Behind the Silence
It had been two months since their marriage, a forced union of two strangers living under the same roof. Zain and Anna had never once looked at each other with love, never exchanged a single heartfelt word. Their lives were a silent, carefully choreographed dance of distance and pretense.
Every evening, Zain returned home between 7 and 8 and 9, finding a neatly set dinner on the dining table. Anna, who arrived home an hour or so earlier, would have already finished her chores. Most nights, they ate separately. Breakfast was the only meal they shared, but even then, silence was their only companion. Zain's routine was always the same: a shower, a quiet meal, and a retreat to his room.
Sometimes, a strange feeling would pull Zain's gaze toward Anna's door. We're living under the same roof, he'd think, yet as if in two different worlds. He wanted to talk to her, to bridge the chasm between them, but hesitation always held him back. What if she misunderstands me?
Anna felt the same, a quiet ache for simple conversation. She would set his dinner, eat alone in her room, and suppress the longing to share a laugh, a sorrow, or even just a comfortable silence. But her heart never dared to voice what it felt. This marriage felt less like a partnership and more like a prison for her emotions. At home, her face was quiet and distant. But in the office, with friends and colleagues, her smile came alive again. She'd spend her free time watching dramas, talking to her friends Huan Jing and Kaiya, or sketching new dress designs.
When Zain's mother called, they would both transform into the picture-perfect loving couple, their voices warm and affectionate. But the moment the call ended, the cold, distant reality returned, just as lifeless as before.
The Present
Anna was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. Zain sat at the dining table, his laptop open, scrolling through work files. Anna quietly served the traditional Chinese dishes and sat down with her plate.
Zain closed his laptop with a click, and the sudden sound made Anna flinch. "Why do you even need a job?" he said casually, not looking at her. "I'm here for you. All you need is to cook for me."
Anna froze, her gaze hardening. "What if you leave me one day?" she shot back, her voice laced with a cold anger. "If I don't have a job, will I be begging on the streets with a bowl in my hands?"
Zain's spoon paused midair. A look of surprise, followed by something unexpected, crossed his face. He covered his mouth, but a small, choked laugh escaped. He tried to hide it, but couldn't.
Anna frowned, her hurt visible. "You think this is funny? I'm serious."
Zain lowered his hand, his voice softer than she had ever heard it. "I promise… I'll never let that day come. And I will never leave you. Understand?"
Something inside Anna softened. She hid a small smile, lowering her gaze to her plate.
After a long silence, Zain spoke again. "There's something I need to tell you. For now, we need to keep our marriage a secret."
Anna folded her hands dramatically, her tone a mix of teasing and hurt. "Boss, can I at least tell my two closest friends?"
Zain hesitated, then nodded. "Only if you're sure they can be trusted. Otherwise… don't."
Anna's lips curved into a faint smile. "Don't worry. They're the most trusted people in my life."
With a slight nod, Zain packed his laptop, put on his black coat, and grabbed his bag. At the door, his voice was unusually gentle. "And don't be late today."
Anna's smile faded slightly. "I'll try my best."
He glanced at her one last time, his tone almost a whisper. "But don't speed up your scooty. There's heavy traffic these days."
Anna simply lowered her head in silence, nodding.
The moment he left, she let out a deep sigh. As she cleared the table, she muttered angrily under her breath. "He just eats and leaves, then tells me not to be late. All the housework falls on me. What's his problem with hiring a maid? What curse did I bring upon myself by marrying him?"
By 8 o'clock, she had finished the chores. One glance at the clock made her heart pound. "Oh no, it's already 8! I have to reach the office by 8:30."
Rushing, she grabbed her bag and files, hopped onto her scooty, and sped through the crowded streets. The traffic was a mess. Endless lines of cars, blaring horns, and red signals held her back. She kept staring at her watch, her chest tightening with guilt. Again… today I'll be late. And Zain… he will definitely scold me in front of everyone.
Meanwhile, Zain sat in his cabin, his laptop open. His eyes were fixed on the CCTV footage of the employee room, a restless energy in his posture. Every two minutes, his gaze shifted to the clock. He murmured to himself, "Why hasn't she come yet?" He had called her ten times, but Anna hadn't answered because her phone wasn't on silent. Zain started getting restless, a frantic whisper escaping his lips. "What if Mrs. Yan is in trouble? She's beautiful… what if someone kidnapped her? She's my wife, and only mine. What if our secret enemies did something? After all, it was because of her that my father-in-law lost his life…"
Just then, Tiang entered. "Since when did you start watching the employee room footage?"
Zain replied coldly, "From today."
Tiang smirked. "You're watching your wife, aren't you? She hasn't come yet, and you're worried. You even went downstairs twice to check, didn't you?"
Zain stiffened, his voice defensive. "It's nothing like that. I was just… looking." But his tone sounded guilty, as if he had been caught stealing. He quickly added, "Maybe she's busy with some work or… sleeping."
The Confrontation
Anna rushed into the office, breathless and nervous. All the employees were waiting for her. The moment she entered, everyone stood up and started asking where she had been.
Huan Jing came forward. "Anna, why are you so late?"
Anna replied, "The traffic was really heavy."
Huan Jing frowned. "Did you even check your phone?"
Anna quickly checked her mobile and froze—Zain had called her ten times.
Xiaa whispered, "The boss came downstairs twice to look for you. He kept asking, 'Has Miss Su arrived yet?' He was so angry… honestly, I was scared seeing his face."
Another colleague added, "You've made the boss angry so many times, and he scolds you in front of us. We feel bad for you, but we're just employees—we can't do anything."
At that very moment, Zain, still watching his laptop, took a deep breath and ordered Tiang. "Call Anna here. Right now."
Tiang immediately phoned Huan Jing. "Boss is calling Anna. He's furious—already came down twice. You better pray for your friend."
Huan Jing nervously laughed. "Why are you scaring me, Tiang?" But after the call ended, she turned to Anna and said softly, "I think Boss has started liking you more than he realizes. That's why he's angry about you being late. But don't worry, just be honest with him." She placed a comforting hand on Anna's shoulder. Anna nodded nervously. Huan Jing gently pushed her glasses back up. "Take a deep breath," she encouraged.
Anna inhaled deeply, pressed the lift button, and stepped inside. As the elevator moved upward, she silently prayed, Please, God, save me from my devil husband. He only comes home to eat and then leaves… I do all the housework alone, and yet he still scolds me for being late.
The lift doors opened. Anna's hands trembled as she knocked on the cabin door. When she pushed it open, she saw Zain sitting on the sofa, his face red with fury.
Anna froze on the spot. Fear gripped her, and she stepped forward, trembling, bowing slightly. "Boss… I'm sorry."
Zain suddenly stood up. Anna shivered, her eyes filling with tears. "Please, Boss… I won't be late again. This is the last time."
Zain looked at her, took a deep breath, and restrained his anger. "You've told me this ten times, Anna. And I'm tired of hearing it. If you're late again… you'll write your resignation with your own hands. This is the last chance. Understand?"
Anna lowered her head. "Thank you, Boss… but please don't call me Mrs. Yan. Someone might hear that you're my husband."
Zain gave a faint smile. "No one will hear. And I like calling you Mrs. Yan. Now go. But remember—this is truly the last chance."
Anna bowed her head and whispered. "Boss… you're very kind. You even gave a chance to an ordinary employee like me."
Saying this, she quickly left. The moment she stepped out, all the employees surrounded her with warm smiles.
"It's alright, Anna. We're all with you," they said in unison.
Huan Jing came forward and hugged her tightly.
Anna let out a small laugh. "Don't you all think you're overreacting? It's not like I'm walking into a dragon's cave."
Xiaa tilted her head. "Well… that's exactly what it feels like." Everyone burst into laughter, and another colleague nodded. "Honestly, Xiaa is right this time."
Anna chuckled, finally relaxing, and took her seat with a lighter heart.
A Quiet Shift
Inside his cabin, Zain leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You really are a sweet talker, Miss Sweet Talker," he murmured to himself. His voice grew softer, almost thoughtful. "You have no idea how worried I was. If you hadn't come just now, I would've gone there myself. But since you're here… I can finally breathe in peace."
Just then, his phone rang. "Yes," he said curtly. "Arrange for the Employee Department to be shifted right next to my cabin. I want it done by tomorrow."
Anna sat down at her desk, opened her laptop, and adjusted her glasses. Even while trying to focus on work, one question kept circling in her mind. What happened to my heartless husband? Why didn't he get angry at me today…?
She was still lost in thought when suddenly her finger got a small cut on a sharp edge of the table. "Ouch…" she whispered softly, pulling her hand back.
Xiaa, sitting across from her, immediately asked, "What happened, Anna?"
Anna gave a faint smile. "It's nothing… the table just hit my hand."
Worried, Xiaa leaned forward. "Are you hurt badly? Do you want me to bring some medicine?"
Anna quickly shook both her hands. "N-no… there's no need. I'm fine. Thanks, Xiaa."
Xiaa nodded slightly and went back to working.
But Anna once again sank deep into her thoughts. Why didn't Zain yell at me today…? That's so unlike him. She let out a quiet sigh and murmured to herself. Could it be… my heartless husband is slowly turning into a lovely heartless man?
Instantly, memories of her first late arrival flashed in her mind. I still remember… the first time I was late, he was furious. He scolded me so badly in front of everyone. That day, I thought I would never forget his harsh words.
Thinking of that, Anna blinked quickly, shook her head, and forced herself to focus back on her laptop. Her fingers moved rapidly across the keyboard, but somewhere deep inside her heart, one question still echoed: Why is Zain changing…