Hyunjin 28

Hwang Hyunjin didn't dream of marriage. He treated it like a contract: dryly, emotionlessly. So when his parents forced him to marry the quiet, well-mannered Lee Felix, he didn't refuse. He couldn't. It was his duty.

"He's mute," they told him. "You're lucky. He won't interfere with your life."

Felix seemed nonexistent. He lived quietly in the house, taking up no space. Food was always ready, things neatly folded. Occasionally, a nightlight would shine through from his room.

He left only short notes:

"Dinner is ready."
"I'll wash the dishes."
"Don't forget your jacket."

Hwang read them and felt a strange pang, but there was no emotion. This marriage was only necessary for his father's company.
But one day the silence cracked.

After a hard day, Hwang returned home. The kitchen smelled of fresh soup. As soon as Hwang walked in, Lix jumped up and quickly began setting the table. His spoon fell from his hand.
Lix bent down to pick it up, but his elbow hit the glass. It broke, and water spilled across the floor.
Felix froze for a few seconds, as if he had made a fatal mistake.
Hyunjin let out a tired sigh. “It’s just a glass.”
But Lix was trembling, his shoulders raised, his fingers clasped nervously.
Hwang came closer and said more abruptly than he intended: “Are you so afraid that I’ll look at you?”
Lee looked up, but then, after a few seconds, he looked away. He tried to apologize with a gesture, but his hands were shaking.
"Lix, I'm not yelling. I'm just asking. Show me somehow that you understand."

Felix nodded and reached for the pot. His hand was shaking so badly that hot water splashed onto his wrist. He didn't even flinch.

• Stop. Give it to me.

Hwang took his hand to examine the burn, but Lix flinched as if he was about to be struck. This hurt Hwang deeply.
— I didn’t do anything... Why are you afraid?

Lix lowered his head, his hair covering his face. Silence again. Lee took a shaky breath. Then his lips trembled, and a barely audible, cautious whisper escaped.
— …Sorry.

Hwang froze, his breathing suddenly gone. He looked at Lix, who realized with alarm that he'd said too much.

• What did you just...say?