.

Jake is already ready, dressed in a suit with the first few buttons of his shirt undone and his hair slicked back. He looks up and smiles warmly at you, stepping closer to kiss your forehead and reach for your hand. “Good morning.”

He greets you warmly, the gesture catches you off guard. While the hostility between you has diminished, affection has not been a part of your relationship. Jake notices your confusion and offers an explanation.

“It’s just for the sake of appearances,” he says softly. “I don’t want my parents to pick up on any tension between us. It’s better if we start acting affectionate at home before we arrive.”

You nod, understanding his reasoning. Jake senses your unease and squeezes your hand gently. “Don’t worry. I know my family can be a bit much, but I’ll be right there with you.”

As you both prepare to leave, Jake explains, “They probably want to see how we’re functioning as a unit now. My father is keen on assessing how well we’re adjusting.”

You nod in understanding. “Do you think they’re happy with the arrangement?”

Jake looks thoughtful for a moment. “My father is satisfied as long as the business runs smoothly. My stepmother, on the other hand... well, she has her own opinions, as I’m sure you’ve seen.”

You chuckle lightly. “Kind of hard to miss.”

As you both get into the car, Jake starts the engine and glances at you. “How have you been feeling about everything?”

You take a deep breath. “It’s been an adjustment, like you said. But I think we’re handling it well. I’ve found a lot of peace in painting.”

Jake smiles. “I’d love to see your work sometime. I’m sure it’s incredible.”

You blush slightly, the majority of your work nowadays all contain some essence of Jake. You’re quick to brush off the compliment. “It’s nothing special. Just a hobby to pass the time.”

Jake frowns slightly, not buying your modesty. “I’m sure it’s more than just that. When we get back home, I’ll join you in the studio to take a look.”

You nod, feeling a mix of embarrassment and anticipation. “Alright. If you insist.”

The beginning of the drive to his family’s house is quiet at first, both of you lost in your thoughts. Eventually, Jake breaks the silence.

“It’s important to them that we present a strong front.” He says, glancing at you

You nod, understanding the importance of this brunch. “I’ll do my best. It’s just... a lot of pressure.”

Jake reaches over and takes your hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I know. But we’re a team now, remember?”

You smile, feeling a bit more at ease. “Yeah, a team.”

The rest of the drive is filled with small talk, Jake making an effort to keep you relaxed. When you arrive, the grandeur of the house matches that of your own, with perfectly manicured lawns and vibrant flowers.

Jake parks the car and helps you out, his arm protectively around your waist as you walk inside. As you begin walking, you take a deep breath, steeling yourself for the upcoming brunch.

The foyer is grand, with a sweeping staircase and chandeliers that catch the morning light. Jake's stepmother and father are already waiting in the sitting room.

“Jaeyun, my boy,” his father greets, his tone commanding yet warm. “It’s good to see you.”

“Father,” Jake replies with a nod. “Mother.”

Yerin gives you a once over, her eyes raking over your appearance. “I see you’ve managed to dress appropriately today.”

Before you can respond, Jake’s father intervenes. “Enough, dear,” he says sternly, his tone brooking no argument. “Let’s not start with criticism.”

Yerin purses her lips but remains silent. Jake’s father turns his attention back to you and Jake, his gaze more appraising. “How have you two been?”

Jake speaks up first, his tone steady. “We’re managing well, Father. We’re taking things one step at a time.”

You nod in agreement, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. “It’s been an adjustment, but we’re finding our rhythm.”

Jake’s father nods thoughtfully. “That’s good to hear, especially in times like these.”

Yerin, not entirely satisfied with the direction of the conversation, pipes up again. “And what about your duties as a wife? Are you keeping up with everything?”

You feel a flush of embarrassment creeping up your neck, you haven’t left the house since Jake’s last meeting. You know you’ll have to pick up the slack soon but you’ve been enjoying the peace of being at home away from all the bustling business deals. “I’m doing my best, Mother. There’s a lot to learn, but I’m committed.”

Jake squeezes your hand gently, offering silent support. “She’s been doing great,” he adds. “Happy to have her by my side.”

Jake’s father seems to approve of Jake’s response. “That’s good.” He turns to face his wife and places a hand on her hip. “Why don’t you take ____ to look at the garden? Jaeyun and I will join you once Heeseung arrives. It’ll give us a chance to catch up and discuss some business matters.”

You hesitate, not wanting to be alone with Jake’s mother. Sensing your unease, Jake leans in and kisses your forehead gently. “It’s alright. Go ahead.”

You nod, feeling reassured by his gesture. “Okay.”

Yerin gestures for you to follow her and begins walking away. “Come along, dear. Let’s make sure everything is in order for brunch.”

As you walk away, you glance back at Jake one last time. He gives you a small, reassuring smile before turning to face his father.

You follow Yerin through the lavish mansion, trying to calm the nerves fluttering in your stomach. As you step into the garden, you’re greeted by the sight of meticulously maintained flower beds and elegant topiaries. The tranquility of the garden provides a stark contrast to the tension inside.

Yerin turns to you, her demeanor still hard and guarded. “The garden is a reflection of our family’s legacy. It requires constant care and attention, much like the relationships within the family.”

You nod, understanding the metaphor she’s drawing. “It’s beautiful. You must put a lot of work into it.”

Yerin’s lips curve into a small smirk. “We do. It’s a labor of love. Just like marriage.”

The two of you continue to walk, Yerin spares you a glance before asking, “Any plans for children soon? It’s important for the family to have heirs.”

Her question catches you off guard, and you feel heat creeping up your neck. Despite the growing camaraderie, your relationship with Jake has remained strictly platonic. You can't help but wonder if Jake even sees you in a sexual way. His kindness and support are undeniable, but there’s a distance between you that makes you question your sex appeal.

Yerin’s gaze is piercing, and you scramble to find a suitable answer. “We haven’t really discussed it in depth,” you say, choosing your words carefully. “There’s still so much we’re getting used to, and with Jake’s responsibilities, it hasn’t been a priority.”

Yerin’s lips press into a thin line. “Responsibilities are one thing, but ensuring the continuation of our family’s legacy is paramount. You need to prioritize that.”

You nod, trying to hide your discomfort. “Of course, mother. We understand the importance.”

She stops walking and turns to face you fully, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Marriage isn’t just about companionship. It’s about duty and preserving what generations before you have built. Don’t lose sight of that.”

You swallow hard, feeling the weight of her expectations pressing down on you. “I understand.”

Her gaze softens slightly, but her tone remains firm. “Good. It’s also crucial to show a united front. People are watching, always. They need to see that you and Jaeyun are strong together.”

As she speaks, you can’t help but think about the unspoken divide between you and Jake. How can you present a united front when you’re not even sharing the same space? The irony isn’t lost on you, and you wonder if Jake feels the same pressure.

“I know,” you reply quietly. “We’re working on it.”

Yerin gives a small nod, her expression still scrutinizing. “See that you do. The last thing we need is any sign of weakness.”

Embarrassed, you nod, “Yes, mother…”

The conversation leaves you feeling unsettled and overwhelmed. As you continue to set the table, you find yourself lost in thought. The expectations of this marriage are heavy, while Jake has proven himself to not be all that bad, his family has become a major source of stress.

As you finish setting the table, Jake and his father join you. The conversation is stilted, filled with polite but strained exchanges. Jake’s father, with a faux smile, breaks the silence.

“So, how do you two find living together?” Jaehee asks, his eyes piercing into yours.

“We’re managing well, Abeonim,” Jake replies calmly. “It’s new and different, but we’re working through it together.”

Yerin sniffs delicately, her gaze critical as she looks you over. “And how is the house? Are you finding everything to your liking?”

“It’s beautiful,” you respond politely. “I’ve enjoyed exploring and getting to know the place.”

Yerin raises an eyebrow. “And what about the prospect of children? I assume you both have discussed it?”

The question catches you off guard, you can see the evil glint in Yerin’s eyes as she waits for Jake’s response. Having already heard your side you know she expects Jake to fumble in front of his father. You glance at Jake, trying to subtly shake your head but he only squeezes your hand under the table.

“We haven’t really had time to think about that yet,” Jake answers smoothly. “We’re still getting to know each other and settling into our roles.”

Jaehee leans back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Marriage is not just about partnership but also about legacy. It’s important to think about the future.”

You feel a knot form in your stomach at the familiarity of the words. “We understand that,” you say quietly. “We’re just taking things slow.”

The room falls silent, the weight of your words hanging in the air. Yerin’s lips thin into a disapproving line, but Jaehee nods slowly.

“I see,” he says finally. “It’s good to take your time and build a strong foundation. But don’t forget the importance of continuing the family line.”

You stiffly nod, feeling as if you might explode if you hear one more mention of your womb and the expectations of a baby, a baby you don’t think will ever exist. You can’t imagine Jake making a move to ever bed you. You wonder if he’ll find another woman just as his father did, if he’ll fall in love with her and give his father an heir that way. He may be kind to you and has shown that for now the two of you are a team but at the end of the day he’s still the son of Lee Jaehee and heir to the most powerful mafia in all of Asia, you can’t imagine him never having a child.

Jaehee’s eyes narrow slightly. "If you don’t mind me asking, why the delay? The sooner you start, the better. An heir is crucial."

You hesitate, but before you can speak, Yerin interjects, "I've heard some rumors that you two aren't even sharing a bed."

Her comment hangs in the air, heavy and accusatory. Jake’s father’s gaze sharpens. "Is this true, Jaeyun?"

You feel a lick of ice run through your veins- not only do you feel violated by the fact that Yerin seemingly has spies planted in your home, reporting back to her but you also feel angry at the fact that your own staff, staff that you have treated sincerely from the start, has been trading your secrets to your mother-in-law who clearly has a dislike for you.

Jake takes a deep breath, but you decide to address the elephant in the room. "It’s true. We haven’t consummated our marriage yet."

The silence that follows your admission is deafening. Yerin looks smug, while Jaehee's face turns red with anger.

"That is unacceptable," Jaehee says, his voice low and dangerous. "An heir is not just a formality; it's a necessity for the stability of our empire."

Jake, sensing the need to de-escalate the situation, squeezes your hand. "We understand the importance, Father. We just needed some time to adjust. We’ll handle it."

Yerin, not wanting to let go of the topic, presses further. "If it’s taking this long, perhaps a honeymoon is in order. Sometimes a change of scenery can work wonders."

You feel your patience wearing thin but manage to maintain your composure. "Thank you for the suggestion. We'll consider it."

Jaehee waves his hand dismissively. "I’ll arrange it. You two will leave by the end of the month. I expect results."

Before either of you can respond, Heeseung strolls in, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His father scowls at him. “You’re late.”

Heeseung shrugs nonchalantly, ignoring his father’s glare. “It’s called being fashionably late.”

His mother fusses over him, but he brushes her off, taking a seat and grabbing a mimosa. “He was probably with one of his whores,” his father mutters, the disdain clear in his voice after hearing his wife ask about his whereabouts.

Heeseung scoffs. “Why pretend? Everyone knows the real reason we’re here—to see how the happy couple is doing.”

His comment cuts through the fragile peace, and his father’s eyes narrow. “That’s enough Heeseung.”

Heeseung, however, isn’t done. He leans forward, a sly grin on his face. “So, Jaeyunie, how’s married life treating you? Is the pussy any good? I heard that being tied down to the same bi-”

Jake shoots him a warning look. “Finish that sentence and I’ll kill you myself.”

Heeseung chuckles. “Who’s the pussy whipped one now?”

Jaehee interrupts, his tone firm. “Enough, Heeseung. We’re here to enjoy a family meal, not to bicker.”

Heeseung shrugs, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. “Just making conversation.”

Jaehee sighs, rubbing his temples. “Jaeyun, take your wife and show her around the house, I need to have a word with your brother.” Jake stands, helping you up from your chair.

Once inside, the tension eases slightly. Jake glances at you, a small smile on his lips. “Where would you like to go?”

You think for a moment before responding. “How about your bedroom? I’d like to see what you were like growing up.”

Jake looks surprised but nods. “Uh, alright. Let’s go.”

As you walk through the house, you notice the ornate decorations and family portraits lining the walls. When you reach Jake’s old room, he opens the door and gestures for you to enter.

When you enter his childhood room, the space is surprisingly empty, devoid of personal items. No posters, no decorations—just a king-sized bed and a desk with a single picture frame.

You glance at Jake, puzzled. He sees your questioning look and explains, “I didn’t want to live with my father. I grew up with my mother until I was six and was forced to move in here. My father couldn’t deal with my anger issues though and shipped me off to a boarding school in Australia after a year, I was rarely home until Uni.”

You nod at the new information, guess that explains the thick Aussie accent you picked up on when you first met. “Anger issues?”

Jake nods, “it’s gotten better over the years, moving in with my father was just a huge adjustment. No need to worry about me ever losing my temper with you.”

You nod and walk around the room, trying to imagine Jake in this space. “It’s hard to believe this is where you called home.”

No reply comes and you walk up to the desk and examine it. You pick up the picture frame, studying the image of a pregnant woman. “Is this your mother?”

Jake nods, a soft smile on his lips, though you can see the pain in his eyes. “Yes.”

You did your fair share of research on Jake once your father had made it clear that this marriage wasn’t something you’d be escaping but you found it incredibly hard to find any information on the male. It was almost like Jake was a ghost up until his father made the announcement of him taking over.

You had Anton run multiple background checks to see if he could find anything but all he had to offer was the announcement Veridian made about Jake’s birth and how the rumors of him being the son of an affair were true.

Aside from that, the only public information about Jake is that he attended a prestigious international boarding school in Australia, graduated from Seoul National University Suma Kum Laude and that he’s now married to you. Nobody knows who his mother is or much about his childhood.

His father faced backlash from the Korean public once news of the affair was made known, you heard from your father that keeping Jake hidden was a PR move to clean up the image of Veridian. It seems that’s another thing you and Jake have in common, fathers who prioritize their businesses before their own children.

You hesitate before asking the next question. “Where is she?”

Jake’s expression hardens. “She’s dead.”

You’re ready to apologize, but Jake continues. “My stepmother hated that my father had an affair with my mom. She wanted both of us dead, but when my dad found out I’d be a boy, he hid my mother away until she gave birth. She ran away to protect us, but my father found her when I was six and had her killed to make his wife happy.”

You step closer, instinctively wanting to comfort him. You bring him into a hug, and he holds you tightly. When you pull away, you’re still close, your faces inches apart. Jake’s eyes drop to your lips, and he leans in, his breath mingling with yours.

Just as your lips are about to meet, the door opens, and a maid enters “Your father is waiting for you to continue the brunch.”

The moment is shattered and you pull back, flustered. Jake sighs and nods. “Thank you, we’ll be right there.”

He releases you gently from the hug, his gaze lingering on your face for a moment longer than usual. He clears his throat, breaking the silence. “We should get back to brunch before my father gets more impatient.”

You nod, feeling the tension from the almost kiss still hanging in the air. “Yeah, we should.”

Jake leads you out of the room, his hand resting lightly on your back as you walk down the hallway. The silence between you is palpable, each step echoing your unspoken thoughts. When you reach the top of the staircase, you hear the television in the living room, its volume turned up.

As you begin to descend the stairs, a news anchor’s voice catches your attention. “Breaking news: The chief of police has officially been declared missing. Authorities are seeking any information regarding his last known whereabouts…”

You stop in your tracks, your breath hitching. Jake notices your sudden pause and turns to look at you, concern etched on his face. “What’s wrong?”

You swallow hard, your mind racing. You remember seeing Sungchan with the chief a few weeks ago, engaged in a heated exchange. Could your brother be involved in this? Your mind also goes back to your own meeting with the chief just before the wedding, when you handed over his monthly bribe money and discussed business. If he was truly missing, this could ruin you.

Jake’s voice pulls you back to the present. “Hey, are you okay?”

You force a smile, trying to mask your anxiety. “Uh, yeah. I just…umm I recognize the chief from some old business deals.”

Jake’s eyes narrow slightly, not fully convinced but not pressing the issue. “Do you want me to make some calls? See if any of my men know something?”

You nod, grateful for his support. “Yes, please. That would help.”

Jake takes out his phone and steps aside to make a call. You take a deep breath, trying to calm your racing thoughts. When Jake returns, he gives you a reassuring nod. “I have someone looking into it now. We should go back to the garden and wrap up brunch.”

You both continue down the stairs, the weight of the news still heavy on your mind. When you reach the garden, you notice that Heeseung is no longer there. Jake’s father and stepmother are engaged in conversation, but they pause as you approach.

“Where’s Heeseung?” Jake asks, looking around.

“He had to leave,” Jaehee replies, his tone dismissive. “Something about an urgent matter.”

You exchange a glance with Jake, the timing of Heeseung’s departure striking both of you as odd. However, neither of you voice your suspicions. Instead, you take your seats, and the conversation resumes, albeit with a lingering tension.

Suddenly, Jaehee's phone rings. He glances at the screen and frowns before answering.

"Yes?"

You and Jake exchange a look, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. Jaehee's expression darkens as he listens to the caller, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean he's missing?" His voice is low but laced with agitation. "How long has it been?"

There's a pause as the person on the other end responds. Jaehee's fingers drum impatiently on the table. "And you're sure there's no trace of him? This is a disaster."

Another pause, and Jaehee's eyes narrow.

"Find out who's responsible. We can't afford any loose ends."

He ends the call abruptly and pockets his phone, his expression stormy. Jake leans forward, his concern evident. "What was that about, Father?"

Jaehee sighs, rubbing his temples. "The chief of police has been declared missing. This isn't just bad—it's potentially catastrophic."

Your heart skips a beat. Jake glances at you before turning back to his father. "Why is it such a big deal? I mean, I know he was important, but-"

Jaehee cuts him off, his tone sharp. "Jaeyun, do you have any idea how many of our business associates have ties to the chief? He was the linchpin keeping several of our deals in place. If he's really been taken, and it's by any of our enemies, we're looking at a shitshow of epic proportions. Not to forget we’re already on the FBI’s radar, we can not afford any potential leaks."

The word "shitshow" hangs heavily in the air, and you feel a chill run down your spine.

Jake's face hardens as he processes his father's words. "Who do you think did it?"

Jaehee shakes his head. "I don't know yet. But we need to prepare for the worst. If our enemies have him, they could use him to dismantle our operations piece by piece. The information he has it’s... it's invaluable."

You speak up, your voice hesitant. "Maybe he's already dead."

Jaehee's gaze snaps to you, his eyes intense. For a moment, you think he's going to reprimand you, but then he sighs deeply.

"That would be the best-case scenario. If he's dead, we can at least control the narrative, claim he was taken out by a rival or in a random act of violence. But if he's alive and talking..."

He trails off, the implication clear. Jake's hand tightens around yours under the table.

"So, what do we do?"

Jaehee's expression hardens with resolve. "If he's alive, we find him and we kill him ourselves if necessary. We can't afford to have our entire syndicate compromised. Every second he's missing increases the risk."

Yerin interjects, her tone composed. "Do you have any leads?"

Jaehee shakes his head. "Not yet. But I have people working on it. Jaeyun, I need you to reach out to our contacts, see if anyone has heard anything. We need to be proactive but discrete."

Jake nods, his face set in determination. "I’ll get on it right away."

You feel an odd surge of anxiety at the thought of Jake diving headfirst into this dangerous situation. "Is there anything I can do to help?" you ask, trying to keep your voice steady.

Jaehee looks at you thoughtfully. "Just keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear anything, no matter how trivial it may seem, let us know immediately."

You nod, your resolve hard. Jake's hand squeezes yours again, offering silent support. "It’ll be okay," he says quietly, his eyes locked onto yours.

Jaehee stands, his posture commanding. "I'll make some calls. Yerin, keep an eye on things here. And you two," he says, looking at you and Jake, "stay vigilant. We can't afford any mistakes."

With that, he leaves the table, his phone already to his ear as he steps into the house.

Yerin watches him go, her face passive. "This family has faced challenges before, and we've always come out on top. This will be no different."

Jake nods, his jaw set. "We'll do whatever it takes."

You look at him, feeling fearful. You’ve come to understand that you don’t like Jake when he’s in his leader mode. He becomes cold, calculated and ruthless.

You all finish your meal in relative silence. When the meal ends, you and Jake excuse yourselves, making your way back to the car. Jake starts the engine and glances at you. "Are you really okay?"

You take a deep breath, your thoughts racing. "I don't know. I'm worried about what this could mean for me, for Sungchan."

Jake reaches over and takes your hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "We'll figure it out. Together."

You nod, feeling a little lightheaded at the way he says the word with so much conviction. "Yeah, together."

As you drive, your mind races with thoughts about the chief, Sungchan, and the potential fallout from all this. Your phone buzzes, the screen lighting up with an unknown number. You frown and decline the call, feeling uneasy.

A few minutes later, the phone rings again with the same unknown number. Jake glances at it and then at you, his expression serious. "You should answer it."

Reluctantly, you pick up the call. "Hello?"

There's a heavy silence, then the sound of labored breathing. After a moment, a weak voice whimpers, “…S..sa.ve... me."

Before you can respond, the line cuts off. You stare at the phone, shaken. The voice was so faint and distorted, you couldn't even recognize who it was.

Jake's eyes are on you, concern etched on his face. "What was that?"

You force a shrug, trying to keep your voice steady. "Probably just a spam call."

He watches you for a moment, then nods, seemingly accepting your explanation. The car ride continues in tense silence until you reach a stoplight, and Jake takes an unexpected turn.

"Jake, where are we going?" you ask, confusion lacing your words.

He smiles, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I have a surprise for you."

"What's the occasion?" you ask, a blush creeping up your cheeks at the gesture.

"To celebrate being partners," he says simply. He glances at you and smirks, “and a gift for surviving brunch with my family.”

You can't help but smile, feeling a flutter in your chest. "That's sweet of you."

He drives for a bit longer until you pull into the parking lot of the Museum of Modern Art. You look at him, puzzled. "A museum?"

Jake nods, a proud look on his face. "I know how much you love art. I thought we could spend some time together doing something you enjoy."

You feel a rush of gratitude and warmth. Jake has yet again gone above and beyond. You wonder how much more your heart can take before you fall for him. "Thank you, Jake. This means a lot."

You both continue through the gallery, stopping occasionally for you to explain different pieces and their historical contexts. Jake listens attentively, asking insightful questions and clearly enjoying learning about the art world from your perspective.

At one point, you come across a serene landscape painting. "This is by Claude Monet. It's one of his famous Water Lilies series."

Jake's eyes soften as he looks at the delicate brushstrokes. "It's beautiful. Peaceful."

You nod. "Monet was a master of capturing light and atmosphere. He painted these in his garden at Giverny. It's like he's inviting us into his private world."

Jake smiles. "I like that. It's like a glimpse into his soul."

You move on to a bold, geometric piece by Piet Mondrian. "This one's called 'Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow.' Mondrian was all about simplicity and balance."

Jake studies the painting, the intersecting lines and primary colors. "It's so different from the others we've seen. Almost mathematical."

"Exactly," you say. "He believed in reducing art to its purest form. It's all about finding harmony."

Jake chuckles. "You're a little art geek huh? Really passionate about this, aren't you?"

You blush slightly. "I guess I am. Art has always been a way for me to escape and express myself."

Jake's expression softens. "I'm glad you're sharing it with me. I feel like I'm getting to know you better through this."

As you continue to explore, you come across a striking sculpture by Auguste Rodin. "This is 'The Thinker.' It's one of the most famous sculptures in the world."

Jake walks around the statue, taking in its intricate details. "The detail is incredible. It's like you can feel his thoughts."

You smile. "That's what makes Rodin so amazing. He could capture human emotion and thought in such a tangible way."

Jake nods, clearly impressed. "It's like he's frozen in a moment of deep contemplation."

You spend hours wandering through the museum, discussing various artworks and sharing your thoughts and feelings about them. Jake's genuine interest and engagement make the experience even more enjoyable. You feel a growing connection between the two of you, a bond that goes beyond the superficial.

As you leave the museum, the sun is beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city. Jake holds your hand as you walk back to the car. "Thank you for today," you say softly. "I had a great time."

Jake smiles. "So did I. I'm glad we got to spend this time together."

You drive in comfortable silence for a while, the city lights flickering outside the car windows. Eventually, Jake breaks the silence. "There's something I need to do before we head home."

You glance at him curiously. "What's that?"

"I need to stop by the packaging warehouse," Jake explains. "I need to speak with Sunghoon and Jay about how to distribute this batch. We're running low on baggie boys, and with the chief's disappearance, I’m sure the police are cracking down on drug deals."

You nod, understanding the urgency. "Alright. I'll come with you."

Jake looks at you, a mix of surprise and gratitude in his eyes. "You don't have to, but I'd appreciate the company."

The drive to the warehouse is short, and Jake parks the car in a secluded area. The building is nondescript, blending in with the industrial surroundings. Jake leads you inside, where Sunghoon and Jay are already waiting.

"Hey, boss," Sunghoon greets Jake with a nod. "We were just going over the inventory. It's getting tight."

Jake frowns, his mind clearly focused on the problem at hand. "We need to figure out a way to stretch what we have and find new suppliers. The last thing we need is a shortage right now."

Jay nods in agreement. "With the police cracking down, it's going to get harder to move product. We need to be careful."

Jake turns to you, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Any ideas?"

You hesitate for a moment, then speak up. "Maybe we could diversify our distribution methods. Use different channels to move the product and keep the police off our trail."

Sunghoon raises an eyebrow. "Not a bad idea. We could use some of our legitimate businesses as fronts."

Jake nods, a look of approval in his eyes. "That's a good start. We'll need to be smart and stay one step ahead."

Sunghoon clears his throat, looking hesitant. "I know it's bad timing, but..." He trails off, unsure of how to continue.

Jake sighs at his best friend. "Just spit it out, Sunghoon."

Sunghoon takes a deep breath. "The shipment of overseas ammunition we ordered has disappeared."

Jake is silent for a moment, then his voice is deadly calm. "How the fuck does a cargo freight carrying sixty thousand dollars worth of ammunition go missing?"

Sunghoon scrambles to explain. "It went missing a few minutes after leaving the harbor earlier today. We've been trying to find it, but so far, no luck."

Jake's anger is palpable, his fists clenching at his sides. You place a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. "Jake, you need to stay level headed."

He heeds your words, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "Keep me posted, Sunghoon. We need to find that shipment before tomorrow. It's meant for the Byun's, and Baekhyun isn't known for being a patient man."

Sunghoon and Jay nod, leaving to figure out the situation. As they walk away, you turn to Jake, noticing the tension in his shoulders. "Come on, let's go to your office. You need to relax."

Jake leads you into his office, closing the door behind him. You can see the stress etched into his features, the weight of the day's events bearing down on him. You guide him to sit behind his desk, leaning beside him against the table.

"You've had a rough day," you say softly. "Let me help you unwind."

Jake’s eyes darken as he looks at you from his seated positions “And how do you plan to do that?”

Jake knows very well that his question opens the door for something more, more room for exploring the more intimate parts of your relationship and for a second he thinks he may have jumped the gun. Though when you lift yourself from his desk, looking into his eyes with desire and need swirling in your irises, he gulps as he thinks he may not have made a mistake after all.

Jake swallows, looking into your expectant eyes as you look at him innocently, sparing a glance at his thighs; deliciously manspreading. You try to remain calm about it, taking a deep breath and going all in, tentatively bring your hands to his chest and hook one of your legs over him.

You bravely straddle Jake’s lap in a single moment, settling above his crotch as you peer at him with an unreadable expression.

Jake freezes, eyes wide as his hands naturally fall around your hips sitting on him, and he can’t help but grow weak at the innocent look in your eyes though your body is doing the contrary. He only watches as your eyes linger on his soft lips, his own hands canvasing up to grip your sides with an emotion he could only label as want, eyes filled with anticipation.

“I can fix it… like this.” You speak, hand sliding up to grab Jake’s jaw. You don’t pause to think, mind blank as you lean forward and press your mouth against Jake’s in a single second. Jake doesn’t even have time to feel surprised, in shock for an instant before he begins relishing in the familiar sensation of your lips, warm palms smoothing over your sides.

You slide closer to his body, feeling your chest push against his own as you deepen the kiss, slowly with a hint of lust that leaks into the way you began grinding your body against his, needing more. Jake gladly accepts that, opening his mouth to let his tongue roam your own.

He tongue swipes your bottom lip, loving the wet feeling and you open right up for his taking, all-consuming and head-spinning.

You sneak your hands up into his hair, tugging at the base lightly and Jake groans into your mouth. You become more impatient for friction, something to quell the arousal shooting through your veins, and so you begin moving yourself over his welcoming crotch. You feel him twitch underneath you, beginning to rock himself along with your smaller body, pushing his hips up into you.

Your mouths begin moving more harshly the more time passes, full on making out as you move more urgently against him. He catches your bottom lip between his teeth as he pulls away from you, tugging on the flesh as he breathes for much needed air, moaning as your foreheads find each other.

“Let me take care of you Jake.” You breathe hotly. “I’m yours, aren’t I?”

Jake instantly feels ignited, his cock jolting at just the feeling of you straddling him and he drags his tongue along the inside of his cheek, smirking.

The heat of Jake’s stare then turns dark as he says, “all mine.”

For some odd and unknown reason, Jake finds himself wanting to be the only one who gets to have you; maybe it’s because he’s never felt this way before, or has never felt so strongly about it. But it constantly eats at his brain, thinking of the possibility of other men that got to kiss you just like this, got to have you sit on their lap just like this before he came into the picture.

And he fucking hates it.

Though now that the proverbial line has been irreversibly crossed all Jake can feel in this moment is his sheer desire, his incessant, passionate desire for you and how it has been growing. Ever since the kiss from three weeks ago at lunch, his mind has been spiraling.

He wants to kiss you all the fucking time.

“I need to take you home, baby.”

You nod, that’s exactly what you want. “Please.” You whimper.

Jake is quick to help you to your feet and shift his pants around to hide his raging boner. He grabs you by the back of your elbow and leads you out of his office then the warehouse all together.

He walks you back to the car, his hand gently resting on your lower back. "Can’t wait to get you home," he all but moans.

As Jake starts the car and begins driving, the city lights blur past. You can feel the tension from the day's events slowly ebbing away only to be replaced by a different kind of tension.

He glances at you, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You know," he starts, his tone borderline serious, "I've been thinking a lot about us lately."

You look at him, curious. "What do you mean?"

Jake takes a deep breath, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I mean, I want more. I want us to be more than just a team…and if we’re going to fuck, I want us to be more than people who just sleep with each other."

Your heart skips a beat. "Jake, I..."

Before you can respond, the deafening sound of gunshots pierces the air. Jake's eyes widen as he swerves the car, narrowly avoiding the bullets that shatter the rear windshield.

"Get down!" Jake yells, pushing you down as low as you can go. He maneuvers the car through the empty streets of Seoul, trying to shake off the assailants.

You can hear the gunfire getting closer, the bullets pinging off the car. You're frozen in fear, the reality of the situation paralyzing you. Jake reaches over and pulls you down even further just as a bullet crashes through the window on your side, embedding itself in the backseat.

"Hold on!" Jake shouts. He hits the gas, the car lurching forward as he attempts to outmaneuver the shooters. The assailants' car pulls up alongside yours, and you can see the muzzle flashes as they fire again. Jake swerves violently in their direction, sending the other car careening off the road and into a ditch.

Jake slams on the brakes and pulls out a gun from the console, handing you a spare. "If anyone comes near the car, shoot them," he orders, his voice firm and unyielding.

You nod, gripping the gun tightly as Jake gets out of the car. You watch him approach the other vehicle, his movements calculated and purposeful. You can see his lips moving as he questions the driver and shooter, but you can't hear anything over the pounding of your heart in your ears.

Suddenly, Jake lifts his gun and fires, the shots echoing in the night. He stands there for a moment, looking down at the bodies before turning and heading back to the car.

Your anxiety is palpable, but not because of what you just witnessed Jake do. The realization that someone tried to kill you is overwhelming. Jake come back to the car, standing in front of your door, his expression unreadable.

"Hand me the burner phone from the glove compartment," he says calmly. You do as you're told, your hands trembling slightly.

Jake dials a number and waits for a moment. When someone answers, he simply says, "Crimson dove." Then he hangs up, wipes the phone clean, tosses it to the ground and stomps on it before getting into the car and speeds away from the scene, his focus entirely on getting you both to safety.

The remainder of the drive is silent, the tension settling once again, thick as ever. Gone is the sexual desire and want. Instead, in its place is anxiety and anger.

You can't shake the feeling of unease, the fear that still lingers from the attack. When you finally pull into an opening at the top of a hill leading to a tiny home, you spot Sunghoon and Jay standing at the front of the house, their expressions grim.

"What the hell is going on?" Sunghoon demands as Jake helps you out of the car.

Jake's jaw tightens. "Someone put out a hit on us," he says, his voice cold and controlled.

Jay looks shocked. "What the hell? Are you both okay?"

"We're fine," Jake replies. "But we need to act fast. Jay, I need you to go clean up the scene. The car is in a ditch on the outskirts of town."

Jay nods. "Got it. I'll call Sunoo to come and take care of your car."

"Good. Sunghoon, stay here with me. We need to figure out what's going on. First, the missing ammunition shipment, and now this. There’s no way they aren’t connected."

Sunghoon's expression hardens. "We'll get to the bottom of it."

Jake takes a deep breath, his hand still on the small of your back, a silent reassurance. "Let's go inside," he says, guiding you toward the house.

When you step inside Jake doesn't waste any time. He begins pacing the room, his mind clearly working through the details of the attack.

"Sunghoon," he starts, "we need to double-check our security. Make sure there are no leaks. I want a full sweep of our network."

Sunghoon nods, already pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.

Jay returns, his expression tense. "The scene is being cleared as we speak. Sunoo is on his way to take care of the car."

"Good," Jake replies. "Now, let's focus on the ammunition shipment. I want to know who had access to it and who could have known about our movements."

You watch as Jake effortlessly takes control of the situation, his leadership and anger evident. Despite the chaos, you feel a sense of security knowing he's in charge. A complete change of heart compared to this morning at brunch, God that seems like forever ago now.

Hours pass as the men work tirelessly, making calls and gathering information. You stay close to Jake, offering support where you can. The fear from earlier lingers, but the resolve to find out who targeted you burns even stronger.

As the night wears on, Jake finally turns to you, his expression softening for the first time since the attack. "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine concern.

You nod, managing a small smile. "I will be. As long as we're together."

Jake pulls you into a tight embrace, his arms strong and protective around you. "Together," he murmurs.

You nod against his chest, playing with the buttons on his dress shirt. You pull away when you hear footsteps approaching. It's Jay, looking serious as ever.

"Sunghoon and I are leaving now to follow up on some leads," Jay informs him, his tone brisk and professional.

Jake nods, his expression hardening again. "Good. Keep me updated on anything you find."

Jay gives a quick nod, and with a final glance at you, he turns and leaves with Sunghoon. The door closes behind them, and the house feels eerily quiet.

You follow Jake into the living room, the tension from earlier still lingering. Both of you sit on the couch, and Jake wraps his arms around you, pulling you close. You nestle into his embrace, finding comfort in his warmth.

After a moment of silence, you murmur, "Crimson dove."

Jake freezes at your words, his body tensing. You pull away slightly to look at him, curiosity and concern in your eyes. "What does it mean?"

Jake sighs, running a hand through his hair. "It's a secret code Heeseung and I came up with when we were younger. During the year I stayed with my dad, Heeseung and I were inseparable. Whenever our dad would get on my nerves and I felt my anger issues start to act up, Heeseung told me to just call out 'crimson dove,' and he'd come running to help calm me down."

He smiles bitterly, the memory clearly a mix of fondness and pain. "Heeseung used to be a good older brother to me."

You comfortingly pat his back. "Does it mean anything special?"

Jake laughs softly, shaking his head. "When I asked Heeseung why 'crimson dove,' he just shrugged and said because it sounded tough."

You laugh with him, the tension easing slightly. "Sounds like something Heeseung would say."

Jake's smile lingers for a moment before he continues. "I figured there would be some opposition once I took over and would need a safe phrase or word for when that trouble came knocking. 'Crimson dove' was the first thing that came to mind."

You look at him, your expression thoughtful. "And the safe house?"

Jake nods. "Jay found it. He decided it would be our meeting point if a 'crimson dove' situation ever happened. The three of us, now four including you, are the only ones who know about its existence. Jay and Sunghoon are my closest friends. Sunghoon was meant to keep a close eye on me while I was abroad, and Jay is the son of my father's right-hand man. He's the one who helped me find my role in this world. Jay, in a way, has become like an older brother to me."

You reach out, placing a hand on Jake's cheek. "I'm sorry Heeseung has changed."

Jake shrugs, leaning in to peck your lips. "It's not your fault."

You stare at each other in silence, the tension giving way to a different kind of intensity. The desire in his eyes mirrors your own. Slowly, you lean in and kiss Jake more passionately, your hands threading through his hair.

He responds immediately, his arms tightening around you as he deepens the kiss. The world outside fades away, leaving only the two of you in this moment. His touch is both gentle and demanding, a perfect reflection of the complex man he is.

Your hands explore the contours of his back, feeling the muscles tense under your touch. Jake's hands are just as busy, one tangled in your hair, the other tracing patterns down your spine.

As the kiss continues, you can feel the day's stress melting away, replaced by a fiery need. Jake pulls you even closer, if that’s possible, his lips never leaving yours. When you finally break apart for air, you're both breathing heavily, eyes locked in a heated gaze.

"I can't lose you," he whispers against your lips.

"You won't," you assure him, your voice equally breathless. "We're in this together, remember?"

Jake nods, his forehead resting against yours. "Together," he repeats, his voice filled with an emotion you can’t quite place.

The kiss resumes, this time even more fervent. Your body presses against his as his hands roam your back, exploring and memorizing every curve. The passion between you is undeniable, a testament to the bond you now share.

As the intensity builds, you pull back slightly, looking into his eyes. "Jake..."

He looks into your eyes, desperately searching them for any sign of discomfort.

“I want you.”

world of sinners iii | sim jaeyun

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦: your parents are the head of one of the nation’s most lucrative syndicates and your older brother is heir to the throne which leaves you free to leave this world of evil behind. you’ve been waiting for this day for twenty years of your life, you can practically taste the freedom. what will you do, however, when your parents arrange a marriage for you to bind together their empire with the lee’s to stop a full on gang war?

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: sim jaeyun x f!reader ft lee heesung

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mafia!au, arranged marriage!au

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 8.4k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: dark themes, mentions of drugs, mentions of violence, vulgar language, mentions of death, forced marriage, corruption, possessiveness, mentions of guns, attempted murder, talk of murder.

| masterlist | previous | next |

Three weeks have passed since your wedding to Jake, a union formed not out of love but necessity. The initial awkwardness between you two has subsided somewhat, replaced by a tentative friendship. Jake is often off at work, leaving you at home to explore the enormous house or hide away in your art studio. You’ve found a surprising new muse in Jake, and the past few weeks have seen you hardly putting down your paintbrush.

It’s a peaceful morning, and the sun filters softly through the curtains. You’re lost in the tranquility of your surroundings when Rose enters your room.

“Good morning, madam,” she says, her tone professional yet warm. “Your in-laws have requested your and Mr. Jaeyun’s presence for brunch today. Shall I help you prepare?”

A sense of dread settles in your stomach. Brunch with Jake’s family sounds taxing. Nevertheless, you comply. “Thank you, Rose.”

She nods and moves further into your room, showcasing a burgundy dress that matches Jake’s family color slung over her shoulder. “This will be perfect for today. Mr. Sim chose it for you.”

You thank her before heading to the bathroom for a refreshing shower. The warm water helps wake you up, and as you step out, you find your bed made and the dress neatly laid out. Once dressed, you admire the elegant fit before heading downstairs.

Jake is already ready, dressed in a suit with the first few buttons of his shirt undone and his hair slicked back. He looks up and smiles warmly at you, stepping closer to kiss your forehead and reach for your hand. “Good morning.”

He greets you warmly, the gesture catches you off guard. While the hostility between you has diminished, affection has not been a part of your relationship. Jake notices your confusion and offers an explanation.

“It’s just for the sake of appearances,” he says softly. “I don’t want my parents to pick up on any tension between us. It’s better if we start acting affectionate at home before we arrive.”

You nod, understanding his reasoning. Jake senses your unease and squeezes your hand gently. “Don’t worry. I know my family can be a bit much, but I’ll be right there with you.”

As you both prepare to leave, Jake explains, “They probably want to see how we’re functioning as a unit now. My father is keen on assessing how well we’re adjusting.”

You nod in understanding. “Do you think they’re happy with the arrangement?”

Jake looks thoughtful for a moment. “My father is satisfied as long as the business runs smoothly. My stepmother, on the other hand... well, she has her own opinions, as I’m sure you’ve seen.”

You chuckle lightly. “Kind of hard to miss.”

As you both get into the car, Jake starts the engine and glances at you. “How have you been feeling about everything?”

You take a deep breath. “It’s been an adjustment, like you said. But I think we’re handling it well. I’ve found a lot of peace in painting.”

Jake smiles. “I’d love to see your work sometime. I’m sure it’s incredible.”

You blush slightly, the majority of your work nowadays all contain some essence of Jake. You’re quick to brush off the compliment. “It’s nothing special. Just a hobby to pass the time.”

Jake frowns slightly, not buying your modesty. “I’m sure it’s more than just that. When we get back home, I’ll join you in the studio to take a look.”

You nod, feeling a mix of embarrassment and anticipation. “Alright. If you insist.”

The beginning of the drive to his family’s house is quiet at first, both of you lost in your thoughts. Eventually, Jake breaks the silence.

“It’s important to them that we present a strong front.” He says, glancing at you

You nod, understanding the importance of this brunch. “I’ll do my best. It’s just... a lot of pressure.”

Jake reaches over and takes your hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I know. But we’re a team now, remember?”

You smile, feeling a bit more at ease. “Yeah, a team.”

The rest of the drive is filled with small talk, Jake making an effort to keep you relaxed. When you arrive, the grandeur of the house matches that of your own, with perfectly manicured lawns and vibrant flowers.

Jake parks the car and helps you out, his arm protectively around your waist as you walk inside. As you begin walking, you take a deep breath, steeling yourself for the upcoming brunch.

The foyer is grand, with a sweeping staircase and chandeliers that catch the morning light. Jake's stepmother and father are already waiting in the sitting room.

“Jaeyun, my boy,” his father greets, his tone commanding yet warm. “It’s good to see you.”

“Father,” Jake replies with a nod. “Mother.”

Yerin gives you a once over, her eyes raking over your appearance. “I see you’ve managed to dress appropriately today.”

Before you can respond, Jake’s father intervenes. “Enough, dear,” he says sternly, his tone brooking no argument. “Let’s not start with criticism.”

Yerin purses her lips but remains silent. Jake’s father turns his attention back to you and Jake, his gaze more appraising. “How have you two been?”

Jake speaks up first, his tone steady. “We’re managing well, Father. We’re taking things one step at a time.”

You nod in agreement, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. “It’s been an adjustment, but we’re finding our rhythm.”

Jake’s father nods thoughtfully. “That’s good to hear, especially in times like these.”

Yerin, not entirely satisfied with the direction of the conversation, pipes up again. “And what about your duties as a wife? Are you keeping up with everything?”

You feel a flush of embarrassment creeping up your neck, you haven’t left the house since Jake’s last meeting. You know you’ll have to pick up the slack soon but you’ve been enjoying the peace of being at home away from all the bustling business deals. “I’m doing my best, Mother. There’s a lot to learn, but I’m committed.”

Jake squeezes your hand gently, offering silent support. “She’s been doing great,” he adds. “Happy to have her by my side.”

Jake’s father seems to approve of Jake’s response. “That’s good.” He turns to face his wife and places a hand on her hip. “Why don’t you take ____ to look at the garden? Jaeyun and I will join you once Heeseung arrives. It’ll give us a chance to catch up and discuss some business matters.”

You hesitate, not wanting to be alone with Jake’s mother. Sensing your unease, Jake leans in and kisses your forehead gently. “It’s alright. Go ahead.”

You nod, feeling reassured by his gesture. “Okay.”

Yerin gestures for you to follow her and begins walking away. “Come along, dear. Let’s make sure everything is in order for brunch.”

As you walk away, you glance back at Jake one last time. He gives you a small, reassuring smile before turning to face his father.

You follow Yerin through the lavish mansion, trying to calm the nerves fluttering in your stomach. As you step into the garden, you’re greeted by the sight of meticulously maintained flower beds and elegant topiaries. The tranquility of the garden provides a stark contrast to the tension inside.

Yerin turns to you, her demeanor still hard and guarded. “The garden is a reflection of our family’s legacy. It requires constant care and attention, much like the relationships within the family.”

You nod, understanding the metaphor she’s drawing. “It’s beautiful. You must put a lot of work into it.”

Yerin’s lips curve into a small smirk. “We do. It’s a labor of love. Just like marriage.”

The two of you continue to walk, Yerin spares you a glance before asking, “Any plans for children soon? It’s important for the family to have heirs.”

Her question catches you off guard, and you feel heat creeping up your neck. Despite the growing camaraderie, your relationship with Jake has remained strictly platonic. You can't help but wonder if Jake even sees you in a sexual way. His kindness and support are undeniable, but there’s a distance between you that makes you question your sex appeal.

Yerin’s gaze is piercing, and you scramble to find a suitable answer. “We haven’t really discussed it in depth,” you say, choosing your words carefully. “There’s still so much we’re getting used to, and with Jake’s responsibilities, it hasn’t been a priority.”

Yerin’s lips press into a thin line. “Responsibilities are one thing, but ensuring the continuation of our family’s legacy is paramount. You need to prioritize that.”

You nod, trying to hide your discomfort. “Of course, mother. We understand the importance.”

She stops walking and turns to face you fully, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Marriage isn’t just about companionship. It’s about duty and preserving what generations before you have built. Don’t lose sight of that.”

You swallow hard, feeling the weight of her expectations pressing down on you. “I understand.”

Her gaze softens slightly, but her tone remains firm. “Good. It’s also crucial to show a united front. People are watching, always. They need to see that you and Jaeyun are strong together.”

As she speaks, you can’t help but think about the unspoken divide between you and Jake. How can you present a united front when you’re not even sharing the same space? The irony isn’t lost on you, and you wonder if Jake feels the same pressure.

“I know,” you reply quietly. “We’re working on it.”

Yerin gives a small nod, her expression still scrutinizing. “See that you do. The last thing we need is any sign of weakness.”

Embarrassed, you nod, “Yes, mother…”

The conversation leaves you feeling unsettled and overwhelmed. As you continue to set the table, you find yourself lost in thought. The expectations of this marriage are heavy, while Jake has proven himself to not be all that bad, his family has become a major source of stress.

As you finish setting the table, Jake and his father join you. The conversation is stilted, filled with polite but strained exchanges. Jake’s father, with a faux smile, breaks the silence.

“So, how do you two find living together?” Jaehee asks, his eyes piercing into yours.

“We’re managing well, Abeonim,” Jake replies calmly. “It’s new and different, but we’re working through it together.”

Yerin sniffs delicately, her gaze critical as she looks you over. “And how is the house? Are you finding everything to your liking?”

“It’s beautiful,” you respond politely. “I’ve enjoyed exploring and getting to know the place.”

Yerin raises an eyebrow. “And what about the prospect of children? I assume you both have discussed it?”

The question catches you off guard, you can see the evil glint in Yerin’s eyes as she waits for Jake’s response. Having already heard your side you know she expects Jake to fumble in front of his father. You glance at Jake, trying to subtly shake your head but he only squeezes your hand under the table.

“We haven’t really had time to think about that yet,” Jake answers smoothly. “We’re still getting to know each other and settling into our roles.”

Jaehee leans back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Marriage is not just about partnership but also about legacy. It’s important to think about the future.”

You feel a knot form in your stomach at the familiarity of the words. “We understand that,” you say quietly. “We’re just taking things slow.”

The room falls silent, the weight of your words hanging in the air. Yerin’s lips thin into a disapproving line, but Jaehee nods slowly.

“I see,” he says finally. “It’s good to take your time and build a strong foundation. But don’t forget the importance of continuing the family line.”

You stiffly nod, feeling as if you might explode if you hear one more mention of your womb and the expectations of a baby, a baby you don’t think will ever exist. You can’t imagine Jake making a move to ever bed you. You wonder if he’ll find another woman just as his father did, if he’ll fall in love with her and give his father an heir that way. He may be kind to you and has shown that for now the two of you are a team but at the end of the day he’s still the son of Lee Jaehee and heir to the most powerful mafia in all of Asia, you can’t imagine him never having a child.

Jaehee’s eyes narrow slightly. "If you don’t mind me asking, why the delay? The sooner you start, the better. An heir is crucial."

You hesitate, but before you can speak, Yerin interjects, "I've heard some rumors that you two aren't even sharing a bed."

Her comment hangs in the air, heavy and accusatory. Jake’s father’s gaze sharpens. "Is this true, Jaeyun?"

You feel a lick of ice run through your veins- not only do you feel violated by the fact that Yerin seemingly has spies planted in your home, reporting back to her but you also feel angry at the fact that your own staff, staff that you have treated sincerely from the start, has been trading your secrets to your mother-in-law who clearly has a dislike for you.

Jake takes a deep breath, but you decide to address the elephant in the room. "It’s true. We haven’t consummated our marriage yet."

The silence that follows your admission is deafening. Yerin looks smug, while Jaehee's face turns red with anger.

"That is unacceptable," Jaehee says, his voice low and dangerous. "An heir is not just a formality; it's a necessity for the stability of our empire."

Jake, sensing the need to de-escalate the situation, squeezes your hand. "We understand the importance, Father. We just needed some time to adjust. We’ll handle it."

Yerin, not wanting to let go of the topic, presses further. "If it’s taking this long, perhaps a honeymoon is in order. Sometimes a change of scenery can work wonders."

You feel your patience wearing thin but manage to maintain your composure. "Thank you for the suggestion. We'll consider it."

Jaehee waves his hand dismissively. "I’ll arrange it. You two will leave by the end of the month. I expect results."

Before either of you can respond, Heeseung strolls in, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His father scowls at him. “You’re late.”

Heeseung shrugs nonchalantly, ignoring his father’s glare. “It’s called being fashionably late.”

His mother fusses over him, but he brushes her off, taking a seat and grabbing a mimosa. “He was probably with one of his whores,” his father mutters, the disdain clear in his voice after hearing his wife ask about his whereabouts.

Heeseung scoffs. “Why pretend? Everyone knows the real reason we’re here—to see how the happy couple is doing.”

His comment cuts through the fragile peace, and his father’s eyes narrow. “That’s enough Heeseung.”

Heeseung, however, isn’t done. He leans forward, a sly grin on his face. “So, Jaeyunie, how’s married life treating you? Is the pussy any good? I heard that being tied down to the same bi-”

Jake shoots him a warning look. “Finish that sentence and I’ll kill you myself.”

Heeseung chuckles. “Who’s the pussy whipped one now?”

Jaehee interrupts, his tone firm. “Enough, Heeseung. We’re here to enjoy a family meal, not to bicker.”

Heeseung shrugs, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. “Just making conversation.”

Jaehee sighs, rubbing his temples. “Jaeyun, take your wife and show her around the house, I need to have a word with your brother.” Jake stands, helping you up from your chair.

Once inside, the tension eases slightly. Jake glances at you, a small smile on his lips. “Where would you like to go?”

You think for a moment before responding. “How about your bedroom? I’d like to see what you were like growing up.”

Jake looks surprised but nods. “Uh, alright. Let’s go.”

As you walk through the house, you notice the ornate decorations and family portraits lining the walls. When you reach Jake’s old room, he opens the door and gestures for you to enter.

When you enter his childhood room, the space is surprisingly empty, devoid of personal items. No posters, no decorations—just a king-sized bed and a desk with a single picture frame.

You glance at Jake, puzzled. He sees your questioning look and explains, “I didn’t want to live with my father. I grew up with my mother until I was six and was forced to move in here. My father couldn’t deal with my anger issues though and shipped me off to a boarding school in Australia after a year, I was rarely home until Uni.”

You nod at the new information, guess that explains the thick Aussie accent you picked up on when you first met. “Anger issues?”

Jake nods, “it’s gotten better over the years, moving in with my father was just a huge adjustment. No need to worry about me ever losing my temper with you.”

You nod and walk around the room, trying to imagine Jake in this space. “It’s hard to believe this is where you called home.”

No reply comes and you walk up to the desk and examine it. You pick up the picture frame, studying the image of a pregnant woman. “Is this your mother?”

Jake nods, a soft smile on his lips, though you can see the pain in his eyes. “Yes.”

You did your fair share of research on Jake once your father had made it clear that this marriage wasn’t something you’d be escaping but you found it incredibly hard to find any information on the male. It was almost like Jake was a ghost up until his father made the announcement of him taking over.

You had Anton run multiple background checks to see if he could find anything but all he had to offer was the announcement Veridian made about Jake’s birth and how the rumors of him being the son of an affair were true.

Aside from that, the only public information about Jake is that he attended a prestigious international boarding school in Australia, graduated from Seoul National University Suma Kum Laude and that he’s now married to you. Nobody knows who his mother is or much about his childhood.

His father faced backlash from the Korean public once news of the affair was made known, you heard from your father that keeping Jake hidden was a PR move to clean up the image of Veridian. It seems that’s another thing you and Jake have in common, fathers who prioritize their businesses before their own children.

You hesitate before asking the next question. “Where is she?”

Jake’s expression hardens. “She’s dead.”

You’re ready to apologize, but Jake continues. “My stepmother hated that my father had an affair with my mom. She wanted both of us dead, but when my dad found out I’d be a boy, he hid my mother away until she gave birth. She ran away to protect us, but my father found her when I was six and had her killed to make his wife happy.”

You step closer, instinctively wanting to comfort him. You bring him into a hug, and he holds you tightly. When you pull away, you’re still close, your faces inches apart. Jake’s eyes drop to your lips, and he leans in, his breath mingling with yours.

Just as your lips are about to meet, the door opens, and a maid enters “Your father is waiting for you to continue the brunch.”

The moment is shattered and you pull back, flustered. Jake sighs and nods. “Thank you, we’ll be right there.”

He releases you gently from the hug, his gaze lingering on your face for a moment longer than usual. He clears his throat, breaking the silence. “We should get back to brunch before my father gets more impatient.”

You nod, feeling the tension from the almost kiss still hanging in the air. “Yeah, we should.”

Jake leads you out of the room, his hand resting lightly on your back as you walk down the hallway. The silence between you is palpable, each step echoing your unspoken thoughts. When you reach the top of the staircase, you hear the television in the living room, its volume turned up.

As you begin to descend the stairs, a news anchor’s voice catches your attention. “Breaking news: The chief of police has officially been declared missing. Authorities are seeking any information regarding his last known whereabouts…”

You stop in your tracks, your breath hitching. Jake notices your sudden pause and turns to look at you, concern etched on his face. “What’s wrong?”

You swallow hard, your mind racing. You remember seeing Sungchan with the chief a few weeks ago, engaged in a heated exchange. Could your brother be involved in this? Your mind also goes back to your own meeting with the chief just before the wedding, when you handed over his monthly bribe money and discussed business. If he was truly missing, this could ruin you.

Jake’s voice pulls you back to the present. “Hey, are you okay?”

You force a smile, trying to mask your anxiety. “Uh, yeah. I just…umm I recognize the chief from some old business deals.”

Jake’s eyes narrow slightly, not fully convinced but not pressing the issue. “Do you want me to make some calls? See if any of my men know something?”

You nod, grateful for his support. “Yes, please. That would help.”

Jake takes out his phone and steps aside to make a call. You take a deep breath, trying to calm your racing thoughts. When Jake returns, he gives you a reassuring nod. “I have someone looking into it now. We should go back to the garden and wrap up brunch.”

You both continue down the stairs, the weight of the news still heavy on your mind. When you reach the garden, you notice that Heeseung is no longer there. Jake’s father and stepmother are engaged in conversation, but they pause as you approach.

“Where’s Heeseung?” Jake asks, looking around.

“He had to leave,” Jaehee replies, his tone dismissive. “Something about an urgent matter.”

You exchange a glance with Jake, the timing of Heeseung’s departure striking both of you as odd. However, neither of you voice your suspicions. Instead, you take your seats, and the conversation resumes, albeit with a lingering tension.

Suddenly, Jaehee's phone rings. He glances at the screen and frowns before answering.

"Yes?"

You and Jake exchange a look, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. Jaehee's expression darkens as he listens to the caller, his jaw tightening. "What do you mean he's missing?" His voice is low but laced with agitation. "How long has it been?"

There's a pause as the person on the other end responds. Jaehee's fingers drum impatiently on the table. "And you're sure there's no trace of him? This is a disaster."

Another pause, and Jaehee's eyes narrow.

"Find out who's responsible. We can't afford any loose ends."

He ends the call abruptly and pockets his phone, his expression stormy. Jake leans forward, his concern evident. "What was that about, Father?"

Jaehee sighs, rubbing his temples. "The chief of police has been declared missing. This isn't just bad—it's potentially catastrophic."

Your heart skips a beat. Jake glances at you before turning back to his father. "Why is it such a big deal? I mean, I know he was important, but-"

Jaehee cuts him off, his tone sharp. "Jaeyun, do you have any idea how many of our business associates have ties to the chief? He was the linchpin keeping several of our deals in place. If he's really been taken, and it's by any of our enemies, we're looking at a shitshow of epic proportions. Not to forget we’re already on the FBI’s radar, we can not afford any potential leaks."

The word "shitshow" hangs heavily in the air, and you feel a chill run down your spine.

Jake's face hardens as he processes his father's words. "Who do you think did it?"

Jaehee shakes his head. "I don't know yet. But we need to prepare for the worst. If our enemies have him, they could use him to dismantle our operations piece by piece. The information he has it’s... it's invaluable."

You speak up, your voice hesitant. "Maybe he's already dead."

Jaehee's gaze snaps to you, his eyes intense. For a moment, you think he's going to reprimand you, but then he sighs deeply.

"That would be the best-case scenario. If he's dead, we can at least control the narrative, claim he was taken out by a rival or in a random act of violence. But if he's alive and talking..."

He trails off, the implication clear. Jake's hand tightens around yours under the table.

"So, what do we do?"

Jaehee's expression hardens with resolve. "If he's alive, we find him and we kill him ourselves if necessary. We can't afford to have our entire syndicate compromised. Every second he's missing increases the risk."

Yerin interjects, her tone composed. "Do you have any leads?"

Jaehee shakes his head. "Not yet. But I have people working on it. Jaeyun, I need you to reach out to our contacts, see if anyone has heard anything. We need to be proactive but discrete."

Jake nods, his face set in determination. "I’ll get on it right away."

You feel an odd surge of anxiety at the thought of Jake diving headfirst into this dangerous situation. "Is there anything I can do to help?" you ask, trying to keep your voice steady.

Jaehee looks at you thoughtfully. "Just keep your eyes and ears open. If you hear anything, no matter how trivial it may seem, let us know immediately."

You nod, your resolve hard. Jake's hand squeezes yours again, offering silent support. "It’ll be okay," he says quietly, his eyes locked onto yours.

Jaehee stands, his posture commanding. "I'll make some calls. Yerin, keep an eye on things here. And you two," he says, looking at you and Jake, "stay vigilant. We can't afford any mistakes."

With that, he leaves the table, his phone already to his ear as he steps into the house.

Yerin watches him go, her face passive. "This family has faced challenges before, and we've always come out on top. This will be no different."

Jake nods, his jaw set. "We'll do whatever it takes."

You look at him, feeling fearful. You’ve come to understand that you don’t like Jake when he’s in his leader mode. He becomes cold, calculated and ruthless.

You all finish your meal in relative silence. When the meal ends, you and Jake excuse yourselves, making your way back to the car. Jake starts the engine and glances at you. "Are you really okay?"

You take a deep breath, your thoughts racing. "I don't know. I'm worried about what this could mean for me, for Sungchan."

Jake reaches over and takes your hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "We'll figure it out. Together."

You nod, feeling a little lightheaded at the way he says the word with so much conviction. "Yeah, together."

As you drive, your mind races with thoughts about the chief, Sungchan, and the potential fallout from all this. Your phone buzzes, the screen lighting up with an unknown number. You frown and decline the call, feeling uneasy.

A few minutes later, the phone rings again with the same unknown number. Jake glances at it and then at you, his expression serious. "You should answer it."

Reluctantly, you pick up the call. "Hello?"

There's a heavy silence, then the sound of labored breathing. After a moment, a weak voice whimpers, “…S..sa.ve... me."

Before you can respond, the line cuts off. You stare at the phone, shaken. The voice was so faint and distorted, you couldn't even recognize who it was.

Jake's eyes are on you, concern etched on his face. "What was that?"

You force a shrug, trying to keep your voice steady. "Probably just a spam call."

He watches you for a moment, then nods, seemingly accepting your explanation. The car ride continues in tense silence until you reach a stoplight, and Jake takes an unexpected turn.

"Jake, where are we going?" you ask, confusion lacing your words.

He smiles, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "I have a surprise for you."

"What's the occasion?" you ask, a blush creeping up your cheeks at the gesture.

"To celebrate being partners," he says simply. He glances at you and smirks, “and a gift for surviving brunch with my family.”

You can't help but smile, feeling a flutter in your chest. "That's sweet of you."

He drives for a bit longer until you pull into the parking lot of the Museum of Modern Art. You look at him, puzzled. "A museum?"

Jake nods, a proud look on his face. "I know how much you love art. I thought we could spend some time together doing something you enjoy."

You feel a rush of gratitude and warmth. Jake has yet again gone above and beyond. You wonder how much more your heart can take before you fall for him. "Thank you, Jake. This means a lot."

You both continue through the gallery, stopping occasionally for you to explain different pieces and their historical contexts. Jake listens attentively, asking insightful questions and clearly enjoying learning about the art world from your perspective.

At one point, you come across a serene landscape painting. "This is by Claude Monet. It's one of his famous Water Lilies series."

Jake's eyes soften as he looks at the delicate brushstrokes. "It's beautiful. Peaceful."

You nod. "Monet was a master of capturing light and atmosphere. He painted these in his garden at Giverny. It's like he's inviting us into his private world."

Jake smiles. "I like that. It's like a glimpse into his soul."

You move on to a bold, geometric piece by Piet Mondrian. "This one's called 'Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow.' Mondrian was all about simplicity and balance."

Jake studies the painting, the intersecting lines and primary colors. "It's so different from the others we've seen. Almost mathematical."

"Exactly," you say. "He believed in reducing art to its purest form. It's all about finding harmony."

Jake chuckles. "You're a little art geek huh? Really passionate about this, aren't you?"

You blush slightly. "I guess I am. Art has always been a way for me to escape and express myself."

Jake's expression softens. "I'm glad you're sharing it with me. I feel like I'm getting to know you better through this."

As you continue to explore, you come across a striking sculpture by Auguste Rodin. "This is 'The Thinker.' It's one of the most famous sculptures in the world."

Jake walks around the statue, taking in its intricate details. "The detail is incredible. It's like you can feel his thoughts."

You smile. "That's what makes Rodin so amazing. He could capture human emotion and thought in such a tangible way."

Jake nods, clearly impressed. "It's like he's frozen in a moment of deep contemplation."

You spend hours wandering through the museum, discussing various artworks and sharing your thoughts and feelings about them. Jake's genuine interest and engagement make the experience even more enjoyable. You feel a growing connection between the two of you, a bond that goes beyond the superficial.

As you leave the museum, the sun is beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city. Jake holds your hand as you walk back to the car. "Thank you for today," you say softly. "I had a great time."

Jake smiles. "So did I. I'm glad we got to spend this time together."

You drive in comfortable silence for a while, the city lights flickering outside the car windows. Eventually, Jake breaks the silence. "There's something I need to do before we head home."

You glance at him curiously. "What's that?"

"I need to stop by the packaging warehouse," Jake explains. "I need to speak with Sunghoon and Jay about how to distribute this batch. We're running low on baggie boys, and with the chief's disappearance, I’m sure the police are cracking down on drug deals."

You nod, understanding the urgency. "Alright. I'll come with you."

Jake looks at you, a mix of surprise and gratitude in his eyes. "You don't have to, but I'd appreciate the company."

The drive to the warehouse is short, and Jake parks the car in a secluded area. The building is nondescript, blending in with the industrial surroundings. Jake leads you inside, where Sunghoon and Jay are already waiting.

"Hey, boss," Sunghoon greets Jake with a nod. "We were just going over the inventory. It's getting tight."

Jake frowns, his mind clearly focused on the problem at hand. "We need to figure out a way to stretch what we have and find new suppliers. The last thing we need is a shortage right now."

Jay nods in agreement. "With the police cracking down, it's going to get harder to move product. We need to be careful."

Jake turns to you, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Any ideas?"

You hesitate for a moment, then speak up. "Maybe we could diversify our distribution methods. Use different channels to move the product and keep the police off our trail."

Sunghoon raises an eyebrow. "Not a bad idea. We could use some of our legitimate businesses as fronts."

Jake nods, a look of approval in his eyes. "That's a good start. We'll need to be smart and stay one step ahead."

Sunghoon clears his throat, looking hesitant. "I know it's bad timing, but..." He trails off, unsure of how to continue.

Jake sighs at his best friend. "Just spit it out, Sunghoon."

Sunghoon takes a deep breath. "The shipment of overseas ammunition we ordered has disappeared."

Jake is silent for a moment, then his voice is deadly calm. "How the fuck does a cargo freight carrying sixty thousand dollars worth of ammunition go missing?"

Sunghoon scrambles to explain. "It went missing a few minutes after leaving the harbor earlier today. We've been trying to find it, but so far, no luck."

Jake's anger is palpable, his fists clenching at his sides. You place a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. "Jake, you need to stay level headed."

He heeds your words, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "Keep me posted, Sunghoon. We need to find that shipment before tomorrow. It's meant for the Byun's, and Baekhyun isn't known for being a patient man."

Sunghoon and Jay nod, leaving to figure out the situation. As they walk away, you turn to Jake, noticing the tension in his shoulders. "Come on, let's go to your office. You need to relax."

Jake leads you into his office, closing the door behind him. You can see the stress etched into his features, the weight of the day's events bearing down on him. You guide him to sit behind his desk, leaning beside him against the table.

"You've had a rough day," you say softly. "Let me help you unwind."

Jake’s eyes darken as he looks at you from his seated positions “And how do you plan to do that?”

Jake knows very well that his question opens the door for something more, more room for exploring the more intimate parts of your relationship and for a second he thinks he may have jumped the gun. Though when you lift yourself from his desk, looking into his eyes with desire and need swirling in your irises, he gulps as he thinks he may not have made a mistake after all.

Jake swallows, looking into your expectant eyes as you look at him innocently, sparing a glance at his thighs; deliciously manspreading. You try to remain calm about it, taking a deep breath and going all in, tentatively bring your hands to his chest and hook one of your legs over him.

You bravely straddle Jake’s lap in a single moment, settling above his crotch as you peer at him with an unreadable expression.

Jake freezes, eyes wide as his hands naturally fall around your hips sitting on him, and he can’t help but grow weak at the innocent look in your eyes though your body is doing the contrary. He only watches as your eyes linger on his soft lips, his own hands canvasing up to grip your sides with an emotion he could only label as want, eyes filled with anticipation.

“I can fix it… like this.” You speak, hand sliding up to grab Jake’s jaw. You don’t pause to think, mind blank as you lean forward and press your mouth against Jake’s in a single second. Jake doesn’t even have time to feel surprised, in shock for an instant before he begins relishing in the familiar sensation of your lips, warm palms smoothing over your sides.

You slide closer to his body, feeling your chest push against his own as you deepen the kiss, slowly with a hint of lust that leaks into the way you began grinding your body against his, needing more. Jake gladly accepts that, opening his mouth to let his tongue roam your own.

He tongue swipes your bottom lip, loving the wet feeling and you open right up for his taking, all-consuming and head-spinning.

You sneak your hands up into his hair, tugging at the base lightly and Jake groans into your mouth. You become more impatient for friction, something to quell the arousal shooting through your veins, and so you begin moving yourself over his welcoming crotch. You feel him twitch underneath you, beginning to rock himself along with your smaller body, pushing his hips up into you.

Your mouths begin moving more harshly the more time passes, full on making out as you move more urgently against him. He catches your bottom lip between his teeth as he pulls away from you, tugging on the flesh as he breathes for much needed air, moaning as your foreheads find each other.

“Let me take care of you Jake.” You breathe hotly. “I’m yours, aren’t I?”

Jake instantly feels ignited, his cock jolting at just the feeling of you straddling him and he drags his tongue along the inside of his cheek, smirking.

The heat of Jake’s stare then turns dark as he says, “all mine.”

For some odd and unknown reason, Jake finds himself wanting to be the only one who gets to have you; maybe it’s because he’s never felt this way before, or has never felt so strongly about it. But it constantly eats at his brain, thinking of the possibility of other men that got to kiss you just like this, got to have you sit on their lap just like this before he came into the picture.

And he fucking hates it.

Though now that the proverbial line has been irreversibly crossed all Jake can feel in this moment is his sheer desire, his incessant, passionate desire for you and how it has been growing. Ever since the kiss from three weeks ago at lunch, his mind has been spiraling.

He wants to kiss you all the fucking time.

“I need to take you home, baby.”

You nod, that’s exactly what you want. “Please.” You whimper.

Jake is quick to help you to your feet and shift his pants around to hide his raging boner. He grabs you by the back of your elbow and leads you out of his office then the warehouse all together.

He walks you back to the car, his hand gently resting on your lower back. "Can’t wait to get you home," he all but moans.

As Jake starts the car and begins driving, the city lights blur past. You can feel the tension from the day's events slowly ebbing away only to be replaced by a different kind of tension.

He glances at you, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You know," he starts, his tone borderline serious, "I've been thinking a lot about us lately."

You look at him, curious. "What do you mean?"

Jake takes a deep breath, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I mean, I want more. I want us to be more than just a team…and if we’re going to fuck, I want us to be more than people who just sleep with each other."

Your heart skips a beat. "Jake, I..."

Before you can respond, the deafening sound of gunshots pierces the air. Jake's eyes widen as he swerves the car, narrowly avoiding the bullets that shatter the rear windshield.

"Get down!" Jake yells, pushing you down as low as you can go. He maneuvers the car through the empty streets of Seoul, trying to shake off the assailants.

You can hear the gunfire getting closer, the bullets pinging off the car. You're frozen in fear, the reality of the situation paralyzing you. Jake reaches over and pulls you down even further just as a bullet crashes through the window on your side, embedding itself in the backseat.

"Hold on!" Jake shouts. He hits the gas, the car lurching forward as he attempts to outmaneuver the shooters. The assailants' car pulls up alongside yours, and you can see the muzzle flashes as they fire again. Jake swerves violently in their direction, sending the other car careening off the road and into a ditch.

Jake slams on the brakes and pulls out a gun from the console, handing you a spare. "If anyone comes near the car, shoot them," he orders, his voice firm and unyielding.

You nod, gripping the gun tightly as Jake gets out of the car. You watch him approach the other vehicle, his movements calculated and purposeful. You can see his lips moving as he questions the driver and shooter, but you can't hear anything over the pounding of your heart in your ears.

Suddenly, Jake lifts his gun and fires, the shots echoing in the night. He stands there for a moment, looking down at the bodies before turning and heading back to the car.

Your anxiety is palpable, but not because of what you just witnessed Jake do. The realization that someone tried to kill you is overwhelming. Jake come back to the car, standing in front of your door, his expression unreadable.

"Hand me the burner phone from the glove compartment," he says calmly. You do as you're told, your hands trembling slightly.

Jake dials a number and waits for a moment. When someone answers, he simply says, "Crimson dove." Then he hangs up, wipes the phone clean, tosses it to the ground and stomps on it before getting into the car and speeds away from the scene, his focus entirely on getting you both to safety.

The remainder of the drive is silent, the tension settling once again, thick as ever. Gone is the sexual desire and want. Instead, in its place is anxiety and anger.

You can't shake the feeling of unease, the fear that still lingers from the attack. When you finally pull into an opening at the top of a hill leading to a tiny home, you spot Sunghoon and Jay standing at the front of the house, their expressions grim.

"What the hell is going on?" Sunghoon demands as Jake helps you out of the car.

Jake's jaw tightens. "Someone put out a hit on us," he says, his voice cold and controlled.

Jay looks shocked. "What the hell? Are you both okay?"

"We're fine," Jake replies. "But we need to act fast. Jay, I need you to go clean up the scene. The car is in a ditch on the outskirts of town."

Jay nods. "Got it. I'll call Sunoo to come and take care of your car."

"Good. Sunghoon, stay here with me. We need to figure out what's going on. First, the missing ammunition shipment, and now this. There’s no way they aren’t connected."

Sunghoon's expression hardens. "We'll get to the bottom of it."

Jake takes a deep breath, his hand still on the small of your back, a silent reassurance. "Let's go inside," he says, guiding you toward the house.

When you step inside Jake doesn't waste any time. He begins pacing the room, his mind clearly working through the details of the attack.

"Sunghoon," he starts, "we need to double-check our security. Make sure there are no leaks. I want a full sweep of our network."

Sunghoon nods, already pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.

Jay returns, his expression tense. "The scene is being cleared as we speak. Sunoo is on his way to take care of the car."

"Good," Jake replies. "Now, let's focus on the ammunition shipment. I want to know who had access to it and who could have known about our movements."

You watch as Jake effortlessly takes control of the situation, his leadership and anger evident. Despite the chaos, you feel a sense of security knowing he's in charge. A complete change of heart compared to this morning at brunch, God that seems like forever ago now.

Hours pass as the men work tirelessly, making calls and gathering information. You stay close to Jake, offering support where you can. The fear from earlier lingers, but the resolve to find out who targeted you burns even stronger.

As the night wears on, Jake finally turns to you, his expression softening for the first time since the attack. "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice filled with genuine concern.

You nod, managing a small smile. "I will be. As long as we're together."

Jake pulls you into a tight embrace, his arms strong and protective around you. "Together," he murmurs.

You nod against his chest, playing with the buttons on his dress shirt. You pull away when you hear footsteps approaching. It's Jay, looking serious as ever.

"Sunghoon and I are leaving now to follow up on some leads," Jay informs him, his tone brisk and professional.

Jake nods, his expression hardening again. "Good. Keep me updated on anything you find."

Jay gives a quick nod, and with a final glance at you, he turns and leaves with Sunghoon. The door closes behind them, and the house feels eerily quiet.

You follow Jake into the living room, the tension from earlier still lingering. Both of you sit on the couch, and Jake wraps his arms around you, pulling you close. You nestle into his embrace, finding comfort in his warmth.

After a moment of silence, you murmur, "Crimson dove."

Jake freezes at your words, his body tensing. You pull away slightly to look at him, curiosity and concern in your eyes. "What does it mean?"

Jake sighs, running a hand through his hair. "It's a secret code Heeseung and I came up with when we were younger. During the year I stayed with my dad, Heeseung and I were inseparable. Whenever our dad would get on my nerves and I felt my anger issues start to act up, Heeseung told me to just call out 'crimson dove,' and he'd come running to help calm me down."

He smiles bitterly, the memory clearly a mix of fondness and pain. "Heeseung used to be a good older brother to me."

You comfortingly pat his back. "Does it mean anything special?"

Jake laughs softly, shaking his head. "When I asked Heeseung why 'crimson dove,' he just shrugged and said because it sounded tough."

You laugh with him, the tension easing slightly. "Sounds like something Heeseung would say."

Jake's smile lingers for a moment before he continues. "I figured there would be some opposition once I took over and would need a safe phrase or word for when that trouble came knocking. 'Crimson dove' was the first thing that came to mind."

You look at him, your expression thoughtful. "And the safe house?"

Jake nods. "Jay found it. He decided it would be our meeting point if a 'crimson dove' situation ever happened. The three of us, now four including you, are the only ones who know about its existence. Jay and Sunghoon are my closest friends. Sunghoon was meant to keep a close eye on me while I was abroad, and Jay is the son of my father's right-hand man. He's the one who helped me find my role in this world. Jay, in a way, has become like an older brother to me."

You reach out, placing a hand on Jake's cheek. "I'm sorry Heeseung has changed."

Jake shrugs, leaning in to peck your lips. "It's not your fault."

You stare at each other in silence, the tension giving way to a different kind of intensity. The desire in his eyes mirrors your own. Slowly, you lean in and kiss Jake more passionately, your hands threading through his hair.

He responds immediately, his arms tightening around you as he deepens the kiss. The world outside fades away, leaving only the two of you in this moment. His touch is both gentle and demanding, a perfect reflection of the complex man he is.

Your hands explore the contours of his back, feeling the muscles tense under your touch. Jake's hands are just as busy, one tangled in your hair, the other tracing patterns down your spine.

As the kiss continues, you can feel the day's stress melting away, replaced by a fiery need. Jake pulls you even closer, if that’s possible, his lips never leaving yours. When you finally break apart for air, you're both breathing heavily, eyes locked in a heated gaze.

"I can't lose you," he whispers against your lips.

"You won't," you assure him, your voice equally breathless. "We're in this together, remember?"

Jake nods, his forehead resting against yours. "Together," he repeats, his voice filled with an emotion you can’t quite place.

The kiss resumes, this time even more fervent. Your body presses against his as his hands roam your back, exploring and memorizing every curve. The passion between you is undeniable, a testament to the bond you now share.

As the intensity builds, you pull back slightly, looking into his eyes. "Jake..."

He looks into your eyes, desperately searching them for any sign of discomfort.

“I want you.”

just queued chapter 3 of wos🤭 things are starting to heat up 🙂‍↕️

🤭 i can’t wait for you to read the next chapters hehehehe

worls of sinners ii | sim jaeyun

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦: your parents are the head of one of the nation’s most lucrative syndicates and your older brother is heir to the throne which leaves you free to leave this world of evil behind. you’ve been waiting for this day for twenty years of your life, you can practically taste the freedom. what will you do, however, when your parents arrange a marriage for you to bind together their empire with the Lee’s to stop a full on gang war?

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: sim jaeyun x f!reader ft brother!sungchan

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mafia!au, arranged marriage!au

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 8.0k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: dark themes, mentions of drugs, mentions of violence, vulgar language, mentions of death, forced marriage, corruption, consumption of alcohol, possessiveness, mentions of blood.

| masterlist | previous | next |

The reception was just as beautiful as the wedding. The soft procession of violins and cellos filled the hall as your guest roamed about the spacious room talking amongst themselves. You secluded yourself to the high table and refused to leave your position to meet any new faces.

You could clearly see the distaste written across your new father-in-laws face as you made it your goal to avoid his business associates but you could’t find it in you to care. While the mobsters scattered around the room drank away their inhibitions and partied like no tomorrow, you sat alone nursing a flute of sparkling cider mourning the loss of your freedom.

Jake tried his best to play the role of a doting husband but gave up an hour later when you did nothing but give him the cold shoulder, you said nothing as he slinked off to go congregate with his close friends, you watched them talk amongst themselves, feeling biter at how easy it was for Jake to let loose and enjoy himself. You bring the flute glass up to your lips and finish it off before placing the glass back onto the table only to be met face to face with Heeseung who stands on the other side. You raise your eyebrows curiously, “May I help you?”

He smirks and scans your face, “I'm sure you can doll.” Your face remains passive, even at the pet name he bestows upon you, you watch him with a blank face as he rounds the table to sit beside you. “Why do you look as if you’ve been shot? Shouldn’t you be happy, it’s your wedding day afterall?”

You scoff, “I’m sure you know why.”

A puff of air escapes Heeseung’s parted lips as he leans back in his seat and takes a sip of his whiskey. “Jake won’t hurt you if that’s what you’re thinking, that boy couldn’t even harm a fly. I have no clue why our father chose to hand over the clan to him. Besides, you have far more pressing matters to worry about”

An eyebrow shoots up at that, “such as..?”

He smirks over the rim of his glass, “producing an heir.” You cringe at the reminder of what is expected of you. You can’t stand even being in Jake’s presence for more than an hour let alone letting him bed you. “I don’t know how things are run over at Jung Empire but the Lee clan is quite old fashioned, the women are expected to look after the children and make sure there is peace between the mafiosos while the men control the bigger things such as the business aspect. Think of it as a game of chess, you may be the queen and Jake is the king but you hold the power on the board, he is nothing without you.”

You frown at his analogy, “I'm not sure I understand.”

Heeseung’s face is void of any emotion as he looks away to stare intently at the back of his younger brother's head, seemingly calculating “I’m sure you will soon.” He turns back to you and offers you one last vibrant smile before standing and walking away.

You watch him walk away, lost in your own mind that’s working in overdrive. You sigh and stand to walk towards the bar to get yourself a glass of whiskey.

As you pass Jake, the song draws to a close and your mother-in-law starts tapping her butter knife against the rim of her cocktail glass, the chatter around the room abruptly dies down. Your eyes locate her by the end of the hall, near the live band with her burgundy nails wrapped around a flute of a dark red wine.

“May I have your attention for a moment please,” she asks, her voice delicate yet firm. Jake makes his way over to you after excusing himself from his friends, he places a warm hand on your shoulder and leans over to place a kiss on your cheek.

You can’t decide what you hate more; the way Lee Yerin stares at you with her hawk-like eyes, scrutinizing your every move or the way Jake slides his arms down to grab you by the waist to assert his claim on you in the presence of his men.

It bothers you how comfortable he seems to be getting with you already but you know better than to brush him off. In your world, possession is everything. It wouldn’t be wise to send a message of strife so early in your marriage.

You’re barely listening as Yerin goes on about how proud she is to finally see her youngest son become a man. You wonder if she means her words, with Jake being the living breathing proof of her husband's infidelity you can’t help but wonder if she harbors any hate for the male. She finishes by thanking the guests for their attendance, before turning back to the two of you with a red-lipped smile that reaches her eyes.

As her speech draws to a close, the room erupts into polite applause, but the tension in the air remains palpable. Jake's grip tightens around your waist, his touch possessive, as if daring anyone to challenge his claim over you. It's a stark reminder of the role you've been thrust into – a pawn in a game of power and ambition.

You glance over at Yerin, her smile still plastered on her lips, but there's a glint in her eyes that sends a shiver down your spine. She may be putting on a show for the guests, but you know better than to underestimate her.

As the crowd begins to disperse, you feel a sense of relief wash over you. But before you can slip away unnoticed, Yerin's voice cuts through the air once more.

"____," she calls out, her tone sweet yet commanding. "A moment, please."

You exchange a wary glance with Jake before reluctantly stepping forward to face his step-mother. Her gaze is piercing, her scrutiny leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"I hope you're settling into your new role comfortably," she says, her voice laced with thinly veiled authority.

You force a polite smile, nodding in response. "Of course, Mrs. Lee. I'm doing my best to adapt."

Yerin's smile widens, but there's a hint of something sinister lurking beneath the surface. "Good," she says, her tone dripping with insincerity. "Because there's much expected of you as Jaeyunie's wife."

You swallow hard, the weight of her words sinking in. You're well aware that your position comes with its own set of expectations and obligations.

Before you can respond, Jake steps in, his voice firm but gentle. "Mother, perhaps this can wait for another time. ____ must be tired from the festivities."

Yerin's gaze flickers between the two of you, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Of course, my dear," she says, her tone saccharine sweet. "We wouldn't want to keep you from your rest."

With a final nod, you and Jake make your escape, the weight of Yerin's words lingering in the air like a dark cloud. As you slip away into the mass of people, you can't help but wonder what other secrets and challenges await you in this new chapter of your life.

As you and Jake make your way through the crowd, the weight of Yerin's expectations hangs heavy in the air. Despite the celebration, a sense of unease settles over you, casting a shadow over the lavish celebration.

Jake's grip on your waist remains firm, his touch a silent reassurance amidst the chaos. You steal a glance at him, finding a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, a stark contrast to the confident facade he wears for the world.

"Are you okay?" you ask softly, your voice barely audible over the din of the party.

He offers you a tight-lipped smile, his expression guarded. "I'm fine," he replies, his tone lacking conviction. "Just... adjusting, I suppose."

You nod in understanding, knowing all too well the weight of expectation. It's a burden you both share, a burden that threatens to consume you if you're not careful.

As you reach the outskirts of the crowd, Jake’s grip loosens slightly, allowing you both a moment of respite from the suffocating atmosphere of the reception hall.

"Thank you," you say softly, meeting his gaze with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "For stepping in back there."

Jake offers you a small, genuine smile, his eyes softening with warmth. "Of course," he says, his voice gentle. "We're in this together, ____. No matter what."

As you and Jake navigate through the dispersing crowd, a sudden hush falls over the room, drawing your attention back to the center of the hall. Your heart skips a beat as you see Heeseung striding confidently towards you, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present.

With a flourish, he raises a glass high, the tinkling sound cutting through the silence like a sharp blade. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announces, his voice ringing clear above the murmurs of the crowd. "I believe it's time for our esteemed mafia leader to take his beautiful wife home."

A ripple of laughter and applause erupts from the guests, their cheers mingling with the strains of the fading music. You feel a flush of heat rising to your cheeks, a sense of discomfort settling in the pit of your stomach as all eyes turn to you and Jake.

Jake's grip tightens around your waist once again, his jaw clenched in irritation at the spectacle unfolding before him. You can sense the tension radiating off him, a silent warning to Heeseung to tread carefully.

But Heeseung pays no heed to Jake's silent threat, his gaze fixed on you with a predatory gleam. "Come now, my dear brother," he continues, his voice dripping with faux sincerity. "Let's not keep your wife waiting any longer."

You feel a surge of resentment bubbling within you, disgusted with the way Heeseung chooses to carry himself and address you as if you’re nothing more than a prize Jake has won to bed.

"I'm sure your wife is eager to get home and enjoy your company in a more... private setting," Heeseung drawls suggestively. This is met with a drunken roar of approval from the men in the room, a few of whom lift their glasses in Jake's direction and laugh salaciously. Yerin observes you carefully over the rim of her cocktail before stepping in. “The car outside is ready to go when you are, my darlings." she adds in, arching a perfectly-shaped eyebrow before raising her glass to you with a smirk. "Welcome to the family, ____."

A lick of ice runs through your veins.

In the next moment, you find yourself flanked from all sides by your bridesmaids, giggling as they pull you from Jake's clutches and shove you towards the exit. Jake groans as his friends do the same to him, trying and failing to get them to stop.

The cool night air hits you like a slap to the face when the double doors are flung open. A black SUV awaits you outside, the suited driver standing to attention on the curb, and the bridesmaids shove you into the back seat.

Next thing you know, Jake is being wrangled into the seat beside you. He sends his best man one last glare before the car door slams shut behind him. The car engine hums to life, and a heavy silence falls upon you as the driver pulls away.

You gaze out of the window for the entirety of the ride to your new residence.

When you finally turn in through the large automated gates of the Lee/Sim residence, you don't even wait for the driver to come around and open the door on your behalf, all but throwing it open in a bid to drag some fresh oxygen into your lungs.

You hear Jake's murmured thanks as he exits the car behind you; however your eyes remain fixated on the modern-style mansion that looms ominously before your eyes like a great, architectural monster.

Wordlessly, he moves past you with keys in hand. He knows you'll follow. After all, what other choice do you have?

The journey upstairs to the bedroom is a quiet one. Several of Jake's maids bow at ninety-degree angles as you pass, their hushed greetings of “Welcome, Mrs. Sim" directed at the expensive carpet beneath your feet, but given no indication that you should acknowledge them, you carry on in silence.

The master bedroom is pristine. So much so that it looks unlived in. As you step inside, you inhale the faint scent of fresh linen, a stark contrast to the lingering perfume of the evening's festivities.

Jake's voice breaks the silence, his tone surprisingly gentle amidst the chaos of the night. "This is your space," he says, gesturing around the room. "I'll be across the hall if you need anything."

You meet his gaze, gratitude mingling with the exhaustion etched into his features. “Okay, thank you.”

He stiffly nods before promptly exiting your room. Once he’s out of sight you huff out a sigh of relief before throwing yourself onto the large mattress. You know you should begin to get ready for bed but you feel drained in every sense of the word.

Just as you’re about to stand to remove your reception gown you feel your phone buzz on your bed. You look up from your seated position to find an incoming facetime call from Haru. You perk a bit, noting you hadn’t seen her or Anton on your way out of the reception.

You quickly answer and prop your phone up against a nearby pillow, adjusting it so you can see the screen while you start getting ready for bed.

“Hello.”

Haru smiles brightly and then turns the camera a bit to show Antons face before they both brightly answer you, “Hi!”

You smile at your two friends. “I miss you guys so much,” you say, letting out a tired sigh. “It feels like ages since I saw you.”

“We miss you too,” Haru replies, her voice filled with genuine concern. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

Anton nods in agreement, his expression serious. “If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call. We’re always here for you.”

You start to unbutton your gown, feeling a bit more relaxed. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. Things have been... intense.”

As you step out of your gown, Anton's voice comes through, a bit hesitant. “How are things with Jake?”

You shrug, momentarily forgetting they can’t see you. “We haven’t really spoken. We’re sleeping in separate bedrooms.”

“At least he isn’t a creep who expected you to sleep with him on the first night,” Haru says, trying to lighten the mood.

You let out a small laugh, nodding. “True. That’s one thing to be thankful for.”

You slip into your pajamas and pop back into the frame, sitting cross-legged on the bed. “But something is off. I don’t know what it is yet, but I can feel it.”

Anton leans closer to the camera, his brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

You take a deep breath, deciding to tell them everything. “I was cornered by an FBI agent at the engagement party. He hinted that they know about the dealings of Jake and his family and they have a solid case. I’m going to find out what’s going on and use it as leverage to get out of this marriage.”

Haru and Anton are silent for a moment, processing your words. Finally, Haru speaks up. “Are you sure about this?”

“I have to do something,” you say firmly. “I’m not going to be a pawn in this game. I need to get out of here and join you guys in Paris. My father would have never agreed to this marriage if he knew that the FEDS have a solid case against Jake. I’ll snoop around his office tomorrow and see what I can find.”

Anton’s face is filled with worry. “Please be careful. If he catches you...”

“I know,” you say, nodding. “I promise I’ll be careful.”

There’s a moment of silence as your friends exchange worried looks. Then, Haru smiles softly. “Just remember, we’re always here for you.”

You feel a surge of gratitude for your friends. “Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

After a few more words of encouragement and promises to stay in touch, you finally say your goodbyes and hang up. You place your phone down, feeling a bit more at ease after speaking with your friends.

You lie back on your bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, you’ll start your investigation. You’ll get yourself out of this, it’s you against everyone else. Nothing new.

The next morning, you wake up feeling surprisingly well rested. You dress quickly and make your way downstairs, the quiet of the house almost unnerving. As you enter the kitchen, you find your new husband sitting at the kitchen island. He’s engrossed in his iPad, looking over company spreadsheets while sipping on his coffee.

A maid appears, her presence soft but attentive. “Good morning, ma’am. What would you like for breakfast?”

You offer a polite smile. “I can make myself a bowl of cereal, thank you.”

Jake glances up from his iPad, his expression firm. “No. I’m paying them to take care of you, so you should have a proper breakfast.” He turns to the maid. “Make her some waffles, please.”

You don’t put up much of a fight, knowing it’s not worth the effort. As you try to leave the kitchen to head to the massive dining room, Jake stops you. “Why don’t you take a seat beside me?”

Reluctantly, you sit down next to him. He looks at you, his eyes softer now. “I had all your art supplies moved into the studio down the hall. Thought you might want to get back to painting.”

You’re taken aback by the gesture. “Thank you, Jake.”

He nods, a hint of a smile on his lips. “I have to go to the company for a meeting with the shareholders, so I’ll be gone most of the day. But once I’m back, we can discuss the creative department I plan on opening for you.”

Surprised, you thank him again. This side of Jake is unexpected, you didn’t think he was being serious when he offered to open up a creative department for you when he proposed. You thought it would be yet another empty promise, his kindness leaves you momentarily off balance. He gets up to leave, grabbing his briefcase from the counter. “See you later.”

As he exits, the maid places a plate of waffles in front of you. “Anything else you need, ma’am?”

You look up at her, suddenly curious. “What’s your name?”

“Rose, ma’am,” she replies, her tone respectful.

“Thank you, Rose,” you say warmly. “Would you like to join me for breakfast?”

Rose shakes her head, a faint smile on her face. “It’s not proper, ma’am, but thank you for the offer.” She then moves off to clean the kitchen, leaving you to your meal.

You eat the waffles slowly, trying to gather your thoughts. The house is quiet, and the sense of isolation is almost tangible. Once you’re done, you make your way to the studio Jake mentioned. It’s a spacious room with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Your art supplies are neatly arranged, and a blank canvas stands on an easel, waiting.

You sit down, picking up a paintbrush, but no inspiration comes. The paintbrush feels foreign in your hand, and you find yourself staring at the canvas, lost in thought. The events of the past few days swirl in your mind, making it hard to focus. You remember the FBI agent’s warning, Jake’s unexpected kindness, and the looming uncertainty of your future.

Minutes turn into hours as you sit there, the paintbrush hovering over the canvas but never touching it. Your mind is too cluttered to create, and the weight of your situation presses down on you. You think about Haru and Anton, wondering if they’re almost done with their preparations to leave Korea, wishing they were beside you now.

Eventually, you set the paintbrush down, realizing that you won’t be able to paint today. Instead, you decide to use the time to start your investigation. You remember Jake mentioning that he would be gone for most of the day, which gives you a window of opportunity.

You leave the studio and make your way to Jake’s office. The door is slightly ajar, and you peek inside to ensure no one is around. Taking a deep breath, you step into the room and begin your search. You open drawers, sift through papers, and check the computer for any clues. But the office is meticulously organized, and you find nothing out of the ordinary.

Just as you’re about to give up, you notice a locked drawer in Jake’s desk. Your heart races as you consider your options. You could try to find the key, but that would take time. Instead, you decide to try picking the lock, a skill you picked up in your younger, more rebellious days.

It takes a few minutes, but eventually, you hear a soft click. The drawer opens, revealing a stack of documents. You quickly skim through them, and your blood runs cold as you realize just how cruel your husband can be. You thought your father was bad, but Jake seems to be the devil himself.

As you read through the documents, you uncover records of people Jake has killed, debts he plans on collecting, and bribes that go all the way up to the president. Each piece of paper details horrifying acts—the ruthlessness with which he eliminates anyone who stands in his way, the meticulous planning of each murder, and the extensive network of corruption he maintains. Your hands tremble as you come across a supposed hit list with names of people from Parliament.

Just then, you hear a voice outside the door. Heart pounding, you quickly put the documents back in place and lock the drawer just as Heeseung walks into the room. He looks surprised to find you standing behind Jake’s desk, a smirk curling on his lips.

“What are you doing in here?” he asks, his tone casual but laced with suspicion.

You straighten up, refusing to let him see your fear. “I was looking for a ballpoint pen to sketch with,” you lie smoothly.

Heeseung’s eyes narrow as he studies you. “Is that so?”

You nod, “And what are you doing in my home?” you ask, deflecting the attention away from yourself.

He scoffs at your use of the word “my” and steps closer, his smirk widening. “Your home? Has Jake fucked you well enough for you to be content with being his trophy wife?”

Your eyes narrow in anger as you slap away his hand that was reaching for a stack of papers on the desk. “If you came here to insult me, you can see yourself out. Otherwise, you’ll have to answer to Jake.”

Heeseung lifts his hands in mock surrender, his eyes sweeping around the room as if looking for something. “Jake doesn’t scare me,” he says, his voice low and menacing. “And neither do you. I’m not like Jake. I play rough, so you should watch where you put your hands.”

You glare at him, trying to keep your composure. “I’m not afraid of you, Heeseung. Now, if you don’t have any business here, I suggest you leave.”

Heeseung takes a step closer, invading your personal space. “Or what? You’ll run to Jake? You’re just his pretty little plaything, and you don’t know the first thing about the business we’re in.”

Your pulse quickens, but you refuse to back down. “I’m not just a plaything, and I won’t be intimidated or undermined by you. If you have any respect for Jake and me, you’ll leave now.”

Heeseung smirks, reaching out as if to touch your face, but you swat his hand away. “Don’t touch me,” you snap, your voice steady.

Heeseung chuckles, clearly enjoying the power play. “Feisty. I like that. But remember, Jake isn’t always going to be around to protect you.”

You take a step back, putting distance between you and Heeseung. “I don’t need Jake to protect me. Now get out before I make you.”

Heeseung’s smirk fades slightly, and he seems to reconsider his approach. “Fine,” he says, lifting his hands again. “But this isn’t over. I’ll be back to talk to Jake.”

“Goodbye, Heeseung,” you say firmly, watching as he finally leaves the room. The door closes behind him, and you let out a shaky breath. The encounter has left you rattled, but you can’t afford to lose your nerve now.

You sit back down at the desk, trying to calm your racing heart. Jake and his family truly do rule the underworld, it’s no wonder your father was so quick to wed you off. They’re involved in crimes that go far beyond anything you could have imagined. But this information is also your ticket out of this nightmare. If you can find a way to use it, you might be able to escape and start a new life.

For now, you need to act normal and keep up appearances. You leave the office and head back to the studio, your mind racing with plans and contingencies. Once inside, you pick up a paintbrush and stare at the blank canvas, hoping to appear absorbed in your work should anyone come looking for you. But your thoughts keep drifting back to the documents and Jake. He seems nothing like what those papers claim. He’s been nothing but sweet to you, to think he’s touched you with the same hands that have taken the lives of others makes you want to get up and shower.

Minutes turn into hours as you sit there, pretending to paint. Eventually, the sound of the front door opening and closing signals Jake’s return. You take a deep breath and put on your best calm demeanor, ready to face him.

Jake finds you in the studio, and his face lights up with a smile. “There you are. How was your day?”

“Good,” you reply, forcing a smile. “I spent some time in here, trying to get inspired.”

He nods, walking over to you and placing a hand on your shoulder. “I’m glad to hear that. Let’s have dinner, and then we can discuss the creative department.”

You nod, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Dinner with Jake means more time to play your role and gather information. As you follow him out of the studio, you can’t help but glance back at the canvas, the blank space mirroring the uncertainty of your future.

At dinner, you sit across from Jake in the dimly lit dining room. The table is set with fine china and a sumptuous meal prepared by the household staff. Jake starts the conversation, his tone light and conversational.

"How did you spend your day?" he asks, cutting into his steak.

You take a sip of your wine, trying to maintain your composure. "I spent the day in the studio."

Jake nods, chewing thoughtfully. "I'm glad to hear that. I've been thinking a lot about how to integrate your talents into the company."

You raise an eyebrow, interest peaked. "Oh? What do you have in mind?"

He leans back in his chair, a smile playing on his lips. "We could start by setting up a small team to work on special projects. Maybe some unique advertising campaigns or custom artwork for our high-profile clients."

You nod, your mind racing with possibilities. "That sounds wonderful, Jake. Thank you for considering my passion."

He smiles, seemingly satisfied with your response. "I think it will be a great addition to our company. Plus, it will give you something to focus on and keep you busy."

You force a smile, trying to hide the unease that bubbles beneath the surface. "I appreciate that. I've always wanted to use my art in a meaningful way."

Jake takes a sip of his wine, his eyes studying you. "I want you to know that I won't hurt you," he says softly, his voice sincere. "We were both forced into this marriage, and I understand how difficult that can be. I won’t take any anger out on you. I want you to be comfortable here, to feel safe as my wife."

You’re conflicted, Jake’s words sound comforting but the papers hidden in the depths of his office scream otherwise. “Okay.”

Jake sets his wine glass down and looks at you with a seriousness that makes you lean back in your seat slightly. “I want to make something clear, though. I didn’t choose this life because I wanted to. My father chose me to take over even though it was Heeseung’s birthright.”

You frown, genuinely curious. “Why would your father choose you over Heeseung? And why would you even accept? You seem so different from him. Why would you want to be involved in such horrid crimes?”

Jake hesitates, clearly not used to talking about his family dynamics. After a moment, he relents. “Heeseung wasn’t ready to take over. He abused the fact that he was the heir. He partied, made reckless decisions, and endangered our entire operation. I thought stepping up would show our father that I was capable and might even fix my broken relationship with Heeseung.”

He pauses, his eyes distant. “I’ve always been undermined because I’m the bastard son. People are finally starting to take me seriously now that my father has given me full reign.”

He lets out a self-deprecating laugh. “You must find me pathetic, doing all of this because of daddy issues.”

You shake your head, empathizing with him. “Not at all. I understand more than you might think. Growing up, I was always in my older brother’s shadow. No one took me seriously because I was the youngest and a girl. I did everything I could to get our father to see me, to recognize my worth. But eventually, I gave up. It wasn’t worth all the pain I inflicted on myself and others.”

Jake looks at you with a newfound understanding, a bond forming between you. “I guess we’re not so different after all.”

You both sit in silence for a moment, processing the vulnerability you’ve just shared. Then, you remember the FBI agent from the engagement party. “Jake, what do you plan on doing about the case the FBI has opened?”

Jake shrugs, his demeanor calm. “I’ll deal with it.”

“How?” you ask.

Jake pauses, then looks at you intently. “Do you want me to be honest?”

“Yes,” you say, taking his hand. “That’s all I’ll ever want from you—honesty.”

He nods. “I’ll have the lead investigator, the one who threatened you, killed. We’ll make it look like a suicide. Then I’ll pay off the president to close the case.”

You nod slowly, having expected such a response. “I figured as much. Thank you for being honest with me.”

Jake squeezes your hand. “I promise, I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”

You return the squeeze, feeling a complex mix of emotions—relief, fear, and a strange sense of solidarity. “Thank you, Jake.”

With the heavy conversation behind you, you both return to eating your dinner. The atmosphere between you has shifted; there’s a newfound understanding and mutual respect. As you finish your meal, you can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, you and Jake might find a way to navigate this treacherous life together.

After dinner, Jake stands up and reaches for your hand. “Let’s go to the living room. We can talk more about the creative department there.”

You nod and follow him, feeling a bit lighter. Once you’re both settled on the couch, Jake starts outlining his vision for integrating your art into the company. You listen intently, offering suggestions and ideas, and for the first time in your life, you feel a glimmer of hope that you might be able to carve out a small piece of this world for yourself.

As the evening wears on, the conversation shifts back to more personal topics. You find It isn’t hard to relate to Jake the more you talk to him, surprisingly finding yourself enjoying your time with him. You’re more similar than you expected, and it dawns a new sort of appreciation for him. It was like this entire marriage would seem easier than you thought, especially with an understanding partner like Jake.

Jake shares stories from his childhood, and you find yourself laughing at some of his more outrageous ones. In turn, you share some of your own, and by the end of your last story, there’s a comfortable silence between you.

Jake looks at you, a small smile playing on his lips. “Are you tired?”

You shake your head and sip on your wine before answering. “Not really. Why?”

He grins, looking almost boyish. “How about a movie night? It’s been a long day, and I think we both deserve a break.”

You nod, feeling a sense of relief at the normalcy of his suggestion. “Sure, that sounds nice.”

You begin to get comfortable on the large, plush couch while Jake turns on the tv and scrolls through his streaming service before deciding on ‘10 Things I Hate About You’

You raise an eyebrow, amused by his choice. “Seriously?”

He defends himself, his grin widening. “It’s the best movie ever made. Don’t knock it until you’ve watched it with me.”

You laugh, shaking your head. “Alright, you’ve convinced me.”

Jake hits play and sits down beside you, draping a cozy blanket over both of you. As the movie starts, you find yourself relaxing more than you have in days. The lightheartedness of the film and Jake’s occasional commentary makes you forget, even if just for a while, the dark reality of your lives.

About halfway through the movie, you start to feel your eyelids grow heavy. You fight to stay awake, not wanting to miss any part of the film or the rare moment of peace. But before long, you find yourself leaning against Jake’s shoulder, the warmth and comfort lulling you to sleep.

Jake glances down at you, a soft smile on his face. He gently shifts his arm to support you better, careful not to wake you. “Pretty,” he mumbles under his breath, almost to himself. He reaches up and softly caresses your cheek, his touch tender and protective.

As the movie continues to play, Jake finds himself more focused on you than the screen. He watches you sleep, marveling at the trust you’ve shown by falling asleep on him. The weight of the day’s revelations and the growing bond between you settles over him, and he feels a strange sense of contentment.

Eventually, the rhythm of your breathing and the comfort of the moment lull Jake into sleep as well. The two of you sit there, wrapped in the blanket, a small bubble of warmth and peace in the midst of a tumultuous world.

In that quiet, shared slumber, a tentative connection begins to form. It’s fragile and new, but in the darkness of your lives, it shines like a small, precious light.

You wake up the next morning wrapped in Jake's arms, his steady breathing a comfort against your shoulder. As you gently shift, his eyes flutter open, and for a moment, you both just stare at each other, unsure of what to say. This closeness is new to both of you.

Jake clears his throat and slowly separates himself from you. "Good morning."

"Good morning," you reply, sitting up. "I’m sorry for falling asleep on you last night."

Jake waves off your apology with a soft smile. "Don't be. What else are my arms for if not to support my wife’s head?"

You laugh softly, appreciating his attempt at humor. "What are your plans for today?"

He stretches and then looks at you, his expression turning serious. "I have another meeting today. It’s for our... other business."

You catch on immediately, realizing he means the mafia. Nodding, you decide to take a bold step. "Can I tag along?"

Jake looks hesitant. "I don’t know if that’s a good idea."

"Think about it," you reason. "It would be a good look if we showed up together. It might help if no one thinks there’s any strife in our marriage."

He considers your words and finally relents. "Alright, but stay close to me. It’s not the safest place."

As you both stand from the couch, Rose enters the living room with a polite smile. "Good morning, Mr and Mrs. Sim. I'll take care of the living area while you get ready."

You nod and head to your room to shower. The warm water helps clear your mind, but your thoughts keep drifting back to Jake and the strange new dynamic between you two. After your shower, you find a dress laid out on the bed—a tasteful yet elegant piece that you can tell Jake picked out to match his own attire.

You dress quickly, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. When you walk out, Jake is waiting, he gives you an approving nod. "You look perfect."

"Thank you," you reply, feeling a bit flustered under his gaze.

Jake leads you to the car, opening the door for you.

The car ride goes by smoothly and in no time you arrive at the outskirts of Seoul. The warehouse you pull up to is surrounded by extravagant cars, a testament to the wealth and power of those inside.

Jake places a protective arm around your waist and guides you into the building, and you’re met with familiar faces—associates of Jake’s clan and big-time mafiosos. He takes a seat at the head of the table and pulls you onto his lap, a clear display of possession and protection.

Sunghoon, Jake’s right-hand man, stands to give his report. “The situation with the baggie boys is getting worse. They’re stealing cuts of our product, and now men from the Lee and Jung borders are going missing.”

You tense at the mention of your family name but stay quiet, tuning into the conversation with more interest.

Jake’s frustration is evident, but he lets Sunghoon continue. “Also, the FBI knows about the illegal acts, not just the corruption within the government. This investigation might be harder to navigate.”

Jake hums in thought. “Have we spoken to the president?”

Sunghoon nods. “The president is keeping a close eye on the case, but it will take time before he can act.”

One of the mafiosos, Byun Baekhyun, speaks up, his tone accusatory. “Is there a rat amongst us?”

Jake’s eyes flash with offense. “You dare question my men?”

Baekhyun doesn’t back down. “It’s a fair question, Jake. How else would the FBI know so much? Someone must be leaking information.”

Jake’s grip tightens on your waist, his anger barely contained. “My men are loyal. Perhaps you should look at your own house before making such accusations.”

Baekhyun leans back, smirking. “I’m just saying, it’s a possibility we can’t ignore.”

The comment lingers in your mind, you make a mental note to discuss it with Jake later.

The meeting continues, filled with more bad news. Sunghoon informs the group that the police are cracking down on the remaining baggie boys, and they’ll likely need to pay another visit to the police lieutenant.

By the end of the meeting, you can tell Jake is out of it. Instead of heading straight home, you suggest, “Would you like to grab lunch with me?”

Jake agrees, and the drive to the restaurant is filled with conversation. “That meeting was intense,” you start.

He nods, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. “Yeah, things are getting complicated.”

“What about the possibility of a mole?” you ask carefully.

Jake sighs. “It’s something I’ll have to keep an eye on. Baekhyun’s comment wasn’t completely off-base.”

You nod, sensing his frustration. “How’s your dad handling all this?”

“He’s not thrilled,” Jake admits. “He’s been cracking down on me, questioning my decisions. This new info Sunghoon mentioned is definitely going to make him question my leadership abilities even more.”

“I’m sure he knows you’re doing your best,” you offer, trying to comfort him.

Jake glances at you, a smirk playing on his lips. “Thanks but my dad doesn’t care about effort.”You frown, trying to think of something to say. “What about the rest of the team? Do they support you?”

“For the most part,” Jake replies, his expression thoughtful. “But there’s always someone ready to step up and point out your mistakes. It’s a competitive environment.”

You nod. “Yeah, I get that.” sielcne settles between the two of you for a moment before you add, “how’s Sunghoon holding up with everything?” trying to shift the focus slightly.

“He’s stressed, but he’s handling it well. He’s been a great support, especially with all the new information coming in.”

“That’s good to hear,” you say. “It’s important to have someone like that on your side.”

Jake’s expression softens. “Yeah, it is. I’m lucky to have him and the rest of the team.”

The car ride continues with a mix of silence and small talk until you reach the restaurant. As you step out of the car, you look at Jake and say, “Let’s try to forget about the meeting for a while and just enjoy lunch, okay?”

He nods, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “Sounds like a plan.”

As the two of you get out after he parks, Jake surprises you by taking your hand as you walk down the street. The gesture feels almost normal, like you’re a real couple. You blush but indulge in the rare moment of intimacy.

Seated outside with Jake beside you rather than across, you tell Jake to surprise you with the order. While he speaks to the waiter, you glance around your surroundings, trying to absorb the peaceful atmosphere. Across the street, a familiar figure catches your eye—your brother Sungchan. He’s sitting at an outdoor bar with another man, engaged in a heated discussion. You recognize the man as the chief of police.

Sungchan slides an envelope across the table before standing and leaving. You shrug it off, assuming it’s just work, and turn back to Jake.

He’s placed the order and looks at you, curious. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” you say, forcing a smile. “Just saw someone I know. It’s nothing.”

Jake nods, accepting your explanation. The conversation shifts to lighter topics, and by the time your drinks arrives, you feel more at ease.

The waiter, a young man with a charming smile, returns with your meals. He seems overly attentive to you, his eyes lingering longer than necessary. “Is there anything else I can get for you?” he asks, leaning closer to you than Jake finds appropriate.

Jake’s jaw tightens. “We’re fine, thank you.” He subtly points to your wedding ring, hoping the waiter will catch on. “My wife and I are just enjoying our lunch.”

The waiter doesn’t seem to catch the hint and continues to hover, making small talk with you. Jake lets it go, expecting you to shut him down. But when the waiter comes back with the bill and you still haven’t said anything, Jake’s patience snaps.

He grabs your chin and kisses you sloppily in front of the waiter. The kiss is possessive, a clear statement of ownership. You’re embarrassed yet turned on, feeling a mix of emotions.

The waiter clears his throat awkwardly and leaves. You pull back, looking at Jake with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. “What was that about?”

Jake’s expression is calm, but his eyes are intense. “He was hitting on my wife. I don’t like sharing.”

You nod, understanding his possessiveness but also feeling a strange sense of comfort in his protectiveness. After lunch, you head back to the car, and the drive home is filled with a comfortable silence. As you approach the house, Jake breaks the silence. “Thank you for today. It was nice to have you there, despite the circumstances.”

You smile, “I’m glad I could be there for you. Besides, think of it as a thank you for yesterday.”

Jake parks the car and turns to you, his expression serious but warm. “We’re in this together now. I want us to be a team.”

You nod, feeling a newfound sense of partnership. “Me too, Jake. Two’s better than one, no?”

Jake gives you a small smile, the warmth in his eyes unmistakable. "Who knows, maybe one day we can be more."

Taking a deep breath, you offer him one last smile before saying, "I'm going to head to the studio and try to paint for a bit. It helps me clear my head."

Jake nods. "That sounds like a good idea. Do you need anything before you go?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks." You give him a reassuring smile before heading towards your studio.

As you walk down the hall, your mind buzzes with the events of the day. The meeting, lunch, Jake's protectiveness-all of it swirls together, pushing you towards your creative sanctuary. When you step into the studio, the familiar scent of paint and canvas immediately calms your nerves.

You set up your easel and prepare your paints, letting your mind drift. The blank canvas in front of you feels like a challenge, urging you to pour out everything you've been holding back. You start with broad strokes, not fully aware of what you're creating until the image starts to take shape.

Hours pass as you lose yourself in the process. You paint with a fervor you haven't felt in a long time, each brushstroke a cathartic release. The image that emerges is raw and intense-a naked girl on a bed, covered in blood and semen, her eyes shut in pleasure. A male hand tightly grabs her right breast, the possessiveness and violence palpable.

As you step back to examine your work, your breath catches in your throat. The hand you've painted is unmistakably Jake's. The realization sends a shiver down your spine, a mix of embarrassment and arousal flooding your senses. You can't believe how deeply he's affected you, invading not just your thoughts but your art as well.

Feeling flustered, you clean your brushes and put away your supplies. You need to clear your mind, to stop thinking about Jake in such a sexual manner. Deciding it's best to get some rest, you leave the studio and head towards your bedroom.

Once in bed, you can't help but replay the day's events. Jake's protectiveness, his vulnerability during your conversation, the way he held your hand so confidently—it all stirs something deep within you. As you lie there, staring at the ceiling, you wonder what the future holds for you and Jake. You turn off the light, allowing yourself to drift into a restless sleep filled with dreams of paint and passion.

taglist: @dreamiestay @sumzysworld

had a job interview and forgot to que the next chapter 😭 i promise to do better ohmydays

worls of sinners ii | sim jaeyun

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦: your parents are the head of one of the nation’s most lucrative syndicates and your older brother is heir to the throne which leaves you free to leave this world of evil behind. you’ve been waiting for this day for twenty years of your life, you can practically taste the freedom. what will you do, however, when your parents arrange a marriage for you to bind together their empire with the Lee’s to stop a full on gang war?

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: sim jaeyun x f!reader ft brother!sungchan

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mafia!au, arranged marriage!au

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 8.0k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: dark themes, mentions of drugs, mentions of violence, vulgar language, mentions of death, forced marriage, corruption, consumption of alcohol, possessiveness, mentions of blood.

| masterlist | previous | next |

The reception was just as beautiful as the wedding. The soft procession of violins and cellos filled the hall as your guest roamed about the spacious room talking amongst themselves. You secluded yourself to the high table and refused to leave your position to meet any new faces.

You could clearly see the distaste written across your new father-in-laws face as you made it your goal to avoid his business associates but you could’t find it in you to care. While the mobsters scattered around the room drank away their inhibitions and partied like no tomorrow, you sat alone nursing a flute of sparkling cider mourning the loss of your freedom.

Jake tried his best to play the role of a doting husband but gave up an hour later when you did nothing but give him the cold shoulder, you said nothing as he slinked off to go congregate with his close friends, you watched them talk amongst themselves, feeling biter at how easy it was for Jake to let loose and enjoy himself. You bring the flute glass up to your lips and finish it off before placing the glass back onto the table only to be met face to face with Heeseung who stands on the other side. You raise your eyebrows curiously, “May I help you?”

He smirks and scans your face, “I'm sure you can doll.” Your face remains passive, even at the pet name he bestows upon you, you watch him with a blank face as he rounds the table to sit beside you. “Why do you look as if you’ve been shot? Shouldn’t you be happy, it’s your wedding day afterall?”

You scoff, “I’m sure you know why.”

A puff of air escapes Heeseung’s parted lips as he leans back in his seat and takes a sip of his whiskey. “Jake won’t hurt you if that’s what you’re thinking, that boy couldn’t even harm a fly. I have no clue why our father chose to hand over the clan to him. Besides, you have far more pressing matters to worry about”

An eyebrow shoots up at that, “such as..?”

He smirks over the rim of his glass, “producing an heir.” You cringe at the reminder of what is expected of you. You can’t stand even being in Jake’s presence for more than an hour let alone letting him bed you. “I don’t know how things are run over at Jung Empire but the Lee clan is quite old fashioned, the women are expected to look after the children and make sure there is peace between the mafiosos while the men control the bigger things such as the business aspect. Think of it as a game of chess, you may be the queen and Jake is the king but you hold the power on the board, he is nothing without you.”

You frown at his analogy, “I'm not sure I understand.”

Heeseung’s face is void of any emotion as he looks away to stare intently at the back of his younger brother's head, seemingly calculating “I’m sure you will soon.” He turns back to you and offers you one last vibrant smile before standing and walking away.

You watch him walk away, lost in your own mind that’s working in overdrive. You sigh and stand to walk towards the bar to get yourself a glass of whiskey.

As you pass Jake, the song draws to a close and your mother-in-law starts tapping her butter knife against the rim of her cocktail glass, the chatter around the room abruptly dies down. Your eyes locate her by the end of the hall, near the live band with her burgundy nails wrapped around a flute of a dark red wine.

“May I have your attention for a moment please,” she asks, her voice delicate yet firm. Jake makes his way over to you after excusing himself from his friends, he places a warm hand on your shoulder and leans over to place a kiss on your cheek.

You can’t decide what you hate more; the way Lee Yerin stares at you with her hawk-like eyes, scrutinizing your every move or the way Jake slides his arms down to grab you by the waist to assert his claim on you in the presence of his men.

It bothers you how comfortable he seems to be getting with you already but you know better than to brush him off. In your world, possession is everything. It wouldn’t be wise to send a message of strife so early in your marriage.

You’re barely listening as Yerin goes on about how proud she is to finally see her youngest son become a man. You wonder if she means her words, with Jake being the living breathing proof of her husband's infidelity you can’t help but wonder if she harbors any hate for the male. She finishes by thanking the guests for their attendance, before turning back to the two of you with a red-lipped smile that reaches her eyes.

As her speech draws to a close, the room erupts into polite applause, but the tension in the air remains palpable. Jake's grip tightens around your waist, his touch possessive, as if daring anyone to challenge his claim over you. It's a stark reminder of the role you've been thrust into – a pawn in a game of power and ambition.

You glance over at Yerin, her smile still plastered on her lips, but there's a glint in her eyes that sends a shiver down your spine. She may be putting on a show for the guests, but you know better than to underestimate her.

As the crowd begins to disperse, you feel a sense of relief wash over you. But before you can slip away unnoticed, Yerin's voice cuts through the air once more.

"____," she calls out, her tone sweet yet commanding. "A moment, please."

You exchange a wary glance with Jake before reluctantly stepping forward to face his step-mother. Her gaze is piercing, her scrutiny leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"I hope you're settling into your new role comfortably," she says, her voice laced with thinly veiled authority.

You force a polite smile, nodding in response. "Of course, Mrs. Lee. I'm doing my best to adapt."

Yerin's smile widens, but there's a hint of something sinister lurking beneath the surface. "Good," she says, her tone dripping with insincerity. "Because there's much expected of you as Jaeyunie's wife."

You swallow hard, the weight of her words sinking in. You're well aware that your position comes with its own set of expectations and obligations.

Before you can respond, Jake steps in, his voice firm but gentle. "Mother, perhaps this can wait for another time. ____ must be tired from the festivities."

Yerin's gaze flickers between the two of you, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Of course, my dear," she says, her tone saccharine sweet. "We wouldn't want to keep you from your rest."

With a final nod, you and Jake make your escape, the weight of Yerin's words lingering in the air like a dark cloud. As you slip away into the mass of people, you can't help but wonder what other secrets and challenges await you in this new chapter of your life.

As you and Jake make your way through the crowd, the weight of Yerin's expectations hangs heavy in the air. Despite the celebration, a sense of unease settles over you, casting a shadow over the lavish celebration.

Jake's grip on your waist remains firm, his touch a silent reassurance amidst the chaos. You steal a glance at him, finding a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, a stark contrast to the confident facade he wears for the world.

"Are you okay?" you ask softly, your voice barely audible over the din of the party.

He offers you a tight-lipped smile, his expression guarded. "I'm fine," he replies, his tone lacking conviction. "Just... adjusting, I suppose."

You nod in understanding, knowing all too well the weight of expectation. It's a burden you both share, a burden that threatens to consume you if you're not careful.

As you reach the outskirts of the crowd, Jake’s grip loosens slightly, allowing you both a moment of respite from the suffocating atmosphere of the reception hall.

"Thank you," you say softly, meeting his gaze with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "For stepping in back there."

Jake offers you a small, genuine smile, his eyes softening with warmth. "Of course," he says, his voice gentle. "We're in this together, ____. No matter what."

As you and Jake navigate through the dispersing crowd, a sudden hush falls over the room, drawing your attention back to the center of the hall. Your heart skips a beat as you see Heeseung striding confidently towards you, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present.

With a flourish, he raises a glass high, the tinkling sound cutting through the silence like a sharp blade. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announces, his voice ringing clear above the murmurs of the crowd. "I believe it's time for our esteemed mafia leader to take his beautiful wife home."

A ripple of laughter and applause erupts from the guests, their cheers mingling with the strains of the fading music. You feel a flush of heat rising to your cheeks, a sense of discomfort settling in the pit of your stomach as all eyes turn to you and Jake.

Jake's grip tightens around your waist once again, his jaw clenched in irritation at the spectacle unfolding before him. You can sense the tension radiating off him, a silent warning to Heeseung to tread carefully.

But Heeseung pays no heed to Jake's silent threat, his gaze fixed on you with a predatory gleam. "Come now, my dear brother," he continues, his voice dripping with faux sincerity. "Let's not keep your wife waiting any longer."

You feel a surge of resentment bubbling within you, disgusted with the way Heeseung chooses to carry himself and address you as if you’re nothing more than a prize Jake has won to bed.

"I'm sure your wife is eager to get home and enjoy your company in a more... private setting," Heeseung drawls suggestively. This is met with a drunken roar of approval from the men in the room, a few of whom lift their glasses in Jake's direction and laugh salaciously. Yerin observes you carefully over the rim of her cocktail before stepping in. “The car outside is ready to go when you are, my darlings." she adds in, arching a perfectly-shaped eyebrow before raising her glass to you with a smirk. "Welcome to the family, ____."

A lick of ice runs through your veins.

In the next moment, you find yourself flanked from all sides by your bridesmaids, giggling as they pull you from Jake's clutches and shove you towards the exit. Jake groans as his friends do the same to him, trying and failing to get them to stop.

The cool night air hits you like a slap to the face when the double doors are flung open. A black SUV awaits you outside, the suited driver standing to attention on the curb, and the bridesmaids shove you into the back seat.

Next thing you know, Jake is being wrangled into the seat beside you. He sends his best man one last glare before the car door slams shut behind him. The car engine hums to life, and a heavy silence falls upon you as the driver pulls away.

You gaze out of the window for the entirety of the ride to your new residence.

When you finally turn in through the large automated gates of the Lee/Sim residence, you don't even wait for the driver to come around and open the door on your behalf, all but throwing it open in a bid to drag some fresh oxygen into your lungs.

You hear Jake's murmured thanks as he exits the car behind you; however your eyes remain fixated on the modern-style mansion that looms ominously before your eyes like a great, architectural monster.

Wordlessly, he moves past you with keys in hand. He knows you'll follow. After all, what other choice do you have?

The journey upstairs to the bedroom is a quiet one. Several of Jake's maids bow at ninety-degree angles as you pass, their hushed greetings of “Welcome, Mrs. Sim" directed at the expensive carpet beneath your feet, but given no indication that you should acknowledge them, you carry on in silence.

The master bedroom is pristine. So much so that it looks unlived in. As you step inside, you inhale the faint scent of fresh linen, a stark contrast to the lingering perfume of the evening's festivities.

Jake's voice breaks the silence, his tone surprisingly gentle amidst the chaos of the night. "This is your space," he says, gesturing around the room. "I'll be across the hall if you need anything."

You meet his gaze, gratitude mingling with the exhaustion etched into his features. “Okay, thank you.”

He stiffly nods before promptly exiting your room. Once he’s out of sight you huff out a sigh of relief before throwing yourself onto the large mattress. You know you should begin to get ready for bed but you feel drained in every sense of the word.

Just as you’re about to stand to remove your reception gown you feel your phone buzz on your bed. You look up from your seated position to find an incoming facetime call from Haru. You perk a bit, noting you hadn’t seen her or Anton on your way out of the reception.

You quickly answer and prop your phone up against a nearby pillow, adjusting it so you can see the screen while you start getting ready for bed.

“Hello.”

Haru smiles brightly and then turns the camera a bit to show Antons face before they both brightly answer you, “Hi!”

You smile at your two friends. “I miss you guys so much,” you say, letting out a tired sigh. “It feels like ages since I saw you.”

“We miss you too,” Haru replies, her voice filled with genuine concern. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

Anton nods in agreement, his expression serious. “If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call. We’re always here for you.”

You start to unbutton your gown, feeling a bit more relaxed. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. Things have been... intense.”

As you step out of your gown, Anton's voice comes through, a bit hesitant. “How are things with Jake?”

You shrug, momentarily forgetting they can’t see you. “We haven’t really spoken. We’re sleeping in separate bedrooms.”

“At least he isn’t a creep who expected you to sleep with him on the first night,” Haru says, trying to lighten the mood.

You let out a small laugh, nodding. “True. That’s one thing to be thankful for.”

You slip into your pajamas and pop back into the frame, sitting cross-legged on the bed. “But something is off. I don’t know what it is yet, but I can feel it.”

Anton leans closer to the camera, his brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

You take a deep breath, deciding to tell them everything. “I was cornered by an FBI agent at the engagement party. He hinted that they know about the dealings of Jake and his family and they have a solid case. I’m going to find out what’s going on and use it as leverage to get out of this marriage.”

Haru and Anton are silent for a moment, processing your words. Finally, Haru speaks up. “Are you sure about this?”

“I have to do something,” you say firmly. “I’m not going to be a pawn in this game. I need to get out of here and join you guys in Paris. My father would have never agreed to this marriage if he knew that the FEDS have a solid case against Jake. I’ll snoop around his office tomorrow and see what I can find.”

Anton’s face is filled with worry. “Please be careful. If he catches you...”

“I know,” you say, nodding. “I promise I’ll be careful.”

There’s a moment of silence as your friends exchange worried looks. Then, Haru smiles softly. “Just remember, we’re always here for you.”

You feel a surge of gratitude for your friends. “Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

After a few more words of encouragement and promises to stay in touch, you finally say your goodbyes and hang up. You place your phone down, feeling a bit more at ease after speaking with your friends.

You lie back on your bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow, you’ll start your investigation. You’ll get yourself out of this, it’s you against everyone else. Nothing new.

The next morning, you wake up feeling surprisingly well rested. You dress quickly and make your way downstairs, the quiet of the house almost unnerving. As you enter the kitchen, you find your new husband sitting at the kitchen island. He’s engrossed in his iPad, looking over company spreadsheets while sipping on his coffee.

A maid appears, her presence soft but attentive. “Good morning, ma’am. What would you like for breakfast?”

You offer a polite smile. “I can make myself a bowl of cereal, thank you.”

Jake glances up from his iPad, his expression firm. “No. I’m paying them to take care of you, so you should have a proper breakfast.” He turns to the maid. “Make her some waffles, please.”

You don’t put up much of a fight, knowing it’s not worth the effort. As you try to leave the kitchen to head to the massive dining room, Jake stops you. “Why don’t you take a seat beside me?”

Reluctantly, you sit down next to him. He looks at you, his eyes softer now. “I had all your art supplies moved into the studio down the hall. Thought you might want to get back to painting.”

You’re taken aback by the gesture. “Thank you, Jake.”

He nods, a hint of a smile on his lips. “I have to go to the company for a meeting with the shareholders, so I’ll be gone most of the day. But once I’m back, we can discuss the creative department I plan on opening for you.”

Surprised, you thank him again. This side of Jake is unexpected, you didn’t think he was being serious when he offered to open up a creative department for you when he proposed. You thought it would be yet another empty promise, his kindness leaves you momentarily off balance. He gets up to leave, grabbing his briefcase from the counter. “See you later.”

As he exits, the maid places a plate of waffles in front of you. “Anything else you need, ma’am?”

You look up at her, suddenly curious. “What’s your name?”

“Rose, ma’am,” she replies, her tone respectful.

“Thank you, Rose,” you say warmly. “Would you like to join me for breakfast?”

Rose shakes her head, a faint smile on her face. “It’s not proper, ma’am, but thank you for the offer.” She then moves off to clean the kitchen, leaving you to your meal.

You eat the waffles slowly, trying to gather your thoughts. The house is quiet, and the sense of isolation is almost tangible. Once you’re done, you make your way to the studio Jake mentioned. It’s a spacious room with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. Your art supplies are neatly arranged, and a blank canvas stands on an easel, waiting.

You sit down, picking up a paintbrush, but no inspiration comes. The paintbrush feels foreign in your hand, and you find yourself staring at the canvas, lost in thought. The events of the past few days swirl in your mind, making it hard to focus. You remember the FBI agent’s warning, Jake’s unexpected kindness, and the looming uncertainty of your future.

Minutes turn into hours as you sit there, the paintbrush hovering over the canvas but never touching it. Your mind is too cluttered to create, and the weight of your situation presses down on you. You think about Haru and Anton, wondering if they’re almost done with their preparations to leave Korea, wishing they were beside you now.

Eventually, you set the paintbrush down, realizing that you won’t be able to paint today. Instead, you decide to use the time to start your investigation. You remember Jake mentioning that he would be gone for most of the day, which gives you a window of opportunity.

You leave the studio and make your way to Jake’s office. The door is slightly ajar, and you peek inside to ensure no one is around. Taking a deep breath, you step into the room and begin your search. You open drawers, sift through papers, and check the computer for any clues. But the office is meticulously organized, and you find nothing out of the ordinary.

Just as you’re about to give up, you notice a locked drawer in Jake’s desk. Your heart races as you consider your options. You could try to find the key, but that would take time. Instead, you decide to try picking the lock, a skill you picked up in your younger, more rebellious days.

It takes a few minutes, but eventually, you hear a soft click. The drawer opens, revealing a stack of documents. You quickly skim through them, and your blood runs cold as you realize just how cruel your husband can be. You thought your father was bad, but Jake seems to be the devil himself.

As you read through the documents, you uncover records of people Jake has killed, debts he plans on collecting, and bribes that go all the way up to the president. Each piece of paper details horrifying acts—the ruthlessness with which he eliminates anyone who stands in his way, the meticulous planning of each murder, and the extensive network of corruption he maintains. Your hands tremble as you come across a supposed hit list with names of people from Parliament.

Just then, you hear a voice outside the door. Heart pounding, you quickly put the documents back in place and lock the drawer just as Heeseung walks into the room. He looks surprised to find you standing behind Jake’s desk, a smirk curling on his lips.

“What are you doing in here?” he asks, his tone casual but laced with suspicion.

You straighten up, refusing to let him see your fear. “I was looking for a ballpoint pen to sketch with,” you lie smoothly.

Heeseung’s eyes narrow as he studies you. “Is that so?”

You nod, “And what are you doing in my home?” you ask, deflecting the attention away from yourself.

He scoffs at your use of the word “my” and steps closer, his smirk widening. “Your home? Has Jake fucked you well enough for you to be content with being his trophy wife?”

Your eyes narrow in anger as you slap away his hand that was reaching for a stack of papers on the desk. “If you came here to insult me, you can see yourself out. Otherwise, you’ll have to answer to Jake.”

Heeseung lifts his hands in mock surrender, his eyes sweeping around the room as if looking for something. “Jake doesn’t scare me,” he says, his voice low and menacing. “And neither do you. I’m not like Jake. I play rough, so you should watch where you put your hands.”

You glare at him, trying to keep your composure. “I’m not afraid of you, Heeseung. Now, if you don’t have any business here, I suggest you leave.”

Heeseung takes a step closer, invading your personal space. “Or what? You’ll run to Jake? You’re just his pretty little plaything, and you don’t know the first thing about the business we’re in.”

Your pulse quickens, but you refuse to back down. “I’m not just a plaything, and I won’t be intimidated or undermined by you. If you have any respect for Jake and me, you’ll leave now.”

Heeseung smirks, reaching out as if to touch your face, but you swat his hand away. “Don’t touch me,” you snap, your voice steady.

Heeseung chuckles, clearly enjoying the power play. “Feisty. I like that. But remember, Jake isn’t always going to be around to protect you.”

You take a step back, putting distance between you and Heeseung. “I don’t need Jake to protect me. Now get out before I make you.”

Heeseung’s smirk fades slightly, and he seems to reconsider his approach. “Fine,” he says, lifting his hands again. “But this isn’t over. I’ll be back to talk to Jake.”

“Goodbye, Heeseung,” you say firmly, watching as he finally leaves the room. The door closes behind him, and you let out a shaky breath. The encounter has left you rattled, but you can’t afford to lose your nerve now.

You sit back down at the desk, trying to calm your racing heart. Jake and his family truly do rule the underworld, it’s no wonder your father was so quick to wed you off. They’re involved in crimes that go far beyond anything you could have imagined. But this information is also your ticket out of this nightmare. If you can find a way to use it, you might be able to escape and start a new life.

For now, you need to act normal and keep up appearances. You leave the office and head back to the studio, your mind racing with plans and contingencies. Once inside, you pick up a paintbrush and stare at the blank canvas, hoping to appear absorbed in your work should anyone come looking for you. But your thoughts keep drifting back to the documents and Jake. He seems nothing like what those papers claim. He’s been nothing but sweet to you, to think he’s touched you with the same hands that have taken the lives of others makes you want to get up and shower.

Minutes turn into hours as you sit there, pretending to paint. Eventually, the sound of the front door opening and closing signals Jake’s return. You take a deep breath and put on your best calm demeanor, ready to face him.

Jake finds you in the studio, and his face lights up with a smile. “There you are. How was your day?”

“Good,” you reply, forcing a smile. “I spent some time in here, trying to get inspired.”

He nods, walking over to you and placing a hand on your shoulder. “I’m glad to hear that. Let’s have dinner, and then we can discuss the creative department.”

You nod, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Dinner with Jake means more time to play your role and gather information. As you follow him out of the studio, you can’t help but glance back at the canvas, the blank space mirroring the uncertainty of your future.

At dinner, you sit across from Jake in the dimly lit dining room. The table is set with fine china and a sumptuous meal prepared by the household staff. Jake starts the conversation, his tone light and conversational.

"How did you spend your day?" he asks, cutting into his steak.

You take a sip of your wine, trying to maintain your composure. "I spent the day in the studio."

Jake nods, chewing thoughtfully. "I'm glad to hear that. I've been thinking a lot about how to integrate your talents into the company."

You raise an eyebrow, interest peaked. "Oh? What do you have in mind?"

He leans back in his chair, a smile playing on his lips. "We could start by setting up a small team to work on special projects. Maybe some unique advertising campaigns or custom artwork for our high-profile clients."

You nod, your mind racing with possibilities. "That sounds wonderful, Jake. Thank you for considering my passion."

He smiles, seemingly satisfied with your response. "I think it will be a great addition to our company. Plus, it will give you something to focus on and keep you busy."

You force a smile, trying to hide the unease that bubbles beneath the surface. "I appreciate that. I've always wanted to use my art in a meaningful way."

Jake takes a sip of his wine, his eyes studying you. "I want you to know that I won't hurt you," he says softly, his voice sincere. "We were both forced into this marriage, and I understand how difficult that can be. I won’t take any anger out on you. I want you to be comfortable here, to feel safe as my wife."

You’re conflicted, Jake’s words sound comforting but the papers hidden in the depths of his office scream otherwise. “Okay.”

Jake sets his wine glass down and looks at you with a seriousness that makes you lean back in your seat slightly. “I want to make something clear, though. I didn’t choose this life because I wanted to. My father chose me to take over even though it was Heeseung’s birthright.”

You frown, genuinely curious. “Why would your father choose you over Heeseung? And why would you even accept? You seem so different from him. Why would you want to be involved in such horrid crimes?”

Jake hesitates, clearly not used to talking about his family dynamics. After a moment, he relents. “Heeseung wasn’t ready to take over. He abused the fact that he was the heir. He partied, made reckless decisions, and endangered our entire operation. I thought stepping up would show our father that I was capable and might even fix my broken relationship with Heeseung.”

He pauses, his eyes distant. “I’ve always been undermined because I’m the bastard son. People are finally starting to take me seriously now that my father has given me full reign.”

He lets out a self-deprecating laugh. “You must find me pathetic, doing all of this because of daddy issues.”

You shake your head, empathizing with him. “Not at all. I understand more than you might think. Growing up, I was always in my older brother’s shadow. No one took me seriously because I was the youngest and a girl. I did everything I could to get our father to see me, to recognize my worth. But eventually, I gave up. It wasn’t worth all the pain I inflicted on myself and others.”

Jake looks at you with a newfound understanding, a bond forming between you. “I guess we’re not so different after all.”

You both sit in silence for a moment, processing the vulnerability you’ve just shared. Then, you remember the FBI agent from the engagement party. “Jake, what do you plan on doing about the case the FBI has opened?”

Jake shrugs, his demeanor calm. “I’ll deal with it.”

“How?” you ask.

Jake pauses, then looks at you intently. “Do you want me to be honest?”

“Yes,” you say, taking his hand. “That’s all I’ll ever want from you—honesty.”

He nods. “I’ll have the lead investigator, the one who threatened you, killed. We’ll make it look like a suicide. Then I’ll pay off the president to close the case.”

You nod slowly, having expected such a response. “I figured as much. Thank you for being honest with me.”

Jake squeezes your hand. “I promise, I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”

You return the squeeze, feeling a complex mix of emotions—relief, fear, and a strange sense of solidarity. “Thank you, Jake.”

With the heavy conversation behind you, you both return to eating your dinner. The atmosphere between you has shifted; there’s a newfound understanding and mutual respect. As you finish your meal, you can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, you and Jake might find a way to navigate this treacherous life together.

After dinner, Jake stands up and reaches for your hand. “Let’s go to the living room. We can talk more about the creative department there.”

You nod and follow him, feeling a bit lighter. Once you’re both settled on the couch, Jake starts outlining his vision for integrating your art into the company. You listen intently, offering suggestions and ideas, and for the first time in your life, you feel a glimmer of hope that you might be able to carve out a small piece of this world for yourself.

As the evening wears on, the conversation shifts back to more personal topics. You find It isn’t hard to relate to Jake the more you talk to him, surprisingly finding yourself enjoying your time with him. You’re more similar than you expected, and it dawns a new sort of appreciation for him. It was like this entire marriage would seem easier than you thought, especially with an understanding partner like Jake.

Jake shares stories from his childhood, and you find yourself laughing at some of his more outrageous ones. In turn, you share some of your own, and by the end of your last story, there’s a comfortable silence between you.

Jake looks at you, a small smile playing on his lips. “Are you tired?”

You shake your head and sip on your wine before answering. “Not really. Why?”

He grins, looking almost boyish. “How about a movie night? It’s been a long day, and I think we both deserve a break.”

You nod, feeling a sense of relief at the normalcy of his suggestion. “Sure, that sounds nice.”

You begin to get comfortable on the large, plush couch while Jake turns on the tv and scrolls through his streaming service before deciding on ‘10 Things I Hate About You’

You raise an eyebrow, amused by his choice. “Seriously?”

He defends himself, his grin widening. “It’s the best movie ever made. Don’t knock it until you’ve watched it with me.”

You laugh, shaking your head. “Alright, you’ve convinced me.”

Jake hits play and sits down beside you, draping a cozy blanket over both of you. As the movie starts, you find yourself relaxing more than you have in days. The lightheartedness of the film and Jake’s occasional commentary makes you forget, even if just for a while, the dark reality of your lives.

About halfway through the movie, you start to feel your eyelids grow heavy. You fight to stay awake, not wanting to miss any part of the film or the rare moment of peace. But before long, you find yourself leaning against Jake’s shoulder, the warmth and comfort lulling you to sleep.

Jake glances down at you, a soft smile on his face. He gently shifts his arm to support you better, careful not to wake you. “Pretty,” he mumbles under his breath, almost to himself. He reaches up and softly caresses your cheek, his touch tender and protective.

As the movie continues to play, Jake finds himself more focused on you than the screen. He watches you sleep, marveling at the trust you’ve shown by falling asleep on him. The weight of the day’s revelations and the growing bond between you settles over him, and he feels a strange sense of contentment.

Eventually, the rhythm of your breathing and the comfort of the moment lull Jake into sleep as well. The two of you sit there, wrapped in the blanket, a small bubble of warmth and peace in the midst of a tumultuous world.

In that quiet, shared slumber, a tentative connection begins to form. It’s fragile and new, but in the darkness of your lives, it shines like a small, precious light.

You wake up the next morning wrapped in Jake's arms, his steady breathing a comfort against your shoulder. As you gently shift, his eyes flutter open, and for a moment, you both just stare at each other, unsure of what to say. This closeness is new to both of you.

Jake clears his throat and slowly separates himself from you. "Good morning."

"Good morning," you reply, sitting up. "I’m sorry for falling asleep on you last night."

Jake waves off your apology with a soft smile. "Don't be. What else are my arms for if not to support my wife’s head?"

You laugh softly, appreciating his attempt at humor. "What are your plans for today?"

He stretches and then looks at you, his expression turning serious. "I have another meeting today. It’s for our... other business."

You catch on immediately, realizing he means the mafia. Nodding, you decide to take a bold step. "Can I tag along?"

Jake looks hesitant. "I don’t know if that’s a good idea."

"Think about it," you reason. "It would be a good look if we showed up together. It might help if no one thinks there’s any strife in our marriage."

He considers your words and finally relents. "Alright, but stay close to me. It’s not the safest place."

As you both stand from the couch, Rose enters the living room with a polite smile. "Good morning, Mr and Mrs. Sim. I'll take care of the living area while you get ready."

You nod and head to your room to shower. The warm water helps clear your mind, but your thoughts keep drifting back to Jake and the strange new dynamic between you two. After your shower, you find a dress laid out on the bed—a tasteful yet elegant piece that you can tell Jake picked out to match his own attire.

You dress quickly, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. When you walk out, Jake is waiting, he gives you an approving nod. "You look perfect."

"Thank you," you reply, feeling a bit flustered under his gaze.

Jake leads you to the car, opening the door for you.

The car ride goes by smoothly and in no time you arrive at the outskirts of Seoul. The warehouse you pull up to is surrounded by extravagant cars, a testament to the wealth and power of those inside.

Jake places a protective arm around your waist and guides you into the building, and you’re met with familiar faces—associates of Jake’s clan and big-time mafiosos. He takes a seat at the head of the table and pulls you onto his lap, a clear display of possession and protection.

Sunghoon, Jake’s right-hand man, stands to give his report. “The situation with the baggie boys is getting worse. They’re stealing cuts of our product, and now men from the Lee and Jung borders are going missing.”

You tense at the mention of your family name but stay quiet, tuning into the conversation with more interest.

Jake’s frustration is evident, but he lets Sunghoon continue. “Also, the FBI knows about the illegal acts, not just the corruption within the government. This investigation might be harder to navigate.”

Jake hums in thought. “Have we spoken to the president?”

Sunghoon nods. “The president is keeping a close eye on the case, but it will take time before he can act.”

One of the mafiosos, Byun Baekhyun, speaks up, his tone accusatory. “Is there a rat amongst us?”

Jake’s eyes flash with offense. “You dare question my men?”

Baekhyun doesn’t back down. “It’s a fair question, Jake. How else would the FBI know so much? Someone must be leaking information.”

Jake’s grip tightens on your waist, his anger barely contained. “My men are loyal. Perhaps you should look at your own house before making such accusations.”

Baekhyun leans back, smirking. “I’m just saying, it’s a possibility we can’t ignore.”

The comment lingers in your mind, you make a mental note to discuss it with Jake later.

The meeting continues, filled with more bad news. Sunghoon informs the group that the police are cracking down on the remaining baggie boys, and they’ll likely need to pay another visit to the police lieutenant.

By the end of the meeting, you can tell Jake is out of it. Instead of heading straight home, you suggest, “Would you like to grab lunch with me?”

Jake agrees, and the drive to the restaurant is filled with conversation. “That meeting was intense,” you start.

He nods, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. “Yeah, things are getting complicated.”

“What about the possibility of a mole?” you ask carefully.

Jake sighs. “It’s something I’ll have to keep an eye on. Baekhyun’s comment wasn’t completely off-base.”

You nod, sensing his frustration. “How’s your dad handling all this?”

“He’s not thrilled,” Jake admits. “He’s been cracking down on me, questioning my decisions. This new info Sunghoon mentioned is definitely going to make him question my leadership abilities even more.”

“I’m sure he knows you’re doing your best,” you offer, trying to comfort him.

Jake glances at you, a smirk playing on his lips. “Thanks but my dad doesn’t care about effort.”You frown, trying to think of something to say. “What about the rest of the team? Do they support you?”

“For the most part,” Jake replies, his expression thoughtful. “But there’s always someone ready to step up and point out your mistakes. It’s a competitive environment.”

You nod. “Yeah, I get that.” sielcne settles between the two of you for a moment before you add, “how’s Sunghoon holding up with everything?” trying to shift the focus slightly.

“He’s stressed, but he’s handling it well. He’s been a great support, especially with all the new information coming in.”

“That’s good to hear,” you say. “It’s important to have someone like that on your side.”

Jake’s expression softens. “Yeah, it is. I’m lucky to have him and the rest of the team.”

The car ride continues with a mix of silence and small talk until you reach the restaurant. As you step out of the car, you look at Jake and say, “Let’s try to forget about the meeting for a while and just enjoy lunch, okay?”

He nods, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “Sounds like a plan.”

As the two of you get out after he parks, Jake surprises you by taking your hand as you walk down the street. The gesture feels almost normal, like you’re a real couple. You blush but indulge in the rare moment of intimacy.

Seated outside with Jake beside you rather than across, you tell Jake to surprise you with the order. While he speaks to the waiter, you glance around your surroundings, trying to absorb the peaceful atmosphere. Across the street, a familiar figure catches your eye—your brother Sungchan. He’s sitting at an outdoor bar with another man, engaged in a heated discussion. You recognize the man as the chief of police.

Sungchan slides an envelope across the table before standing and leaving. You shrug it off, assuming it’s just work, and turn back to Jake.

He’s placed the order and looks at you, curious. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” you say, forcing a smile. “Just saw someone I know. It’s nothing.”

Jake nods, accepting your explanation. The conversation shifts to lighter topics, and by the time your drinks arrives, you feel more at ease.

The waiter, a young man with a charming smile, returns with your meals. He seems overly attentive to you, his eyes lingering longer than necessary. “Is there anything else I can get for you?” he asks, leaning closer to you than Jake finds appropriate.

Jake’s jaw tightens. “We’re fine, thank you.” He subtly points to your wedding ring, hoping the waiter will catch on. “My wife and I are just enjoying our lunch.”

The waiter doesn’t seem to catch the hint and continues to hover, making small talk with you. Jake lets it go, expecting you to shut him down. But when the waiter comes back with the bill and you still haven’t said anything, Jake’s patience snaps.

He grabs your chin and kisses you sloppily in front of the waiter. The kiss is possessive, a clear statement of ownership. You’re embarrassed yet turned on, feeling a mix of emotions.

The waiter clears his throat awkwardly and leaves. You pull back, looking at Jake with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. “What was that about?”

Jake’s expression is calm, but his eyes are intense. “He was hitting on my wife. I don’t like sharing.”

You nod, understanding his possessiveness but also feeling a strange sense of comfort in his protectiveness. After lunch, you head back to the car, and the drive home is filled with a comfortable silence. As you approach the house, Jake breaks the silence. “Thank you for today. It was nice to have you there, despite the circumstances.”

You smile, “I’m glad I could be there for you. Besides, think of it as a thank you for yesterday.”

Jake parks the car and turns to you, his expression serious but warm. “We’re in this together now. I want us to be a team.”

You nod, feeling a newfound sense of partnership. “Me too, Jake. Two’s better than one, no?”

Jake gives you a small smile, the warmth in his eyes unmistakable. "Who knows, maybe one day we can be more."

Taking a deep breath, you offer him one last smile before saying, "I'm going to head to the studio and try to paint for a bit. It helps me clear my head."

Jake nods. "That sounds like a good idea. Do you need anything before you go?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks." You give him a reassuring smile before heading towards your studio.

As you walk down the hall, your mind buzzes with the events of the day. The meeting, lunch, Jake's protectiveness-all of it swirls together, pushing you towards your creative sanctuary. When you step into the studio, the familiar scent of paint and canvas immediately calms your nerves.

You set up your easel and prepare your paints, letting your mind drift. The blank canvas in front of you feels like a challenge, urging you to pour out everything you've been holding back. You start with broad strokes, not fully aware of what you're creating until the image starts to take shape.

Hours pass as you lose yourself in the process. You paint with a fervor you haven't felt in a long time, each brushstroke a cathartic release. The image that emerges is raw and intense-a naked girl on a bed, covered in blood and semen, her eyes shut in pleasure. A male hand tightly grabs her right breast, the possessiveness and violence palpable.

As you step back to examine your work, your breath catches in your throat. The hand you've painted is unmistakably Jake's. The realization sends a shiver down your spine, a mix of embarrassment and arousal flooding your senses. You can't believe how deeply he's affected you, invading not just your thoughts but your art as well.

Feeling flustered, you clean your brushes and put away your supplies. You need to clear your mind, to stop thinking about Jake in such a sexual manner. Deciding it's best to get some rest, you leave the studio and head towards your bedroom.

Once in bed, you can't help but replay the day's events. Jake's protectiveness, his vulnerability during your conversation, the way he held your hand so confidently—it all stirs something deep within you. As you lie there, staring at the ceiling, you wonder what the future holds for you and Jake. You turn off the light, allowing yourself to drift into a restless sleep filled with dreams of paint and passion.

taglist: @dreamiestay @sumzysworld

I'm in love already with the world you created so here's my first love letter

🌸🌸🌸

🤭 omg thank you!! welcome to my lil world hehe <33

my plane just landed and i’m saur ready to write f1 heeseung + a surprise sunghoon fic heheheh 🦕

world of sinners i | sim jaeyun

⟶ 𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦: your parents are the head of one of the nation’s most lucrative syndicates and your older brother is heir to the throne which leaves you free to leave this world of evil behind. you’ve been waiting for this day for twenty years of your life, you can practically taste the freedom. what will you do, however, when your parents arrange a marriage for you to bind together their empire with the Lee’s to stop a full on gang war?

❥ 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔: sim jaeyun x f!reader ft brother!sungchan

❥ 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒: mafia!au, arranged marriage!au

❥ 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡: 9.0k

⟶ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠: dark themes, mentions of prostitution, drugs, mentions of violence, mentions of guns, vulgar language, mentions of death, forced marriage, corruption, consumption of alcohol.

— T E R M I N O L O G Y: abeonim ; father

➵ 𝑎/𝑛: this is the revamped version of my fic! the original can be found on @vintagejaemin, this was originally meant to be for ateez but i’ve decided to turn it into an enha fic ! :)

masterlist | next

“I’m stepping down.”

The dining room is silent. You stop cutting your steak to look up from your plate into your father's eyes. He returns your gaze and waits for you to question him, but you don’t. Instead, you turn your attention to your glass of Sauvignon blanc.

You hear your older brother clear his throat before placing down his utensils and addresses your father. “If you don’t mind me asking, what brought this about?”

You pick up your wine glass and swirl it around before bringing it up to your lips to finish it off. Your father's eyes flicker to you but you’re too busy trying to get drunk to notice.

Dinner with your family is something you’ve always dreaded. The atmosphere was always stuffy: elbows off the table, sit up straight, chew with your mouth shut, take small bites, make pleasant conversation, don't talk with your mouth full, finish your plate, use your napkin, ask for permission to leave the table. It felt like a chore rather than a meal.

Often, you could get out of family dinners by giving your father some bullshit excuse but tonight he wasn’t buying any of them. He claimed he and your mother needed to discuss something important with you and your brother. You guess this is pretty important news.

Your father clears his throat and swirls the whisky in his glass, the sound of ice clinking against the glass reverberates within the room.

“Well, Sungchan, I figured it was time you took over. The transition might be a long one, I have things I need to take care of but once everything is settled, the throne is yours.”

You place your glass back onto the table and sit straighter in your seat. You look at your mother but she makes a point to avoid your eyes. You pull your gaze away from her and turn to look at Sungchan who’s sat by your side, “congratulations.”

You knew this day would come, you just didn’t think it would come so soon. To your knowledge, your father’s in perfect health and things within the Empire have been running smoothly; you don’t see the need for Sungchan to take over just yet. Sungchan spares you a smile and a small nod of his head.

“As you two know, things are getting tense with the Lee’s,” the situation your father is referring to is the gang war that’s on the verge of starting with the Lee family, another mafia that rules the other half of town. Things are starting to heat up at the border, your dealers keep roaming into the Lee’s territory and their dealers are doing the same to you.

It’s causing you both to lose money and it’s led to a rise in gun violence. Men are dropping dead left and right in the streets, you tried telling your father to redraw the borders and give some land to the Lee’s but he quickly dismissed you saying you didn’t know what you were talking about.

“Your mother and I sat down with Lee Jaehee and his wife, and after much discussion we came to an agreement.”

“What are the terms of your agreement, Father?” You ask, your interest peaked.

Your father glances at you but doesn’t answer, refusing to fully meet your eyes and so your mother does. “We’ve arranged a marriage between you and their heir.”

Your parents register the shock on your face before you can hide it. You do your best to reel in your emotions before an argument breaks out though. Sungchan, sensing your shock that’s slowly beginning to morph into anger, reaches a hand out to place it on top of yours under the table to help calm you down.

“What about our agreement, Father?” You ask, steadying your tone so he doesn’t scold you for being disrespectful. The agreement you’re referring to is the one you made with your parents months ago. Seeing as Sungchan is heir to your father’s Empire, you saw no need to stay in this world you’ve come to despise and convinced your father to allow you to walk away once you graduate college.

You’ve always ranked number one at school, never once have you gotten a mark below a 90 in any of your classes. With perseverance and determination, fueled by your desire to leave this lifestyle behind, you graduated early and began taking classes at Sungkyunkwan University your junior year.

You major in both fine arts and business administration. You’re in your final year and college life has been a dream. You’re now twenty years old and set to graduate within four months. You have plans to leave South Korea and migrate to Paris with Haru and Anton, your two best friends and college roommate, following your graduation.

“You’re allowed to continue your studies but following your graduation, you’ll be getting married.”

Every word stings, only fueling the fire that burns inside of you. Your fists begin to clench and your jaw roots. Knuckles hurting from clenching your fists too hard, and gritted teeth from an effort to remain silent, your now hunched form exudes an animosity that’s like acid.

“No.” You say, leaving no room for discussion.

Your father looks at you in surprise, you’ve never talked back before. “No?”

You stand abruptly, the force knocking over your chair. “No. I won’t be a pawn in your ridiculous scheme. You know how I feel about your line of work, I played my part for the last twenty years and paid my dues. I refuse to enter a marriage agreement and get roped back into this mess!”

“____⏤” Sungchan gives a warning call of your name only to be cut off by your father who raises a hand in his direction.

“In case you’ve forgotten who I am and your place in this family, let me remind you. I am your father and as my daughter you’re to do as I say. As long as you have my blood running through your veins, you will never be able to leave.”

That is the breaking point of your patience. At that moment, your rage is so intense that it leaves you seething and with a bitter taste in your mouth.

“The Lee family will be here on Sunday for you to meet their son. Don’t be late.”

You glare at your father, “go to hell.”

He smirks and raises his whiskey glass in your direction, “Sweetheart, I’m the king.”

“I’m sure you’re both wondering why I’ve called you here.” Jake and Heeseung take their respective seats in front of their fathers desk, anticipating his next words.

For the past year, their father and his men have been keeping a close eye on the two brothers to see who is more fit to take on the role as head of the Lee Empire. At first, Heeseung was set to take over due to being the oldest and legitimate son. Knowing this, Heeseung took advantage of his position and began abusing the power he had yet to inherit.

He became a wild child. He spent his nights in Hongdae strip clubs and would often blow all his money on prostitutes. It was pathetic really, it also wasn’t a good image for the Lee’s, so their father stepped in and declared the throne was up for grabs.

Jake was never really interested in taking over, he grew up knowing that no matter what, Heeseung would ultimately rule over the underworld. Being the bastard child born from the product of his fathers affair, he was often kept hidden in the shadows. The sudden declaration came as a total shock to him and although he hadn’t been keen on taking over before, he knew he would be a fool to pass this up.

A rivalry sparked between the two brothers as they went head to head vying for the same position. While Heeseung was out getting high and drunk off of their father’s riches, Jake was at home studying his father's tactics and memorizing the names and faces of every associate of the Lee Ring.

Because Heeseung had been unfocused for so long, it had taken him longer to submerge himself back into the game. Once he had gotten his groove back, however, it was clear he would make a ruthless and good leader. Although he had his moments where he would slip up, who their father would choose was really up in the air.

“After careful evaluation I’ve decided to hand over the empire to Jaeyun.”

Jake lets out a relieved sigh and bows his head respectfully. “Thank you, Abeonim. It’s an honor to be given this ti⏤”

“You can’t be serious?” A low growl escapes Heeseung’s parted lips as he cuts off Jake and looks at his father in shock, “I deserve that title! It’s my birthright!”

Their father sends a sharp glare his way, “you lost that right when you chose to focus your attention on booze and hookers.”

Heeseung scoffs, “I can rule better than he can and you know it! You’re choosing to punish me because your ego is in the way!”

The two brothers watch as the whites of their father's eyes turn to pure black, his icy stare lethal and piercing. In that moment, Jake feels grateful that he isn't the one on the receiving end of their father's anger.

“Watch your tone, Heeseung. And must you know, this has nothing to do with my ego. You’re simply not fit to take over.”

Although Heeseung knows this could end very badly for him, it doesn’t stop him from continuing. “Everything you’ve built will turn to ash if you hand it over to Jaeyun. Be smart for once and give me the rights to the Lee Empire!”

Jaehee slams his fist on the desk, vexed at his oldest son's actions. “Enough! I will not be made a fool by my own son. You say you would make a better leader and yet your actions fail to line up with your words. Over the past year Jaeyun has proved himself to be the better man,” he pauses to take a breath, “he’s kept up with his studies while simultaneously helping me run the empire while you were too busy being pussy whipped.”

Heeseung’s cheeks heat up in both shame and embarrassment but his father doesn’t stop just yet, “tell me Heeseung, do you know why we had to switch suppliers? Do you know what’s going on with the Feds? Most of all do you even know what’s happening at the border?”

The room falls silent as Heeseung fails to answer. When it’s obvious he won’t be giving an answer anytime soon Jaehee turns to Jake and sighs, “inform your incompetent brother of what’s been going on while he was off getting head.”

Jake clears his throat and sits up in his seat, “we had to switch suppliers because some of the men were stealing baggies and selling them for their own profit. As for the Feds, they’ve caught wind of the donation of thirty million won to the Korean government, they suspect corruption and launched an official investigation two days ago. And regarding the border, we’re on the verge of a gang war with the Jung’s.”

Taken aback by the sudden onslaught of new information, Heeseung briefly forgets why he was mad in the first place. “The Feds launched an investigation? What are we going to do?”

Jaehee scoffs, “what do you think? We’re going to comply with their requests. The president is on our payroll, we’ll be cleared of all charges in no time. Until then, I’m going to need you both to lay low.”

The two brothers nod their head in understanding, “yes sir.”

Jaehee nods in satisfaction. “Good, now onto the last thing I would like to discuss with you. As you now know Heeseung, we’re on the verge of war. Any good leader will do everything in their power to avoid war which is why your mother and I sat down with the Jung’s to try and come to an agreement.”

“In order to secure things at the border, we came to the agreement that Jaeyun shall enter a marriage with their youngest daughter, that way we can bind together our families and show that we’re a united front to the public. Having them as allies will help us greatly, we’ll be having dinner with them on Sunday so you two can meet. Any objections?”

Jake has millions of objections, an arranged marriage? He knew if he obtained the position of head of Lee Empire this day would come but it feels too sudden. He hasn’t even fully assimilated to his new role and he’s now being thrust into a marriage with a girl he doesn’t even know.

Although he has his objections he doesn’t voice them, he knows better. With a small shake of his head he says, “no sir.”

His father smiles, looking proud of his youngest while Heeseung only glares at the hourglass sat on a glass shelf above his father's head.

“Good, you’re dismissed.”

It’s Sunday afternoon and in a last attempt to get yourself out of this outrageous marriage agreement, you’ve woken up early and dressed yourself in Jung Empire colors. Your body is adorned in an extravagant emerald green v-neck tie blouse with skin tight black jeans.

Your hair is tied up in a ponytail and your feet are encased in a pair of six inch red soled Louboutins that Sungchan had gifted you for your birthday. The Rolls Royce that you're riding in pulls up in front of your fathers warehouse for bagging, you thank the driver before exiting. You stare up at the daunting building and tuck your Bottega Veneta clutch under your arm, although your relationship with your father is rocky, you were once close and a daddy’s girl. You never had to ask twice for something, he was always willing to do anything for you. You can only pray he’s willing to do the same now. If he doesn’t budge however, begging isn’t beneath you, you’ll get on your knees if you have to.

You enter the building and find your father smoking while circling around the tables where his men are bagging a new batch of cocaine. You slide your eyes over to Sungchan who’s standing in the corner of the room talking to his security detail. You take a deep breath before marching over to your father.

“Can I steal you for a moment?”

Some workers look up to stare at you in confusion momentarily forgetting the task at hand but the man you called for doesn’t even spare you a glance. He stops to slap the side of a man’s head to pull his attention away from you, “careful. She’s an engaged woman.”

You scoff at your father's words, “Father, can we please speak?”

He continues to ignore you and moves down the row of tables filled with men weighing out the bags. “I’m listening, darling.”

You don’t want to have this conversation this way but you know that once your father is focused on his Empire, nothing else matters until he’s done. “I don’t want to marry him, please don’t do this.”

Your father slowly inhales his cigarette, still not looking at you. “I thought I was clear when I said no the first time you asked me this, ____.”

You sigh, “I won’t be happy if you make me do this!” You stop walking but he continues, your frustration builds and you stomp your foot, “will you pay attention to me for once damnit!”

He stops in his steps and takes one last drag of his cigarette before dropping it on the floor and snubbing it out with his shoe. He carefully turns to look at you and shoves his hands into the pocket of his suit pants. “Tell me, ____, how are things looking for the Empire, business wise?”

You frown, what does that have to do with dissolving your arranged marriage? “Sales are up ten percent from quarter one due to expanding on the south side and spending has decreased by fifteen percent after cutting ties with the Byun’s. I went to meet with the Chief of Police and made a settlement of two billion won, you now have complete jurisdiction over the Gwangju district. Business is running smoothly, you should expect an increase of twelve percent revenue wise by the end of the new quarter.”

Your father smiles and steps closer to you to take your face into his hands. “You’ve always been a bright girl, ____. It would be wasted potential to let you walk away from this lifestyle. While your brother makes for a great leader, you make one hell of a business woman. Such a shame I can’t keep you here to continue working for our Empire.”

You remove his hands from your face and clutch them desperately in your hands before shaking your head, “you know I hate everything about business management and this lifestyle. Whether I stay here with you or get married to the Lee heir, I will always be unhappy and you know that!”

Your father sighs and turns on his heel, “happiness is an illusion, my dear. Now, I believe you have an engagement dinner to go prepare for.”

He walks away and orders for one of his men to drive you back home to get ready for tonight. You dejectedly stare at your father’s retreating back, completely at a loss. What now? Do you go through with this unwanted marriage or do you make a run for it after you walk the stage for your graduation? You follow the buff man ordered to take you home and get in the back of the all black SUV parked out front. He drives you home in silence, leaving you to drown in your thoughts.

It doesn't take long for you to arrive, you’re home in under thirty minutes leaving you with plenty of time to get yourself ready for tonight.

You exit the vehicle and trudge up the polished steps of your two story mansion. You breeze past the kitchen, where your mother is informing the chef of tonight's menu. You head to your room and gently close your bedroom door moving on auto pilot. Sitting on your bed, you allow the news to fully sink in. Your fate has been decided and there’s no way out.

Left with no choice, you begin assembling an outfit for tonight. You skim your closet in search of your dusty blue frill hem lace dress you had gotten from Chanel. Once you find the dress you move to place it on your king sized bed and move back to your walk in closet to get your crystal open toed Jimmy Choo pumps that you gifted yourself during finals week sophomore year.

You walk leisurely to your bathroom, strip down, then step into the shower. You turn the water on high; the steam thickens and warms, rising up to your face. You bathe your skin lightly, taking care to not rub yourself raw. You make sure to wash your face and hair thoroughly before getting out of the shower. You then dry off and head back to your room to get ready.

You hydrate your body and slip into your undergarments before getting to work on your makeup. You shape and draw your brows before working on your eyeshadow—you go for a neutral eye look with an undertone of baby blue to go with your dress. Once satisfied, you go in with your mascara and apply one layer for both eyelashes.

Now that your makeup is finished, you move to your bed and pick up your outfit for the night and give it one last glance before slipping on the dress. The mini length dress has an a-line neckline, short sleeves, and a trumpet skirt. The bodice is fitted and fits your figure easily. You look stunning, if it weren’t for what awaits you downstairs, you would be excited but you know better.

There’s a light knock on your door that pulls you out of your trance. You sadly turn to look at your door just as Sungchan walks in. He offers you a smile and gently shuts the door behind him. “You look beautiful.”

You play with the lace of your dress, “thanks.”

A heavy silence soon settles over the two of you, thicker than the uneasy tension you’re sure sits in the dining room where your guests await you. You glance around your room to try to avoid catching your brother's gaze. Things have never been this tense between the two of you, the atmosphere is usually light and fun.

Sungchan has always looked out for you and made sure you’re comfortable. You have no doubt that he tried to talk your father out of signing away your freedom. It’s what Sungchan does. He always looks out for you.

“We should probably go greet our guests.”

Sungchan turns to walk away but you reach a hand out and grab onto the back of his suit jacket, “W-wait.”

He turns to look at you. He takes one good look at you and his shoulders drop. He envelopes you in a hug and soothingly rubs your back.

You bite down on your lip to prevent yourself from crying. You refuse to shed any tears over this situation, you need to be strong. “I know this isn’t what you wanted and it’s not fair that it’s happened to you but please continue to be the strong woman I know you are.” Sungchan whispers into your hair.

You sigh, “it’s not fair! I don’t want to marry him. Why do I always get the short end of the stick? Hm? Why is it always me?”

Sungchan chokes back a sob, it physically hurts him seeing you so sad, it’s a contrast from your usual behavior. You’re always a bright and bubbly person who tries to be optimistic no matter what.

“I know, don’t worry. I’ll fix things, just be patient for now. I’ll fix it.” He then whispers under his breath, “I promise,” but it’s too low for you to pick up on what he said.

You two spend a few more minutes enjoying the embrace before Sungchan reluctantly pulls back. “We should attend to our guests. I’ll head down first, you should fix your makeup before coming down.”

You nod and let him exit your room before making quick work of reapplying your mascara and fixing your eyeshadow that had smudged.

You apply a neutral tone lipstick from your fifty piece Tom Ford Boys and Girls II collection and go over it with a clear lip gloss to make your lips shine.

When you’re done you take a deep breath to calm your nerves before exiting your room. You walk down the hallway and stop at the top of the stairs to collect yourself one last time. Once you feel ready, you descend the large staircase and walk towards the dining hall where you hear chatter and laughter floating through the area.

You stop in the doorway and scan the table. Your father is sat at the head with your mother to his left and Sungchan to his right. Next to Sungchan is a red haired male with multiple piercings, from months of studying books filled with all Jung Empire’s associates, you know he’s Lee Heeseung, the eldest Lee son. A lady is seated beside him, you assume that’s his mother. At the end of the table sits Lee Jaehee and to his right sits a buff black haired male who’s engaged in a conversation with your father. The seat beside him is empty, you presume it’s meant for you. He must be your suitor, the bastard child⏤ Sim Jaeyun or Jake.

You continue to stare at the long black haired male and make an assessment. He’s a sight to behold, no doubt about that. But looks aren’t everything, what if he’s a monster? Was he the type to get violent if he didn’t get his way? Would you fear for your life once you signed the marriage license?

As if he can feel your stare, he looks up and locks eyes with you. A forced smile takes over his lips as he raises his glass in your direction, all parties present at the table turn to the doorway to stare at you as well. You fidget under their stares but you don’t cower away.

You walk over to the seat beside Jaeyun with your head held high, you greet everyone before taking a seat. “It’s about time you joined us.” Your father jokes.

You give him a forced smile and bow your head, “forgive me, I wanted to take extra care to make sure my looks were above par.”

Jaehee chuckles, “it’s alright dear,” he picks up his glass of whiskey and raises it, “shall we make a toast?”

Your father hums and raises his glass as well. Everyone soon follows. A server, noticing you don’t have any alcohol to toast with, quickly steps up and fills your flute glass with champagne.

You raise the flute and clink it against the other seven glasses, “to the engagement of Jaeyun and ____ and the binding of two powerful families!”

You mumble a small cheers under your breath before peeling back the glass and taking a small sip. It goes down easily and slightly burns your throat, there’s a bitter taste at the end that has you shivering in your seat. You take a few more sips before placing it back down. While it’s not strong enough to get you drunk, it could still give you a pleasant buzz and you need to be fully sober for tonight.

You look across the table to find Heeseung throwing back his glass of whiskey. He gulps it down and raises the empty glass in the air for a server to take and refill. You study the older male and notice there’s something off about him. By the way he’s sitting you can tell he has no interest in being here and with the way he’s throwing back alcohol without a care in the world, completely disregarding the glares his father sends his way you just know he’s the problem child.

He has a certain air about him, he almost seems angry. You cock a brow as you continue to study his actions, he swaps out his whiskey for a glass of champagne. He downs it in one go and huffs in annoyance when the server is a beat late in refilling his glass.

As he’s waiting for his fix, he looks up and sends a harsh glare in Jaeyun’s direction. You frown and follow his line of vision to find your soon to be fiancé smiling brightly at Sungchan while they converse about stocks.

You drum your fingers against your flute of champagne as you silently hum in understanding. There seems to be some sort of animosity between the two brothers. You wonder what happened.

Before you get to dwell on the situation, more servers file into the dining hall with your meals. You’re first served a bowl of soup but you only get three spoonfuls before it’s being taken away and replaced with a butternut squash ravioli topped with rosemary browned butter.

You’re able to get in a few more bites before it’s taken. You don’t mind it though, the taste of the squash was too strong for you. A kale salad with Asian grapes, candied walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, honey and vinaigrette is what’s next on the menu.

You push your food around, not at all interested in eating the salad. You would have preferred a Cesar instead. Not much is said, your parents discuss business but the four of you (Heeseung, Jaeyun, Sungchan, and you) stay silent, not bothering to get to know each other.

The main course comes soon and you’re glad it’s a bit bigger than the last three meals you’ve been served. It’s balsamic covered lamb chops drizzled with a white bean purée. Once the main course is served, conversation begins to flow between Jaeyun and you.

“Your father tells me you’re a student? What do you study?”

You finish chewing your lamb and clear your throat, “I study business management and fine arts.”

Jaeyun nods, impressed, “fine arts? Is that a passion of yours?”

You smile and nod eagerly. Talking about anything art related always fills you with joy. Art has always been your escape, you had hoped to become an art director once you had graduated and migrated to France with Haru and Anton. Your mood slightly crumples, just a week ago that dream was plausible but now it’ll remain nothing more than a dream.

“It is, art is a very beautiful form of communication and expression. It’s helped me through some dark times”

Jaeyun smiles at your words and looks at you thoughtfully. He had his own doubts coming into this dinner but you’re not as bad as he had assumed.

Dessert is soon served, it’s a pear tart with almond cream. You take your time enjoying the sweet treat but it’s gone too fast for your liking. The adults soon wrap up eating and conclude their business talk.

You think the dinners over and get ready to excuse yourself but your mother starts a new conversation. The topic being your wedding.

“Oh I can’t wait to see you in a wedding gown, ____! I just know you’ll look lovely.”

You inwardly cringe at her comment but don’t speak on it.

“Why don’t you two go for a walk in the garden? Take some time to converse and get to know each other, you barely talked during dinner and the whole point was for you two to get to know each other.” Your father suggests.

You're ready to claim you’re too tired to go walking around the garden so late at night but Jaeyun stands before you get the chance. “That sounds lovely. Care to join me, ____?”

He holds a hand out for you to take. You stare at it wearily but take his hand regardless and allow him to help you up. You both excuse yourselves and head for the back door that leads to the garden in your backyard.

The air is pungent with the fragrance of jasmine. The two of you walk along the path lined with fallen petals from the bonsai trees that line the perfect lawn in their wooden boxes. In the center of the garden sits a pond as large as a small lake with flowering lily pads and a wooden bridge that crosses the middle so you can look down at the koi. The flower beds are a riot of spring colors and under close inspection you would be able to see they’re weed-free.

“How old are you, Jaeyun?” You ask.

He crosses his arms behind him, “twenty-two. And you?”

“Twenty.”

A semi-awkward silence soon settles over the two of you as you take a stroll around the extravagant garden. “Let’s not beat around the bush, ____.” Jaeyun says as he comes to a stop. You stop walking as well and turn to face him, “I’m well aware this marriage isn’t something you want, it’s not something I wanted either but there’s no way out of it.”

You cross your arms and nod allowing him to continue. “While I may not be the man you intended to marry, I want you to know I have no ill intentions. I won’t force myself on you and I won’t stop you from pursuing other men. This is a marriage of convenience and I don’t want you to feel obliged to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

“Are you mad?” You ask, he cocks his head to the side in confusion, not quite understanding your question. “Are you mad about this arrangement? You seem too calm about this, doesn’t it make you feel enraged to know your parents signed away your freedom?”

He shrugs, “it’s the price we have to pay for being their children.”

You scoff, “it’s a pretty crappy exchange.”

Jaeyun chuckles at your response, “I take it you feel wronged?”

You scowl, what type of question is that? Of course you feel wronged. “Of course I do. This isn’t the life I pictured for myself.”

“What was the life you pictured for yourself then?”

You take a deep breath and turn to continue walking. Jaeyun follows closely behind you as you both climb the bridge. “I wanted to leave Korea with my best friends and move to France, I’ve always had the dream of becoming an art director. I would probably fall in love and have a romance you only find in movies, have a lowkey beach wedding and try for kids later on down the line.”

You don’t know why you’re spilling your wants and dreams to Jaeyun, it’s not like he can give you the life you desire. Telling him this won’t change a thing but you suppose it’s nice to express your wants to another person who could possibly relate.

“I can’t give you the whirlwind romance you want but I can open a creative department and make you head of all creative art projects. I know it’s a longshot from the life you want but it’s a start.” He offers while gazing into your eyes.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” You curiously wonder out loud. Jaeyun softly chuckles at your question and comes to a halt in the middle of the bridge.

“Would you rather me be rude?”

You shake your head, “it’s not that. It’s just,” you pause to try and find the right words, “you've made it clear you don’t want to marry me either so why are you going out of your way to make sure I’m comfortable? Shouldn’t you hate me for ruining your life?”

“But you didn’t ruin my life? This marriage wasn’t your idea and I won’t take my anger out on you. You’re just as much of a victim as I am.”

You stay silent and just study Jaeyun. Your biggest fear entering this dinner was that he would be a complete jerk but he’s the absolute opposite. Conversation seems to flow easily between the two of you and he’s made it clear there’s no animosity between the two of you. You wish you could be as open to this as he is but a part of you will always despise him for taking away your freedom. He may have not done it directly and it may not be fair to him but you can’t help the way you feel.

“I understand.”

He nods and takes a few steps ahead of you and turns back to face you. “I had always hoped that when I proposed it was to a woman I knew and loved but as we both know, that isn’t the case. While this isn’t ideal, I still want to do it properly.” You watch as he gets down on one knee and pulls a ring box out of his back pocket. “Will you marry me, Jung ____?”

You try to smile at the sweet gesture but you’re sure it comes out more like a grimace. You slowly nod your head and give him your left hand. “Yes.” He smiles up at you and gingerly slips a 14k white gold engagement ring with a cushion cut diamond that illuminates the center of the sophisticated design with sparkling round diamonds in a halo motif on your ring finger. It fits snuggly, shimmering in the moonlight and mocking you as you rotate your hand.

Jaeyun gets up and dusts off his knees. “Let’s go back inside?”

Two weeks have passed since your formal engagement to Jaeyun and the press has been going crazy. The night after the dinner, your parents had the two of you go on a date for publicity and leaked the news of your engagement to the press. Pictures soon spread like wildfire and your name has been in the news ever since.

You didn’t expect anything less, while your family is notoriously known for ruling over the underworld, it’s not all you do. To avoid the law and jail time, your father owns his own conglomerate to stand as a front for the illegal acts that go on behind closed doors. Your father has done a fantastic job of separating the empire from the conglomerate. He’s thorough with his work and makes sure nothing can be traced back to the empire. To the public, Nexa-Corp has made great accomplishments within Korea and has been a global leader bringing innovation for a happier future. No one would expect that your family owns and runs its own mafia.

Because you’re the only daughter of such a prominent figure in Korean society, as well as Jaeyun who’s the youngest son of the CEO of Veridian Global, you’re sure the news of your engagement will continue to circulate for months and you have no doubt that the wedding itself will be broadcasted for all of Korea to see.

Tonight is your engagement party. You didn’t want one but it wasn’t up to you. Both your parents and Jaeyun’s claim it’s important your relationship seem as real as can be and that you show the public you’re a united front.

“____? Are you dressed?”

You pull your gaze away from the mirror to the door just as your mother walks in. She gasps and closes the door behind her. “Oh sweetheart, you look stunning!”

Your hair is slicked back and your makeup was done by a makeup artist. She went for a bold look to match your dress, your lips are painted a bright red and you have a smokey eyeshadow look. You’re dressed in a burgundy lace sweetheart ball gown that has a v-shaped bust. The dress glimmers and fits your waist tightly. The bodice is hand-beaded and also forms a sequined layer beneath the airy tulle ball gown skirt. You feel like an absolute princess, while it wasn’t the dress you had in mind you still feel beautiful.

“I’ve gotten so used to seeing you wearing green but red is a nice fit for you.” Your mother says.

You smooth out the lace of your dress and shrug, “green will always be my color.” To a normal person, it may seem as if you’re simply discussing colors with your mother but there’s a double meaning. Emerald green is the Jung Empire’s color and Burgundy is the Lee Empire’s color. While you may be marrying a Lee and will now have to rep the color red, you will forever be a Jung at heart.

Your mother gingerly smiles at you and reaches a hand out to grasp yours. “I know this isn’t what you wanted but I hope you can find the happiness you’ve always wanted with Jaeyun. He seems like a lovely boy.”

You inhale deeply and shake your head. You give your mother a small smile and pull your hands out of her grasp. “Happiness is an illusion.” You don’t give her time to refute your claim and step aside. “I believe we have guests to attend to?”

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The Ballroom is 7,600 square feet with a dramatic ceiling. It’s beautifully appointed with crystal chandeliers and decked out in silver and burgundy decor. The hall is filled with cocktail tables and waiters who are stationed around the room waiting to be called upon. You’ve made your rounds and you’re now settled in the back of the hall nursing a glass of champagne while Jaeyun is currently having a conversation with his buddies who you briefly met.

“Jung ____?”

You try to reel in your annoyance at being called upon yet again. You down your champagne in one go and place it on the tray of a waiter who skims past you before whirling around to come face to face with a man dressed in an all black suit. You try and wrack your mind to see if you can recognize him, but you come up empty handed.

“I’m sorry, have we met before?” You ask.

He shakes his head and reaches into the inside of his suit pocket to pull out a wallet, he opens it up and allows you to see the contents. He’s from the FBI. You feel your heart rate pick up but you manage to keep a poker face.

You stare into the detective's eyes, determined not to look away first. You contort your lips into a toothy saccharine smile relaxing your face. You had mastered your fake smile, right down to the wrinkles around your eyes at the young age of six. It’s key to have complete control over your facial features in your line of work. One wrong look and you could end up dead or in prison. “May I help you?”

He folds up his wallet and places it back into his pocket. “Congratulations on your engagement, Ms. Jung. While I hate to put a damper on the mood, I have a few questions regarding the ongoing case we have against your fiancé.”

You clutch your dress as the sentence leaves the male's mouth. The FBI has an ongoing case against the Lee’s? You wonder why it wasn’t mentioned to your family during the arrangement of your engagement.

You want to know the details of the charges but you know you can’t entertain this conversation. If any of your father's associates or allies of the Lee’s see you it could be disastrous. “Korean Civil Code, Article 826, The duties of Husband and Wife⏤ the confidential marital communications privilege allows a spouse to refuse to testify about, or produce documents evidencing, any confidential communication made during a marriage and allows the other spouse to prevent that testimony or document production. I have nothing to say to you, detective.”

He scoffs and picks up a champagne glass from the tray of a waiter who walks past you. “In case you’ve forgotten, you haven’t married him yet Ms. Jung. Don’t make me subpoena you.”

You cross your arms against your chest and nod, “am I a suspect, detective?” He shakes his head, “a person of interest then?”

“Not at the moment but if you continue on I will charge you with obstruction of justice.”

You scoff, “you can’t charge me for a crime I didn’t commit.”

“Don’t make this difficult. When we convict your fiancé we can have you arrested as well for aiding and abetting. You wouldn’t want to go to prison for your fiancé’s mistakes would you?”

You cluck your tongue, “article 200, South Korean Constitution⏤ I have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. I am now invoking that right.”

“You seem to be well versed with the law, I guess it’s good to know your rights if you’re running a syndicate.”

You roll your eyes, “if you have any further questions or concerns feel free to contact my lawyer.”

He chuckles, “why lawyer up if you have nothing to hide?”

You pluck the champagne glass from his hand and point it in the direction of the exit. “Please see yourself out before I have security escort you out.”

He smirks at you. “The next time we meet I’ll have a warrant for your arrest.”

You smile and raise the glass up to your lips before knocking it back and chugging down the champagne. “It was nice meeting you, detective.” You place the glass down on a cocktail table before you turn to walk away and find Jaeyun.

You spot him easily, he’s still conversing with Park Jonseong, his long time best friend. You slide up to Jaeyun and lean into his ear. “Behind me, near the back of the hall is a man in an all black suit. He’s with the FBI.”

You pull back but Jaeyun places a hand on your waist and pulls you closer into his side. People near you coo at the affection but the two of you pay no attention to them. Jaeyun picks up a flute glass and raises it in the direction of the detective, a smug look on his face. The male scowls and shakes his head before making a b-line for the exit.

Your heart has been pounding all morning.

The four months came way too soon for your liking. Following the engagement party, you chose to submerge yourself in your school work and spend as much time as possible with Anton and Haru. You absolutely refused to have a say in the wedding itself, it wasn’t something you wanted and would always send you into a panicked state just thinking about it.

A week after announcing your engagement, you went wedding dress shopping with both your mother and Jaeyun’s. Your dress was the one thing you absolutely refused to compromise on. A month before your graduation a date plus venue was picked and invitations were sent out.

An hour has passed since lunch and you feel as if you’re going to vomit all the contents of your stomach. Preparations for the wedding have already started and you’re currently getting your hair and makeup done while Haru runs around making sure your other bridesmaids are dressed and ready to go.

Your bridal court is made up of the daughters of other powerful mafia heads to show that you’re a united front. You’ve never spoken a word to the six females and yet they’re the ones who’ll be standing by you on one of the biggest days of your life. Haru was made your maid of honor due to the relationship you two have and her father being Kim Dongwook, a good associate of your father.

“I’m done with your makeup dear, let’s get you in that dress.”

You nod and stand on shaky legs. You usually pride yourself on always being confident but you seem to be lacking it today. Haru ushers the other girls into the hallway so you can get dressed in peace. You slip off your robe and slide into your hand sewn custom made fit and flare gown. You shimmy into the form fitting dress taking care to not force it on and rip it.

The skirt of your dress has geometrical lace to match the bodice. When designing your dress, you wanted something simple yet dramatic and sophisticated⏤you wanted it to represent you. The train just might be your favorite part of the dress, it’s a cathedral length train that flows behind you. Your makeup artist holds back your hair while you slip your hands into the quarter length sleeves and Haru buttons you into the dress.

Once Haru fixes the last button, your makeup artist lets your hair down and steps away. You move to stand in front of the floor length mirror and examine yourself. You’re absolutely stunning. You wish you were marrying a man you actually loved so you could feel the joy every bride describes when talking about their wedding day.

Haru brings over your veil and attempts to secure it in your hair with various pins. Once it’s situated she steps aside and lets you see the final product. You twiddle your fingers as you daze off thinking back to simpler times. A knock pulls you out of your trance however. “Come in.” You say

The door opens and in waltzes your mother and your soon to be mother-in-law. They coo at your dress and make a fuss about how Jaeyun’s going to love it but you don’t have it in you to pretend to be happy. You’re too tired and having to act as if you’re okay with what’s about to happen is too draining.

Before you know it, you’re being transported to the La Luce Myeong-dong Wedding Hall in an all white Rolls Royce with your father and Haru. Everything goes by in a blurr, your mind doesn’t even register pulling up. Just as you had predicted, your wedding is being broadcasted for all of Korea to see. There are multiple cameramen stationed outside the hall live streaming your entrance and some are taking pictures. Along with paparazzi, there's a crowd of spectators surrounding the building being held off by the police.

Your father steps out first before turning to offer you his hand. You take it and allow him to help you out of the car. Haru quickly comes to your aid to fix your train before swiftly entering the building to start the procession. Your bridesmaids follow behind Haru and gracefully walk up the steps and into the main hall where your guest and groom await.

Your father fixes your veil and allows you to hook your arm with his. You tightly grip onto your bouquet and count down the seconds. The spectators who’ve gathered for your wedding begin cheering as the doors to the hall open and the sound of canon in d arranged by the Stuttgart Orchestra wafts down into the streets of Seoul.

Your guest turn their attention to the door as you walk in and down the aisle on your father's arm. You force a smile on your face and try to play your role of the blushing bride. The aisle is lined with a white carpet and babies breath flowers fill the empty spaces on the ground with candles. Jaeyun is stood at the front of the altar with his groomsmen right behind him.

You look into his eyes and for the first time since you’ve met him you can see the fear that’s clearly in his eyes. Just like you, Jaeyun has been good at concealing his true emotions but you guess he doesn’t have it in him to pretend today either.

Walking down the aisle with your father is just as terrifying as you thought it would be. All eyes are on you, not only are you being scrutinized by the two hundred guests in the hall but you’re also being watched by the thousands tuning in live.

The remaining steps to get to the altar seem to take an eternity. When your father finally hands you over to Jaeyun and takes his seat at the table reserved for your family, Haru steps up to take your bouquet so you can give Jaeyun your hands. A cold terror washes over your body as you stare into your groom's eyes.

Before, you thought Jaeyun was put together, the more mature one out of the two of you but you now realize he’s just one hell of an actor. He’s not put together nor is he mature. He’s a small boy playing dress up. Your hands tremble under his own and despite your fear, you don’t look away, you continue to stare into his panic filled eyes and try to find comfort in the fact that you’re not in this alone. He shares your fear.

You hear words being spoken to you, the voice echoes through your eardrums but you refuse to focus your attention on anyone else. You don’t register anything in your mind beside Jaeyun’s “I do” and the feeling of him slipping your wedding band onto your ring finger. You exhale at the weight that now sits on your hand. This ring will forever bind you to Sim Jaeyun.

You hear the priest say a few words before turning to you to ask, “do you Jung ____ take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Sucking in a shaky breath you whisper the two words that seal your fate. “I do.” Your hand trembles as you reach out for Jaeyun’s ring from your ring bearer. Your throat constricts making it hard to breathe. You slide the silver band onto his fourth finger, it’s a simple band yet still eye catching.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

A round of applause fills the hall but it falls upon deaf ears as Jaeyun lifts your veil and slowly leans in, bringing one hand up to gently caress the apple of your cheek. You feel your chest rise in panic as he comes closer to your face. His eyes sliding shut is the last thing you see before your own flutter close.

Jaeyun’s lips are soft and warm. The kiss is gentle, no malice behind it but it’s lacking in emotion and passion. All the panic that has built up within you then bursts and tears begin to roll down your cheeks. As much as you tried to hold it in, the pain came out. The beads of water start falling down one after another, without a sign of stopping. To anyone watching, it may seem like you’re crying tears of joy but in reality you’re nowhere near being happy or content with the direction your life is going.

Your life has just ended.

taglist: @dreamiestay

running a little behind schedule,,,,should be up in the next thirty !

first install of world of sinners will be going up in a few hours !! 😙

first install of world of sinners will be going up in a few hours !! 😙