A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 139: Beyond the Smile ( 139 )

Chapter 139: Beyond the Smile ( 139 )

Inside Sayako’s mind, a storm had started brewing.

Seriously, Satomi!? You let your mother live with him?

With that body? That face? That skin!?

She clenched her hand under the table, masking her expression with a smile.

Your mother looks like she walked out of a high-end skincare commercial. And you—you seriously thought Haruki-senpai would be awkward?

Sayako glanced at Satomi again.

Girl... compare yourself to her. If I were a guy, I’d choose your mom without blinking.

She may be your mother, but to Haruki-senpai? She’s not even related.

They’re not blood. They’re alone together.

He’s a man. She’s a woman.

And that woman is... way too beautiful to just "look after" someone like him.

Sayako sipped her drink quietly. "So... how long will your husband be outstationed?"

Satomi didn’t even look up. "Still got a little over two months, I think. Why?"

Sayako just smiled, lips curled sweetly—but her thoughts whispered darkly.

That’s a lot of nights...

And Haruki-senpai isn’t made of stone.

Sayako took another sip of her iced latte, her gaze casually fixed on the people passing by outside the café window.

Then, with a playful tone that masked her curiosity, she asked, "Hey, Satomi?"

"Hmm?" Satomi replied without looking up, still scrolling her phone.

"You’re not... worried?"

Satomi paused. "Worried? About what?"

Sayako gave a tiny shrug, acting like it was nothing. "I mean... your mom and Haruki-senpai, living together. Just the two of them."

Satomi blinked. "What’s there to worry about?"

Sayako tilted her head. "Well... Haruki-senpai is a man."

Satomi laughed, brushing it off. "Pfft—Sayako, what’s with your dirty mind? Do you really think Haruki would do something like that? Come on."

Sayako blinked innocently. "I mean... they’re not blood-related, right?"

"They barely even talk to each other at home," Satomi said, waving her hand dismissively.

Sayako leaned in a little, voice softer but pointed. "Wait. You, Haruki-senpai, your mom, and your dad all live together?"

"Yeah. Well, we did." Satomi sipped her drink. "But now that I’m back in Tokyo, it’s just Mom and Haruki in Okinawa."

Sayako’s eyes widened slightly. "So right now, it’s just the two of them?"

"Yeah. I asked Mom to look after him," Satomi said flatly, unaware of the implication.

Sayako’s fingers curled tightly around her straw.

You’re so damn clueless, Satomi.

He’s living with a goddess and you don’t even realize what you’ve done.

If I were in his shoes, I’d...

Sayako exhaled slowly, hiding the heat in her chest.

"Must be nice," she said with a fake laugh. "Having a mom who’s that young-looking and dependable."

"Yeah," Satomi smiled. "She’s always been... the obedient wife, the quiet mother."

Sayako just nodded.

But inside, one thing kept echoing:

And now she’s living with your husband.

Sayako nodded politely as Satomi continued rambling about her latest designer bag, a new client partnership, and the upcoming shareholder meeting.

Sayako kept her smile—gracious, calm, and pleasant.

But inside her mind...

Satomi... you really don’t get it, do you?

You talk about handbags and business deals, like they’re the things that matter most. But you forgot the man you married is still a man.

You think Haruki-senpai’s loyal? Maybe he is. You think he’ll wait forever? Maybe he will.

But a man can only be ignored, neglected—denied—for so long. At some point, they stop waiting for love... and start searching for warmth.

And if you were smart... you would never have let your own mother live with him.

Sayako sipped her drink, her lips curving faintly.

Because when a man finally snaps?

It’s never loud. It’s never dramatic.

It’s soft. Quiet. A moment of weakness... that becomes a habit.

She tilted her head and giggled softly at something Satomi said, playing the part of the cheerful old friend.

But her thoughts stayed sharp, cold, and focused.

You left your husband in paradise with a woman who looks younger than you, more beautiful than you, and who—unlike you—probably knows how to make a man feel wanted.

And now?

You don’t even realize it, do you?

Once your husband crosses that line... once his heart drifts, his eyes start lingering elsewhere, even if it’s just for comfort, not lust... you’ll never fully have him again.

At first, he’ll care. He might feel guilty. Try harder. He’ll cling to what’s left, try to believe the vows still mean something.

But the moment you make one more mistake—just one more,

...you compare him to someone else,

...reject him when he reaches for you,

...scold him for something he didn’t even do...

That final wall inside him will break. Quietly. Permanently.

And when it breaks?

He’ll still smile in front of you. Still nod. Still say "I’m home."

But he won’t come back to you. Not really.

Sayako gently twirled the straw in her glass, her expression light and casual. But her eyes—those sharp, quietly knowing eyes—never left Satomi’s face.

You think you hold him tight, Satomi. That just because you carry his last name, he’ll stay yours.

But from what I see...

You’ve already started to lose him.

If your mother—if that goddess of a woman wasn’t living with him right now—

I’d have already booked a flight to Okinawa.

I’d show up "by chance." Maybe at his office. Pretend we just happened to meet.

A drink or two... a warm laugh...

Slowly, naturally, he’d fall for me. I wouldn’t even need to try hard—not with the way you talk about him, Satomi.

Like he’s just a name. Just a tool for your business ambitions. Like he’s disposable.

She sipped her drink slowly, hiding her contempt behind the glass.

Lonely men... faithful men like Haruki... they don’t cheat easily. No.

They endure. They hold on, even when they’re hurt. Even when they’re abandoned.

But they’re also the ones who, when finally broken... don’t come back.

Once that heart finds warmth elsewhere, he won’t look at you again, Satomi. Not the way you want. Not ever.

Sayako’s lips curled slightly as she looked across the table.

You’re lucky, Satomi.

To have him.

But you?

You don’t deserve him.

Do you think men choose women based on age?

No.

Not when your mother looks younger than you, Satomi.

Not when she’s more beautiful, more graceful... more woman than you could ever hope to be.

Sayako stirred her drink slowly, watching Satomi chatter on, oblivious.

And from what you said yourself—she’s an obedient wife? Shy? Gentle?

You left her living with him?

That wasn’t just a mistake... That was negligence.

You think men talk when they’re lonely? No. They don’t.

They stay silent. They hold it in. They keep smiling.

Until someone comes along. Someone warm. Someone who listens. Someone soft, comforting, feminine...

And when they finally find that tiny crack... that single moment of vulnerability between loneliness and temptation...

They fall. Fast. Hard.

Sayako took a long sip, eyes calmly resting on Satomi, who still didn’t get it.

It’s not just about lust.

It’s about being wanted. Being seen. Being needed.

And that, Satomi, is something you forgot how to give.

( End Of Chapter )