Kiefer (POV)
I woke up to find her already in my arms.
Clinging to me as if she belonged there.
Like I was hers.
And before I even fully processed it, a smile slipped onto my face.
Instinctively, I pulled her closer—holding her a little tighter—as if my body already knew this was where she was supposed to be.
My fingers brushed her forehead.
Her temperature… better. The heat had gone down.
Relief settled in my chest.
"Lovely morning, wife," I whispered.
She didn't wake.
Instead, she only smiled in her sleep… as she heard me somewhere far away. Like she was having a good dream.
Probably one where I existed.
A chuckle escaped me.
"Kiefer baby…" she murmured suddenly.
My heart paused for a second.
I pressed my forehead into the pillow, trying not to laugh too loudly. She was dreaming about me.
Just that thought alone made everything feel strangely warm.
My eyes drifted to her hand.
To the ring she had made for me.
Carefully, I slipped it off my finger.
Not because I wanted to.
But because I couldn't risk breaking it.
She made it.
And somehow… that made it more fragile than anything in the world.
I held it for a moment, staring at it quietly before placing it safely beside us.
Then I pulled her back into my arms again.
And stayed like that… not moving at all.
I stepped into the shower, but even the water couldn't calm what was happening inside me.
I was smiling.
Still smiling.
Like it had become permanent.
I pressed a hand over my face, letting the water run down my skin, trying to act normal… trying to understand it.
But I couldn't hide it.
I had never felt like this before.
Not once in my life.
And now it was so overwhelming that it almost scared me.
How did I miss this feeling all this time?
I shook my head lightly, letting out a breathless laugh at myself.
It was ridiculous.
And yet… it felt right.
By the time I finished, I was still smiling.
dressed quickly, more carefully than usual, like even the smallest movement mattered today.
My fingers brushed against the ring in my pocket.
The only thing in the world that proves she chose me… and somehow, I still can't believe she did.
That she's mine.
That I'm hers.
I pulled it out for a moment, letting the light catch its edges.
It looked simple.
But it held everything.
And without thinking too much—
I kissed it.
Softly.
Like it meant more than metal, more than time, more than anything I could ever explain.
Like it was her.
Then I placed it back safely in my pocket… closer to my heart than anything else I owned.
Before I left, I grabbed a paper and a pen.
And I wrote.
I will leave for work. I will be back before you wake up. If you wake up, be a good wife.
I paused.
Stared at the words.
A faint smile tugged at my lips again.
Then I added—
Hubby.
My hand hesitated.
One heart… didn't feel enough.
So I drew another.
Then another.
And before I even realized it, I was filling the corner of the note with them.
Small, messy hearts—like I couldn't stop myself from showing what I felt.
I exhaled softly, folding the paper carefully.
And left it where she would see it.
Before I walked out, I looked back once.
Just once.
And smiled again.
Like I already knew… I wouldn't stop feeling like this anytime soon.
Then I walked toward Kiegen and Kiran's door and knocked.
It opened almost immediately.
"Kuya," Kiran said as he pulled the door wider.
I stepped inside.
"Kuya… something happened?" he asked, his voice already turning cautious.
"Wait until Kiegen comes," I said, but I couldn't hide it.
I tried.
Really tried.
But the happiness kept breaking through anyway.
Kiran squinted at me.
"Kuya, what happened? You're scaring me."
"Nothing happened," I said quickly. "It's good news. Why are you acting like something bad happened?"
Kiran stared at me for a second longer.
"…Your smile is creepy."
I blinked.
Before I could respond, Kiegen walked in.
"What happened?" Kiegen asked immediately.
I took a breath.
And said it plainly.
"I'm married."
Silence.
A full, heavy pause.
Then Kiran stepped back like he physically needed distance.
"Kuya… something really happened to you. Let's go to the hospital."
I frowned.
"What? No. I'm serious."
Kiegen narrowed his eyes slightly, studying me like he was trying to find the hidden joke.
"You're not joking?"
I shook my head once.
"No."
Another beat of silence passed.
Kiran slowly looked between us again.
"…Then why are you smiling like that?"
"Did Jay propose to you?" Kiegen asked, still trying to process my face more than my words.
I nodded immediately.
"Yes."
He tilted his head slightly. "How did you know that I asked that?"
I paused for a second, then asked back, confused, "How did you know that?"
Kiegen exhaled like it was obvious.
"About that… when she last visited home, she told me to call her 'Ate.' And she said something else too." He glanced away briefly, then back at me. "She said she was going to marry you."
My brows lifted.
"And you just… agreed?"
"I gave her permission," he said simply, holding up his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I didn't think she would actually do it."
There was a strange pride in his voice, too—like he had known all along where her heart was pointing.
Something in my chest softened.
I stepped forward and pulled him into a quick hug.
"Thanks, Kiegen," I said, and kissed the top of his head before letting go.
Kiran stared at both of us like he was still catching up with reality.
"Are you happy?" Kiegen asked quietly.
I didn't even hesitate.
"Of course," I said, a breathless smile breaking through again. "I've never been this happy in my life."
I reached out and lifted him slightly off his feet in a playful squeeze.
Kiran pointed at me immediately. "Kuya… you're completely lost in happiness."
I just laughed under my breath.
"So where is she?" Kiegen asked suddenly.
My expression softened.
"She has fever resting in room ," I said. "I really need to attend a meeting, but I'll be back before she wakes up."
I looked between them.
"And if you need anything, call me. I want all three of us to be okay… and happy with me."
Both of them nodded.
"Okay," they said together.
Then Kiegen tilted his head again.
"Today I'm not coming with you?"
"Nope," I replied. "You said you wanted to look around, right? Go have fun. But don't lose contact with me."
He nodded.
Kiran blinked. "Then what about Ate?"
I paused for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"Even if I asked her… I know she'd want you both to enjoy your life too."
I turned toward the door, still smiling to myself as I walked out, like nothing in the world could weigh me down today.
Clyden appeared beside me and casually threw an arm around my shoulder.
"You're looking happy," he said, half amused, half suspicious.
"Hm…" I let out a quiet breath. "I think every day is going to be like this now… with Jay as my wife."
Clyden glanced at me sideways.
"Don't smile too much," he said flatly. "You look creepy. Like a psycho."
I stopped walking for a second.
"…Why does everyone keep saying that?"
He gave me a look like the answer was obvious.
"Because in the last four years, I've never seen you smile like this. You were always grumpy, serious… borderline terrifying," he said. "Now you suddenly look like this."
I clicked my tongue softly, still smiling anyway.
"Tss..People are dramatic."
We walked toward the car together.
I adjusted my sleeves, already thinking ahead.
"I'll come to the office late today," I said. "Can you handle things for a few hours?"
Clyden raised a brow immediately.
"Where are you going?"
"It's important," I said simply. "Really important."
He studied me for a second, like trying to decide if I was going to disappear into some emotional chaos or something worse.
Then he sighed.
"Fine. But don't make me regret this."
I opened the car door, still calm.
"I won't."
And as I got inside, I couldn't stop the smile that came back again anyway—because for the first time, nothing felt heavier than happiness.
I drove straight to the shop where I had once made the ring for Jay Jay.
The same place.
The same familiar scent of metal, polish, and heat from the workshop.
The man looked up as I entered.
"Hey, young man," he greeted casually.
I smiled and nodded.
"You want… a ring?" he asked, brows slightly raised.
I nodded.
"Why? Your girlfriend didn't like it?"
A small smile touched my lips—quiet and distant.
"No… I was married because of that ring."
His hand stilled.
Slowly, I placed the fragile golden thread on the table—the one she had once twisted with her own hands.
"I want you to make me a ring," I said softly. "Using this, inlaying it."
He picked it up again, more carefully this time.
"It's… cute," he admitted. "But why this?"
For a moment, I couldn't answer.
Because how do you explain something like that?
I exhaled slowly.
"That… was my wedding ring," I said. "She made it for me. With her own hands."
My voice dropped, quieter now.
"It carries her warmth… the way her fingers moved… the way she folded it just for me."
Silence filled the room.
Not empty—
but heavy.
Real.
"And I want that," I added. "I want it to stay with me… in something that won't break."
He didn't speak after that.
Just nodded.
And we got to work.
After nearly two hours, it was finally done.
The ring.
I held it under the light, watching how the golden thread had been carefully shaped into something new—something that still carried her in it.
My fingers twitched instinctively, like they wanted to slide it on immediately.
But I stopped.
A small breath escaped me.
No.
Not yet.
My thumb brushed over the surface once more.
Jay should be the one to put it on.
That thought settled in my chest like something final… and comforting at the same time.
So I carefully tucked it away and left the shop.
The drive to the office felt different today.
Even the road seemed lighter.
When I stepped out of the car, I greeted people I passed.
"Good morning."
A nod here.
A small smile there.
Some of them actually froze mid-step.
Word travels fast in a company.
And clearly… so does shock.
Inside the building, it only got worse.
People kept turning their heads.
Whispers followed me through the hallway.
Is that the chairman?
Why is he smiling?
Did something happen?
Even I could feel it—the shift.
The ice-cold, always-serious chairman who barely acknowledged anyone properly was suddenly… smiling.
Even laughing softly under my breath at small things.
And worse—
I was praising people.
An employee nervously handed me a report, expecting criticism.
Instead, I glanced at it and said, "Good work. Keep it up."
He froze like I had spoken another language.
Mistakes came up, too.
Normally, I would've corrected them sharply, asking for improvements, details, and fixes.
But today—
I just looked at them and said, "It's fine. You did well. Just adjust this part."
That's it.
No pressure.
No cold tone.
Just… calm.
The entire atmosphere in the office started shifting with it.
Hesitation softened.
People straightened instead of flinching.
Even the air felt less tense.
And I didn't really notice it at first.
Because in my head—
There was only one thought repeating quietly.
Jay is going to put the ring on my finger.
And for some reason…
That made everything else feel easy.
Jay Jay POV
I woke up slowly… reaching out instinctively.
But he wasn't there.
My hand touched the other side of the bed—cold.
So he already left.
For work.
I sat up, blinking a little as I tried to adjust to the light. My eyes drifted to the clock.
2 PM.
"…I slept this long?" I mumbled to myself.
And then my stomach growled softly.
Right.
I hadn't eaten since last night.
I rubbed my face and got out of bed when I noticed something on the side table.
A note.
I picked it up immediately.
I will leave for work. I will be back before you wake up. If you wake up, be a good wife.
Below it—
Hubby.
And a heart.
Not just one.
A few more, drawn like he couldn't stop himself.
My lips twitched.
Then I read it again.
And again.
And suddenly—
I dropped back onto the bed, clutching the note.
"Ahhh…" I groaned, but I was smiling so hard it didn't even sound serious.
A laugh slipped out of me.
I rolled slightly on the bed, still holding it.
Finally… I got married to Kiefer.
It didn't feel real.
But it did.
Both at the same time.
I turned my hand slightly and saw the ring on my finger.
His ring.
My breath caught a little.
I stared at it like it might disappear if I blinked too hard.
But it didn't.
It stayed.
Real.
Warm.
Mine.
I covered my face for a second, unable to stop smiling.
"This guy…" I whispered to myself, still giggling.
And I just stayed there—rolling slightly on the bed, holding his note in one hand and staring at the ring on the other…
Completely unable to calm my smile.
I freshened up quickly, the warmth from the shower still clinging to my skin.
Then I stopped.
No clothes.
I stood there for a second, thinking… until my eyes landed on Kiefer's bag.
"…Perfect," I muttered.
I opened it carefully and pulled out one of his shirts.
The moment I held it up, I realized just how ridiculous this was going to look on me.
Still—
I slipped it on.
Then I grabbed his pants too.
I stared at them for a moment.
"…How are these even real? " I whispered.
They were so long that if I wore them normally, I'd probably trip and die.
"Why did he have to grow so tall?" I complained under my breath. "Ten inches is unfair."
I gave up on the pants and switched to his shorts instead.
Even those looked like full-length trousers on me.
I sighed.
"Why do I have to be short in this universe…"
I tied my messy hair into a quick bun, grabbed my phone, and stepped out.
Outside, I didn't think twice.
I took one of Kiefer's cars—because, honestly, at this point, everything he owned felt like it was also somehow mine.
And I drove.
Not to the office.
Not to anything serious.
Just… somewhere I had already searched earlier.
A bakery.
Highly rated.
Right beside a hotel.
Because suddenly, my stomach reminded me very loudly that I had basically skipped an entire day of eating.
I parked the car, glanced at the place, and took a breath.
Then stepped out—
still wearing his shirt, still drowning in his clothes, still smiling a little without even realizing it…
and walked toward the bakery like it was the most normal thing in the world.
When I saw the golden thread, I couldn't help it—I smiled instantly.
It reminded me of everything.
Of Kiefer.
Of us.
"Something good happened, ma'am?" the shop lady asked, noticing my expression.
I nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah," I said softly. "Something really good."
I held the golden thread a little closer.
"It's cute," I added under my breath, almost like I was talking to it instead of her.
But she just blinked, not really understanding.
I didn't explain.
Some things didn't need explaining.
I stepped back out toward the car, still smiling to myself.
And then—
My phone buzzed.
A message from Jare.
I opened it.
I'll permit the marriage.
For a moment, I just stood there.
Staring.
Then slowly—
A breath left me.
Relief. Happiness. Everything at once, collapsing into one feeling I couldn't even name properly.
My grip on the phone tightened slightly as I smiled again.
"…Okay," I whispered to myself.
And for a second, everything felt lighter.
Like, even the air had changed.
I got into the car, still holding onto that feeling, unable to stop the smile that just wouldn't leave my face.
I drove toward Watson Towers.
The building loomed up ahead—glass, steel, and that familiar corporate silence that always felt a little too strict for my mood today.
I walked straight into reception.
"Can I meet Kiefer?" I asked casually.
The receptionist looked up at me slowly.
Then she paused.
"…Yeah," I muttered under my breath. "I look like I just escaped from his house."
She cleared her throat, professional again.
"Miss, we can't allow entry without an appointment."
I blinked.
An appointment.
To meet my husband.
Seriously?
A small sigh escaped me, but I kept my tone calm.
"I understand," I said.
Then I leaned slightly on the counter, still very much unbothered.
"But I'm here to meet my husband."
That made her freeze for half a second.
The words hung in the air like they didn't belong in a corporate lobby.
I tilted my head a little.
"Tch… why do I need an appointment to meet my own husband?" I murmured, more to myself than her.
And I just stood there, still smiling faintly—like I had all the time in the world—waiting for the person upstairs who apparently needed permission just to see me.
"Tell him that his Mrs. Watson is here," I said calmly.
The receptionist blinked.
Then, despite herself, a small giggle slipped out.
I couldn't even blame her.
If I were in her place, I probably wouldn't have believed myself either—standing there in an oversized shirt, messy bun, and shorts that looked like they belonged to someone twice my height.
Still… I wasn't in the mood to argue.
I just waited.
A little disappointment crept in anyway, quiet but noticeable.
Then—
I saw him.
Kiefer.
Coming down the corridor while talking to someone beside him, his expression focused, professional… completely different from the version I knew.
Everything else seemed to blur around him.
"KIEFER!" I shouted.
The entire lobby seemed to pause for a split second.
I didn't care.
I just ran.
And before I could even think, he opened his arms—and I jumped straight into him, wrapping myself around him tightly.
He caught me instantly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The office froze.
Then—flash.
Phones came out.
Whispers exploded.
Pictures were taken everywhere.
And I could already feel it… rumors spreading like wildfire through the glass walls.
A woman nearby spoke in French, eyes narrowing as she looked at me.
"C'est qui elle?"
(Who is she?)
I turned my head slightly, still holding onto Kiefer.
Then I answered calmly, also in French.
"Je suis sa femme."
(I am his wife.)
That made her pause.
Then she scoffed.
"Tu mens. J'essaie depuis quatre ans. Et elle est… si ordinaire."
(You're lying. I've been trying for four years. And she is… so ordinary.)
My grip on Kiefer tightened slightly.
I tilted my head up at him immediately.
"Baby…" I said softly, almost teasing. "Do I look ordinary?"
Before I could even finish properly—
He leaned down and kissed me.
Right there.
In front of her.
In front of everyone.
When he pulled back, his voice was calm but firm.
"Elle est la plus belle fille du monde."
(She is the most beautiful girl in the world.)
My breath caught a little.
Then he added quietly, softer only for me—
And I couldn't help but ask, half surprised, half amused,
"By the way… when did you learn French?"
He glanced at me.
"…I learned it from Cole," I said quickly.
His eyes softened for a moment.
Then he kissed my forehead gently again.
And just like that, the woman turned away and left without another word.
But I was still there—
held in his arms—
smiling like I didn't even notice the entire office watching anymore.
I looked up at him, still clinging to his shirt, suddenly remembering what I had completely forgotten.
"Oh—wait." I blinked. "Jare said he'll give approval for our wedding."
My voice turned brighter again, like it fixed everything.
But Kiefer didn't look as excited.
He paused.
"…But aren't we already married?"
Silence.
My brain froze.
"…SHIT," I said instantly.
I pulled back just enough to stare at him.
"I totally forgot about that," I admitted, eyes widening. "Then what are we supposed to do now?"
Kiefer, very calm as always, just tilted his head slightly.
"Let's just say you're pregnant."
I stared at him.
"…Huh?"
My voice cracked slightly. "How can I be pregnant overnight?!"
A beat of silence passed.
Then—
"Kiefer, that's not how biology works."
He didn't even flinch.
Just looked at me like it was the most logical solution in the world.
And I could only stand there in his arms, completely stunned… wondering how he managed to stay so calm while saying something so ridiculous.
He didn't put me down.
Just held me like I weighed nothing at all, as I belonged there more than anywhere else.
Then my eyes caught something.
His hand.
No ring.
I blinked.
"Where is your ring?" I asked immediately, narrowing my eyes at him.
He didn't even look surprised.
His arms stayed secure around me, steady as ever.
Then he leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping into my ear.
"Look into my pocket, wife."
That one word again.
Wife.
My heart did that annoying little jump before I could stop it.
I shifted carefully and reached into his pocket.
And there it was.
The ring.
But not the same one.
My breath slowed as I pulled it out.
He had worked on it again.
The golden thread—my golden thread—was now carefully inlaid into platinum, blending into it as it had always belonged there.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't flashy.
But it felt… priceless.
Not because of money.
But because of us.
Because of every moment it carried.
My fingers tightened around it slightly.
"This…" I whispered, almost to myself.
It didn't matter that he was a billionaire heir.
It didn't matter what the world thought value meant.
This ring held memories.
And somehow, that made it worth more than anything else in the world.
I looked up at him, my voice softer now.
"You really make everything special."
Before I could think too much about it, I leaned in and kissed his cheek.
He didn't say anything right away.
But the way he held me a little closer told me everything I needed to know.
"I was waiting for you to put it on my finger," he said quietly.
I tilted my head at him, a small smile forming.
"Your wish is granted, hubby," I replied.
The word seemed to settle between us in a way that made everything else fade for a second.
He shifted his hold slightly—still steady, still refusing to put me down—supporting me easily with one arm like it was nothing.
I held onto him a little tighter, then carefully took the ring.
My fingers brushed his as I slid it onto his finger.
Slow. Intentional.
Like I was sealing something that had already existed long before today.
Once it was in place, I lifted his hand and pressed a soft kiss against it.
His expression changed instantly.
Subtle at first… then softer, warmer—like he forgot for a second that the entire world existed outside this moment.
Like he was melting.
Before either of us could say anything—
A clear voice cut through the atmosphere.
"I knew you both were newly married," Clyden said, stepping closer with an unimpressed look. "But can you at least start your romance somewhere that isn't the middle of the company? People are getting heartbroken just watching you two."
I blinked.
Kiefer didn't move much, still holding me.
I slowly turned my head toward Clyden.
"…Heartbroken?" I repeated.
Clyden sighed.
"Yes. Heartbroken. Some of them are reconsidering their entire life choices."
I glanced back at Kiefer.
Then, at my hand, still holding his.
"…Oops," I muttered, though I didn't look very guilty.
Kiefer, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered.
Like the entire company could suffer emotionally, and he still wouldn't let go of me.
"Kuya," I said, looking up at him.
Clyden kuya eyes immediately dropped to me—and then paused.
"Jay… what are you wearing?" he asked slowly.
I looked down at myself like it was a normal thing.
"My husband's clothes," I said simply. "I didn't have anything else."
Kiegen sighed.
"You look like you just woke up from bed."
Before I could argue, Kiefer leaned in slightly, his arm still firmly around me.
"I like it," he said calmly. Then he kissed my forehead like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "My wife is in my clothes… smelling like me."
I blinked at him.
"…That is not a normal sentence," I muttered.
Clyden, standing nearby, exhaled sharply.
"Do you two even think about Cole and Angelo?" he said, pointing between us. "Cole is going to kill you when he finds out you're married."
My expression instantly shifted.
I turned to Kiefer.
"Hubby…" I asked quietly. "What are we going to do?"
He didn't even hesitate.
"I will handle it," he said. "You don't need to worry about anything, wife."
Clyden rubbed his forehead.
"Go home," he said flatly. "Before I personally kick both of you out of the building."
Kiefer finally moved—but not in the way anyone expected.
He didn't put me down.
Not even now.
He carried me all the way out like it was completely normal.
Inside the car, he switched it to autonomous mode, and the moment we were settled—
He pulled me closer again.
Like he had no intention of letting even a few centimeters exist between us.
"Seriously?" I muttered, adjusting slightly.
He just looked at me, calm as ever.
"Yes."
And stayed exactly like that the entire drive… holding me like I was the only place he felt at peace.
But that peace didn't last.
It stuttered.
Like something cracked in the silence between heartbeats.