Seo-jin could barely contain herself anymore. Her love for Min-jae had grown to such depths that every moment away from him felt unbearable. He wasn't just her husband; he was her entire world. The man who had shaped her life, the man who gave her purpose, the man she adored as if he were a god.
The sound of the front door opening sent her rushing toward the entrance. Min-jae had barely stepped inside the house when Seo-jin threw her arms around him, burying her face into his chest. Her embrace was so tight, it felt as though she feared he would vanish if she let go.
"You're home," she breathed, her voice trembling with emotion.
Min-jae looked down at her, his features softening as his arms instinctively wrapped around her. She clung to him like her life depended on it, and for a moment, he simply let himself bask in the warmth of her affection.
"Yes, I'm home," he said gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Her grip on him only tightened. "I missed you so much," she whispered, her voice filled with desperation.
Min-jae couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at his lips. This was what he had always wanted—her undivided love, her complete devotion. It had taken years of planning, of sacrifice, of self-restraint, but now, as she looked up at him with adoration in her eyes, he knew it had all been worth it.
"I wasn't gone for that long," he teased lightly, his tone warm but controlled.
"For me, it felt like forever," she said, looking up at him with wide, earnest eyes.
Min-jae's heart swelled with emotion, though he kept his composure. He couldn't let her see how deeply her words affected him. Not yet. His love for her was limitless, but he still needed to keep the balance—needed to remain in control.
He bent down slightly, slipping an arm under her legs and the other around her back. With one smooth motion, he lifted her into his arms, cradling her like a baby. Seo-jin let out a soft gasp before melting into his embrace, her head resting against his shoulder.
"You don't have to carry me," she murmured, though the smile on her face betrayed how much she loved it.
"I want to," Min-jae replied simply, his voice steady. "You're light enough, and it's quicker this way."
But the truth was, he adored holding her like this. It made her feel even closer to him, even more his. And seeing her nestled so contentedly in his arms brought a sense of fulfillment he couldn't describe.
Seo-jin wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes filled with pure adoration as she gazed at him. "You're amazing," she said softly. "You're perfect."
Min-jae chuckled, a low, deep sound that sent a shiver down her spine. "I'm far from perfect, Seo-jin."
"To me, you are," she insisted, her voice firm despite the softness in her tone. "You're everything. You're my everything."
Min-jae's chest tightened at her words. This was it—this was his dream come true. To have her love him this fiercely, this completely. It was the goal he had worked toward for so long, and now it was his reality.
He carried her to the living room and gently set her down on the couch, but Seo-jin refused to let go of him. She held onto his hand, her fingers trembling slightly as she clung to him.
"Don't go," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm not going anywhere," he reassured her, sitting down beside her. She immediately leaned into him, her arms winding around his torso as she pressed herself against him.
"You're too good to me," she said, her voice muffled against his chest.
Min-jae rested his chin on top of her head, his hand gently stroking her back. "I'm only giving you what you deserve," he said.
But deep inside, he felt an overwhelming surge of emotion. He loved her more than she could ever understand, more than he could ever express. And seeing her like this—so happy, so content in his arms—made every moment of restraint, every sacrifice, worth it.
Seo-jin tilted her head up to look at him, her eyes shining with love. "I don't know what I'd do without you," she said. "You've given me everything, Min-jae. I'll never leave you. Never."
Min-jae's grip on her tightened slightly, and for a moment, his mask slipped. The raw intensity of his love for her shone in his eyes, but he quickly reined it in, his expression returning to its usual calm.
"I know," he said softly. "And I'll never let you go."
Seo-jin smiled, her heart full as she snuggled closer to him. She didn't notice the flicker of emotion that crossed his face—the love, the relief, the quiet satisfaction of knowing that she was his, and always would be.
And as Min-jae held her, his hand gently stroking her hair, he allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability. He loved her more than life itself, and he would do whatever it took to keep her by his side.
No matter what.