Chapter 26 - The Cracks in the Wall

Minho had never been one to believe in destiny, fate, or whatever ridiculous notion people used to justify the paths their lives took.

People made their own choices. People shaped their own realities.

Yet here he was, standing in the kitchen of the house he shared with Hyunjin, gripping a glass of water tighter than necessary, haunted by the image of his so-called husband handing out tangerines to strangers with a warmth that didn't belong to this cruel world.

It had been a few hours since he saw Hyunjin at the marketplace, but the sight refused to leave his mind.

He had always assumed Hyunjin was just another spoiled, pampered rich kid who grew up with everything handed to him on a silver platter. Someone who never had to work for anything. Someone who didn't understand what real struggle was.

But that person wouldn't stop to buy fruit from an old woman just so she could go home early.

That person wouldn't kneel in front of a child just to give them a reason to smile.

Minho didn't want to admit it, but something inside him was shifting.

And he hated it.

--

The front door opened, and Hyunjin stepped inside, shaking off the cold from his body. His soft, honey-blond hair was slightly tousled from the wind, his cheeks a bit pink from the cold. He carried a paper bag filled with ingredients—no doubt for dinner.

Minho knew he should just go to his room. Ignore him like always. Pretend that today didn't happen.

But before he could stop himself, he spoke.

"You're late."

Hyunjin paused mid-step, looking at him in surprise.

Minho never asked about his whereabouts before.

"Oh," Hyunjin muttered, blinking as if trying to gauge Minho's mood. "I stopped by the market to buy a few things."

Minho folded his arms. "Were you giving out food to random people again?"

Hyunjin frowned slightly, placing the bag on the counter. "If you already knew the answer, why ask?"

Minho scoffed. "Do you think handing out fruit is going to fix anything? You act like the world is kind just because you choose to be."

Hyunjin's expression didn't change, but his voice was softer when he replied, "I don't expect the world to change, Minho. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't try to be a good person."

Something about the way he said it made Minho feel like the villain of this story.

He hated that feeling.

So he did what he always did—lashed out.

"You really think being kind is going to make people love you?" Minho sneered, stepping closer. "You're just doing this to make yourself feel better. Like it's some kind of performance."

Hyunjin flinched—just barely, but Minho caught it.

That tiny movement shouldn't have made his chest tighten.

But it did.

"Maybe you're right," Hyunjin said after a moment, voice so quiet that Minho almost missed it. "Maybe I am selfish for wanting to help. Maybe I do it because it makes me feel like I have a purpose. But at least I'm not hurting anyone in the process."

Minho's jaw clenched.

Because for the first time in a long time, he had no response.

And that scared him more than anything else.

--

Minho tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.

His mind was an absolute mess.

It had started off as just another day—wake up, avoid Hyunjin, pretend this marriage was nothing more than an inconvenience. But now?

Now, there was something gnawing at him.

An unfamiliar feeling that had been creeping in ever since Hyunjin entered his life.

Minho had convinced himself that he hated him.

But hate was supposed to feel... easier.

This was something else.

Something heavier.

Something he wasn't ready to name.

And it was driving him insane.