Embers of Hope// Hyunlix

Chapter - 1

The morning sun filtered through the thick curtains of the bedroom, casting a muted glow across the lavish space. Hyunjin stirred in bed, his eyes fluttering open to the familiar sight of Felix's back turned toward him. Felix was already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed, tying his shoes with mechanical precision. His posture was stiff, his every movement deliberate, like he was eager to escape the room.

Hyunjin swallowed, his throat tight as the weight of their marriage settled over him. The marriage Felix never wanted.

"Good morning," Hyunjin greeted softly, his voice barely above a whisper, as though speaking any louder might break the fragile quiet between them.

Felix didn't respond, at least not immediately. Instead, he stood up, his expression impassive, his back still to Hyunjin. "I'm going to work," he said, his tone devoid of warmth, like a stranger offering a passing comment.

Hyunjin bit his lip, watching as Felix moved to the door without so much as a glance in his direction. "Felix..." he began, his voice wavering. He wanted to ask something, anything that might spark even a hint of conversation between them, something that might ease the suffocating distance. "Will you be home for dinner tonight?"

Felix paused at the door but didn't turn around. His hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment, the silence stretching unbearably. "Don't wait for me," he finally replied, his words clipped and cold.

Hyunjin felt the sting of rejection, but he nodded, even though Felix couldn't see it. "Okay," he whispered, his fingers gripping the sheets beneath him. Felix left without another word, the soft click of the door closing behind him echoing in the quiet room.

Hyunjin let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, blinking back the moisture gathering in his eyes. It wasn't that he hadn't expected this. After all, Felix had made it clear—he didn't love Hyunjin. He probably never would. Not after what happened.

Five years. It had been five years since that terrible day. The day that changed everything between them. And now, they were married, bound by duty, by family expectations, and by a cruel twist of fate.

Hyunjin sat up in bed, his hand instinctively going to his wrist, fingers tracing over faint scars that still lingered beneath his skin. Memories of that day flashed in his mind, of the blood, the shock, Felix's horrified expression. He shook his head, willing the thoughts away. It was too early to drown in the past.

With a heavy heart, he forced himself out of bed, starting his routine. He couldn't stay in bed all day, not when he had responsibilities as Felix's husband. Even if Felix didn't see him as a husband in return.

In the kitchen, Hyunjin busied himself with preparing breakfast, hoping to distract his mind. The house felt too big, too empty, without the warmth of companionship. The cold marble floors, the pristine furniture—everything about it screamed perfection, but none of it felt like home. Not without Felix's love.

He set the table for two out of habit, but he knew Felix wouldn't be joining him. He'd stopped waiting for that long ago.

As Hyunjin sat down, staring at the untouched food in front of him, his phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from Jeongin, his stepbrother, asking if he was doing okay. Hyunjin's heart softened. Jeongin was the only one who knew the truth, who understood what Hyunjin had been through, who had seen the bruises, the scars—not just on his body, but on his soul.

I'm fine, he typed back, though he wasn't sure if he was convincing himself more than he was convincing Jeongin.

As he put down the phone, his thoughts wandered back to Felix. What would it take for Felix to look at him without hatred in his eyes? What would it take for Felix to see the truth—that he hadn't stabbed her, that he wasn't a murderer?

Hyunjin's heart ached, but he knew better than to hold onto hope. Felix had promised himself he would never love him. And Felix wasn't the type to break his promises.

Later that evening, the house was as quiet as it had been that morning. Hyunjin sat by the window, watching the world outside as the sky turned dark. Felix still hadn't come home. He wouldn't, Hyunjin reminded himself. He never stayed longer than he had to, as though the house itself repelled him.

Just as Hyunjin was about to head to bed, the front door opened with a soft creak. Felix stepped inside, looking exhausted, his tie loosened and his expression distant. He barely spared Hyunjin a glance as he walked past him, heading straight for the study.

"Felix..." Hyunjin tried again, his voice hesitant. He wanted to ask how his day was, but the words felt stuck in his throat.

Felix stopped briefly, his hand on the doorknob. "I'm tired," he said flatly, not even looking back before shutting the study door behind him.

Hyunjin stood there, his heart heavy, the familiar ache settling in his chest. Another day, another reminder that Felix wasn't his. That Felix might never be his.

But still, as he stared at the closed door, Hyunjin couldn't help but wish that, one day, Felix might come to see him for who he truly was—not the person he believed him to be.