## Chapter 2: Behind the Mask

As the days turned into weeks, Esther found herself walking on eggshells around Jaekyung, never knowing when his mood would shift from cold to explosive. She tried her best to avoid him, focusing on her household chores and leaving him to his solitary pursuits. But it was impossible to ignore the tension that simmered between them, like a pot about to boil over. One evening, as Esther was dusting the living room, she noticed Jaekyung sitting on the couch, his eyes fixed on a framed photo in his hand. It was an old picture of him with his mother, a woman with a warm smile and kind eyes. Esther had seen the photo before, but she had never seen Jaekyung look at it with such a mix of sadness and longing. As she watched him, Esther felt a pang of curiosity. Who was Jaekyung, really? What lay behind the mask of anger and resentment that he wore like a shield? She had glimpsed a glimmer of vulnerability when he looked at the photo, but it was quickly extinguished, replaced by his usual scowl. Jaekyung sensed her presence and turned to face her, his eyes narrowing. "What are you doing?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. Esther froze, her dusting cloth hovering in mid-air. "Just dusting," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant. Jaekyung's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Esther thought she saw a flicker of something else, something that looked almost like...pleading? But it was gone before she could be sure. Suddenly, Jaekyung stood up, his movements fluid and powerful. "I need to go for a walk," he said, his voice gruff. Esther nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "I'll get you a jacket," she said, heading towards the closet. Jaekyung's eyes flashed with annoyance. "I don't need a jacket," he snapped, already heading out the door. As the door closed behind him, Esther let out a sigh of relief. She had a feeling that she was in for a long night, with Jaekyung's mood growing increasingly volatile by the minute. As she waited for him to return, Esther found herself thinking about the photo she had seen earlier. Who was Jaekyung's mother, and why did her death have such a profound impact on him? Esther's curiosity was piqued, and she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Jaekyung's story than met the eye. The sound of the front door opening brought Esther back to reality. Jaekyung strode in, his face set in a scowl, his eyes flashing with anger. But as he caught sight of Esther, his expression softened, just for a moment. It was a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability, and Esther felt her heart go out to him. In that moment, she realized that Jaekyung was not just a angry, resentful man. He was a complex, multifaceted person, with a deep well of pain and emotion. And Esther felt a spark of hope ignite within her. Maybe, just maybe, she could reach the real Jaekyung, the one behind the mask.