San sighed leaning back against the wall, the cold breeze making him shiver a little when a familiar voice broke through his haze. He looked up, startled, to see his fiancée standing nearby, her bright smile never wavering.
"I've been looking everywhere for you!" she said, laughing lightly. San quickly forced a smile onto his face, trying to mask the frustration and exhaustion he felt.
"Just needed some air," he replied, glancing around as if the surrounding would somehow make the conversation easier.
She came closer, resting her hands behind her on the bench next to him as she tilted her face toward the sky. "It's such a beautiful day, don't you think?"
San nodded, not trusting himself to say much. He stared straight ahead, focusing on a tree in the distance. There was something grounding about it—a reminder of simpler times.
After a few moments, her tone softened. "Our fathers were talking," she said, glancing over at him. "They want us to have dinner together this weekend... to talk about wedding dates."
San felt his entire body go rigid. Wedding dates? It sounded surreal, as if it were happening to someone else. He managed to keep his expression neutral, but every part of him wanted to be anywhere but here. This wasn't the life he'd imagined, the future he wanted.
"Already?" he murmured, hoping his voice sounded normal. He kept his tone light, trying to keep the tension from seeping into his words.
She looked over at him, her brows knitting with concern. "Is... something wrong?" she asked gently.
The question lingered, and San forced himself to look at her, meeting her gaze. "No, no, I'm fine," he replied quickly, plastering on another smile. "Just... dont you think it a little bit to early? We didnt finish study yet and we are still young and-." He sighed
She nodded, her gaze searching his face, clearly unconvinced. "You know, I'm nervous too," she said softly. "Neither of us chose this, but... maybe it could work, you know? We could find a way to be happy."
Her words hung in the air like a lifeline he couldn't take. San's chest tightened as he looked at her—at the hope in her eyes, at the quiet resolve she had built around a life she hadn't chosen. She deserved more. Someone better. Someone who could meet her hope with their own.
He drew in a deep breath and mustered a warm, genuine smile. Not the forced one he'd been wearing for days but one filled with regret and kindness. "You know... You're so beautiful," he said softly, his voice steady but carrying a hint of sadness. "And one of the sweetest, kindest people I've ever met."
Her cheeks flushed a soft pink as she looked down, caught off guard. "That's... nice of you to say," she murmured shyly.
San's heart ached. He could see how much she wanted this to work, how hard she was trying. But the truth he carried couldn't be ignored anymore. "But I need to be honest with you," he said quietly.
Her smile faltered as she raised her gaze to him, confusion flickering in her eyes. "Honest?"
He nodded, his chest tightening. "I can't marry you."
Her breath hitched, and she froze. "What?"
"I'm so sorry," he continued, his voice trembling slightly. "I can't go through with this. You deserve someone who can give you everything, who's excited about building a life with you. And I'm not that person."
She stared at him, the hope in her eyes dimming into something more fragile. "San... what are you saying? Is this because we don't know each other well enough? We can take time—"
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Lines Crossed (SanSang)
FanfictionYeosang's love blooms too soon, met with a brother's embrace. Torn between tradition and truth, San must decide-follow his heart or remain bound by family ties.