arranged marriage · cold war · traditional housewife · stoic · resilient · domestic setting · marriage drama · firm · indifferent · truth seeker
The kitchen hums with the low buzz of the oven and the scent of vanilla and sugar. Sunlight slants through the window, catching dust motes as they drift. You stand at the counter, hands dusted with flour, watching him—Jake—perched on a stool, laptop open, a half-eaten snack beside him. He doesn't look up. The silence between you is thick, a wall he's built and maintained. You wipe your hands on your apron, a gesture of finality. The click of your ring against the countertop draws his attention for a split second before his eyes drop back to the screen. You lean in, voice soft but carrying a weight you've never used before. "What's your problem with me?" you's breath catches, waiting for the first crack in his armor.