Yuna had no idea where they were early that morning, but she soon found herself in a classy mall, its doors still closed to the public except for the high-end brands that were already open. She silently trailed behind them like a dog with its head down.

"Your face looks like a panda." And now, you'll walk like a penguin?"

The manly, cold voice sounded in front of her.

When he abruptly stopped, she almost struck her face against his back.

"My dear, I'd hate for my husband to come across as a bully."

She lifted her head, revealing her eyes bulging like pandas'.

"It might seem like you’ve buttered me up, but the truth is, I’ve slept for over 24 hours."

Zack’s lips curled into a hidden chuckle as he snickered. He looked away, maintaining an air of indifference.

"Annoying."

He muttered under his breath and quickened his pace.

'Your annoyance is my rapture.'

Yuna felt a surge of satisfaction, dancing joyfully in her mind at the sight of Zack’s anger.

"There are no people inside this mall. Walk properly!"

'Mall employees are still people, though. He probably meant there weren’t any shoppers at this hour. Of course, the shopping center is supposed to be closed at this hour.' She murmured.

"Your logic always rendered me speechless."

Yuna distorted her face into an exaggerated scowl, sticking out her tongue and rolling her eyes in a dramatic display of disdain. Victor, who had been observing from the sidelines, suddenly turned his head and caught sight of Yuna’s comical expression. A burst of laughter escaped him, short and unexpected. He quickly averted his gaze, trying to compose himself, but his shoulders shook with suppressed amusement.

She was momentarily confused.

"Why?"

Is it because of what I said, or do I look like a real penguin?

Yuna bore her eyes at her black and white minidress with an over-the-arm pattern.

'It was my best dress five years ago, though.'

"Why did we come here if you'll simply sit there and not take what you need?"

How can a question always be a demand?'

"I don't want anything in this store." But if they are essential as Zahary's wife, choose what is necessary for me."

The store was a temple of luxury, with a great selection of the most expensive and fancy clothing. Each garment was a work of art, made from the best materials and with beautiful details. It was clear that this was a place where high fashion and extravagance met, serving people who could afford to indulge in the most stylish things.

Yuna didn't want to feel guilty about wearing something that costs one year of living for the poor. However, she was also keenly aware that Zack was Zachary Avere. He wouldn’t appreciate being the subject of public mockery or scrutiny.

“Preference?” he asked, tossing a pile of clothes into the cart before she could answer.

"Comfortable rather than stylish... But whatever."

She couldn’t shake the concern of enduring someone so powerful and obstinat as him.

She tried to understand the different perspectives of the poor and the rich, but as she watched them toss whatever they thought would fit her size into the cart, including underwear, she cupped her breast with her two hands and said, "That seems too small for my size."

Zack and Victor examined her bust, then said in unison,

"Of course not."

"Gezz..."

Yuna rose from the stool and picked up a pair of undergarments.

"Can I check the bra, Miss?"

She politely asked the saleswoman.

The staff could barely manage a response. The representative, overwhelmed by Zack and Victor’s imposing presence, found her voice stifled by their menacing aura.

Yuna stepped out of the fitting room. A proud smile on her face as she gestured to the undergarments.

“See? I told you they were small for my size.”

Her expression conveyed satisfaction and a triumph, demonstrating that she was right.

"But not too small."

Zack and Victor again said synchronically.

"...!"

The store was drowned in uncomfortable silence. The air tinged with the soft hue of blush as embarrassment washed over them.

"Now that I think about it, it's a good thing we went early while there were still no people inside the mall."

Yuna said, reddened.

...

The moment Yuna got in the car, Victor’s expression hardened, and he slammed the accelerator with a sense of urgency as if escaping a dire predicament. The car shot forward, reflecting the tension that gripped him.

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“Fasten your seatbelt.”

Zack's tone lost some of the edges.

A few days ago, they had received an invitation to a family gathering, and now they were on their way to join the event.

She buckled her seatbelt and silently evaluated the ambiance within the car.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Their concern was out of character; Zack’s typically assertive demeanor was tinged with an unusual worry, while Victor’s usually unflappable calm had visibly faltered. It struck Yuna as strange and unsettling, making her wonder if their abnormal behavior was a sign of something more troubling.

The reality of being a pawn in a high-stakes game weighed heavily on her. She felt a chill run down her spine as the danger of her precarious position became all too clear.

The vulnerability of being a mere piece to be sacrificed for someone else gain was overwhelming.

'Why God? Why ...'

Yuna pushed aside her thoughts of misfortune; one thing she hated was blaming God for her troubles. Instead, she turned her mind to a heartwarming conversation with her father when the worst disaster had swept away their livelihood. The memory of his comforting words brought her solace and strength, grounding her amidst the turmoil.

"Father, the God said, he forms the light and creates darkness, brings prosperity, and creates disaster. Is God to blame for our suffering?"

Yuna was just a child when she asked her father.

"I see you read the Bible." He patted her head proudly and smiled. "Blaming God is a typical response when life doesn't go our way. But blame me, not God."

Yuna looked at him with an opposing face and asked loudly.

"Why!?"

"God created me first before you, my family. My purpose is to care for you, discipline you, provide for your needs, and, mostly, bring happiness. It's a responsibility God entrusted to me, and I willingly accepted it by creating my own family."

Yuna regretted the question because she understood that her father was blaming himself.

"We are happy. Very happy!"

Before he could say anything else that would have made him feel even more inadequate as a father, Yuna wrapped the blanket around her and began crying quietly.

Yuna hated that her father had to endure the pain of watching his family suffer while feeling burdened by a sense of responsibility for their struggles, the thought of being consumed by guilt and helplessness.

"Yes. I am so happy that God sent his precious angel to me." He mumbled, but he let Yuna hear. "I only have a few complaints of her stubbornness."

The memory of his exasperated but affectionate remarks brought a warm smile to her face, reminding her of their close bond even amidst their challenges.

Yuna comforted herself by humming softly. As she continued, she transitioned to singing a Taylor Swift song, letting the familiar pop melodies lift her spirits.

I fell from the pedestal

Right down the rabbit hole

Long story short, it was a bad time

Pushed from the Precipice

Clung to the nearest lips

Long story short, it was the wrong guy

Now I'm all about you

I'm all about

Zack abruptly played a different song from his mobile, causing Yuna to stop singing as the new music took over.

...

Zack opened the door with a measured motion, his gaze fixed ahead.

Before stepping inside the restaurant, Yuna paused, turning back to face Victor.

“Cheer up,” she said gently, her voice carrying a warmth that contrasted with the night's tension. "Things will be fine soon."

Victor was left outside because the invitation letter had explicitly stated only Zack and Yuna's names.

They were at a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its delicious food and excellent service. Only the world's wealthiest people could afford to eat there. But Yuna also noticed that the atmosphere was astonishingly contrasting.

As Yuna glanced around the table, her initial sense of unease deepened. What she had thought was a family gathering quickly unraveled before her eyes. The people seated around the table weren’t Zack's relatives but rather government officials and business tycoons—figures of power and influence.

Her eyes flicked to Zack, who tried to greet his father.

"How are things with you, father? Please meet your daughter-in-law..."

He was interrupted by another person's sudden arrival. And without looking at his son, he stood up from his chair, greeting the guest with cordiality. It was as if Zack had never spoken, his presence completely disregarded in favor of the interruption.

As the figure approached closer, the rhythm of her heart intensified, vibrating within her chest like a large tambour being pounded with increasing ferocity.

'Wow! Who would have guessed I'd get to meet the state president in person?'

Yuna hadn't had a chance to sit down and catch her breath. Instead, she stood straight at Zack's back and read the situation carefully. In these circumstances, she must sharpen the pace of her survival instincts.

'Heh… I get it now,' Yuna thought, a wry smile tugging at her lips. 'This is more than just a simple political gathering or a casual business meeting. It’s not a declaration of war. It’s a continuation of one that’s been raging for a long time.'

Zack's father spoke to the president with an openness that connected with familiarity. It was a stark contrast to his callous apathy toward his son.

Zack was left entirely on the periphery, his presence almost invisible in the dynamic exchange unfolding before her eyes. It was as if he had been deliberately excluded from the conversation.

'National, full-blown conversation, blah blah blah... Universal basic income, blah blah blah. I don't understand any of their topics except, I know, neither the words that come out of their mouths are sincere.'

Yuna observed all of their actions with vigilant stares.

The 4 inches of heels Yuna slipped on to match Zack's stylish outfit caused her to begin experiencing discomfort in her feet and ankles.

'So you are building bridges, huh?'

The interaction was smooth and engaging, marked by an effortless rapport that suggested a long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship. Their dialogue was laced with friendliness and shared understanding, each complimenting the other’s achievements and subtly reinforcing their alliance.

'It is a pity I can't see Zack's expression from behind. To completely understand his intentions, what should I do to read Zack's mind?'

'I wish I could read his mind with a single touch.'

Yuna subconsciously stretched out her hand, and the back of her palm brushed against Zack’s nape. Her touch was met with an immediate jolt of surprise. His skin was shockingly cold. And at the same moment, she noticed that he was shaking.

Is he quivering? But why?'

Yuna knew she couldn’t afford to act carelessly given the circumstances. The situation was far too delicate, and every move had to be calculated.

If Victor’s claims were accurate that Zack’s family wanted him dead, then Zack’s father might have been involved in something far more sinister than mere indifference.

'I guess I'm in real trouble now. Zachary, I have to take control of your game. Don't worry because I will surely win with incentives.'

The possibility could place Zack and her in a dire predicament if she doesn't step in and deal with them smartly.

In the months following the news of Zack Avere’s marriage, Yuna became the target of a relentless series of internet attacks. Despite this, she stayed unaffected, as her identity and appearance were kept secret from the public. Zack and Victor had gone to great lengths to ensure that her image was never exposed. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Zack’s adversaries intensified their efforts, escalating their attacks with growing aggression.