Chapter Text
Love had always dreamed of freedom... freedom from her family, her duties, and the future forced upon her. She thought she had escaped when she ran away. But it was short-lived. Her family caught her, dragging her back to the wedding she never wanted. Flanked by guards, she walked down the aisle like a prisoner.
Her "fiancé" wasn't any better off. He, too, was forced into the ceremony, each step reluctant, his face expressionless.
Just as the vows were about to be exchanged, chaos erupted.
??: Stop the wedding!
Love's parents, confused and alarmed, turned to their other daughter, Prim.
LF: What are you doing here, my dear?
P: I want him.
LM: But... I thought you didn't want him?
P: I changed my mind.
Without waiting for approval, Prim stormed up the aisle and dragged the groom away.
The Pan family, wealthier and more powerful than Love's, demanded answers. Tension rose as murmurs filled the hall. Milk, a well-known CEO and younger sister of the groom stepped forward to defuse the situation.
M: I'll marry her instead. Will that be acceptable?
Her parents were quick to protest. Two women marrying would cause a scandal. But Milk's grandfather, an imposing man with the final say in their family, intervened with a smirk.
MGF: I approve. Let the ceremony continue.
With his word, all objections vanished.
Love, devastated and cornered, stood silently. She wanted to scream, to protest, but when she looked at her parents, she realised... There was no choice.
In her mind, she cursed her sister.
L's Mind: She should've just minded her own business...
As the ceremony ended, they reached the kiss. Love hesitated, the silence in the hall growing unbearable. Milk sensed her discomfort and, instead of pressing a kiss, placed her thumb gently against Love's lips and leaned in, pretending.
The guests exhaled. The ceremony was complete.
Love disappeared into her room, shedding the gown and slipping into something more comfortable. She wanted nothing to do with the reception.
Milk stayed behind, skillfully entertaining the guests. As someone used to the spotlight, she knew how to handle prying eyes. But then, her grandfather pulled her aside.
MGF: Do you like her?
M: Yes.
MGF: That didn't sound convincing.
M: ...I fell in love at first sight.
MGF: You're lying. I know you too well.
M: It's... complicated.
MGF: I didn't raise you to play with someone's heart. But after what your brother did... Love is the one who suffers and now it's you who stepped up and married her.
M: I'm not. I intend to take responsibility.
MGF: Good. Love's a good girl. I trust her more than all three of your brothers put together. And you, Milk... you have my trust too , but she's still got just a bit more than you.
M: I understand.
MGF: Here's a little tip if you really want to win her over. Her family used Jaguar to pressure her into this marriage. If you're serious about earning her trust, start with him.
M: Jaguar?
MGF: Her cat.
M: Appreciate the tip, old man.
Milk pondered on Jaguar, realising she knew less about Love than she thought. But she should have known. After all, this wasn't her first life... it was her second.
---------
Milk remembered her brother's original wedding to Love. Back then, Prim wasn't even present. Love had been dutiful, caring for the Pan family, quietly enduring her place as a wife. Milk, always busy, would return home late to a warm dinner, courtesy of Love.
Milk remembered one moment clearly, when she first saw Love being bullied by her sister, Prim, during a visit. Prim, with her sharp tongue and manipulative charm, put on a performance that painted herself as the victim and Love as the villain.
Sometimes, Love would push back. But in the end, she always yielded. And Milk's brother, ever the black sheep of the family, always took Prim's side.
Milk had only intervened once. That day, her brother shamelessly walked off with Prim, leaving Love behind with a bruise on her face.
M: Love, right?
L: Yes.
M: Let's patch you up.
Milk gently treated the bruise on Love's cheek, neither of them speaking much. But the silence wasn't cold, it was understanding.
M: I'm sorry... for my brother
L: It's okay. But... thank you.
After that, Milk kept her distance, though she always watched from afar. As her brother started finding success, he became more of a nothing husband, detached but no longer cruel. Milk was quietly happy for Love, even if they rarely spoke.
Still... something about it didn't sit right with her.
M's Mind: I guess she's happy... I guess... that should be enough.
Then the accident happened.
Milk lost all movement from the waist down and was struck mute by the trauma. Everyone... including her family, friends, even her colleagues, turned away. She became invisible and useless.
Everyone... except Love.
Love stayed by her side. She defended her when others whispered. She cleaned her, fed her, and cared for her, even when Milk couldn't say a word in return. Whether it was out of pity or something else, Milk didn't know. But she was grateful and determined.
She wanted to recover, for Love's sake, and she did. Slowly and painfully. She began to regain movement, inch by inch. The first twitch of her toes. A slight raise of her fingers.
She was so close to finally being able to stand and speak again... but before she could do anything... She was killed.
Lying there, her body growing cold and still, a single tear traced a path down her cheek.
M's Mind: Is this really the end?
Above her, a blue butterfly fluttered past, delicate wings catching the fading light. In the distance, a single star streaked across the sky... fast, fleeting, like a wish slipping away.
She thought. "If only she had more time. If only she could go back and repay her debt to Love... the only one who had stayed, the only one who had never abandoned her. Milk didn't care about revenge or recognition anymore. She just wanted Love to be happy."
As everything around her darkened and her senses began to fade, she heard a faint but unmistakable voice calling out for her. Love's voice calling out... "Milk"
And then... light.
She gasped awake. She was both breathless and disoriented until she realised she was back in the past. Years before that day.
When Milk checked the date, her heart skipped a beat.
It was the day of the wedding.
In her previous life, she had been late. By the time she arrived, it was already too late. Love had been dragged to the altar, humiliated, with no one to stand up for her.
This time, Milk was determined to change that.
She didn't know all the answers and didn't have a perfect plan. But one thing felt right... marrying Love. It was the only way she could shield her from the shame, the manipulation... and maybe bring her happiness.
It might not be love yet, but it was a start.
She walked through the familiar halls of the Pan estate and stopped outside Love's room. Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly.
No response.
She hesitated, then pushed the door open.
The room was quiet. Empty.
Her eyes landed on the wedding gown draped over the bed, waiting to be worn. She stepped closer, her fingers brushing the fabric. It was beautiful, but it felt more like a cage than a celebration. It felt ugly for a beautiful gown.
Milk stared at it, lost in thought.
M: I'll make sure you're happy this time... even if I don't know how yet.
The doorknob suddenly turned.
Instinctively, Milk ducked behind the wardrobe. Why am I hiding? she asked herself. It was too late to come out now.
Before she could decide what to do, the door creaked open, and someone else stepped into the room.
L: What are you doing here?
??: Your family threatened you, your wedding's a circus, your sister ran off with the groom, and now you're married to a cold-faced, playgirl CEO. Honestly, your life is a drama series waiting to be aired.
L: And yours is a fairy tale?
The intruder chuckled.
?? : Love... I love you.
L: Yeah, yeah. Whatever.
??: My offer still stands.
L: Still not interested. But... Prim.
??: I'm not stepping in unless you make the call.
L: Can't you handle her without me?
??: She's your sister.
L: She's not even biologically related to them. Meanwhile, any news on my real mother?
??: No breakthroughs yet. But give me time. I'm not about to ruin my reputation.
L: Protect my grandfather... and Milk's grandfather too .
??: Of course. But I still expect payment.
L: I'm broke. Whatever I've given you is all I have. Are you planning to abandon them now?
??: Of course not. But I'll be collecting that debt with interest. Because I love you so much.
L: What a leech.
??: You know me. As long as we're useful to each other, I'll stay, and oh... Jaguar? He's... not doing great. It's taking time to take care of him.
L: I hate this family.
??: There, there. I'm feeding him when I can. But getting that cat to come near me? Not happening.
L: You need to raise your charm stat.
??: Your son is the most introverted cat on earth. He doesn't let anyone touch him.
L: That's my boy~
??: So... your new wife.
L: What about her?
??: Planning to go further with her?
L: I don't know. She should've stayed out of this. Now I'm tied down. Her brother was easier to handle. She's... different.
??: Someone the great Loverrukk can't control?
L: Never talked to her. I think she is dangerous. I don't like her. No... I hate her.
?? : Anyway, I'm off. Bye, my love~
L: The door's that way. Show yourself out.
??: My priceless national treasure.
L: GTFO.
??: Fierce. That's why I like you.
----------
Milk had heard everything.
M's Mind: Who are you really, Love? You talk about control... like I'm the one being played and Love's family... It's even more twisted than I imagined.
She crouched behind the wardrobe, heart pounding, thoughts racing with everything she had just heard. As silence settled over the room, she carefully peeked out. Seeing Love asleep, she began to quietly sneak toward the door, each step cautious and deliberate.
Milk should have left.
But instead, she found herself moving closer. Her eyes softened as she looked at Love's sleeping face. A memory surfaced of Love sleeping on the couch, her head instinctively leaning onto Milk's shoulder.
M's Mind: Why does this feel familiar? Why does it feel... right?
She didn't have answers, she only had feelings she couldn't explain.
Milk's instincts took over. She straightened up quickly, stepping forward with a calm she didn't feel, pretending she had just entered the room.
L: What are you doing here?
M: Just dropping by to see my beautiful wife.
Love's eyes opened, slowly focusing on her. Her expression was unreadable, but it was cold and detached.
L: Whatever.
Milk chuckled.
M: So cold. You'd freeze someone faster than aircon.
L: Save your flirting for the girls you're actually dating.
M: I should break up with all of them and just commit to you, then.
L: Don't bother. I'm stuck in this marriage, and I don't even know why you volunteered. I'm not your toy, and I won't be treated like one.
Milk blinked, caught off guard by how much Love had said. But something in her chest tightened... not in pain, but in intrigue and warmth. She wanted more.
She took a breath, stepped closer, and leaned in, then kissed her. It wasn't soft. Love jerked back, trying to turn her face away, but Milk's hand steadied her jaw, holding her in place. Love's fists balled against Milk's chest, trying to push her back. She was resisting fiercely.
But Milk didn't pull away.
Instead, she deepened the kiss, slow, deliberate, less demanding and more of a challenge. See me. Feel this. A message, not just to Love, but to herself.
Love trembled.
And then her resistance softened. Her fists loosened. Her lips stopped fighting and began to respond, slowly, as though against her own will.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, the air between them crackled.
Love stared at her, eyes wide with confusion. Emotion swirled behind them, anger, embarrassment, betrayal... but also something Milk couldn't quite name and Love hated that.
She hated that part of her hadn't said no.
She hated that Milk had done that.
She hated that she felt something.
Milk, sensing the storm behind those eyes, gently brushed Love's hair behind her ear and whispered,
M: I'd never see you as a plaything. I'm serious about you and that kiss. You still owed me one from the ceremony.
Love's face flushed crimson. She turned away, covering her mouth with the back of her hand, glaring at the floor.
L: You-F-
M: Easy now. Let's get to know each other for real. And just so you know...
She glanced down at Love's clothes with a teasing smirk.
M: -You look way hotter in these than in that wedding dress. I'll give you a proper wedding and wedding dress someday... when you actually want it.
Without waiting for a reply, Milk turned and left the room, her smirk fading into a quiet, determined look.
She had a plan to get Love's cat, Jaguar.
----------
Back in the room, Love sat up, staring at the door Milk had just exited through.
L: That damn playgirl... why is she so smooth?
She touched her lips, annoyed with herself because the worst part wasn't the kiss... it was how much she liked it.
L: I can't let myself get swayed by that player's kiss. She's kissed plenty of people before me... I won't be just another name on her list. I'm not giving her what she wants... not this time.
She clenched her fists, frustration burning in her chest. Every logical part of her screamed that she should hate Milk, resist her, push her away.
But her mind? It wouldn't let go of her.
L: Milk...
Just then, a knock broke the silence. Milk's secretary stepped in, professional as ever.
S: Miss Love, here's the address to the residence Madam Milk prepared for you.
Love didn't take the paper or key. She just stared at it, then back at the floor. She wasn't going back. She wasn't ready to surrender to this bizarre marriage or to Milk's charm... not when everything still felt so forced, so complicated.
Without a word, she grabbed her coat and left the room.
The bar was loud... too loud. The music, the laughter, the clinking glasses... it all grated on her nerves. She barely lasted two minutes inside before the noise clawed at her mind.
This was a mistake.
She stepped back out into the night air, the city lights casting a cold glow on her skin. With no destination in mind, she wandered, her heels clicking against the pavement until the sounds of the city faded behind her.
Eventually, she found herself in a quiet park. The silence was a relief.
She walked aimlessly beneath the streetlights, their golden hue filtering through the swaying trees. Her feet finally gave in, and she dropped onto a bench with a long sigh.
She leaned back, staring up at the empty sky.
Her thoughts drifted again to Milk, to the kiss, to everything she was trying so hard not to feel.
And yet... She was still thinking about her.
----------
Milk arrived at the Pat family home with a purpose, and it showed.
Her posture was commanding, her gaze sharp. When she stepped through the door, the atmosphere shifted. Love's parents straightened immediately, offering her the respect due to someone from the powerful Pan family.
LM: Khun Milk. What brings you here?
M: I've come for my wife's cat.
LF: Why would you concern yourself with that feline?
M: Because my wife loves that 'feline' more than she loves this house. And because he is hers.
LM: Now, he's... not in a good mood lately. He's gotten a bit scratchy. We had to lock him out... he's difficult to manage.
M: Bring me to him.
They led her to the back room, where Jaguar sat curled in a corner looking timid, alert, and distrustful. His fur was slightly matted, his eyes wary.
Milk crouched down and extended her hand slowly.
M: Hey there...
Jaguar sniffed her fingers cautiously. Just when she thought he might accept her, she reached in and he swiped at her, claws catching her wrist.
Milk flinched but didn't pull away.
M: You're scared, aren't you? You don't trust easily... just like your owner. But I'm her wife now, and I'm here to take you home, to her.
This time, she moved slower, more deliberately. She reached out again, her touch calm and sure, and gently scooped Jaguar into her arms. He wriggled, his tail twitching in protest, but her embrace was steady. Firm, yet tender.
She tickled behind his ear, then lightly patted his side.
Jaguar let out a tiny, reluctant purr and then melted against her chest.
M: There. He's okay now. I'll be taking him with me.
LF: You really don't have to trouble yourself with that animal-
Milk's smile vanished. She turned her eyes on him... a stare cold enough to freeze fire.
M: Remember what your family owes us and remember your place.
LF: Yes... of course. My apologies.
Without another word, Milk walked out, Jaguar content in her arms.
------------
At home, she had arranged for Love, Milk to wait. She had instructed her secretary to bring Love there, expecting she'd arrive eventually. But the house remained quiet. No sign of her.
Milk sighed, setting Jaguar down gently as a helper brought a tray of different food options.
Jaguar turned up his nose at the first, second, and third dish.
M: So picky... Just like her.
She kept trying until he finally nibbled one particular blend. Milk watched patiently, then sat on the couch, letting the silence stretch.
Moments later, Jaguar jumped onto her lap.
He looked up at her, then leaned down and licked the very spot he'd scratched earlier. Milk chuckled, stroking his fur with a tenderness that surprised even her.
M: Good boy. Let's wait for her... together.