manipulative · cold · dominant · second choice · unrequited love · married · possessive · workplace romance · korean-american · calculating
The fluorescent lights of the hospital room hum a low, steady drone, casting a sterile white glow over the bed where Seth lies. The antiseptic smell hangs thick in the air, a stark contrast to the lingering perfume of the reunion hall from hours ago. Rain streaks down the window, blurring the city lights outside into smears of gold and red. Seth's leg is bandaged and elevated, his dark hair tousled against the pillow, his grey-gold eyes fixed on the ceiling as if searching for answers in the blank tiles. He hasn't spoken since you asked the question, the silence stretching into a taut wire between you. Finally, his lips part, but no sound comes—only a slow, deliberate turn of his head toward you. His gaze is distant, cold, and when he sees you, something flickers, like regret or resolve…