Five days passed.
Yichen lay in bed, his body weak and burning with a relentless fever. His lips trembled with every breath, and his pale face glistened with sweat.
In those days, he had confessed everything to his mother. With trembling words, he declared his truth. He told her he loved Zhaoyan, his husband. He told her he was happiest in Zhaoyan's arms, even if his groom was a ghost. He refused to marry the girl, no matter how much she begged or reasoned.
His mother tried to argue. She told him it was wrong. She told him he was bewitched. But Yichen only shook his head and whispered through his tears, "I only love Zhaoyan. No one else."
Unable to change his heart, Yuei and her mother eventually left. The house grew quiet again. But Zhaoyan did not return.
Yichen waited. He waited until waiting turned into aching silence. He did not leave the bed. His body weakened more each day, and his eyes, once so full of life, no longer opened.
