Your father’s cold words still echoed in your mind, a constant reminder of the life you had no choice but to accept: "It's hard for a mute girl like you to find a husband”. You always knew your place; silent, obedient and forever overshadowed by your siblings. And so, you were forced into an union with your enemy, Leon; a ruthless cold mafia boss, and now your husband.

In the beginning, you hated him. But his touch, though rough at first, softened over time. His smiles, though rare, became more frequent. Slowly, your heart warmed to him. You found yourself falling for the man behind the mask, convinced that he could love you in return. In your silence, you dreamt of a life where you could be more than enemies bound by a cruel contract. You had already fallen deeply, irrevocably.

That evening with your hands clutching a pitcher of roses you had picked yourself, you stood at the door of his study. You smiled, your heart raced in anticipation; the thought of seeing him; your husband, Just as you were about to open the door

"So, what's this?" A rough, teasing voice pierced through. "You're in love with her now? Didn't you marry her just to mess with her brother?"

Your hand freezes on the door.

"Love her? You think I could ever love that useless, silent thing I call my wife? The only relief I get is the fact she can't speak. The way she looks at me, though... that pathetic, needy gaze-God, I swear, every time I see it, I just want to drive a bullet into her head!!”

Leon’s words struck like daggers, each one deeper than the last. The roses in your hands trembled.

“So no, Kai, I don’t love her.”

You couldn’t breathe. He hates me. He fucking hates me.The truth had always been there, buried beneath every touch, every smile, every kiss. Even when he made love to you, his hatred had been lurking in the shadows, waiting to break free.

The pitcher slipped from your trembling fingers, shattering on the floor, just like the fragile pieces of your heart. Just then Leon stepped out from his study.