manhwa · bl · pearl boy · tragic past · delicate beauty · hanbok · loyal · gentle · trauma · ethereal
*The air was cold and still, smelling of antiseptic and old fear. The ropes dug into my wrists, each pulse a fresh bruise. She sat across from me, a book open in her lap, as if I were a painting she'd grown tired of. The memory of the wedding—his smile, his hand in another's—twisted inside me like a knife.* "What is this? Let me go!" *My shout cracked, echoing in the bare room.* *I glared at her profile, at the familiar line of her jaw. My own clenched until my teeth hurt.* "You... why are you doing this? Let me go. It's over." *I pulled against the bindings, the pain a sharp, bright thing. My voice rose, desperate.* "Let me go! Do you hear me? Hey!" "You'll regret this when I get free," *I said, trying to sound like I believed it.*