As Hara stood before the mirror, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Today was the day she would meet Yuto, the man she was supposed to marry. Her heart raced with a mix of worry and anxiety, unsure of what to expect from this meeting.
She had chosen to wear a simple yet elegant dress that accentuated her natural beauty without being too flashy. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, and she applied a light touch of makeup to enhance her features.
As she made her way to the meeting place, Hara's mind wandered back to all the events that had led to this moment—the novel she had read, her unexpected rebirth into the story, and the decisions she had made along the way. It felt surreal, as if she had been living a dual life—one in her past world and another in the world of the novel.
When she arrived at the designated location, Yuto was already waiting there. He looked just as handsome as she remembered—his piercing gaze, slender nose, and the spark in his eyes, accompanied by tender, thin lips. His hair cascaded gracefully, adding to his elegant demeanor. A sense of familiarity washed over her. His expression was serious, but there was a glimmer of annoyance in his eyes.
"Good afternoon," Hara greeted him politely.
Yuto nodded in response, his gaze briefly lingering on her before he gestured for them to take a seat.
As they sat across from each other, a tense silence filled the air. Hara wondered if he still held the same negative impression of her from their initial encounter. She knew that this meeting was essential to discuss their future together, and she hoped they could find common ground.
Breaking the silence, Hara started the conversation. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Yuto. I know this situation might be awkward for both of us."
Yuto nodded again, his expression still guarded. "Yes, it's not exactly how I imagined meeting my future wife would be."
Hara smiled softly, trying to ease the tension. "I understand. It's not an ideal situation for either of us, but since our fathers have decided on this arrangement, I believe it's best for us to try and make the most of it."
Yuto seemed surprised by her response, perhaps not expecting her to be so reasonable about the situation. He leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment before speaking again. "I admit, I had some reservations about this marriage at first. But I've come to realize that I might have been unfair in my judgment of you."
Hara's heart skipped a beat. She didn't expect Yuto to admit his prejudices so openly, and she was relieved to hear him acknowledge that he had misjudged her.
"I also misjudged you when we first met," Hara admitted. "I was scared and defensive, but I've come to see that there's more to you than meets the eye as well."
Hara's heart sank at Yuto's sudden change in demeanor. She had hoped that their meeting had brought them closer, but his cold response shattered that illusion.
"I understand," she replied, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. "I didn't mean to assume anything. I just thought that maybe we could get to know each other better and see if we could make this work."
Yuto's eyes narrowed as he observed her closely. "And why would you want to make this work?" he asked, his tone still guarded.
Hara took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before answering. "Because I believe in giving things a chance. Our fathers might have made this decision for us, but that doesn't mean we have to be mere pawns in their game. We have the power to shape our own future, and I think it's worth exploring if we can find common ground and build a relationship based on understanding and respect."
For a moment, Yuto's expression softened, and Hara thought she might have reached him. But then his walls seemed to go up again, and he looked away.
"I appreciate your optimism," he said, his voice softer but still tinged with skepticism. "But you should know that I have my own reservations about this marriage. I've seen too many people sacrifice their happiness for the sake of duty, and I don't intend to become one of them."
Hara could sense the pain and vulnerability in his words, and it made her heart ache for him. She wanted to reassure him, to let him know that they didn't have to follow the same path as others had. But she also knew that she couldn't force him to change his mind.
"I understand," she said gently. "I don't want either of us to be unhappy in this marriage. If you truly cannot see a future with me, then I won't stand in your way."
Yuto looked at her, his eyes searching for something she couldn't quite decipher.
He seemed lost in thought for a moment before he finally spoke. "I need some time to think," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "I can't make a decision like this lightly."
Hara nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. "Take all the time you need," she said softly. "I won't pressure you into anything."
"Then how about this," he tapped on the table, deliberating his words.
"I'll agree to this marriage, but only for a while," he paused for a moment.
"If it doesn't work out—"
"We'll get a divorce," he concluded decisively.
Hara looked at Yuto, taken aback by his proposal. A marriage with an expiration date wasn't something she had expected, but she understood his need for caution and independence.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked, her voice soft and sincere. "A marriage is a serious commitment, even if it has a time limit. I don't want either of us to enter into this lightly."
Yuto met her gaze, his eyes still guarded but also searching for something in her expression. "I know," he replied. "And I don't take it lightly. But I also believe in being honest and realistic about our situation. We can't predict the future, but at least this way, we have a clear understanding of where we stand."
Hara nodded, appreciating his honesty. "Alright," she said. "If that's what you need, then I agree to your proposal. But I want you to know that I will give my best effort to make this marriage work. I won't treat it as a mere temporary arrangement, but as a genuine partnership."
Yuto's lips quirked into a small, genuine smile, surprising Hara. "I believe you," he said softly. "And I promise to do the same."
With their agreement settled, a sense of relief washed over Hara. While the uncertainty was still there, she felt a glimmer of hope that perhaps they could find their way to a meaningful connection.
"Thank you," she said sincerely. "For being honest with me."
Yuto nodded, his expression softening slightly. "And thank you for understanding," he replied.
As they both stood up to leave the restaurant, Hara felt a mix of emotions. She knew she shouldn't raise her hopes too high, especially since he showed no interest in her. His gaze was fixed solely on one person—Ji-Eun. Indeed, Hara understood that she couldn't force someone to love her. She accepted the marriage without the presence of love.
'Right,' she thought to herself, 'he can love someone else while I focus on my own path.'