EPILOGUE

June.

The warmth of summer stretched across the sky, golden light filtering through the sheer curtains of the penthouse. The windows were cracked open, letting in the distant hum of the city and the gentle rustling of the trees.

Laughter rang through the living room—soft, warm, full of life.

Six months ago, everything had been uncertain.

Six months ago, Alex had nearly died.

Six months ago, their daughter had come into the world too soon, too fragile, too small.

But now—

Now, she was thriving.

Alex stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, her arms folded across her chest as she watched Chan lying on the floor, their daughter crawling clumsily across his chest.

Aurora Jia Bang had fought for every breath in the beginning. She had spent weeks in the NICU, too tiny, too delicate, hooked up to machines that monitored her every heartbeat, every inhale. Alex had counted every ounce gained, every milestone met with a breath of relief and overwhelming pride.

And now?

Now she was unstoppable.

"Come on, baby girl," Chan cooed, grinning as Aurora grabbed onto his shirt with her tiny fingers, her dark curls bouncing with every movement. "You can do it—climb Daddy like a mountain!"

Alex rolled her eyes, but her smile never faded. "She's not a mountain climber, babe."

Chan looked up at her, brown eyes twinkling with mischief. "Give her time."

Aurora let out a high-pitched giggle, babbling nonsense as she pulled herself up onto Chan's chest, her little legs wobbly but determined.

Alex's heart clenched.

Her baby. Their baby.

She was healthy. Strong. Happy.

Alex had dreamed of this—a life where fear didn't sit in the corner, waiting to take something from her.

A life where she could wake up every morning without wondering if she would survive the day.

A life where she could just be.

And she had it now.

Chan suddenly grabbed Aurora, flipping her onto his lap as she shrieked with laughter. He peppered kisses all over her chubby cheeks, making her squeal and kick.

"Who's the most beautiful girl in the world?" Chan asked dramatically.

Aurora gurgled, smacking his face with both hands.

Chan gasped. "You wound me!"

Alex snorted, walking over to the couch and sitting down, her body still instinctively aware of itself in ways it hadn't been before.

She had worked so damn hard to get back here.

Six months of recovery. Six months of rebuilding herself—body and mind.

She had pushed through the pain, through the stiffness, through the weakness that had once made her feel like a stranger in her own body.

And now?

Now, she was strong again.

Maybe even stronger than before.

She was back at her peak. Her endurance, her speed, her strength—she had reclaimed it all.

But more than that—she had found something else. Peace.

Her body no longer felt like a battlefield.

It felt like home.

And for the first time in so long, she didn't feel like she had to fight just to exist.

Chan suddenly turned to look at her, one arm wrapped around Aurora as she gnawed on his sleeve.

His eyes softened.

"Happy birthday, baby," he murmured.

Alex blinked. Oh. Right.

Her birthday.

It used to be just another day.

A reminder of everything she had lost.

But now?

Now, it was something more.

Now, it was Aurora giggling against Chan's chest.

Now, it was the love of her life looking at her like she was the most incredible thing in the universe.

Now, it was a reason to celebrate, not just survive.

Alex exhaled, her lips curling into a small smile. "I almost forgot."

Chan let out a soft laugh. "I figured you might."

Aurora suddenly squealed, as if reminding them that the world still revolved around her, and Chan grinned, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Since it's your birthday," he said, tilting his head, "does that mean I can finally give you your present?"

Alex narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "What did you do?"

Chan smirked.

Before Chan could answer, a voice floated from the hallway.

"Not so fast."

Alex turned just as Hyunjin stepped out of the bedroom, a small, neatly wrapped box in his hands. His hair was slightly tousled, his linen shirt unbuttoned at the collar, and there was that lazy, knowing smirk playing on his lips—the one that always made her feel like he was up to something.

She arched a brow. "What's this?"

Hyunjin sauntered over, the soft pads of his bare feet making little sound against the hardwood floor. He didn't answer right away. Instead, he sank onto the couch beside her, his knee brushing against hers.

He held out the gift.

"For you," he said, voice quieter now, but no less full of warmth.

Alex hesitated, staring at the box, then up at Hyunjin's gaze—soft, deep, and knowing.

She took it carefully, fingers running over the smooth wrapping paper. It wasn't anything extravagant—Hyunjin never needed flash to make something meaningful.

Chan shifted beside them, adjusting Aurora in his lap as she babbled, completely oblivious to the moment unfolding between the adults. But there was something in Chan's expression too—a quiet patience, a shared understanding.

Alex swallowed, carefully peeling the paper away.

Inside was a small black velvet box.

Her breath caught as she lifted the lid.

Nestled inside was a delicate silver bracelet, simple but elegant. The charm hanging from the center was a small, intricately carved pendant—a crescent moon and a sun intertwined.

Her throat tightened.

She knew what it meant.

The moon for Hyunjin. The sun for Chan.

The two people who had held her together in every way that mattered.

Hyunjin's voice was softer now. "I wanted you to have something to remind you that no matter what happens—we're always with you."

Alex blinked rapidly, her fingers grazing over the charm.

Six months ago, she had nearly died.Six months ago, she had almost lost everything.But she had survived.

And not alone.

Chan leaned in, resting his chin on her shoulder as he looked at the bracelet, his breath warm against her skin. "It suits you," he murmured.

Alex let out a shaky laugh, tears threatening but never falling.

She turned to Hyunjin, her chest aching in the best way. "This is..." She exhaled, shaking her head. "You always know exactly what to do to make me cry, don't you?"

Hyunjin chuckled, eyes glinting. "It's a gift. You're welcome."

She rolled her eyes but smiled, slipping the bracelet onto her wrist. It fit perfectly.

Chan pressed a kiss to her shoulder, his arm curling around her waist. "Do you like it?"

Alex turned to him, to both of them, her heart so full it nearly hurt.

"I love it," she whispered.

And she meant it.

She meant all of it.

She loved Hyunjin and the way he always knew exactly what she needed before she even said a word.She loved Chan and the way his touch, his presence, made her feel safe in a way she never thought she could be.She loved this moment.

She loved this life.

Chan pressed a lingering kiss to her temple, a silent 'I love you' in the way his lips lingered against her skin.

Hyunjin reached for her hand, fingers brushing over the bracelet one last time before he laced them together. "Happy birthday, baby girl."