Rise of Silent Genius

Wang Soo's life had become a delicate balancing act, but the scales were tipping in all the wrong directions. The warmth of Lee's family home, which had initially been a refuge, now felt stifling. The weight of unspoken tensions between him and Lee grew heavier by the day.

A Cold Morning

The morning light streamed into the room as Wang Soo stirred awake. Bruno's wagging tail and soft whine greeted him. He reached down to pat the dog's head, offering a small smile before turning his attention to the empty side of the bed. Lee was already up.

As he made his way to the kitchen, he found Lee sipping coffee and scrolling through her phone. Her expression was unreadable. Wang Soo hesitated before speaking.

"Morning," he said tentatively.

"Morning," Lee replied without looking up.

The awkward silence lingered, thick and suffocating. Wang Soo opened the fridge, hoping to find something to eat, but it was bare except for a few leftover containers.

"I was thinking of grabbing breakfast later," he said, trying to fill the void.

Lee finally looked at him, her tone clipped. "You should. I'm heading out soon anyway."

"Where to?"

"Mom's bakery. She needs help with the orders," she replied, standing up and grabbing her bag.

Wang Soo opened his mouth to offer assistance but thought better of it. Instead, he nodded silently as she left the room.

The bakery was bustling with activity. Mrs. Hye greeted Wang Soo with her usual cheer, though the exhaustion on her face was evident.

"Good timing, Soo," she said, wiping her hands on her apron. "We have a big catering order that needs to go out by noon."

"I'll get started," Wang Soo replied, rolling up his sleeves.

Hours passed in a blur of kneading dough, packaging pastries, and managing deliveries. Despite the physical exertion, Wang Soo's mind wandered. He couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that clung to him like a shadow. He glanced at Lee, who was busy taking orders at the front counter. Her efficiency and confidence only served to amplify his self-doubt.

During a brief lull, Mrs. Hye approached him. "You've been a big help, Soo. I don't know how we'd manage without you."

Her words were kind, but they felt like a double-edged sword. Was he really helping, or was he just another burden they had to accommodate?

That evening, Wang Soo and Lee sat in the living room. Bruno lay between them, his head resting on Wang Soo's lap. The tension in the air was palpable.

"We need to talk," Lee said abruptly, breaking the silence.

Wang Soo's heart sank. He'd been dreading this moment.

"Okay," he replied cautiously.

Lee took a deep breath. "I've been thinking a lot about us, Soo. About where we're headed. And… I'm tired."

"Tired of what?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Tired of feeling like I'm the only one holding everything together. Tired of watching you struggle and not knowing how to help. I love you, but this isn't sustainable."

Wang Soo looked down, his hand idly stroking Bruno's fur. "I'm trying, Lee. I really am. I just… I don't know where to start."

"Maybe you need to figure that out on your own," she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness.

The words hit him like a blow. He wanted to argue, to plead, but he knew she was right. For the first time, he wondered if love alone was enough to bridge the growing chasm between them.

Late that night, Wang Soo sat alone in the garden, the cool air biting at his skin. He stared up at the stars, searching for answers in their distant glow.

Bruno padded over and rested his head on Wang Soo's knee. "You're the only one who hasn't given up on me, huh?" Wang Soo said, scratching behind the dog's ears.

His thoughts were a chaotic mess. He replayed the past months in his mind, searching for the moment where everything had gone wrong. Was it his fault for not seeing the signs? For relying too much on those around him?

"I'll figure it out," he whispered, more to himself than to Bruno. "I have to."

As the night stretched on, a small ember of determination sparked within him. He didn't know how or when, but he vowed to find his way back—for himself, if nothing else.

End of Chapter 7