But...
They didn't understand what it truly felt like.
To be touched after twenty years of silence.
To feel beautiful again.
To feel wanted—not politely, but desperately.
To be held as if she mattered. Kissed as if she were the only woman in the world.
No—they didn't understand.
They didn't see what Haruki saw in her eyes.
What his hands did to her body.
What it was like to have someone whisper "I love you" and truly mean it.
And that was why she kept her silence.
That was why she wore her smile like armor.
Because the truth wasn't something she could explain.
And if anyone found out…
She would lose everything.
Even him.
How could I resist him?
Kyouko sat quietly, her eyes lowered, her lips calm—yet her heart whispered the truth she could never say aloud.
How could I ever resist Haruki…
When he noticed when I was sick.
When he took me to the hospital—stayed by my side—held my hand.
While her own husband didn't even know.
Didn't ask.
Didn't care.
