Kanak's eyes were filled with tears as she stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection in the white wedding dress. She couldn't believe that she was actually going through with this. She had always dreamed of a love marriage, not some arranged union with a stranger.
But her father's financial situation had left her with no choice. She had to marry Kim So-Min to save her family from financial ruin.
As she walked down the aisle, she saw Kim So-Min waiting for her, a small smile on his face. He looked handsome in his traditional Korean attire, but Kanak's heart was not in it. She felt like she was being sold off to the highest bidder.
The ceremony was a blur as Kanak went through the motions, her mind numb with sadness and anger. When it was over, Kim So-Min turned to her and smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Kanak felt a pang of guilt as she saw the genuine happiness in his eyes. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. But as she looked into his eyes, she knew that she couldn't pretend to be happy. She wasn't in love with him, and she didn't know if she ever would be.
As the reception came to a close, Kanak's family gathered around her, tears in their eyes. They hugged her tightly, whispering words of encouragement and love.
Mayank, her brother, held her especially close. "We'll be back for you soon, didi," he whispered. "Don't worry, we'll take care of you."
Kanak felt a lump form in her throat as she hugged her brother back. She knew that she would miss him and her family terribly.
As her family departed for India, Kanak felt a sense of desolation wash over her. She was alone in a foreign country, married to a man she didn't love. She felt like a part of her had been ripped away, leaving her feeling empty and lost.
As she stood in the empty hallway, Kanak let out a sob, the tears streaming down her face. She felt so much anger and sadness, she didn't know how she would ever be happy again.
Kanak trudged into the bedroom, feeling like a prisoner in her own life. She had gone through the motions of the wedding, but her heart was not in it. As soon as she was alone, she quickly changed out of her elaborate wedding attire and into a comfortable hoodie and leggings.
She tied her hair up into a messy bun, not bothering to try and look presentable. She wasn't interested in impressing anyone, least of all her new husband.
As she flopped down onto the bed, Kanak let out a deep sigh. She felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, and she didn't know how to wake up.
Just then, the door opened, and Kim So-Min walked in. He looked handsome and put-together, but Kanak couldn't muster up any enthusiasm.
So-Min's eyes scanned the room, taking in Kanak's casual attire and her obvious lack of interest. His face fell, and he looked at her with a mixture of disappointment and concern.
"Kanak, is everything okay?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle.
Kanak shrugged, not bothering to look at him. "I'm fine," she muttered.
So-Min walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. "You don't seem fine," he said, his eyes searching hers. "You seem... unhappy."
Kanak finally looked at him, her eyes flashing with anger. "You think?" she spat. "I'm stuck in a marriage I didn't want, with a man I don't even know. What's there to be happy about?"
So-Min's face fell, and he looked away, his eyes clouding over with sadness. Kanak felt a pang of guilt, but she pushed it aside. She was angry, and she had every right to be.
The two of them sat there in silence, the tension between them palpable. Kanak knew that this was not a good start to their marriage, but she didn't care. She was too busy feeling sorry for herself.
Kanak's anger boiled over, and she turned to Kim So-Min, her eyes blazing with fury. "You know, I don't even know why I'm surprised," she spat. "You're just like all the other rich and entitled people I've met. You think you can just buy anything you want, including a person's emotions."
Kim So-Min's face fell, and he looked taken aback by Kanak's outburst. "Kanak, I—"
But Kanak cut him off, her voice rising in anger. "No, you listen to me. I feel like I'm just a fancy blood bottle for Korea's greatest actor, Mr. Kim So-Min. I'm not interested in this marriage, and I'm not interested in you. So please, don't bother trying to woo me or make me feel like I'm part of this family. I'm not, and I never will be."
Kim So-Min's eyes clouded over with sadness, and he looked like he had been punched in the gut. "Kanak, please—"
But Kanak just shook her head, her voice cold and detached. "Just remember, whenever you need blood, just call me. Your blood bag is always available, sir."