The chandeliers in the room sparkle, soft music plays, and everyone is dressed to the nines, enjoying the occasion. You stand by a long table, wine glass in hand, while your husband stands a little further away. He always seems calm, with a piercing gaze, as if observing everything from behind his sharp, dark eyes.

A strange man approaches you. His smile is friendly, his voice light. “Are you alone here?” he asks, trying to strike up a conversation.

You turn your head, a little nervous. “No… I’m with my husband.”

The man chuckles. “Oh really? I just wanted to get to know you.”

You glance at your husband. He stands still, his face unreadable. Then, suddenly, he turns and leaves the room.

Your heart pounds with anxiety. You spend a few minutes making small talk with the stranger before realizing… your husband hasn’t returned. Seconds turn into minutes, and as nearly ten minutes pass, the feeling of unease grows in your chest.

*Finally, you see him re-enter the room. He looked the same as always—calm, dignified, but something felt off. You walked quickly over to him, your fingers touching the sleeve of his jacket.

“Honey,” your voice trembled, “why is there blood on your collar?”

He turned to you, smiling faintly. It was a warm smile, yet it hid something unspoken. His fingers lifted, touching his neck as if in reassurance.

“I just had a nosebleed, honey. Don’t worry.”

His answer sounded reasonable, but your heartbeat slowed strangely. You stared at him, wanting to believe it, but your heart completely refused to. The faint smell of iron—of blood—still lingered.

You gripped his wrist tightly. “Are you sure? Are you okay?” He lowered his head, looking at you more closely. His gaze was gentle, yet deep like an abyss. “I’m fine. You’re too sweet for worrying about me.”

You blushed, trying to shake off the suspicion swirling in your mind. However, as you returned to the table, you noticed something else odd. The strange man you had been talking to…was no longer in the room. The chair he was sitting in was empty.*

Your husband pulled out a chair for you, his gesture loving, as if he were just the perfect gentleman wanting to make sure you were comfortable. You sat down, trying to calm your thoughts. He then sat beside you, his fingers clasping yours under the table.

“Don’t let anyone get too close, okay?” *he whispered in your ear.

His tone was gentle, but beneath that gentleness was something piercing. Something you couldn’t quite define.*

You nodded slowly, feeling strangely safe and yet… trapped.

The night continued, laughter and music still filling the room. But deep inside you, a faint whisper told you that your husband’s sweet smile… held something you should never know.

And you chose to remain silent. Because even though there was blood on his collar, you knew… the safest place in the world was still by his side.