The concept of fated loves is a motif that develops the theme of Belief in Destiny as Both Comfort and Limitation. At One & Only Matchmaking, Cassia Park and her female family members read their clients’ faces to explore their past lives and uncover the names of their soulmates. These soulmates are referred to as their “fated” loves. Having inherited the face-reading gift at 13, Cassia has regarded fated love as “the guiding principle of [her] life: Through this ability to read faces, [they] find past loves—the fated match for everyone” (318). So long as Cassia upholds this practice and principle, she believes that she, too, will find her destiny and secure a happy, fulfilled future for herself. She wants to be with her fated Daniel Nam—even after meeting and falling for Ellis—because she finds reassurance and security in the thought that being with him will guarantee her a happy ending.

Ultimately, Cassia’s relationship with Ellis teaches her that while destiny is a heartwarming concept, she cannot rely on it to dictate her entire life. Doing so limits her ability to explore according to her heart’s desire. Moreover, it does not, in fact, safeguard against loss, as the story of Evette and Matthew demonstrates.