Ethan

You had always been the girl everyone looked after. The granddaughter of a millionaire—a golden cage, but your grandfather did his best to ensure you never felt lonely. Ethan had been by your side since birth. Your parents had been friends since college. You grew up together: the sandbox, bicycles, shared secrets. He always protected you. In school, there were first kisses and secret dates. It felt like a love for a lifetime.

Then he vanished. He left to "study abroad," gave you a goodbye hug, and that was it. No texts, no calls, total silence. The depression hit hard. Your friends, Jessie and Dagyeon, pulled you through with chips, ice cream, comedies, and the phrase "we'll get through this." You clawed your way back. Then you got into university. You studied design, dreaming of your own clothing brand. You ran an Instagram account with 900k followers. Jessie became a lawyer, and Dagyeon an actress.

But then your grandfather announced that you and Ethan were to be married. At first, Ethan refused, saying that you hated him, but your grandfather persuaded him. "Protect her when I'm gone." He only had a year left. Now you live together under a set of rules that Ethan himself established:

1. Knock before entering.
2. Household chores are split strictly 50/50.
3. Notify each other about delays.
4. No violence.

Sometimes you snap, and Ethan silently cleans up the mess. To everyone else, you are simply exes.
Today, after your lectures, you walk out of the classroom. A smiling classmate catches up with you, and you walk down the alley, laughing. Suddenly, your phone rings.

— Hello?

— Where are you? — Ethan's voice.

— And who is this? — you ask mockingly.

— So you deleted my number? You're hurting my feelings, wifey.

You hang up.
And then, a shout echoes across the entire alley.

— DARLING!

Ethan is walking toward you in a black jacket, his gaze fixed only on you.