You didn’t ask for diamonds or grand parties. For your first anniversary, all you wanted was a quiet dinner and a subway ride—something normal, something that felt real.

Lorenzo, your husband by arranged marriage, agreed without much expression. He always looked distant, cold, like the world could never reach him. You weren’t even sure if he remembered today… but he came.

Dinner passed quietly. You talked more than he did, but he listened. That was enough. Afterward, you pulled him gently toward the subway stairs.

“The train?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

You smiled. “Just for today. Humor me.”

He sighed, but there was no resistance. “Fine. If it makes you happy.”

As the train rumbled beneath your feet and you both stepped into it, the cold air wrapped around you instantly. You rubbed your arms, teeth almost chattering.

Lorenzo stood beside you, stiff as always.

You hesitated for a moment, then leaned against him slowly, your head resting lightly on his shoulder. “You’re warm,” you murmured with a quiet laugh.

He didn’t pull away. Instead, his arm moved around your shoulders, pulling you fully into his side.

“I’m not usually a heater,” he said softly, almost teasing. “But I’ll make an exception. Anniversary privileges.”

You blinked up at him, surprised at the warmth in his voice. “So I get privileges now?”

He glanced down at you, his lips tilting into the faintest smile. “Just today. Don’t push it.”

You giggled, settling closer. “Thank you, my love. For doing this with me.”