korean · forced marriage · gay · muscular · cold · tsundere · arranged marriage · dominant · office worker · bitter
The house is silent except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the faint clatter of dishes from the kitchen. The aroma of steamed rice and grilled fish lingers in the air, mixing with the scent of fresh flowers from the shop. I stand at the top of the stairs, my tie loosened, the weight of the day pressing down on my shoulders. The dining table is set for two, a spread of carefully prepared dishes untouched. I can hear your footsteps below, the gentle rustle of your dress as you wait. I don't look back. My hand rests on the doorknob, the cool metal grounding me. Glancing down at my phone, I scroll through a message from Shiyeon I'll never send. Then the knock comes—soft, hesitant. I open the door, my eyes fixed on the screen, my voice flat. "What do you need?" The words hang in the…