A Year Later
The city had changed.
Or maybe they had.
Mira stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of their penthouse, watching Seoul's skyline glitter under the evening sun. A year ago, they had been fighting for survival—against scandals, against enemies, against the weight of expectations. Now, Jae's real estate empire was thriving, and Mira had become the lead designer for Park & Co. Estates, transforming luxury properties into breathtaking homes.
Success tasted sweet.
But lately, it had also tasted lonely.
Their schedules had become a relentless cycle—early mornings, late nights, site visits bleeding into client dinners that were eaten over blueprints. Some days, the only words they exchanged were "Good morning" and "Sleep well."
Mira sighed, swirling the wine in her glass.
Tonight was supposed to be different.
The annual Seoul Real Estate Gala—the biggest event of the year—was happening downtown. But for the first time in months, Mira had a day off. Jae had insisted she skip it. "You've earned a break," he'd said, though there was something knowing in his smile.
Soo-yeon had swooped in immediately, demanding a girls' night. "No work talk. No stress. Just us, wine, and terrible rom-coms."
Mira had agreed instantly.
Her phone buzzed.
Jae: Running late. Don't wait up.
She stared at the message, her chest tightening.
Again.
---
Mira was halfway through her third glass of wine when Soo-yeon's texts started getting suspicious.
Soo-yeon: Change of plans. Meet me at the Han River pier. 8 PM.
Mira: Why?
Soo-yeon: Just trust me.
Mira frowned but grabbed her coat.
The pier was unusually quiet for a Friday night. No crowds. No tourists. Just the soft lapping of water against the docks and the distant hum of the city.
Then she saw it.
A single path of rose petals leading toward a private yacht moored at the end of the pier.
Her breath caught.
Soo-yeon appeared out of nowhere, grinning. "Surprise."
Mira's heart pounded. "What is this?"
"Your real night off." Soo-yeon shoved a small velvet box into her hands. "Now go. He's waiting."
Mira opened the box.
Inside was a single pearl earring—the mate to the one she'd lost years ago, the one Jae had kept all this time.
Her vision blurred.
---
The yacht was lit with hundreds of fairy lights, casting a golden glow over the deck. And there, at the center, stood Jae—dressed not in his usual suit, but in the same casual sweater he'd worn on their first date.
Mira's steps faltered.
Jae turned, his smile soft. "Hey."
She clutched the earring box to her chest. "You—you planned this?"
"For months." He stepped closer, brushing a thumb over her cheek. "I know I've been… absent. And I'm sorry."
Mira swallowed hard.
Jae's voice dropped, rough with emotion. "But I need you to know—none of this means anything without you."
He dropped to one knee.
Mira's hands flew to her mouth.
Jae pulled out a ring—a delicate band of diamonds shaped like peonies, their petals catching the light.
"Mira Yoon," he said, his voice steady despite the way his hands trembled. "You've been my strength, my sanity, my home since we were kids. Marry me. Not because it's the next step, but because I can't imagine a single day without you by my side."
Tears spilled down Mira's cheeks.
Jae's eyes searched hers. "Well?"
She laughed, wet and breathless. "Yes."
Jae surged to his feet, catching her in a kiss that tasted like promises and peonies and finally.
Somewhere in the distance, fireworks exploded over the river—gold and pink and brilliant against the night sky.
Mira pulled back, gasping. "You planned fireworks?"
Jae grinned, boyish and unguarded. "I planned everything."
And as the yacht glided down the Han River, surrounded by light and laughter and the city they'd conquered together, Mira realized—
This was just the beginning.
---
The morning after the proposal, Seoul woke up to headlines splashed across every major outlet:
"PARK GROUP HEIR ENGAGED TO REAL ESTATE DESIGNER MIRA YOON – LOVE STORY CAPTIVATES THE CITY"
"FROM SCANDAL TO FAIRYTALE: JAE PARK & MIRA YOON'S ENGAGEMENT BREAKS THE INTERNET"
Mira's phone buzzed nonstop—congratulatory messages from colleagues, old friends, even clients she hadn't spoken to in months. But the most surprising call came from Kang Dae-won, CEO of LUXE International.
"Congratulations," he said, his voice gruff but sincere. "Though I expect you back at work soon. We have a luxury penthouse project in Tokyo that needs your touch."
Mira laughed. "I'll think about it."
Beside her, Jae groaned, pulling her back under the covers. "Tell him you're on indefinite leave."
She swatted his arm playfully. "Not a chance."
---
The Park family estate had never felt so warm.
Hae-soo greeted them at the door, pulling Mira into a rare, tight embrace. "I knew it was only a matter of time," she whispered, her eyes glistening. "Welcome to the family, officially."
Chairman Park stood a little stiffly behind her, but the corners of his mouth lifted when Jae met his gaze. "You did well," he said simply.
Mira nearly dropped her tea.
Hae-soo clapped her hands together. "Now, about the wedding—I have ideas."
Jae groaned. "Mother—"
"No, no, let me handle it," she insisted, already pulling out a leather-bound planner. "The Jeju Island estate would be perfect. Ocean views, private beach—romantic."**
Mira blinked. "That sounds… extravagant."
Hae-soo waved a hand. "Nonsense. And your friend—Soo-yeon, was it? She's in fashion, yes? She must help with the gown."
Jae smirked. "Good luck telling Soo-yeon no."
Over dessert—a decadent chocolate soufflé that Hae-soo had insisted the chef prepare—the conversation turned to the future.
"So," Hae-soo began, her tone deliberately casual, "have you two thought about… timing?"
Mira nearly choked on her wine.
Jae raised an eyebrow. "For?"
His mother gave him a pointed look. "Grandchildren, obviously."
Mira's face burned.
Chairman Park cleared his throat, though his eyes sparkled with rare amusement. "The estate could use some… youthful energy."
Jae burst out laughing. "Subtle, Father."
Mira buried her face in her hands, but she was laughing too.
Hae-soo sighed dreamily. "A little boy with Jae's eyes and Mira's smile…"
"Or a girl," Jae countered, grinning. "With Mira's stubbornness."
Mira kicked him under the table.
Later, as they walked through the estate's gardens under a canopy of stars, Jae laced his fingers through Mira's.
"You okay?" he murmured.
She leaned into him. "More than okay."
He kissed her temple. "No regrets?"
Mira turned to face him, her heart so full it ached. "Not a single one."
Jae's smile was soft, tender. "Good."
And as the night wrapped around them, the future stretched ahead—bright, boundless, and theirs.