The Love That Remains

Fang Aisa opens her eyes. All the cores have been absorbed by her. Her body has changed with each absorption. Her skin has an ethereal glow. Her eyes are dark and enchanting. Her long dark hair is darker and silky. She realizes that her clothes have been burned away because of the changes. The mark of the contract is gone too. She is finally free from the contract.

"Sung Jun." She looks out of the window. It's daytime. How long has it been? She grabs a pair of clothes from the cupboard and walks out. Instead of her husband, she finds an anxious Wang Mei.

"Wang Mei?" Fang Aisa is glad to see her childhood friend.

"Fang Aisa, we don't have time." Wang Mei grabs her hand. "Why did you take so long? The groom is waiting for hours at the altar. All the guests are going to die from hunger. Let's get you ready."

Fang Aisa is surprised. "What?"

"Aish!" Wang Mei drags her along with her. She kicks open the room. Ms. Sung and Fang Aisa's stepmother are talking inside. There is a beautiful white dress waiting for the bride. "Aunty Sung, we don't have time. Let's start."

"Fang Aisa." Ms. Sung gives her a hug. "I am so glad to finally see you."

Fang Aisa hugs her back. "I have missed you, Mother."

Her stepmother hesitantly asks her, "Is it alright if I help you prepare for the wedding?"

Fang Aisa smiles at her. Though they don't have a close relationship, they don't have a bad relationship either. This must be the first time when they talked. Fang Aisa doesn't want to think about the past. She has gone through a lot. She has forgiven her father and her family. They had their reasons for doing what they did. She is not ready to accept her as her mother, but she doesn't want to push someone away either.

"Sure."

***

Everyone's eyes are on the groom. They have come here on very short notice. It's more like they have been abducted from their homes. The supernatural creatures and humans are sitting together. Fang Aisa's classmates are there. Her old gang mates are also there. The people she has met and befriended in her both lives are there. Though some of them do not recognize her, still they have been forced to come.

"Sung Jun is so handsome." A female ex-classmate sighs.

"If Fang Aisa was not there, I could have been his bride." The ex-class president grumbles.

"Keep dreaming." Another woman rolls her eyes.

"I am curious." A man from Fang Aisa's high school stares at the altar. "Did she become more beautiful or uglier?"

"Uglier." The ex class-president slaps the back of his head. "Do you still have a crush on her?"

"Of course, I don't." The man shifts in his seat. "I am just curious."

"The bride is here!" Someone exclaims. All the eyes turn to the bride who is walking alongside her father. Fang Qi and Fang Aisa are grinning ear to ear. Fang Aisa is dressed in a long white dress. Her hair is tied beautifully. She looks like an otherworldly being. Untouchable. Unreachable. Beautiful beyond words.

"I didn't think that I would lose you to him right after you come back," Fang Qi whispers to Fang Aisa as they walk toward Sung Jun. "I want to spend some time with you. There is so much to do."

"Who is stopping you?" Fang Aisa chuckles. "Father, is there a rule that we can't spend time together after I get married?"

"Then, I won't go back home and stay here with my daughter."

"You can't do that. You have to work until Fang Rui becomes an adult." Fang Aisa can imagine Sung Jun's reaction if that happens. "I will visit you regularly."

"Someone else will raise him." Fang Qi suggests. "I say, you ditch this wedding and come with me."

"If I do that, Sung Jun will become your enemy."

"You prefer him over me." Fang Qi sighs. Sung Jun can hear everything because of his strong hearing. He sends a chilling glare to Fang Qi. Fang Qi clears his throat when he notices his eyes that promises nothing good.

"Fine, I will adjust. I want a lot of grandchildren."

Fang Aisa laughs. "Deal."

She finally looks at Sung Jun. Sung Jun's heart skips a beat when her dark eyes meet his eyes. With each step, the gap between them is disappearing. They can finally start their ordinary life together.

It has been worth it.