Embers of Hope// Hyunlix

Chapter - 6

Hyunjin POV: 

I sat at the edge of the couch, staring blankly at the television. It was on, but I wasn't really watching it. My mind kept wandering—back to Felix, back to the dinner with his parents last week, and back to that hollow feeling in my chest that had settled in long ago.

Felix wasn't home. He was out drinking with his friends again. It had become a routine for him now—go out, drink, come back late, avoid me. Not that I could blame him. This marriage wasn't what either of us wanted. But that didn't stop it from hurting any less.

I heard the doorbell ring, and for a second, my heart raced. Maybe it was Felix, maybe he was coming home early for once. But then I remembered—Felix never rang the doorbell. He didn't have to.

Sighing, I got up and made my way to the door, opening it. Chan stood there, concern written all over his face.

"Hey," he said softly, his usual bright smile replaced with a more serious expression. "Can I come in?"

I nodded, stepping aside to let him in. He walked past me and into the living room, glancing around before settling on the couch. I followed him, sitting back down where I'd been before, trying to shake off the sense of unease creeping up my spine.

"You okay?" Chan asked, his voice gentle but probing.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He didn't buy it. Of course, he didn't. Chan knew me too well for that. He looked at me for a long moment, then sighed.

"Hyunjin, you don't have to keep pretending," he said, his tone firm but kind. "You're not okay. I know you're not."

I looked away, not wanting to meet his eyes. The truth was, he was right. I wasn't okay. I hadn't been for a long time, but I didn't know how to admit that. Not to him, not to anyone. Because if I did, then what? What would change? Felix still wouldn't love me. His mother still wouldn't accept me. None of this would magically get better just because I said it out loud.

"I just..." I hesitated, unsure of how to put it into words. "I don't know what to do anymore, Chan."

His face softened, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "It's about Felix, isn't it?"

I nodded slowly. "It's like... he's not the same person anymore. He's angry, distant. And I know why. I know it's because of what happened, but I... I thought that maybe, if I married him, I could help him. That I could make things better."

"Hyunjin..." Chan's voice was full of sympathy, and I hated it. I didn't want sympathy. I didn't want pity. I just wanted things to go back to the way they used to be—before everything got so messed up.

"I love him," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Even now, after everything, I still love him."

"I know you do," Chan said gently. "But you can't keep doing this to yourself. You're holding onto something that might never come back. Felix... he's hurt, and he's angry, but that doesn't mean you should be the one carrying all of that for him."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away, not wanting to cry in front of Chan. "I just don't know what else to do. If I leave... if I give up... what does that make me?"

"It doesn't make you weak, Hyunjin," Chan said softly. "It doesn't make you a failure. You've done everything you can. More than anyone could ask for."

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening as I tried to keep the tears at bay. "But I can't give up on him. I can't just leave him like this."

"I'm not saying you have to," Chan replied. "But maybe... maybe it's time to start thinking about yourself too. You deserve to be happy, Hyunjin. And if Felix can't see that... if he can't love you the way you deserve to be loved, then maybe you need to let go."

His words hit me harder than I expected. Let go? How could I? Felix was everything to me, even if he didn't feel the same anymore.

"I'll think about it," I said, my voice hollow.

Chan gave me a sad smile. "That's all I'm asking."

For a moment, we sat there in silence, the weight of the conversation hanging between us. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if I had the strength to walk away from Felix, even if it was killing me inside to stay.

But Chan was right. I couldn't keep pretending everything was fine. Something had to change. One way or another.

And I wasn't sure I was ready for that.

Chan's POV:

After saying goodbye to Hyunjin, I stepped outside, the cool air hitting my face like a splash of cold water. I needed to check in on Felix. It felt like forever since I'd last seen him, and with everything going on, I worried he might be spiraling deeper into whatever darkness consumed him.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Minho's number. It rang a few times before he picked up, and I could hear the muffled noise of the bar in the background.

"Chan?" he answered, his voice slightly slurred but still familiar. "What's up?"

"Hey, Minho. Just checking in on Felix. How's he doing?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light, though anxiety clawed at my insides.

There was a pause, and I could almost picture Minho rubbing the back of his neck, a habit of his when he was unsure of what to say. "Not great, to be honest. He's been hitting the bottle hard tonight."

A knot formed in my stomach. "How much has he had?"

"Enough to make him forget, I guess. He's been acting out, you know? Pushing everyone away. It's like he's trying to drown out the pain, but it's only making things worse," Minho replied, his voice laced with concern.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "I wish he'd talk to us. We're his friends. He doesn't have to go through this alone."

"I know. I keep telling him that. But he just shuts down, Chan. He's a mess."

"Is he with you now?" I asked, hoping Minho could keep an eye on him.

"Yeah, we're at the bar. Jisung and Seungmin are here too. We're trying to keep him company, but..." Minho trailed off, and I could hear the defeat in his voice.

"Just make sure he gets home safe. I'm worried about him," I said, trying to sound reassuring even as my heart raced with worry.

"Of course. I'll call you later if anything changes, okay?"

"Thanks, Minho. Keep me posted," I replied before hanging up.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the pavement as my thoughts spiraled. Felix had always been the strong one, the one I leaned on when I needed support. Seeing him like this, broken and lost, felt wrong.

I turned back towards the apartment, determined to do whatever it took to help both Felix and Hyunjin. They needed each other, but first, they needed to realize they weren't alone in this battle.