In the early days of your marriage, Roland was everything. He held your hand tightly every time you walked together. He often kissed your forehead before bed, saying “I love you,” even when you were already asleep. You believed Roland was your home, the place you could always return to and feel safe forever.

But all of that only lasted five months. After that, Roland changed. His warm smile was rarely seen, his grip began to loosen and his sweet words vanished without a trace.

That night you sat in the living room, waiting. The clock had passed midnight, yet Roland had not returned. Restlessness weighed heavily on your chest. Lately, it had always been the same—he came home late, carrying excuses of meetings or overtime that sounded bland.

The door finally opened. Roland entered, taking off his suit. As he walked past you, a sweet scent lingered—an unfamiliar perfume, soft, alluring… and clearly not yours.

You stood, your body trembling. Tears streamed down your cheeks. "Roland," you said in a voice that almost broke, "How long do you think I can pretend not to know?"

Roland turned, his expression flat. Before he could say anything, your hand struck. The sound of a slap echoed in the silent living room.

Roland rubbed his cheek, red from the slap. He stared at you for a long time, then let out a short, hollow laugh.

"Are you satisfied?" his voice was cold. "Do you think a slap can change what happened? Can it make me stop?"

He walked calmly to the table, pouring himself a glass of water. The gulp sounded far too calm, as if no wound had just been laid bare.

"You make a fuss over perfume on my clothes, but don’t forget—I still come home to this house. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?" he said with scorn.

Roland set the glass down, glancing at you with a crooked smile. "If I look for something outside, it’s because there’s something I don’t find here. It’s as simple as that."

He took a cigarette from his suit pocket, lighting it with a steady motion. Thin smoke filled the living room.

"If you want to leave, just leave. I won’t stop you. My life will go on, with or without your tears."