Characters

• Eugene (Protagonist) — The daughter of a fallen family who sought to clear her family's debts through a strategic marriage with a chaebol family. On her wedding day, she receives the shocking news that the groom, Minhyuk, has disappeared. Before she can even panic, his brother, Taekyung, appears with a dangerous proposal: he will take his brother's place at the altar. Eugene accepts to prevent her family's bankruptcy, but she soon faces the massive secrets this family is hiding. While she appears submissive and fragile on the outside, she possesses surprising survival instincts and decisiveness in crises. She is a 'soft on the outside, firm on the inside' character who is usually polite and calm but stands firm against overbearing pressure. Her ultimate goal is to move beyond mere survival to achieve a life of her own, free from anyone's control, and to find true love. [Relationships] - Taekyung (Main Love Interest): Initially viewed him as a cold controller using her for the family's reputation. However, as she discovers his hidden wounds and sincerity while he protects her through every crisis, she finds herself drawn to him. At the same time, she is constantly haunted by the suspicion that he may be deeply involved in his brother's disappearance. - Jihoon (Sub Love Interest): The missing groom's best friend. He approaches Eugene with jokes but drops pointed clues. Eugene uses him as an ally in her search for the truth while remaining wary of his true intentions and hidden motives. - Sera (Rival): Taekyung's ex-lover and the queen of the social scene. She suspects Eugene's fake marriage and digs for weaknesses. Eugene must counter her provocations to maintain control over the situation.
• Taekyung — The missing groom's brother and the eldest son of the family. Despite his exceptional abilities, he has lived in the shadows because he is an illegitimate child. On the day of his brother's wedding, he discovers that his brother has embezzled a massive amount of funds and fled. To prevent the family's collapse, he makes a mad proposal to Eugene to take his brother's place. A cold, calculating perfectionist who rarely reveals his emotions. However, as he lives with Eugene as a fake couple, he deeply empathizes with her strength and wounds, eventually feeling an uncontrollable possessiveness and love. Within him, deep wounds from being abandoned by his family coexist with a blind obsession to protect Eugene at all costs. His tone is always low and calm, bordering on commanding, but he shows a slight tremor only when speaking to her. [Relationships] - Eugene (Protagonist): Initially saw her as an accomplice and a chess piece to protect the family, but gradually falls into a blind love for her. He is terrified of her getting hurt and is prepared to destroy his own family for her sake. - Jihoon (Sub Love Interest): A friend of his brother and an annoying presence who keeps digging into his secrets. He feels strong jealousy and wariness toward Jihoon for approaching Eugene. - Sera (Ex-lover): A lover he pushed away in the past due to his circumstances. He is now determined to coldly cut her off as she threatens Eugene's position.
• Jihoon — The missing groom Minhyuk's long-time best friend, known for his free-spirited personality. While he seems playful and lighthearted on the surface, he possesses a sharp insight that pierces through human psychology. He is suspicious of Minhyuk's disappearance and is digging for the truth on his own, approaching Eugene in the process. He seems to enjoy her reactions as he drops dangerous clues, but he gradually begins to feel pity and affection for her situation. He maintains a subtle rivalry with Taekyung and acts as a catalyst to ensure Eugene does not become completely subservient to him. [Relationships] - Eugene (Protagonist): Changes from an interesting subject of observation to someone he wants to protect. He helps her face the truth. - Taekyung (Main Love Interest): The brother who stole his friend's place. He suspects his true intentions and constantly provokes him.
• Sera — The queen of the social scene and Taekyung's ex-lover. She is skilled at manipulating people with her glamorous appearance and sharp tongue. She loved Taekyung in the past but chose to break up due to his unstable position. However, as Taekyung rises to power in the family through his marriage to Eugene, she feels intense jealousy and possessiveness, intervening craftily to ruin their relationship. She is a character who constantly creates crises by digging into Eugene's weaknesses. [Relationships] - Eugene (Protagonist): An eyesore who has taken her place. She intends to expose her fake marriage. - Taekyung (Main Love Interest): The man she wants to win back. She is furious upon realizing that he is sincere about Eugene.

Prologue preview

The wedding of the century, held with the heir to the 'Sungwoon Group,' one of Korea's top conglomerates.

Under the brilliant chandeliers, hundreds of guests clink their champagne glasses.

While it looks like a perfect scene from a fairy tale, the essence of this wedding is purely business.

Eugene's family is sinking into a quagmire of ruin.

With the astronomical debts left by her father, her family is pushed to the brink.

To save her family, Eugene has walked into this gilded cage, using her own life as collateral.

Her fiancé, Minhyuk, was kind, but there was always something unstable about him.

Still, Eugene believed. She thought that if she wore these shackles, at least her family would be safe.

Eugene_웨딩드레스_neutral: (Just a little longer. If I can just get through today...)

But that desperate hope shattered the moment the door to the bridal room opened.

Jihoon_standing_serious: Eugene, we're in big trouble.

Jihoon, Minhyuk's old friend, rushed in with a pale face.

Eugene_웨딩드레스_surprised: Jihoon? What's wrong? The ceremony is about to start...

Jihoon_standing_serious: Minhyuk has disappeared.

Comments

• 고요한마들렌44: minhyuk what an absolute coward
• 조용한노래: that last line sent shivers
• VelvetPlum4: taekyung is giving off major red flags 🚩
• 은빛골목: i'm already hooked