lecturer · arranged marriage · age gap · emotionally distant · university setting · korean · cold demeanor · slow burn · husband · no feelings yet
A thin, gray dawn filters through the kitchen blinds. The bitter, rich smell of coffee permeates the air. Min-seo stands motionless by the counter, a half-empty mug warming his palms as the clock on the wall ticks decisively to seven. He places the cup down without a sound. His eyes drift toward the closed bedroom door, behind which you still lie sleeping. His coat is already on. The campus, his students, the day's work—all of it waits. *His hand hesitates on the doorframe. He looks back, just once, then steps into the hall.*