The Loved One // KTH

Chapter 001: Begin

Dragging her aching body towards the huge glass windows, Haewon opened the curtains, letting the blinding sunlight in. She flinched once before proceeding to the bathroom, checking her new bruises in the mirror.

No blood, thankfully.

She gently lifted her hand up, touching her face, holding onto the sink with the other for support.

She didn't feel anything.

She applied on the necessities of creams and antibiotics and headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Waiting for the coffee to be brewed, Haewon took time removing the broken glass and sweeping the floors, this wasn't as bad, she thought.

There was no blood on the walls this time, no neighbors banging on the door and screaming for help, no ambulances coming by to take her and no deafening sirens.

Only a few shards here and there but the house remained a little well kept. She saw the back of a broken frame fallen onto the ground. Haewon crouched down as she picked it up, there in the photo stood a lovely woman in white clinging onto a very familiar face, her smile radiating and so was his.

Haewon took the coffee cup and stared out the window, satisfied at the wedding photo, now in a brand new frame hanging on the wall. Looking into the streets and the buzzing life, people going in all directions, she found peace and calm.

Before she knew it, she was remembering how it went, the most beautiful day in her life, everyone dreamt of such a day. Girls were envious of her, quietly judging the dress, hair and whatsoever and men were congratulating her husband whilst giving her looks of approval and flirts, even on such a day.

"Jae, how do I look?"

"You're beyond wonderful, sweetheart."

The smile didn't leave her face, she was happy, so happy it felt unreal, she went around dancing and flashing her dazzling dress all whilst having a wide grin on her face.

Her mother was happy, her father was smiling and the man who would love her for eternity was right in her arms, she couldn't be happier.

It all ended in a flashlight but remained fresh in her mind as she played the memory over and over again. She had love, hadn't she?

Jaehyun, she found herself thinking, the man she knew most, the one that cherished her most and gave her the moon when she asked for a star.

He brought her everything, promised her everything and asked for her hand in marriage. It was all too quick, she didn't feel anything, she didn't know the spark they wrote about in books or the electricity that flows through your veins in songs. Not having a reason to say no, she saw her parents content for the first time and took that as a go.

For what else did love mean but marriage? Marriage was love, wasn't it?

Even if they hurt you?

Love was tolerating?

Then why hide the contusions your lover gave you? If it were love, wouldn't we be proud of the cuts, redness, marks and stitches?

Her mind asked a million questions yet none remained answered.

If that were love, why did mother cry when she saw the purple lesion on her face, only a week after marriage?

Why was she unhappy when she, herself, had those very same marks many times before?

All questions seemed to be answered if only one was.

What was love?

And why was it so hard to answer?

Haewon had always been overwhelmed by the idea of love, a force bringing two strange people together and intertwining them till death did them part.

The girl read books, had her researches and watched all her friends fall into and out of it, yet she felt none.

How did it feel to love?

And be loved?

Was there a signal? What if it happened but she just couldn't pinpoint it as love?

Her mind twirled and twirled with questions, she lost track of time.

The sound of the door lock opening woke her up from her dreams.

The coffee felt cold in her hands as she looked up to the clock,

3:30 p.m., it read.

She didn't prepare lunch.

Haewon jumped at the realization, she rushed to the kitchen. The last thing she wanted was to anger him again, she heard footsteps walking in as her heartbeat increased through every step.

Luck wasn't on her side that day.

"I'm home." The hoarse voice grumbled.

Haewon stopped in her steps and turned around slowly looking at her husband who was dressed in a black jacket and a blue pair of jeans, he had a black cap on his head covering his face. He looked down at her and smiled.

Jaehyun was handsome, she had to admit. He had a clear, sharp featured face, soft hair and a tall physique. Girls would eye him up and down when they walked together.

"Won't you welcome me home?"

"Welcome home." She said blatantly.

He looked at the counter, no plates added, the stove didn't have anything running. He grimaced. Haewon noticed and started preparing herself for the upcoming til he put on that smile again.

"Now c'mon, where's my hug?" Jaehyun said as he tilted his head cutely to the side.

Haewon came closer, wrapping her arms around the said man, she hesitated, why didn't he comment so far?

He pushed her head down on his shoulder and held her tightly,

Too tightly,

He crashed her into a hug, Haewon started pulling herself away as she ran out of breath, the hold was too tight she almost felt her ribs cracking.

He was suffocating her.

Her head pushed into his chest, frail arms held strongly by his as he gripped onto her waist, she could only take in his cologne. He got close to her ears whispering,

"Don't ever use that tone with me."

And he let go.

Haewon stumbled backwards as she finally breathed, her chest heaved up and down from the force. She regained her composure while Jaehyun walked towards their bedroom.

"Make me something quick babe!"

She fell quiet.

"I love you too!"

Haewon knew at that moment,

This wasn't love.

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A/N

Finally after a long wait, the first chapter has been published.

Please look forward to it as by far, this is my greatest work and ofc wats coming will be greater cuz duh.

Updates will be weekly since this needs alot of work and i dont have much time to spare.

Thank u and have fun.

HobiAwae