The church doors opened slowly.
A hush fell over the entire hall.
Then...
They walked in.
Tabitha first.
Louis beside her.
And for a moment…
No one breathed.
The light from the stained glass fell perfectly on her dress, making it shimmer softly with every step she took. The long train followed behind her like a silent declaration of elegance.
Louis stood beside her, composed as always
But tonight, something about him felt different.
Softer.
Present.
Together...
They looked effortless.
Like they belonged exactly where they were.
Whispers spread quietly across the hall.
"They look perfect…"
"Like a real couple…"
"Have they always been like this?"
They walked down the aisle slowly.
Gracefully.
Until..
Louis stepped forward..
And suddenly paused.
His foot had caught the edge of her long dress.
A soft gasp echoed.
Tabitha turned slightly, startled..
Before she could react..
Louis bent immediately, gathering the long fabric of her dress into his hand without hesitation.
He lifted it just enough to free his step and steady her movement.
For a brief moment...
They were close again.
Too close.
The gesture looked…
Intimate.
Protective.
Intentional.
The room melted at the sight.
But Tabitha?
She blinked.
Shocked.
Her thoughts were much simpler..
He just didn't want to fall.
Still..
She didn't pull away.
And neither did he.
They continued walking.
This time smoother.
Closer.
The ceremony ended quickly.
Too quickly.
Before anyone could fully process what they had just witnessed..
It was over.
Now...
Inside the car.
Tabitha was already struggling.
"This is too much," she complained, pulling at her veil.
She yanked it off carelessly.
"Finally."
She reached for her earrings next.
"These things are heavy."
Louis watched her for a second.
Then leaned forward.
"Wait."
She paused.
He carefully helped remove the remaining pins from her hair, loosening it slightly so it fell more naturally.
Then he moved to her necklace.
His fingers brushed lightly against her skin as he unclasped it.
Tabitha stilled for a second.
"…You're very focused," she muttered.
"I don't want you to hurt yourself," he replied calmly.
She huffed slightly.
"I wouldn't."
He didn't argue.
Instead, he handed her the jewelry neatly.
She exhaled.
"That's better."
Then she leaned back.
"Next stop...freedom."
Louis raised an eyebrow.
"The party?"
"Yes."
She smirked.
"And my real outfit."
The venue was grand.
Lights.
Music.
Cameras.
Everything screamed luxury and attention.
Guests were already gathered, murmuring, waiting.
Then..
The doors opened again.
And they walked in.
But this time...
Different.
Tabitha had changed into the dress she personally designed.
Fitted.
Bold.
Striking.
Less traditional.
More her.
Louis stood beside her in the outfit she had chosen for him..
Sharper.
More refined.
Matching her presence perfectly.
The host's voice echoed through the hall,
"Ladies and gentlemen… the couple of the night."
Cameras flashed endlessly.
Phones lifted.
And within seconds..
Clips of their entrance flooded the internet.
Comments exploded.
"They look insane together!"
"This is power couple energy!"
"Are they acting or is this real???"
The music softened.
Lights dimmed slightly.
Louis extended his hand.
Tabitha looked at it for a second.
Then placed hers in his.
They moved.
Slow.
Controlled.
Natural.
No tension.
No awkwardness.
Just rhythm.
Like they had done this before.
Like they understood each other's pace without speaking.
Grandpa Yu watched from his seat..
His eyes filled with satisfaction.
"…Good," he murmured.
"Very good."
For the first time..
He looked proud.
Far away..
In a dimly lit room...
A phone screen glowed.
Rosa sat quietly.
Watching.
The live stream played.
Tabitha.
Louis.
Dancing.
Smiling.
Looking like everything people believed them to be.
Her expression didn't change much.
But her eyes softened slightly.
"…So this is how it looks," she whispered.
She leaned back slowly.
Watching the woman living her life.
Living her name.
And doing it…
Better.
Stronger.
More naturally than she ever had.
There was no bitterness.
No anger.
Just a quiet acceptance.
"…Maybe it's better this way."
She exhaled softly.
"If she can do it like that…"
Her gaze lingered on the screen.
"…Then she deserves it."
A small pause.
Then...
She turned off the phone.
And leaned back into the silence.
Without regret.
The music flowed softly through the grand hall.
Laughter.
Glasses clinking.
Cameras flashing.
Everything was perfect.
Too perfect.
Tabitha stood surrounded by people, her smile effortless as she greeted guests one after another.
Laila approached first, her arm linked with her husband, Jason.
"Look at you," Laila said warmly, pulling Tabitha into a hug. "You're glowing."
Tabitha laughed lightly.
"I should hope so after everything I went through today."
Jason chuckled.
"You two really shocked everyone tonight."
Tabitha raised an eyebrow playfully.
"In a good way, I hope?"
"The best way," Laila said, handing her a drink. "To more years of confusing people."
They clinked glasses.
"Cheers."
A few minutes later...
Reena and Baltimore walked over.
Tabitha straightened slightly.
"My star," Reena said softly, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Baltimore nodded proudly.
"You did well."
Tabitha smiled.
"Thank you."
Then...
Teri appeared from behind them.
Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Don't forget us when you become too famous," he teased.
She laughed.
"Too late."
He pulled back and handed her a small box.
"What's this?"
"Open it later," he said. "Not here."
She looked at him suspiciously but nodded.
The night went on.
Guests kept coming.
Conversations never ended.
Raphael and Lewis eventually joined her, each grabbing a drink.
"We're saving you," Raphael said dramatically.
"From what?" Tabitha asked.
"From them," Lewis added, nodding toward the crowd.
She smirked.
"My heroes."
Across the Room
Vivian stood quietly, watching.
Her eyes locked on Louis.
But his?
They were fixed on Tabitha.
Always.
Her jaw tightened.
"…Still the same."
She picked up a glass slowly.
This was her moment.
Carefully...
Subtly...
She poured something into the drink.
Her lips curved slightly.
"Let's see how this ends."
The doors opened again.
A figure walked in.
Tall.
Composed.
Familiar to some..
Unfamiliar to others.
Whispers spread.
"Is that…?"
"Simon?"
"He's back?"
Tabitha turned slightly, confused.
Simon walked straight toward her.
Smiling.
"Congratulations," he said warmly.
He handed her a gift.
Tabitha blinked.
"…Thank you."
She smiled politely.
Like she would to any guest.
Simon paused slightly.
That wasn't the reaction he expected.
But he didn't push.
"I'm glad to see you well."
"Thank you," she repeated, already turning back toward Raphael and Lewis.
Simon stood there for a second..
Then stepped back.
Across the room..
Louis had seen everything.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He walked toward Simon.
"You shouldn't be here," Louis said quietly.
Simon met his gaze calmly.
"I came to congratulate her."
"You've done that."
"And I'm leaving."
A pause.
"No trouble," Simon added.
Louis didn't look convinced...
But he said nothing more.
Tabitha's eyes suddenly caught something.
Vivian.
Holding a drink.
Walking toward Louis.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Without thinking...
Tabitha moved quickly.
"LOUIS..."
Her voice rang louder than expected.
The entire room turned.
Silence.
Tabitha froze for half a second.
Then laughed awkwardly.
"Ah… that's my favorite drink," she said quickly, grabbing the glass.
Before anyone could react..
She drank it.
Vivian's face changed instantly.
Shock.
Then..
Something darker.
Fine.
If not him…
Then her.
Vivian's mind moved fast.
Her gaze shifted to Simon.
A new plan forming instantly.
"Everyone!" Jemima called cheerfully. "Pictures!"
Mimi had just arrived, congratulating them quickly before being pulled into the crowd.
Tabitha rubbed her temple slightly.
"I need a break…"
But Camilla stepped in smoothly.
"Oh come on, just a few pictures. Don't ruin the mood."
Tabitha forced a smile.
"Fine."
Photos began.
Couple shots.
Family shots.
Group shots.
Then...
Camilla spoke again.
"Why not one with Simon? You two were close, after all."
Tabitha paused.
Simon?
She looked at him again.
Oh.
That Simon.
"…Sure," she said lightly.
Simon stepped beside her.
His hand rested gently on her waist.
Across the room..
Louis' jaw tightened.
His eyes darkened.
Rage.
Cold.
Controlled.
Barely.
Tabitha suddenly felt it.
A shift.
Heat.
Her breath caught slightly.
Something wasn't right.
She stepped back.
"I… need air."
No one stopped her.
The night air hit her face as she stood on the balcony.
Cool.
But not enough.
Louis followed shortly after.
"What's wrong?"
She turned to him.
"That drink...Vivian..she put something in it."
His expression changed instantly.
"What?"
"I think she meant it for you."
His anger spiked.
"And you drank it?"
"I didn't want to cause a scene."
"What if it was poison?" he snapped.
"She wouldn't poison you."
"And if she wanted you to drink it instead?"
Tabitha shook her head slightly.
"She's not that smart."
Louis was already turning.
"I'm going to..."
She grabbed his arm.
"Don't."
He looked at her.
"Take me home."
Her voice was softer now.
Weaker.
He didn't argue again.
Without another word..
Louis lifted her into his arms.
Bridal style.
Her head rested against his shoulder.
He took the back exit.
Avoiding everyone.
Andre was already waiting in the car.
He opened the door quickly.
"Sir..."
"Drive."
Inside the car, the silence was heavy.
Tabitha's breathing was uneven.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Then..
Louis noticed.
Blisters forming along her skin.
His expression darkened.
"…Damn it."
She shifted slightly closer to him.
Trying to stay grounded.
Trying to hold herself together.
Louis didn't think.
Didn't hesitate.
He cupped her face gently..
And kissed her.
Soft.
Firm.
Steady.
Not rushed.
Not forceful.
Just..
There.
A moment.
Their first.
And somehow..
In the middle of chaos...
It felt… right.
The car came to a smooth stop.
Before Andre could even step out...
Louis was already opening the door.
Carefully.
Gently.
He carried Tabitha out in his arms.
Her head rested weakly against his shoulder, her fingers gripping lightly onto his shirt like she was holding onto the only thing keeping her steady.
"Easy…" he murmured.
She hummed softly, barely aware.
The hallway was quiet as he walked in, the sound of his footsteps echoing faintly.
He didn't stop until he reached her room.
The door pushed open.
He walked in..
And laid her gently on the bed.
For a moment..
He just stood there.
Watching her.
Her breathing uneven.
Her hair slightly messy.
Her usual sharp, guarded expression… gone.
Replaced with something softer.
Vulnerable.
She shifted slightly, reaching out blindly..
Her fingers catching his sleeve.
"Don't go…"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Louis froze.
"I'm not," he said quietly.
He sat beside her.
She moved closer instinctively, her hand sliding up to his collar, pulling him just slightly toward her.
"Stay…"
He swallowed.
"I'm here."
Her eyes fluttered open slightly.
Unfocused.
But searching.
Her fingers brushed against his face, clumsy but intentional.
And then...
She leaned in.
Their lips met again.
Soft.
Slower this time.
Warmer.
She smiled faintly against him, like she had found comfort in something she didn't fully understand.
Her hand slid to his chest, holding onto him.
Wanting more.
Louis closed his eyes briefly.
For a second..
He let himself stay there.
Let himself feel it.
Her closeness.
Her warmth.
The way she trusted him without thinking.
But then..
He pulled back.
Slowly.
Carefully.
His forehead rested lightly against hers.
"…Not like this."
She frowned slightly, confused.
He exhaled.
"You're not in your right state of mind."
She tried to reach for him again.
But he gently held her wrist.
"Sleep," he said softly.
She looked at him for a second longer.
Then her eyes slowly closed.
Her grip loosened.
And within moments...
She drifted off.
Louis sat there for a while.
Just watching her.
Making sure she was okay.
Then he stood up quietly.
Adjusted the blanket over her.
And walked out.
Elsewhere...
A private dining setup had already been prepared.
Soft candlelight.
A beautifully set table.
Everything arranged perfectly.
Orlando and Summer sat waiting.
Glancing at the entrance.
"Where are they?" Summer asked.
"They should be here by now," Orlando replied.
Just then...
Andre walked in.
Alone.
Summer frowned.
"…Where's Louis?"
Andre exhaled slightly.
"Change of plans."
They both straightened.
"What happened?"
Andre shook his head lightly.
"Something came up."
Summer looked at the untouched table.
"…He planned all this."
Andre nodded.
"I know."
A pause.
Then he added quietly,
"He still chose her."
Summer smiled faintly.
"…As he should."
The candles continued to burn softly.
Dinner untouched.
But somehow...
It didn't feel wasted.
Because somewhere else...
The night had already said everything that needed to be said.