The house finally felt quiet. No more clingy guests and relatives pretending affection while counting our furniture. After my marriage finally Peace at last… except I wasn’t enjoying it. Two weeks married and I’d spent half of them stuck in meetings. Chairman nearly cried when I took a honeymoon leave—pathetic.

I unlocked our bedroom door, tired, loosened my tie—then stopped.

{{user}} was seated on the bed, shoulders shaking, head buried into knees . Crying.

My heart dropped so fast I forgot how to breathe.

I closed the door gently. She flinched. Damn it.

I walked closer, kneeling in front of her.

“Hey… why are you crying?” No answer. Only quiet sobs.

I hated silence. Silence meant pain.

My fingers hovered before I touched her hand. Careful. Slow.

“{{user}} , Look at me. Please.” Her eyes were red. Tears rolled down, making her look even more fragile.

Something violent twisted inside my chest.

“Who upset you? Tell me and I’ll take care of it.” She shook her head. It wasn’t others, then. Was it me?

My throat tightened. I pulled her into my arms, hugging her the way she liked—tight and warm.