"True strength is choosing to smile and take another step forward."
Later that evening, after the guests had left and the celebrations had wound down, Jiah and Seungcheol finally found a moment alone in their living room.
"Do you have any idea how much it hurt to stand there, smiling, and making excuses for you?" Jiah began, her voice trembling with pent-up frustration.
"I said I was sorry, Jiah. I couldn't leave the meeting early. You know how important this deal is," Seungcheol replied defensively.
"And what about me, Seungcheol? What about what's important to me?" Jiah shot back. "This was one of the biggest days of my life, and you couldn't even show up."
"I tried, okay? I'm doing my best to balance everything," Seungcheol said, his voice rising. "But sometimes things just don't go as planned."
"Your best isn't good enough anymore," Jiah said, tears brimming in her eyes. "I'm tired of always coming second to your work. It's like I'm not even a priority to you."
"That's not fair, Jiah. You know how much I care about you and support your dreams," Seungcheol retorted, his frustration mounting.
"Words are not enough, Seungcheol! I need action. I need to feel like I matter," Jiah cried, her voice breaking.
Seungcheol sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "What do you want from me, Jiah? Do you want me to quit my job? That's not realistic."
"I want you to make an effort, to show up when it matters. Is that too much to ask?" Jiah said, her tone softening but still filled with pain.
They stood there in silence, the weight of their unresolved issues hanging heavily in the air. Neither knew what to say to bridge the growing chasm between them.
Days turned into weeks, and the distance between Jiah and Seungcheol only grew. Small misunderstandings led to bigger arguments, and soon, it felt like they were always walking on eggshells around each other. The love they once shared was buried under layers of resentment and unspoken words.
One evening, as Jiah was preparing dinner, Seungcheol came home late again. He walked in, looking exhausted, and dropped his bag by the door.
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FanfictionSEVENTEEN CHAEBOL SERIES #1 Why don't you shut your mouth for once? he asked, his frustration evident in the furrow of his brow. Maybe because you like listening to me, she replied with a mischievous grin, her eyes twinkling. So, if you don't like m...