Chapter 51: A Heart That Knows

Minho had never thought much about silence.

But lately, the quiet moments with Hyunjin were the loudest.

The warmth of his presence, the way he filled every space without even trying—Minho felt it all.

And that scared him.

Because for the first time, Minho knew what he wanted.

And this time, he couldn't pretend otherwise.

--

Hyunjin was different lately.

Or maybe—Minho was just seeing him differently.

He noticed the way Hyunjin scrunched his nose when he laughed.

The way he pouted when he was deep in thought.

The way his voice softened whenever he spoke to Minho, like he wasn't afraid of him anymore.

And that?

That made Minho's heart ache.

Because Hyunjin should have been afraid of him.

He should have hated him after everything.

But instead, Hyunjin stayed.

Even after all the cold words, all the dismissive glances—Hyunjin had stayed.

And now, Minho wanted to hold onto him.

Not because of the marriage.

Not because they were forced together.

But because Minho wanted Hyunjin.

As his.

And that realization hit him harder than anything ever had.

--

One evening, Minho found himself standing in the kitchen, watching Hyunjin move around with ease.

Minho didn't know why, but the sight of it—of him—made his chest feel tight.

"You just gonna stand there, or are you gonna help?" Hyunjin teased, glancing at him.

Minho rolled his eyes. "You offered to cook. Why should I help?"

Hyunjin gasped dramatically. "Unbelievable. This is why you'll never be anyone's favorite husband."

Minho scoffed. "As if I'd want to be."

But even as he said it, he found himself walking toward Hyunjin, reaching for the cutting board.

Hyunjin grinned. "See? You do love me."

Minho froze.

His hands tightened around the knife handle.

Hyunjin hadn't meant it seriously.

It was just a joke. A casual tease.

But Minho's heart stuttered anyway.

Because if only Hyunjin knew how much truth there was in those words.

--

Later that night, as they sat on the couch, Hyunjin curled up beside Minho, scrolling through his phone.

It had become a habit now—one neither of them really acknowledged.

Hyunjin always ended up close, always leaned into Minho like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And Minho let him.

Even welcomed it.

Because lately, Minho had been craving Hyunjin's warmth more than he wanted to admit.

At one point, Hyunjin yawned, stretching his arms above his head.

Without thinking, Minho reached out, pushing back a stray strand of hair that had fallen over Hyunjin's eyes.

Hyunjin blinked.

Minho stilled.

Shit.

He hadn't meant to do that.

But before he could pull away, Hyunjin smiled softly.

"Thanks," he murmured.

Minho swallowed.

He looked away quickly.

"...Whatever."

But his heart was pounding.

And he hated that he loved it.

--

Minho couldn't sleep that night.

He lay awake, staring at the ceiling, his mind filled with thoughts of Hyunjin.

He knew now.

He knew.

He was in love with Hyunjin.

And there was no escaping it.

But what was he supposed to do?

What if Hyunjin didn't feel the same?

What if it was too late?

What if Minho had already ruined his chance before he even realized he wanted one?

The thoughts were suffocating.

And for the first time in a long time, Minho felt afraid.

Afraid of wanting something this much.

Afraid of losing something he had only just learned to treasure.

Afraid—because Hyunjin was no longer just his husband.

He was his heart.

And Minho wasn't sure how to handle that.

--

Just as Minho was about to drift off, his phone buzzed on the nightstand.

He frowned, grabbing it lazily.

One glance at the screen—and all the warmth he had been feeling disappeared.

Seungmin.

Minho hesitated.

He hadn't heard from him since the breakup.

His chest tightened as he swiped to answer.

"Hello?"

There was silence for a moment.

Then, Seungmin's voice came through—soft, but sharp.

"So, you really did move on, huh?"

Minho's throat went dry.

"What?"

Seungmin scoffed. "Don't play dumb, Minho. I see it. You don't even have to say anything."

Minho clenched his jaw.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Seungmin let out a bitter laugh.

"Come on. I knew this would happen. I just didn't think it would be so soon."

Minho remained silent.

Because what could he say?

That Seungmin was wrong?

That this wasn't what it looked like?

No.

Because it was what it looked like.

And for the first time, Minho didn't want to deny it.

He wanted Hyunjin.

He loved Hyunjin.

And maybe—just maybe—

It was time to do something about it.