Shy Husband And Cold Wife | New Version | KTH | An Epic Adventure~

II

The restaurant buzzed with quiet conversation, clinking glasses, and the hum of low music.

Y/n sat stiffly at the table, her expression an impassable mask. The air felt heavy with the expectations her parents had piled onto her shoulders, and every second she spent here felt like a surrender.

Taehyung arrived moments later, his stride hesitant but composed. He glanced around the room before his eyes landed on her.

There was no grin or overt display of emotion, only a small nod of acknowledgment as he approached.

"Y/n," he greeted, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

"Taehyung," she replied curtly, not bothering to mask the guarded edge in her voice.

He took his seat across from her, a quiet tension stretching between them. The waiter approached, but Y/n waved him off before he could speak.

She needed this conversation to happen on her terms, without interruptions.

"So," she started, folding her hands neatly in front of her, "I take it you're aware of what our families want."

Taehyung's eyes shifted slightly, his gaze hesitant. "Yes," he admitted. "They think this match would benefit both sides."

"Do you?" she challenged, her tone bordering on confrontational.

He paused, his jaw tensing as if weighing his words carefully. "I don't mind," he said finally.

"If it's for my family's happiness, I'm willing to consider it."

Y/n's eyes narrowed, a cold amusement flickering in their depths. "How noble," she said, the sarcasm barely concealed.

"But I'm not looking to play the obedient daughter for anyone's happiness."

He didn't flinch at her tone. Instead, he met her gaze directly, a flicker of something unspoken in his eyes. "I didn't come here expecting you to," he replied.

His voice was steady, but there was a trace of vulnerability that made her pause.

Silence settled between them like a thick cloud. She expected him to look away, to shrink under her scrutinizing stare.

But he didn't. He sat there, composed, as if accepting her reluctance and still choosing to stay.

A slight crease formed in her brow. "Why go along with it then?" she pressed. "Why not just refuse?"

He leaned back slightly, his eyes softening. "Because I'm willing to try, if you are. But I don't want to force anything."

Y/n's jaw tightened. There was something disarming about how honest he was, how he didn't try to charm or convince her.

It made her feel exposed, as if he could see past her defenses.

"Well, I'm not," she said, her voice cutting through the moment like ice. "I don't want this."

Taehyung nodded slowly, the corners of his mouth turning down almost imperceptibly.

"I understand," he said. And then, after a beat, "But if we're to walk away from this, we should be the ones to make that decision; not our families."

She didn't respond, her mind spinning. It was the first time someone had suggested taking control of the situation without trying to win her over.

Before she could say more, the waiter returned, placing water glasses in front of them.

Taehyung reached for his, fingers brushing the condensation as he looked up at her.

"For what it's worth," he added quietly, "I respect your choice, whatever it is."