Ellin Han stood frozen in her empty apartment, the deafening silence echoing her devastation. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the walls in a melancholic amber hue. Just hours ago, this space had been bustling with laughter, a chaotic celebration as her family prepared for her wedding.
Now, they were gone.
The wardrobe door swung open, revealing nothing but a barren rod where her wedding dress had hung. Her breath hitched. Every corner of the room bore the ghost of their betrayal: the absence of her savings envelope, the hasty departure of her siblings without a word of farewell.
Her phone buzzed on the counter, pulling her from her spiral of despair. It was Maya, her best friend.
"Ellin, where are you?" Maya's voice crackled with concern.
"They left," Ellin whispered, her voice barely audible. "They took everything, Maya. The money, the jewelry… even my grandmother's pendant."
A pause. Then Maya's voice softened. "Ellin, I'm so sorry. But you have to pull yourself together. Tomorrow is still your wedding day."
Ellin's laugh was bitter. "A wedding without a family? Without the life I worked so hard to build?"
"They don't deserve you," Maya said firmly. "But Ren does. He loves you, Ellin. Maybe this is your chance to start over—with someone who truly values you."
Did he? The thought gnawed at her as the night wore on. Ren Jacob was a man of few words but grand gestures. His unwavering support over the past year had been a balm to her weary soul. But doubt crept in now, casting shadows over her memories.
The chapel was breathtaking the next morning, its marble floors glistening under the soft glow of chandeliers. White roses adorned every pew, their delicate fragrance a stark contrast to the storm brewing in Ellin's heart.
Ren waited at the altar, his gray eyes locking onto hers as she entered. For a fleeting moment, the chaos of the past day faded. His presence was magnetic, grounding her amidst her turmoil.
"You look beautiful," he murmured as she joined him, his voice low and steady.
Ellin forced a smile, but the weight of her family's betrayal clung to her like a shadow. The ceremony passed in a blur, vows exchanged without the warmth she had imagined.
As the reception unfolded, Ren guided her away from the crowd, his expression unreadable.
"Ellin," he began, his voice tinged with hesitation. "There's something I need to tell you."
Her heart sank. "What is it?"
Ren hesitated, his jaw tightening. Then, with a quiet sigh, he said, "What happened with your family, let's just forget them. Let's start our new life together, only two of us. I am the only family you have now"
The words hit her like a physical blow, but she know it's true. "Yes, Ren. You're all I have now"
Ren's words lingered in the air, wrapping around Ellin like a silken thread—comforting yet suffocating. His grey eyes bore into hers with an intensity that made her skin prickle. His smile was warm, but something about it felt… calculated.
"I mean it, Ellin," he continued, his voice low and soothing, as though she were a fragile bird he feared might take flight. "You're the strongest person I know. Even after everything they did to you, you still showed up today. That's why I fell in love with you. You're resilient. Unbreakable."
Ellin blinked, unsure how to respond. Was this genuine admiration, or was he laying it on too thick? His words were kind, yet they felt rehearsed.
Ren brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering longer than they should. "You don't need anyone else. Not your mother, not your siblings. You have me now, and I'll make sure you never have to worry about anything again. I'll protect you, Ellin. From everyone."
Her chest tightened. Protect her? From whom?
"Thank you, Ren," she murmured, forcing a small smile. "I appreciate it."
He chuckled softly and cupped her face in his hands. "Appreciate it? Ellin, you don't need to thank me. You're my wife now. Everything I do is for you." His tone shifted, becoming almost possessive. "You deserve the world, and I'll give it to you. No one will ever hurt you again. I promise."
There it was again—that strange edge to his words. Was it passion or something darker? Ellin's stomach churned as unease crept into her thoughts.
The sound of footsteps interrupted the moment, and Maya appeared, her expression a mix of concern and apology. "Ellin, they're looking for you. It's time for the first dance."
Ren's smile didn't falter, but his grip on her hands tightened ever so slightly before releasing her. "Go ahead. I'll join you in a moment."
Ellin nodded, grateful for the excuse to step away. As she walked toward the ballroom, Maya leaned in close and whispered, "Are you okay? You looked… tense."
"I'm fine," Ellin replied quickly, but her voice wavered.
Maya frowned, glancing back at Ren, who was still standing in the shadows, watching them. "If you need anything, just say the word."
Ellin managed a weak nod, her heart pounding. Something was wrong. She couldn't put her finger on it, but Ren's behavior—his unwavering gaze, his overly reassuring words—felt off.
Later that night, as the guests trickled out and the house grew silent, Ren escorted Ellin to their room. The day had been exhausting, and she longed for sleep, but her mind wouldn't rest.
"You should get some sleep," Ren said as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His voice was soft, almost hypnotic.
She nodded, climbing into bed. Ren lingered at the door, watching her.
"Goodnight, my love," he said, his words dripping with tenderness.
Ellin closed her eyes, pretending to drift off. She waited until the sound of his footsteps faded down the hall before sitting up. The unease that had followed her all day bubbled to the surface. She needed answers.
Quietly, she slipped out of bed and tiptoed toward his study. Ren had insisted she never enter without his permission, but tonight, she couldn't shake the feeling that the answers to her questions lay behind that door.
Her fingers brushed the doorknob, her heart pounding in her ears. She hesitated for a moment before turning it.
The door creaked open, revealing the dimly lit room. Her gaze swept across the desk, landing on an open folder. She stepped closer, her breath catching in her throat as she recognized her family's names on the papers inside.
Before she could process what she was seeing, the sound of footsteps echoed behind her.
"Ellin," Ren's voice called out softly, sending a chill down her spine.
She spun around, clutching the folder to her chest. His shadow loomed in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"What are you doing in here?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of something she couldn't identify.