Scarlet Strings.

The Uncertainty Of Lying

But scarlet was sad somewhat. She was tired of living this lie. It was supposed to be a day or two. But now this fake marriage was running out of her fingers. And no matter what she said, she could never say the truth without breaking so many hearts. Ha-joon and she had lied. And the lie was something she feared a lot.

*** 

The ride back to their mansion was silent. Scarlet sat in the passenger seat, her arms folded as she stared out the window at the glittering Parisian streets. The golden glow of the city lights passed in a blur, but she wasn’t really seeing them. Her mind was trapped elsewhere, spiraling deeper into the weight of their deception. 

Ha-Joon drove with one hand on the wheel, glancing at her now and then. He could sense something was wrong, even if she hadn’t said a word since they left the restaurant. She wasn’t just tired. She wasn’t just lost in thought. There was something deeper, something weighing heavily on her heart. 

By the time they arrived at their mansion, Scarlet was still quiet. Ha-Joon parked the car in the driveway and turned off the engine. The silence stretched between them like an invisible wall. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Scarlet,” he said gently, turning to her. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” 

She unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle, but he stopped her by placing a hand over hers. His grip was warm, steady. “Talk to me.” 

Scarlet hesitated before shaking her head. “It’s nothing.” 

Ha-Joon exhaled sharply, not believing that for a second. “It’s obviously not nothing. You’ve been quiet all night. Scarlet, please.” 

She looked at him, her blue eyes dim with something unspoken. But instead of answering, she pulled her hand away and stepped out of the car. Ha-Joon sighed again, following after her. Inside, the mansion was quiet except for the soft hum of the night. The chandeliers cast a warm glow over the grand foyer, but Scarlet walked past it without a glance, heading straight to their bedroom.

Ha-Joon trailed behind her, not willing to let this conversation go. When they entered their bedroom, she walked to the window, wrapping her arms around herself. The view of Paris stretched before her, beautiful yet distant. Ha-Joon shut the door behind them and leaned against it, watching her for a moment before stepping closer. 

He reached for her hand again, his voice softer this time. “Red, what’s wrong?” 

She didn’t answer. 

“Red.” 

Still nothing. 

Ha-Joon’s grip tightened slightly. “I’m not letting this go. Talk to me.” 

She closed her eyes, inhaling sharply. Then, finally, after what felt like an eternity, she whispered, “I’m sad.” 

Ha-Joon’s brow furrowed. “Why?” 

Scarlet swallowed hard, blinking rapidly as she tried to keep herself together. But when she spoke again, her voice cracked. “I feel like I’m betraying the family with what we are.” 

Ha-Joon froze. Then, he asked. "What are we?"

Her fingers trembled in his grip, but she didn’t pull away this time. “We aren’t married, Ha-Joon,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “And our little lie is getting too much to bear lately.” 

Ha-Joon stared at her, his heart tightening. 

“I cannot keep lying,” she continued, her throat tightening. “They think we’re married. They think we’re happy. But it’s a lie, and you and I both know it.”