Chapter 1: The Breakup
"Demian, I told you I'm not ready yet, so please take your time," Haera Park said, taking a step back.
"Could you please spare me?" Demian snapped. "We've been dating for six years now, and you still refuse to let me touch you—not even a kiss!"
"You know what I've been through, so you should understand me. You know I have a touching phobia, yet you still want it from me? In your dreams!" Haera's voice trembled with anger. "You know what? It's over between us. I can't stand this sarcastic behavior of yours. I tolerated you for my mom's sake, but not anymore. You can go find another woman to satisfy you."
With that, she stormed out of Demian's office, leaving him speechless. He hadn't expected such a fierce reaction from Haera, his fiancée.
Haera Park was the young mistress of the Park empire—wealthy, poised, and beautiful. She had everything a woman could desire—except the love of a man. Every relationship she had ever entered was arranged by her mother. None had been genuine.
In high school, she was the campus belle—stunning, polite, intelligent. She topped her class and always had her nose buried in books. Unlike the girls who threw themselves at Demian Xu, Haera never gave him a second glance. That made her irresistible to him.
Demian, the proud and arrogant heir to the Xu family, had been captivated by her indifference. So when their mothers plotted to match them, he was thrilled. Finally, the girl he had longed for would be his. Haera, on the other hand, didn't like the idea but went along with it to avoid hurting her mother.
Demian had fallen for her at first sight—enchanted by her beauty and grace. But Haera felt nothing. She cared little for looks and less for love. Deep down, she harbored a fear that had taken root in childhood.
When she was just nine years old, Haera had walked in on her father wrapped intimately in the arms of another woman. The image haunted her. Since that day, she believed a man's touch made a woman dirty. Her mother, once stained by her father's betrayal, had wasted no time filing for divorce.
There had been no drama—just cold signatures and emotionless exits. Haera had been stunned, but said nothing. She believed her silence would make things easier for everyone.
After the divorce, Mrs. Park quietly took her daughter away, cutting ties with her ex-husband. Haera never saw or heard from her father again.
Now, eleven years later, Haera was twenty and thriving. Her mother had built a successful empire, and Haera was now a respected figure in the business world. Partners and employees admired her for her fairness and kindness.
The breakup with Demian, though long overdue, finally brought Haera peace. It was something she had wanted for years—but had never dared to do without her mother's approval.
That night, when she returned home, her happiness was almost interrupted by a heated argument with her mom.