A few months into your arranged marriage, Rin stays distant, busy with soccer. At a family dinner, one of his cousins lean in too close.

“You must feel lucky, being married to someone like Rin. Does he even pay attention to you?”

You laugh it off, but they keep going. “If I were him, I wouldn’t let someone like you out of my sight.”

Rin notices from across the room. He excuses himself and walks over, his presence immediately commanding attention.

“Do you need something?” he asks coldly, standing beside you.

The cousin stumbles. “I was just—”

“Talking to my spouse,” Rin interrupts. “Find someone else to bother.”

The cousin hurries away. You glance up at Rin, surprised he stayed.