The morning stole in, uninvited guest, sunlight spilled in through your gauzy curtains to paint all things golden. And still, even though it was bright outside, the heart felt cold-the striking contrast outside.

Your first night in Taehyung's house had been restless. The bed was comfortable-far more than anything you had ever owned-but sleep had refused to come. You spent most of the night staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, replaying the events of the wedding, the cold indifference in Taehyung's eyes, and the daunting reality of your new life.

When you finally rose, you felt weighed down by exhaustion. The mirror in the bathroom reflected worn eyes and a face slightly swollen from the silent tears in the dark. You sprinkled cold water on your cheeks and stared at yourself for a moment longer.

You had to get through this. Somehow.

You padded carefully downstairs, your sock-shod feet making no noise on the burled wooden stairs, and the house was alive with quiet activity. The staff moved about with practiced efficiency, their footsteps deadened as they tidied, polished, and readied the house for the day.

"Good morning," a housekeeper greeted you with a small bow. You nodded back with a small smile, thankful for the warmth of her in the coldness of the house.

You stopped the moment you stepped into the grand dining hall. Taehyung was already there, seated at the head of the long, shining table. His dark hair was perfectly in place, and the crisp suit he wore seemed to take him right out of a magazine page. He looked up the moment the sound of your arrival reached him but said nothing.

"Good morning," you muttered, sounding hesitant.

Taehyung's eyes flicked over you, latching onto the plain sweater and jeans for a moment. "You're awake," he said flatly, returning to his phone.

It wasn't quite the greeting you had in mind, but you swallowed your disappointment and sat down at the far end of the table. A silent maid materialized and poured you a cup of tea, and you thanked her quietly.

Taehyung's voice cut the silence. "I'll be out most of the day. Don't expect me to entertain you."

You stiffened at the edge in his tone but kept your cool. "I wasn't planning on it," you replied softly.

His eyes snapped up, and for a fleeting instant, something flashed in them. But he had nothing more to say, merely rose and straightened his cufflinks. Wordless, he strode out and left you alone with the cavernous room.

Long hours passed and blended together, turning the house into a gilded prison. You found your way to the library after drifting through the never-ending hallways.

The room was a marvel of high, climbing shelves and a rolling ladder just begging to be climbed. A subtle hint of aged paper hung in the air, comforting for its familiarity. You trailed your fingers along the spines of the books until your mind forgot the loneliness eating at your insides.

But even among all these books, which you liked so much, you couldn't shake off this heartache.

---

Lunch came and was over, though you barely touched the light meal prepared by one of the housekeepers. Mrs. Kang was a kind-faced elderly woman who introduced herself earlier in the day and didn't stress the fact when you became distracted. Instead, she merely smiled softly at you and continued to leave you to your solitude.

You sat at the window in the living room, looking out at the garden, swaying in the soft breeze. The flowers were bright, the sky an endless blue, but you couldn't summon the energy to appreciate it.

It was late evening, and you heard the front door open. Your heart leapt unbidden at the sound of Taehyung's return, although you quickly quelled it. You really did not know what you were expecting from him, but reminded yourself that whatever it was, it definitely would not be found in his person.

His footsteps came down the hall, slow and deliberate, with no urgency in his gait. You didn't move from the nook you sat huddled in on the couch of the living room and just hoped he didn't notice you.

Of course, he did.

"You still here?" he asked, shock and annoyance tangling together.

Your stomach churned. "Where else would I be?" you asked softly, trying to keep your voice steady.

An eyebrow arched, the expression unreadable. For one moment, he looked like he would say something, but then he just shook his head. "Dinner is served. You should eat."

The words were brusque, but it didn't quite conceal the deep-seated concern tangled within them. You nodded and followed him toward the dining room, the table set for two.

The silence between you both as you ate was just about unbearable. You picked at your food, shooting furtive glances at Taehyung as he ate with mechanical precision.

"Did you spend all day sulking?" he asked abruptly, breaking the quiet.

Your fork clattered against your plate as you stiffened. "I wasn't sulking," you replied, the words sharper than you meant them to be.

He snorted, leaning back in his chair. "Then what would you call it?"

You met his gaze, your hands trembling slightly. "I was trying to adjust. This isn't exactly easy for me either."

Taehyung's jaw tightened, and for a moment, something flickered in his eyes. But just as quickly, his expression hardened again. Without another word, he stood, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

Adjust faster," he said coldly before turning to leave the room.

---

Hours later, you sat alone in your room, and the words of his were sharp and unyielding, running in your head. You pulled the blanket over your shoulders and stared emptily at the wall.

You knew it would be a tough marriage, and you knew Taehyung didn't want this. But nothing, absolutely nothing, could have readied you for the isolation, the loneliness, or the hurt of his indifference.

Tears fell silently down your cheeks, though your voice whispered just one plea to the empty room.

"Please let this get easier."

But honestly, it never would.