From Reluctance to Desire: A Mafia Story [JJK]

✨PULLED BACK IN✨

A soft touch.

Featherlight, almost hesitant.

Something warm brushed against my forehead, sliding into my hair, and I stirred slightly, my mind caught between sleep and waking.

Fingers.

Fingers in my hair.

Slow. Gentle. Careful.

I furrowed my brows but didn't open my eyes just yet. For a moment, I allowed myself to stay like this, to let the warmth seep into my skin, to let myself believe—just for a second—that this was normal. That this was ours.

Then, a soft voice broke the silence.

"At last, you let me in this room."

My eyes snapped open.

Y/N stood in front of me, still in the dress from last night, her hair a little messy, her face soft in the golden morning light filtering through the window.

But what caught me off guard wasn't just her presence.

It was the way she was looking at me.

Not with anger. Not with frustration. Not like last time, when she'd thrown her sharp words at me, demanding something I refused to give.

No.

This time, she looked... tired.

Not just from the events of last night, but from me. From this constant push and pull. From this invisible line I kept drawing between us, only to step over it again and again.

And damn it, I hated that I was the reason for it.

I swallowed, pushing myself upright on the couch, trying to ignore the way my heart was slamming against my ribs.

I should say something.

Something cold. Something distant. Something that reminded her why this marriage existed in the first place.

I'd put the walls back up.

I'd remind myself why we were here.

But I couldn't.

I looked at her—really looked at her. The way her hands twisted together in front of her, the way her lips pressed into a thin line like she was debating whether to say more.

And all I could think about was last night.

The way she had trembled in the car. The way she had curled into herself.

I clenched my jaw, dragging a hand through my hair. "Y/N—"

"Thank you."

I froze.

Her voice was quiet, but firm. Certain. Like she wasn't just talking about last night.

Like she was thanking me for this.

For letting her stay. For letting her in.

For finally stopping the fight I had been waging against myself for so damn long.

I swallowed hard. "You don't have to—"

"I want to." Her eyes met mine, unwavering. "You were there. You always are. Even when I don't expect you to be."

She took a step closer. Then another.

I should stop her.

I should.