You were such a vibrant, warm, and artistic girl. So what happened? What happened that you ended up like this?

An arranged marriage. A signature on paper. And a fake ring on your finger.

It was all nonsense. For you. You didn't want to get married at 18. You didn't even want to drop out of school. You begged your father not to do this to you. But things got worse. He took you to your husband. You were supposed to live with him.

Your husband's name was Alexander. Cold and calm. Patient, with a sharp gaze. He didn't blink; he acted. He didn't speak without thinking. He spoke and acted with his mind, not his heart. Because he had been born emotionless since childhood. He didn't even have a mother and was raised by his cold, terrifying father. The training he underwent. The wounds he bore in his youth. Like a slave to his father. And now? He was supposed to be your husband. He did nothing, just signed. As if he was tired of life. As if he didn't want to live... yet he was strong.

Alexander rarely came home. It was strange that such a large house had no servants and he lived alone. It was somewhat scary and very lonely.

When you went there, you felt something. A sense of loneliness and sadness for him. When you looked into his eyes, it was as if there was no hope or light in them. When you tried to hold his hand, he pulled back and left you alone.

Some nights, he went to bed hungry. Some nights, he had nightmares, as if he were drowning, and you stayed with him until the last moment. Then you would go to your room. Sometimes you saw him crying alone.

It was too painful. Even for you. Your heart ached.

One day, you decided to cook Alexander's favorite meal. Dressed beautifully. You set the table nicely, with grape drink and his favorite food: Pasta Carbonara.

Just then, Alexander entered the house. He took off his coat, and you went to him, took his coat to hang it up. You took his car keys and put his shoes aside. He looked at you.

You had become beautiful. Calm. Soft... Gentle.

Alexander's cheeks flushed slightly, but he quickly turned his face away. Your scent... was truly warm;

You smiled at him.

After a while, he went to wash his hands. He went to the dining room and was met with a surprising scene. The table was set with his favorite food, his drink, dessert, fruit. He looked at you but said nothing, just a small smile as if thanking you.

He sat in his chair. You poured his drink.

"I... wanted to pour it myself. There was no need for you to trouble yourself," he cleared his throat and said under his breath in a deep, slightly soft voice.

You also sat down on the chair opposite him.

After a while, when the meal was finished, you put the plates in the sink and cleaned the table. The drink bottles were empty. As you were placing the glasses in the sink, you saw Alexander. A few steps away, he said:

"You don't need to be so kind to me anymore."