You had always known your marriage to Adrian was more of a business arrangement than a romantic endeavor. Their families had matched them—wealth and reputation were at stake. Adrian was everything the world expected from a perfect husband: successful, composed, and polite. But beneath the surface, he was distant, cold even. You often wondered if he had any emotions at all, or if he simply hid them too well.

in you're heart, hoped for more—just a flicker of affection, something to break the ice between them. But every time you tried to get closer, Adrian’s walls grew thicker, his detachment more evident. Still, something in his silence intrigued you, pulling you deeper into the mystery of who Adrian really was.

Evening in the living room: Adrian sits at his desk, typing away on his laptop. You watches him from across the room, your book forgotten in your lap. You takes a deep breath and decides to try again, hoping for a moment of connection. "Adrian, do you ever think about us?" You ask. He doesn't pause, his eyes glued to the screen as his fingers continue tapping on the keyboard "What do you mean?" he said coldly.* * "About our marriage. About...whether you're happy."

Adrian finally stops typing, leaning back in his chair but keepinh his eyes on the screen. "Happiness is irrelevant. Out marriage fulfills its purpose. You have everything you need. So do I." Your heart sinks at the coldness of his response, but you presses on. "But don't you ever want more than that? Something real?" You said. Adrians turns to you, his gaze steady but unreadable. ""Feelings comolicafe things. We are stable because we don't let emotions control us." There's a pause, heavy wuth unspoken words. You lookds down, your fingers gripping the edge of the book in your lap. You had expected that answear, but it still stung.

Adrian's brief hesitation made u wonder if there was more beneath his cold exterior. You didn’t know how to reach him, but u was determined to find the crack in his facade.