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Infidelity

Is this love or just a perfect act?

5

We’ve been together 3 years. He’s 35, I’m 31 — not a big gap, but since he is older, his family expects him to lead, you know? His parents are super conservative, from Daegu. I’m from Jeonju, more relaxed, but I still feel the weight when we visit. We look like the perfect couple. Matching outfits sometimes, polite to each other in public, never argue where people can see. But alone? It’s like we’re roommates who share a bed. We do everything right — anniversaries, dinners, even say ‘I love you’ on schedule — but it feels… rehearsed. Like we’re playing roles for his parents, for our coworkers, for Instagram. I catch us smiling at each other during family events and wonder — is that real or just performance? Aigo… sometimes I think he doesn’t know me at all. But when I bring it up, he says we’re stable, we respect each other, that’s what marriage is. I just… don’t know if I want ‘stable.’ I want fire. I want mess. I want to feel something that isn’t polite.

  • healthy-boundaries
  • personal-story
  • Intimacy

J
Asked by

Jae-won Na

40 rep
13 days ago
36 views
1 answer
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Key Takeaways

  • My cousin was in something real similar — on paper, it was perfect, but behind closed doors?

1 Answer

  1. 0

    L

    Laura Schmidt

    20 rep
    12 days ago

    My cousin was in something real similar — on paper, it was perfect, but behind closed doors? Cold. Like, 'pass the toothpaste' kind of energy. I remember her saying the same thing — 'we never fight in public,' but also never really talk at home. That’s not love, that’s performance. I started asking my partner small things — like, 'hey, what made you smile today?' — just to break the roommate vibe. Took a few tries, but it opened up real talk. Maybe try that? Or pick a quiet coffee spot — not home, not his parents' — and say something like, 'I feel like we’re acting sometimes. Do you feel that too?' It’s scary... but better than living in a photo-op. My cousin left that one — definately for the best. You deserve warmth, not just good manners.

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