SE*TING | 18+ | JJK

"I LOVE YOU"

Each day begins with a familiar routine. My alarm goes off at 6 AM, waking me from sleep into the quiet of the morning. I head to the kitchen, where I find comfort in preparing lunch boxes for my kids.

As I gather the ingredients, I play my favorite music. The songs fill the room, wrapping around me like a warm hug. While I spread peanut butter and slice fruits, I feel a sense of peace. In these moments, the noise of life fades away, and I can breathe.

It’s a special time when I can forget my roles as mom and wife, even if just for a little while. I close my eyes and let the music take me away, reminding me who I am beneath those titles. Sometimes, I feel a wave of emotion, thinking about the love and sacrifices I make for my family.

But here, in this quiet space, I rediscover a part of myself that gets lost in the busyness of life. For those few minutes, it’s just me—real and free. I treasure this time, knowing it gives me strength for the day ahead.

My husband is still asleep, as he is almost every morning. It’s amusing how he remains blissfully unaware, snuggled under the covers, while the world around him comes alive. Maybe it’s a male thing, or perhaps he’s just a heavy sleeper, but he doesn’t even stir at the sound of my phone alarm blaring or the joyful laughter of our kids as they wake up, ready to start the day.

I often glance over at him, a mix of admiration and exasperation in my heart. There he lies, peaceful and still, while I navigate the whirlwind of morning chaos. The kids bounce into the kitchen, their energy contagious, chattering excitedly about breakfast and what they want to wear. I smile at their enthusiasm, but a part of me wishes he could share in these moments, too.

As I pour cereal and milk, I can’t help but think about how different our mornings are. I juggle the demands of our little ones, while he remains lost in dreams. Still, I know he works hard and needs his rest. I carry the weight of our daily lives, but I do it willingly, finding joy in the chaos. I cherish the moments when the kids climb onto my lap, asking for stories or sharing their dreams. Their laughter fills the air, a sweet melody that brings warmth to my heart.

Eventually, I finish preparing everything and glance at the clock. I know it won't be long before he stirs, drawn by the smell of breakfast or the sound of our children. I take a deep breath. As the kids finish their breakfast, I hear him finally rustling in the sheets. A moment later, he emerges, his dark hair tousled and eyes blinking against the morning light. I smile at him, a silent admiration as I look at my man.

“Good morning, my sleepyhead.” I greet my husband with a hopeful smile, reaching out to hug him, but he slips past me, heading straight for the kids. He leans down, planting soft kisses on their tiny heads, and my heart swells at the sight—a devoted father with his prince and princess. Yet, beneath the surface, a familiar ache gnaws at me, a silent crack that radiates from my chest to my bones. I try to shake off the creeping pain, forcing a bright smile to mask the hurt.

“Bae, I made you coffee…” I call, my voice laced with a mixture of love and desperation.

“It’s okay. I don’t have time for breakfast,” he replies, his tone clipped, his attention absorbed in the chaotic search for his keys, carelessly tossed aside like our fading connection.

“Tae, please, at least drink…” I plead, my heart racing as I watch him, the man I knew so intimately now turning slowly to a stranger, lost in a whirlwind of distractions.

“Luna, I told you already. Didn’t you hear me?” His voice, once filled with warmth and tenderness, has turned icy, creating a palpable distance between us. Each word feels like a dagger, deepening the wound of our growing disconnect. I stand there, feeling invisible, as he rushes off, leaving behind the remnants of our love hanging in the air like an unfinished song.