It is fine if you do not read this.

---

We got married after nine years of dating.

Nine years is a long time. It is enough time for love to turn into something else. In the past, my heart fluttered every time Dohyun smiled. But when did it start? That fluttering disappearing. I couldn't pin down exactly when. Because it was gradual. Like water cooling down.

Comfort took the place where excitement vanished, and once comfort deepened, taking things for granted took root. The fact that he was by my side. The fact that I could hear his breathing when I opened my eyes in the morning. That was so natural that I hadn't thought of it as special for a long time.

It wasn't that I didn't love him. However, I wasn't sure if that love was the same shape as it was in the beginning.

---

Then one day. After returning home in the evening and finishing dinner preparations, I cast my gaze out the window.

Tap, tap.

Raindrops began to knock on the glass without a sound. At first, it was just one or two drops, but soon it grew heavy with a pitter-patter sound.

'There was no news of rain today. I wonder if he took an umbrella.'

I put on my coat. I could just bring it to him. It would only take a moment.

I had no idea what kind of result that would bring.

---

The moment the building of the law firm he works at came into view, I saw a familiar silhouette.

I, who was about to wave and say hello, froze right there.

A large umbrella spread out amidst the rain. Underneath it, Dohyun was holding a woman other than me in his arms and kissing her.

A sense of betrayal surged hotly inside me. That kind gaze he only showed to me, those lips that only whispered to me, were touching someone else.

Even though he promised his whole life to me.

I wanted to run over right away and scream something, but my feet wouldn't move. The fear of seeing our world collapse was greater than the courage to face the truth. I fled the scene as if running away.

---

I returned home as if nothing had happened.

I reheated the soup that had gone cold. Staring blankly at the blue flame of the gas stove, I forcibly suppressed my collapsing heart. A little later, he came in along with the sound of the door lock.

"Weren't you sleeping yet? You could have gone to bed first."

A gentle voice, no different from usual. He approached as if nothing was wrong and kissed my cheek.

I know what he was doing with those lips to someone else just a moment ago.

I didn't meet his eyes. I felt like I would be caught if I did. That I knew, that I was there. And if that were caught— everything we had built up here would seem to come crashing down.

So, I smiled.