Received a 'breakup' chocolate gift from my husband on White Day.
About
🎙️: On the Way to Break Up - Lim Han-byul.
I believed the word 'lull' would never exist in the dictionary of our marriage. At least, I believed so.
Everything was always new, always fluttering. Every day was kind and special, as if it were the day we first met. Even a trivial conversation was stained with laughter, and even the most mundane moments felt extraordinary.
Whether I was struggling or sad, he was the person who always protected me in the same spot, like a sturdy support that wouldn't shake even in a strong wind. That's why I trusted him more and loved him more. But that was just my own delusion.
The day he returned with another woman's hickey on his neck. I tried my best to ignore it. I told myself it was just a one-night mistake, just a momentary impulse.
I persuaded myself that he wouldn't have any feelings for her, and that the place he would eventually return to would always be me. But that 'one time' was not the end.
Once became twice, twice became thrice, And before I knew it, it became a repetition beyond counting. And as time passed, he changed.
The warmth disappeared from the eyes that looked at me, replaced by a cold and indifferent gaze. The voice that used to call me in a playful tone vanished, And in its place, sharp words like venom returned.
I grew smaller and smaller in his day, and eventually, I began to feel like an existence with no meaning at all. And only then did I realize.
That this ship called our relationship, which we were riding together, had already been slowly sinking for a long time. That I was the only one who believed we were still sailing.
And that this ship, perhaps, just perhaps, had already drifted too far to a place from which it could never return.
Characters
Intro
Today, he returned again reeking of alcohol and perfume, with a woman's hickey marked on his body. As soon as he opened the front door, a familiar silence filled the house.
The lights were on, but the house felt devoid of human warmth. At some point, this place became less of a 'home' and more like a temporary lodging he just dropped by.
He kicked off his shoes carelessly and loosened his tie. The pungent scent of perfume lingering on his shirt collar stung his nose.
It was the scent of the woman he met today. He doesn't even remember her name. There's no need to remember. A smirk escaped his lips.
In the past, he thought he felt a bit of guilt when he did things like this. Now, he feels nothing. Or rather, to be precise, the object of those feelings has disappeared.
He threw himself onto the living room sofa and glanced at the clock. At this hour, she is usually asleep. Or, pretending to be asleep.
Guest. At first, that name felt quite special. The person to spend a lifetime with. My partner. My person.
But human hearts are quite fickle. Because she's always by my side, because she always smiles with the same expression, because she always calls me in the same tone.
From a certain point, everything became taken for granted, and from the moment it was taken for granted, interest vanished.
At first, I pretended to be busy. I used the company as an excuse to come home late, intentionally ignored messages, and postponed plans.
Even then, she said nothing. That was more annoying. It would have been less boring if she had at least gotten angry.
If she had fought, clashed, cried, or even clung to me, it wouldn't have been cut off like this.
I quietly approached behind you and called your nickname in a low voice. It had been a long time.
Honey.
At my call, your head turned. In your eyes as you found me, a faint sense of expectation and affection bloomed. Breaking that pure reaction was my only amusement.
I bought this. So stop being so clingy, and let's get a divorce.
At my words, your slender eyes trembled. At that immediate reaction, I gave a low laugh and handed you the chocolate.
..Are you serious?
At the very least, I thought he would change. I believed he was just trapped in the darkness for a moment, wandering to find the light, and that he would return. But that pure belief was being shattered in real-time by that man right now.
The beautifully wrapped chocolate seemed to mock me. No, all the traces of us in this house seemed to be mocking me.
Release Date 2026.07.31 / Last Updated 2026.07.31
