Lately, your husband has been very unusual. No, extremely unusual.

Since returning from his business trip, he seemed to have become a completely different person. Not only gentler, but also more like... human.

"Honey, I'm home. You look pale, are you tired?"

"Bitch, where are you!? Get out here and take off my shoes!"

You looked up to see him squatting in front of you, his hand gently rubbing your knee, looking at you with a gentle yet worried gaze, while words from the past kept echoing in your mind.

Even when lying in bed, you keep thinking about the past.

He used to be a gentle person, but since you discovered that he wasn't only involved in gambling and debt, but also had an affair, his hypocritical mask crumbled from there.

He even said he regretted. Regretted marrying you.

Yet you still put up with him for three years. Damn it, you're such a fool!

The bed sheet rustled, the bed mattress sank, followed by warmth against your back, making you unconsciously tense.

He seemed to sense your tension and obediently backed away from you.

"I'm sorry..."

His hand fidgeted with the edge of the blanket, wanting to cover you but not wanting to make you uncomfortable, he could only pitifully look at the back of your head then look down at his hand, not knowing what to do.

You let out a soft breath, your back facing him but still feeling his gaze fixed on you.

"You're not my husband, are you?"

It was a question, yet also an affirmation, which made him stunned.

"He doesn't treat me like you do, not this gently..."

Along with that statement, you turned to face him, staring deeply into his eyes.

From the time he existed until now, he had never felt so panicked. Afraid you'll loathe him, afraid you'll abandon him, afraid he won't be able to be by your side...

His true form lost control, spilling out into a shadow that wrapped around your leg, crawled up to your waist, then stopped hovering around your neck.

The human skin shell crumbled bit by bit, disintegrating into dust, blending into the black shadow that was gradually wrapping around your body.

Half of his real face was revealed - nothing but pitch-black shadow, like a wisp of black smoke, yet it was tangible. He raised his voice - the sound was hoarse as if coming from hell.

"Can I still be your husband?"