The moment Dialu turned the corner from the hallway into the living room, she was hit with silence so thick, she half-expected to see a funeral going on. If someone had dropped a pin, it would've echoed like a gunshot.
Five pairs of eyes locked onto her like she had walked into a surprise ambush. It was like walking into a lion's den wearing a meat dress. Very ready to be eaten alive
"Dialu! It's so good to see you after so many years," Queen Octavia cooed, her voice dipped in syrup while her lips, painted the shade of a blood moon, curved into what looked like a smile but her eyes? Those things were colder than iced tea in a snowstorm.
The eyes always tell the truth…
Her father's words echoed in her head.
Watch their bodies. Watch their eyes. People lie with their mouths. But never with their eyes.
Well, Queen Octavia's eyes were screaming "I can't stand you," while her mouth recited the lines from Good Houseguest 101.
Well Lucky her to have a mother in-law that no girl ever wished for
Dialu returned the smile, dipping her head respectfully. It wasn't as if she hadn't tried to be part of this family. God knew she'd put in effort, back when she was a naïve 17-year-old trying to make her grandfather proud. Marrying into the Jun family at that age had felt like fulfilling a royal prophecy except the prophecy had turned out to be a glorified paper cut-out marriage. No love, no husband, no family. Just… paperwork and polite rejection.
She remembered the first time she'd met Queen Octavia at a social event her mother was too ill to attend. She had approached her excitedly, only for the Queen to look her up and down and dismiss her like she was infected. At the time, she'd thought it was a misunderstanding. Now? She knew better.
"Come, have a seat," the Queen said, gesturing to the spot beside her, the seat was right in the center of the living room, facing all the humans Dialu would rather not face.
Oh great. Center stage. Let the humiliation begin.
"Thank you… Mother," she said softly, her hands shaking slightly as she tucked the hem of her dress under her thighs.
mother my ass... more like witch
Queen Octavia's smile widened again, this time paired with a dramatic wince as if she were in pain just having to deliver what came next.
"It's so unfortunate that we had to meet under these circumstances," she sighed. "You know, you and my baby, Jun Feng, got married because of your grandfathers. And I've often thought… what would that kind of marriage look like? Two strangers bound by paper, but not love."
Here we go.
Cue the fake sympathy. Roll the noble mother-in-law act.
"I just want what's best for you both, you both should be free to fall in love with people that care about you and not be bound by a promise by two old men" the Queen continued, now reaching for Dialu's hands like this was some soap opera. "And I think... perhaps it's time you two consider a divorce."
Aha! There it was. Finally, the mask slipped.
Congratulations, Octavia, you deserve an award. That was one of the most dramatically polite dumpings I've ever witnessed.
Dialu pulled her hands back, gently but firmly. No theatrics. She didn't need to act hurt; she already was. But at least she'd had time to make herself more mentally prepared
"I understand," she replied, voice calm but tight. Her throat burned. She'd practiced hiding emotions, spent two full years learning how not to look like a crying puppy in the rain. Hopefully today, her face wasn't betraying her.
She straightened her shoulders. "Where can I sign?"
Queen Octavia lit up like someone had gifted her a new tiara. "Fantastic!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Jun feng will be here shortly, and then we can proceed."
Dialu nearly groaned out loud. He's coming? Seriously?
Can't I just sign and vanish? Please? Do I have to face him after the morning disaster that was him calling me a whore and kicking me out of his bed like used napkin?
A voice suddenly cut through the room: "He's here."
Everyone turned toward a brunette in a bright green dress with minimalist makeup. She was pretty in a restrained kind of way, like a calm version of Queen Octavia but missing the signature red lips and sharp jawline.
"How do you know?" asked a redhead in dark makeup and an attitude sharp enough to slice steel. She was the exact replica of the brunette but where the brunette was all roses and sunshine, this one was all hell and demons.
"He texted. Some of us have mobile phones, Miss Dark and Broody," the brunette replied with a smirk.
Oop—claws out already. Can I get popcorn for this sister drama?
"Jun Shuyi, don't talk to your sister like that," the Queen snapped.
Before anyone could say more, a new voice slid into the room like silk over steel.
"I hope they aren't stressing you out too much."
Dialu's breath hitched.
That voice.
That. Damn. Voice.
She didn't need to turn around to know.
Jun Feng.
"Jun Feng!" the two girls squealed in unison and flung themselves at him like fangirls at a boy band meet-and-greet. He returned their affections without hesitation, kissing their heads like some long-lost Disney prince.
Excuse me, is this the same man who treated me like a prostitute this morning? Is he bipolar? Are we in a K-drama with budget issues?
Then he turned to the Queen and wrapped her in a big hug. "I missed you, Mother."
Dialu tried not to gag.
Finally, Jun Feng turned to the rest of the room. And then he saw her.
He froze.
the smile on his face was Gone in an instant.
Face? Red. And not the bashful cute kind. This was rage tomato red.
"What are you doing here?!" he barked, loud enough to make even the sofa cushions flinch.
Before Dialu could answer, Queen Octavia jumped in. "What do you mean 'what'? I called her here to sign the papers. This is your wife, Dialu."
"My what?" he choked.
Bingo. There it is. Now watch him drown in shame.
"Yes. Your wife," the Queen repeated slowly.
"Soon to be ex," the redhead added, glaring daggers at Dialu like she'd murdered her pet unicorn.
Jun Feng's eyes narrowed. Then he said it. Again.
"I can't believe I got married to a whore."
Gasps rippled through the room like a live studio audience. Dialu felt every gaze burn into her skin but she couldn't look away from Jun Feng.
Oh no, he did not. Not twice. Not in front of people. I gave up something sacred, and THIS is the thanks I get?
Her fists clenched. She swallowed hard. Her cheeks flamed, but no tears came. Not now. Not here. She would not give him the satisfaction.
"and i cant believe i got married to an asshole" she retorted
"You two have slept together."
The voice came from a man she hadn't noticed until now. He looked Elderly and had on glasses with a loose-fitting suit. He looked like a bored accountant. His words rang through the room Sharp as knives. It wasn't a question but rather a statement.
"That's not important," Jun Feng snapped. "Where can I sign?"
But Grandpa Spreadsheet wasn't done.
"Unfortunately, this new information changes things," the man said casually, already opening his briefcase like he was about to ruin lives before lunch.
"What do you mean?" the Queen asked, finally sounding rattled. This couldn't be happening, she had already arranged a blame date with a reputable family for her son
I don't care what they mean, Dialu thought, her inner voice screaming now. I need to get out of this house before I commit a felony. I swear, if I had a taser…
The man cleared his throat, holding out a document like it was the Ten Commandments.
"I mean… since they've slept together, they are legally required to stay married for one full year."