The Mountain Tigers Million Dollar Marriage

My name is Mina. I’m twenty-nine years old, and for twenty-six of those years I’ve dedicated myself to one thing and one thing only: martial arts.

I went from being a world champion to an instructor for those foolish enough to want to follow the same path. My dojo sits at the top of a mountain. If you want to become my student, you climb it in one day. No assistance. No shortcuts. And yes, the traps are real.

For the past three years, I’ve lived there like a monk. Quiet. Isolated. Undisturbed.

It’s not like I’ve never been in a relationship. I was in a decade-long relationship with my high school first love. We broke up three years ago because he cheated. I was so furious I beat him within an inch of his life. Word got out, and suddenly no one wanted to date me or form a marriage alliance with my family. I swore off relationships in return. I couldn’t promise there wouldn’t be a repeat if another scumbag crossed me.

So imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning to my phone ringing incessantly.

It was my mother.

If I didn’t come home immediately to fulfill a marriage alliance they had apparently accepted on my behalf, she threatened suicide.

I was equal parts irritated and intrigued. Someone knew my infamous reputation and still had the gall to ask to marry me?

Interesting.

I agreed to come home. My plan was to softly reject the proposal and return to my mountain in peace.

A helicopter landed on my mountain a few hours later.

That should have been my second clue.

His name is Zion.

Calm. Polished. Infuriatingly composed.

I fully intended to refuse him. Then he mentioned the terms.

Three hundred million alongside the bride price.

Five million monthly stipend after marriage.

Deposit immediately after registration.

I changed my tone.

My parents have never given me three million at once for fear I might become “extravagant.” When I was eighteen and they found out I was dating my scumbag ex, they told me to break up with him. I refused and ran away because I was “in love.” They froze my credit card. For three months, I worked nonstop while attending school to sponsor that idiot because I didn’t want him to look uncool in front of his friends.

I kept pretending everything was fine until I eventually passed out from overexertion at work. My parents found out through the hospital and finally relented.

But that experience stayed with me, it wasn't that I couldn't have gone home, after my parents only have me as their child I knew they would welcome me home, I was just too stubborn and wanted to make a point, To prove that I would always choose love over security.

But that changed afterwards, the fear that everything could vanish overnight forcing me to live like that again clung to my bones.

For someone raised in luxury, that fear is suffocating.

So yes, money absolutely matters to me.

I said yes immediately.

We got our marriage license the very next day. The 305 million deposit hit my account immediately after.

The wedding was scheduled for a month later, and I was to move in after.

The weeks blurred in a frenzy of preparations. Most of it didn’t involve me beyond fittings and formal appearances. Speaking of fittings, Zion’s secretary, Jade, seemed to have an unusual amount of resentment toward my wedding dress. Too dramatic. Too bold. Too fitted. Too plain. Her glare followed me around the room like I had personally offended her existence.

I ignored it though. Because I have a clean conscience, I’ve never bullied anyone or caused harm without reason.

The wedding day arrived wrapped in extravagance.

Ceremony. Vows. Endless greetings. Smiling until my face felt like it might crack. And the envelopes.

The envelopes were thick.

Very thick.

Trust me when I say my smile was genuine.

I barely ate the entire day but I didn't even feel it. Between the procession and thanking guests, time dissolved. Jade even served as one of my bridesmaids since I only have one friend. Logistics.

By the time we finally left the reception, hunger hit me like a physical blow. Once we were in the car, I immediately ordered food online. The plan was simple: eat, shower, count my envelope money, and sleep.

I wasn’t expecting romance.

But I was at least expecting basic decency.

We arrived at the house.

I walked in first.

And froze.

Jade was lounging on the sofa in a nightdress? A nightdress.

For a moment, I genuinely thought we had entered the wrong house. I almost walked out.

Almost.

Before I could turn around, Zion walked in behind me.

Jade jumped up and ran straight into his arms.

“Honey,” she cooed.

My worldview didn’t crack.

It shattered.

I turned to Zion for an explanation.

Instead, he picked her up and carried her to the sofa.

Like I wasn’t standing there.

Like we hadn’t just gotten married hours ago.

The doorbell rang.

Food delivery.

That sound pulled me back to reality.

I walked to the door calmly, collected my food, and shut it behind me.

Then I walked to the sofa and sat down.

I was far too hungry to start a war on an empty stomach.

But make no mistake, I sure as hell wasn't letting this go.

He must have forgotten my reputation.

And after I eat?

I’ll be sure to refresh his memory.

I opened my take out and inhaled deeply, meat, sweet sweet meat.

"I have something to say" a deep melodious voice sounded beside me.

I carefully picked up my juicy drumstick

"Go ahead I'm all ears honey" I say imitating Jade's cloying voice. I regret it almost immediately though because shivers run down my spine.

Jade on the other hand was definitely not have it, she looked like she was about to jump off her seat and attach me.

Funny though don't you agree, it's not like I'm the one currently sitting comfortably on someone else's husband's lap.