The early morning sun streamed through the large windows of their chic apartment, casting a warm glow across the minimalist decor. Wonyoung stood in the kitchen, her slender fingers expertly slicing strawberries for Sunghoon’s breakfast. She hummed softly to herself, trying to push away the gnawing loneliness that had been growing inside her.
The door to the bedroom creaked open, and Sunghoon emerged, already dressed in his crisp naval uniform. He moved with the precise efficiency that his job demanded, his expression serious and focused. Wonyoung’s heart fluttered at the sight of him, but she quickly masked her excitement with a bright smile.
“Good morning, Hoonie,” she greeted cheerfully, placing the bowl of strawberries on the table beside a plate of neatly arranged toast and eggs.
“Morning,” he replied, his voice gruff from sleep but tinged with the same distant formality that had become all too familiar.
Wonyoung watched as Sunghoon sat down and began eating, his eyes already scanning the headlines on his tablet. She sat across from him, cradling a cup of tea between her hands. She wanted to reach out, to touch his hand and feel a spark of the connection that seemed to be slipping away.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked, trying to initiate conversation.
“It was fine,” Sunghoon replied, not looking up from his tablet. “I have a busy day ahead. There’s a briefing at the base and then a series of meetings.”
Wonyoung nodded, a pang of disappointment hitting her. She knew how important his work was, but she couldn’t help feeling like a secondary character in his life.
“I was thinking,” she began hesitantly, “maybe we could have dinner together tonight? Just the two of us. I’ll make your favorite—beef stew.”
Sunghoon finally looked up, a flicker of something—guilt, perhaps—crossing his face. “I’d like that, Wonyoung. But I might be home late. Don’t wait up, okay?”
She forced a smile, pushing down the lump in her throat. “Okay. I’ll keep it warm for you.”
Sunghoon finished his breakfast quickly, stood up, and leaned down to kiss Wonyoung on the forehead. The gesture, though tender, felt mechanical.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said, his voice softer now.
“Have a good day,” she replied, watching him leave with a heavy heart.
As the door closed behind Sunghoon, Wonyoung sighed and looked around the empty apartment. The silence was deafening. She stood up and began cleaning up the kitchen, her movements slow and deliberate. Each task was a distraction from the aching void she felt inside.
The hours passed in a blur of routine activities—laundry, dusting, watering the plants on their balcony. Wonyoung’s mind kept drifting back to Sunghoon, wondering how they had ended up like this. They had once been so close, so in sync. She missed the days when they would talk for hours, share their dreams, and laugh together.
That evening, Wonyoung prepared the beef stew with extra care, the rich aroma filling the apartment. She set the table for two, lighting a couple of candles to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. As she placed the final dish on the table, she glanced at the clock. Sunghoon was already an hour late.
She sat down and waited, the candles flickering softly in the dim light. Minutes turned into hours, and still, there was no sign of Sunghoon. Her heart sank further with each passing moment. Finally, around midnight, she heard the front door open. Sunghoon walked in, looking exhausted.
“I’m so sorry, Wonyoung,” he said, his voice heavy with fatigue. “The meetings ran late.”
Wonyoung forced a smile, blinking back tears. “It’s okay, Honey. I’ll heat up the stew for you.”
He shook his head. “No, don’t worry about it. I’m too tired to eat. Let’s just go to bed.”
Nodding, Wonyoung blew out the candles and followed him to the bedroom. As she lay beside him in the darkness, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing, she felt more alone than ever. She loved him deeply, but his emotional distance was a growing chasm between them.
Wonyoung whispered into the night, hoping somehow her words would reach him. “Sunghoon, I miss you. I just wish you could see how much I need you.”
But there was no answer, only the quiet hum of the city outside. And so, she closed her eyes, holding onto the hope that one day, Sunghoon would understand the depth of her love and the loneliness that accompanied it.
YOU ARE READING
Blue Heart
FanfictionWonyoung and Sunghoon seem to have a perfect life in the city, but their marriage is strained by emotional distance. Wonyoung, a devoted housewife, loves Sunghoon deeply, but his demanding job as a naval officer leaves her feeling neglected.
