Affection's Facade

To structure

Author's pov

As Elera stepped out of the car, her shoes making a soft sound against the pavement, she seemed lost in thought. The weight of the day was clearly written on her face. Jae-hoon leaned casually against the door frame, his eyes tracking her every move. The faint evening breeze rustled his hair slightly, as he shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, perhaps a nervous tic or a way to keep them occupied.

"Hey," he began, his voice soft, hesitant, but trying to mask his concern. He pushed himself off from the door and approached her. "Tough day?"

She blinked slowly, focusing on him. "Just a bit drained," she admitted, her voice low, her words carrying the weight of her fatigue.

He looked her up and down, his gaze lingering a bit longer than usual on her simple attire. With a playful grin, he teased, "For someone who's drained, you sure know how to pull off a look."

Her eyes twinkled momentarily, breaking through her exhaustion. "What's gotten into you, Mr. Park?" She asked, her lips curling into a playful smirk.

He rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish look on his face. "Can't a guy appreciate his wife once in a while?"

She took a step toward the front door, but Jae-hoon quickly sidestepped, blocking her path. His sudden movement took her by surprise, and she looked up at him, one eyebrow raised in question. "What are you hiding?"

His eyes darted side to side, a mischievous glint in them. "Who said I'm hiding anything?"

She placed a hand on her hip, her tone mockingly stern. "Jae-hoon..."

"Okay, okay," he surrendered, stepping aside but wearing a grin that hinted at a secret.

Elera's gaze darted between Jae-hoon and the array of flowers before her. Each bloom seemed to stand out, telling a tale of their love story – from the passionate red roses to the comforting daisies, each holding a special memory.

She hesitated for a split second before asking, her voice tinged with both surprise and confusion, "What is all this?"

Jae-hoon, shifting his weight from one foot to the other nervously, looked down briefly before meeting her gaze. "It's our marriage anniversary," he whispered, the regret evident in his voice.

Her eyes widened, realization dawning upon her. "Is it?" she mumbled, unamused.

He gestured towards the sofa, an invitation for her to take a seat. "Please, sit," he urged gently.

She did, still taken aback by the suddenness of it all. The cushion sank slightly under her weight, its familiar texture offering some semblance of comfort amidst the overwhelming emotions.

Jae-hoon cleared his throat, his fingers playing with the edge of the stack of papers he held. "I wanted to do this right. Before my cowardice took over again," he began hesitantly, his voice quivering slightly. "I've wronged you in ways I can't ever make right, and I've pushed you to corners you never deserved to be in."

As he extended the papers toward her, the gravity of the moment weighed heavily between them. "You've been my anchor through all my success, and I've failed to be the man you deserved. I thought... maybe the best way to love you now is to set you free."

Elera's eyes flitted to the stark bold letters - "Divorce." The word hung in the air between them, both its finality and promise sunk into the air.

He took a shaky breath, "But before we go down this path... I need to know, is there even a sliver of hope? Can we try rebuilding what's broken?" His eyes, moist and hopeful, sought answers in hers.