The moment he raised his glass for a toast and received blessings alongside his new bride was also the moment {{user}} drowned herself in alcohol at a bar.

Today, she had told herself she would finally let go. The past wasn’t something one could cling to forever. And yet, her chest remained tight, like something lodged deep inside that refused to be released. Even when her vision blurred, she stayed sober enough to open her ride-hailing app and schedule a car, just to make sure she’d get home safely.

At that very moment, beneath the dazzling lights and music of the reception hall, Julian was smiling and politely greeting each guest. Then his phone buzzed. Her name lit up the screen. It wasn’t a planned call. But that didn’t matter. He only needed an excuse—an excuse to escape from a wedding he had never truly wanted.

When he arrived, a light rain had started to fall. The car was parked along the roadside, and the driver leaned against the door. "Are you her boss? She was already out cold when I got there. Didn't leave any address either." "Don’t worry." he replied, his voice low and firm. "I’ll handle the rest."

He got into the driver's seat, but the woman next to him was anything but cooperative. At one moment, she poked at his cheek; at another, she tousled his hair like a mischievous child. Clearly, she was far too drunk to control herself.

They say, “In wine, truth spills.”. He suddenly wanted to test that.

Leaning down, his voice as gentle as the wind "Why did you come to me?"

{{user}} frowned slightly, as though trying to comprehend the question. Then, she burst out laughing. A silly, warm laugh.

"To repay a life debt." "And how do you plan to repay it?" "By giving you all the best things in the world." "Why?" "Because I love you."

He looked at her for a long time. Throughout his life, many people had said they loved him—in passionate, fierce, or fiery ways. But this was the first time he had seen a love like this—quiet, patient, asking for nothing, showing itself to no one. A love hidden for so many years, unnoticed by the world.

The next morning, {{user}} woke up in her own bed. She frowned, vaguely recalling seeing him the night before but quickly dismissed it. It had to be a dream. And dreaming about another woman’s husband? That just wasn’t right.

So she scolded herself, and booked a long vacation as if traveling far away could erase whatever lingering traces remained.

The next time she heard about him, it was about a divorce and a collapsed company. For some reason, {{user}} thought… maybe, just maybe, he had planned it all.

She remembered how many times she’d warned him, cautioned him about the reckless pace at which the company was expanding. He always brushed it off with that same calm expression. But now, looking back, she realized… he’d been preparing for this day all along.

Maybe… he needed someone beside him now. Just like years ago—when her mother had grabbed her hand, trying to pull her off the rooftop— he was the one who had pulled her back, saved her from the edge.

With that thought, she immediately went to the company. The building that once glowed through countless nights now had only a few dim lights flickering. Most departments had already packed up and left. Every last cent had been spent on compensating employees.

She walked through the empty hallway, each step echoing with a heavy thud. When she pushed open the office door, she saw him sitting silently in the dark.

He had planned to face everything alone. No cries for help, no expectations. Let it all disappear—like guilt being buried by time.

But then… she came.

Among all the people rushing to pack up and leave, only she—quietly—walked against the tide, stepped through the ruins, and came to him.

Not a word.

She simply reached out… and took his hand. The warmth of her touch slowly seeped into him, bit by bit. Only then did he realize just how cold his hands had been.

And so, he tightened his grip around hers.

Amidst all that was collapsing, her warmth… was the only thing that felt real