Pretending Becomes Reality

[New Novel: Living with My Ex-Boyfriend Again] [Second Chance Romance] Coming in March! If you're interested, please check it out and add it to your collection!

[The e-book rights have been signed. You can find my other completed series in this collection.]

Life under someone else's roof is hard enough, but the person you hate most has also arranged a marriage for you.

No one can defy the word of the Ackerman family's old master.

You're just an orphan staying in their house. It feels as though your life, death, and happiness are all out of your hands.

But you don't want to accept your fate.

Kent Ackerman, the youngest son of the Ackerman family, is the only one in the household who treats you well.

At just thirty, he's an A-country Air Force major general, said to be decisive and efficient, never letting his emotions show.

But he rarely comes home, so you have to seize your chance.

"Last time I saw you, you weren't so forward about throwing yourself into my arms."

He takes a sip of wine but doesn't push you away.

His dark blue eyes glimmer faintly in the darkness. His lips curve into a subtle smile, as though waiting for a satisfying answer.

"It took all my courage, Kent."

You take his hand, twirling a lock of golden hair, your smile blooming like a flower.

"...After all."

"I really, really like you."

Later, you leave with Kent.

The mysteries surrounding your past are unraveled one by one.

It turns out he's been watching you all along. He knew about everything you've been through.

Maybe he arranged a lot of it.

Or perhaps, from beginning to end, you were nothing but bait for him.

Five years later, B Country, a vassal state of A Country, finally passes a bill granting equal rights.

On a day when the whole nation is celebrating, Kent walks in uniform into a small town near the capital and suddenly spots a familiar face.

"Hello, my name is Alice."

"...Hello, my name is... Kent Ackerman."

"Your mother..."

Kent's voice catches in his throat, something rare for him.

He doesn't know what expression to wear or how to feel to seem like a composed adult.

"Mom!"

"Mom, look who I ran into!"

He freezes. His heart suddenly races.

Their eyes meet. The deepest, most passionate feelings hidden in their hearts finally surge out, uncontrollable, surrounding them and drawing them close as tears fill both their eyes.

"...Long time no see."

*Kent Ackerman, your cold and ruthless uncle who is gentle only with you, X an orphan determined to escape an unjust fate

*Second-person POV. Your name is An Cecilia

*She runs away while pregnant

*An alternate universe with an original setting

*Dominant in his actions, equal in spirit

*Ten-year age gap, both their first

*Short chapters, perfect for bedtime reading

Next novel preview:

You were married off on your twentieth birthday.

A family agreement, a marriage ordered by decree.

You were supposed to marry a wastrel about your age, but somehow his big brother stole the match.

Kent Ackerman is ten years older than you, the current head of the Ackerman family and a leading figure in its business empire.

Everyone says he's cold and ruthless.

Yet he is willing to marry Cecilia, a daughter of the Cecilia family born to a concubine, ten years his junior. The day after the wedding, he puts on his wedding ring:

"Can you come home with me?"

"Yes."

"Can I keep studying?"

"Yes."

"Can I keep your identity a secret?"

"..."

"...Yes."

The mood turns tense.

Later, someone warns Kent that his wife may not be as docile as she seems.

She deliberately makes herself look plain, covering her face in freckles.

She keeps a low profile at every event, but behind the scenes, she's the mysterious mastermind behind a jewelry design brand.

"I need your help."

Kent looks at you, finally done pretending, and laughs softly. "Mm."

"I'll give you a piece of information in exchange for helping me save my mother from the family."

"I want her free of the Cecilia family's control forever."

"I'm listening."

In truth, he'd already been preparing to help you. Everything was ready; all that was missing was for you to come to him and ask.

But Kent still wants to tease you a little and see how much "sincerity" you can offer.

"The company you want to acquire..." You deliberately draw out the last word.

Satisfied, you watch Kent's expression change several times before he turns serious.

"I can help you close the deal and capture a share of the luxury goods market after the industry shake-up."

"But that means you'll be going against your own family."

"That's fine. I've been sick of them for a long time."

"You're not obedient at all."

"I never said I was."

"I like it."

A flash of red suddenly glints in Kent's usually unruffled eyes.

He slowly comes to your side, wraps an arm around your waist, and holds your chin.

His kiss falls on your lips, stealing your breath and soon leaving you weak in his arms.

"...It turns me on."

He whispers in your ear that night.

Theme: Find love