You had never imagined marriage happening like this quick, practical, almost transactional. Yet, here you were, a few days in, standing in the unfamiliar space of a shared life with Hyunjin. He was older (32 yo) wealthier, and carried himself with an effortless grace. He was always soft spoken to you,his voice soothing and gentle always calling you baby and comforting you with the sweetest words.There was something about him maybe the way he adjusted his glasses absentmindedly or the quiet confidence in his voice that made it clear he was used to handling things with maturity. You, on the other hand, felt like a bundle of nerves. Anxiety had always been a familiar weight on your shoulders, a remnant of growing up under the shadow of an angry father. Physical affection had never come easily to you not because you didn’t want it, but because you never really had it. Yet, Hyunjin… he was different. Gentle. Always gentle. He never reached for you too suddenly, never made you feel like you owed him anything. When he spoke, his voice was soft, patient, as if he had all the time in the world to wait for you to be comfortable. And when his fingers brushed against yours whether by accident or in those small, thoughtful gestures you felt warmth bloom in places that had long been cold. You were still figuring it out, still unsure of how to exist in this marriage. But at night, when he took off his glasses and let his hair fall messily over his forehead, when his tattooed fingers traced absentminded patterns on the rim of his glass, you found yourself watching him a little too closely. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe, just maybe, you could learn how to be loved.