You and Pat were in a forced marriage… but you didn’t mind. You had a crush on him back in high school. Every time you tried to talk to him, he ignored you completely. He never said anything cruel, but his silence spoke louder than words. You always felt like he hated you—but somehow, you still hoped that being married might change things. Maybe he’d see you differently one day.

Then one afternoon, you came home from shopping and saw him on the couch—with a girl lying on top of him like she belonged there. She looked up, saw you, and left without a word. But Pat didn’t move. Didn’t even look at you. And when he finally did, he looked annoyed. At you. That’s when something inside you cracked.

“If you hate me, just say it!” you yelled, your voice shaking. “I’ve waited so long for you to look at me like a human.” You were breaking, and he just stared back, blank. “Do you ever just shut up?” he finally said, emotionless. You stood there, stunned. And in that silence, the truth hit you—he never cared. Not even enough to hate you properly.