Chapter 59

Beth could still feel the echo of Changbin's laugh in her chest as they stepped into the hallway, the warmth of his hand steady at the small of her back. Her cheeks were slightly flushed—partly from the wine they'd shared while getting ready, but mostly from the way he kept stealing glances at her like he still couldn't quite believe this was real. She knew the feeling. Every time their eyes met, it sparked something quiet and giddy in her ribs, like the world was finally beginning to make space for happiness again.

They didn't even need the elevator. Just a short walk down the hall, around the corner. The familiarity of it—the ease of heading over to Alex and Chan's apartment like it was nothing—made everything feel more grounded. More real.

The moment Alex opened the door, Beth was hit with the warm scent of something garlicky and rich wafting from the kitchen, layered over the soundtrack of laughter and muffled music. But more than anything, it was Alex's face—lit up with that signature brand of chaos and affection—that made Beth smile.

"Oh my god, finally!" Alex exclaimed, voice already loud enough to echo into the hallway. "You two took your sweet time."

Beth rolled her eyes, grinning as she stepped inside. "You've seen me, like, every day this week."

"Doesn't count," Alex shot back, eyes flicking down to where Changbin's arm still rested casually around Beth's waist. "You weren't walking around like this before."

Changbin gave a sheepish little chuckle, squeezing Beth gently as if to say she's not wrong. Beth glanced up at him, then back at her best friend, the smile on her lips blooming into something wider. Brighter.

"Alright, yes," she said, slipping her hand over Changbin's where it rested at her hip. "We're officially... official. Happy?"

Alex practically squealed, throwing her arms up in the air before grabbing Beth by the wrist and tugging her the rest of the way inside. "Ecstatic. You're glowing like you just got laid."

Beth snorted, trying not to choke on her laugh. "Jesus, Alex."

"What? Am I wrong?"

Beth didn't answer, just shook her head with a look that was all mock scolding and lingering amusement. But truth be told... Alex wasn't wrong. Her skin felt warmer lately. Her chest felt lighter. And Changbin's hand, even now, still resting at the curve of her waist, made everything feel a little more certain.

Chan appeared around the corner with a grin, towel slung over one shoulder. "Look who finally showed up," he teased, giving Changbin a nod. "Thought we were gonna have to send a search party."

Changbin laughed, that low, melodic sound Beth had grown addicted to. "Had to stop and admire her the whole way here. You know how it is."

Beth swatted at him playfully. "Oh my god, stop."

Chan grinned. "No, please continue. This is very entertaining."

Beth turned to Alex, groaning good-naturedly. "This is what I get for dating someone who likes to flirt in public."

Alex smirked. "This is what you get for waiting this long to admit it."

Before Beth could respond, a familiar clatter echoed behind them, followed by her brother's voice—loud, unbothered, and just a little smug.

"The good stuff has arrived!"

Beth turned to see Elliot striding in like he owned the place, a case of beer in one hand and a crooked grin on his face. Felix followed close behind with a bottle of soju, already shaking it like a bartender in a club.

"We brought party fuel," Felix announced cheerfully, then spotted Beth and Changbin and raised his brows. "Ooooh. Look who's joined the cute couple club."

Beth groaned again, this time with more affection than embarrassment. She glanced at Changbin, who looked like he was trying to decide between blushing and smirking—and failing at hiding either.

She slipped her hand into his fully now, lacing their fingers together. "We're not that cute."

Alex snorted from the kitchen. "Beth. You literally glow now."

Beth didn't argue. Because maybe she did. Maybe she felt a little brighter now. A little braver. And maybe it wasn't just about the soft looks Changbin kept giving her or the way his hand kept returning to hers like muscle memory.

Beth perched on the arm of the couch, a half-full glass of wine in her hand and Changbin's knee pressed firmly against hers where he sat beside her. The apartment had filled up fast—voices layering over music, jackets thrown over chairs, the telltale clink of bottles being set down on the kitchen counter. The air buzzed with the kind of easy warmth that only came from people who knew how to be around each other.

Across the room, Alex was already caught in the crossfire of whatever chaos Felix had just ignited.

"Oh, boy..." Alex sighed dramatically, though her grin betrayed her amusement. She wiped her hands on a dish towel still slung over her shoulder. "Malik and the others are bringing the drinks too, right?"

Felix, standing by the kitchen island with a bottle of soju like he was about to officiate a ceremony, gave an eager nod. "You bet. We're not short on alcohol tonight." He winked as if they needed the reminder.

Beth smiled behind her glass, watching the familiar rhythm of her best friend fall into motion—commanding a kitchen with the confidence of someone who'd survived too much to waste time pretending. Alex wasn't just hosting. She was holding court.

The front door opened again and in came Mac and Kendra, shedding coats and laughter like they were stepping into a second home. Kendra's smile was bright, immediately making her way over to greet everyone with that warm, open energy Beth had always admired.

Mac followed with his usual calm swagger, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he spotted Alex and Chan. "Got everything ready, huh?" he said with a knowing grin. "And I'm assuming your dance party is officially over?"

Beth's lips curled as she took a sip. She could see the flash of mischief in Alex's eyes before her friend even opened her mouth.

"We were cooking," Alex said, gesturing toward Chan, "singing, dancing—it was a whole production."

Kendra laughed lightly. "I'm sure it was."

Beth glanced at Changbin, nudging him gently with her knee. "Bet you ten bucks they did at least one 'High School Musical' number."

He chuckled low under his breath. "Honestly? I'd be disappointed if they didn't."

More people filtered in—Hyunjin, all loose limbs and practiced indifference; Lee Know with his sharp eyes and dry wit; Seungmin trailing behind them with his quiet smile and a half-empty bag of snacks. With each new arrival, the room shifted and swelled, alive with overlapping voices and the occasional burst of laughter from the kitchen.

Chan's voice cut through the chatter a moment later, unmistakably cheerful. "You know what time it is." He held up a small glass with a flourish. "Soju bombs, baby!"

Beth watched him slide up beside Alex, his movements easy and unhurried. He handed her the first glass with a sly grin.

Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly catching on. "I'm not supposed to be drinking, remember?"

"I know," Chan said, that teasing warmth threading through every syllable. "I've got you covered. It's tea, baby."

Beth's heart tugged a little at that—at the way he looked at Alex like there was no one else in the room. There was something reverent in it, even when they were joking. It made her stomach flip in a way she wasn't expecting.

Alex narrowed her eyes playfully, inspecting the clear liquid. "I don't know if I should be offended or impressed."

Malik chose that exact moment to walk in, catching the tail end of their exchange. He raised a brow, already heading toward the counter. "Wait, that's not soju?"

"Not this time," Chan replied easily, lifting his glass. "Alex can't drink while she's on blood thinners. After the injury... it's not worth the risk."

Beth's wine paused halfway to her lips. She knew the story, of course. She'd been in the story. But even now, hearing it come out of Chan's mouth in such a casual, protective tone made something in her chest ache.

Malik blinked. "Blood thinners? I didn't know it was that serious."

Alex offered a gentle smile, but Beth didn't miss the way her fingers curled slightly on the counter's edge. "Yeah," she said quietly. "DVT in my left leg led to a pulmonary embolism. Almost killed me. And I had compartment syndrome in the same leg. I'm lucky to be standing. Lucky to have it at all, honestly."

The words hung heavy for a beat.

Paloma, standing behind Malik, had gone still. Her gaze lingered on Alex with something deeper than concern—understanding, maybe, or guilt at not knowing sooner.

Beth felt her throat tighten. She wanted to cross the room and wrap her arms around her best friend. Wanted to remind everyone how strong Alex was—how fiercely she'd clawed her way back to standing, day after day, pain after pain.

But she also knew this wasn't her moment to speak.

It was Alex's.

And she was holding it just fine.

Malik's face softened. "Damn," he said quietly. "I had no idea it got that bad. I'm really glad you're okay."

Beth caught the way Chan's hand hovered near Alex's, not quite touching, but close enough. Always close enough.

Alex nodded. "Yeah. Me too."

And just like that, the moment shifted. Not gone—but folded into the warmth of the room. Beth glanced around, her eyes landing briefly on Changbin again. He was already watching her, his gaze soft, knowing.

She reached for his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

They all had their ghosts.

Beth leaned against the wall near the kitchen, her wine glass resting loosely in her fingers as she watched the energy in the room start to shift—soft edges hardening with music, laughter rising like steam. Her eyes settled on Alex, who was speaking quietly but clearly, her voice somehow steady and light all at once.

"I'm still getting used to it," Alex said, offering a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes—but it was still genuine. "But it's just something I have to manage now. No big deal. I'm just happy to be here, with all of you."

Beth's chest ached a little. Because she remembered. Not just the hospital stay, or the too-pale skin and whispered prognosis, but the nights afterward. The slow recovery. The endless blood draws. The tightness in Alex's voice when she talked about her leg, her body, like it was something she no longer recognized.

Paloma stepped closer, her tone soft with warmth. "You're a trooper, Alex. I'm just glad we get to be here to see you doing well."

Beth caught the way Alex's shoulders lifted slightly, like she wasn't used to the praise, like part of her still didn't know how to receive it.

"I second that," Malik added. His usual smirk was gone—replaced with something more grounded, almost reverent. "I wasn't there when it happened, but I've heard the stories. You're a tough one, Alex."

Alex let out a breathy laugh. "I think this one would've brought me back to kill me himself if I'd kicked the bucket."

Beth's gaze flicked to Chan, whose arm slid smoothly around Alex's waist like it belonged there. Like it always belonged there.

"I would've, honestly," he said, his voice thick with affection. "But luckily, I didn't have to. You're here, you're kicking ass, and we're about to have a great night with our friends."

Alex's hand found his, fingers twining with familiarity. Beth felt the warmth rise up her throat like a tide—not jealousy, not exactly. Just... awe. Maybe even relief. Watching her best friend stand in the center of this life she'd almost lost, surrounded by people who loved her, tethered to someone who looked at her like she hung the moon.

God, she deserved this. Every second of it.

The room buzzed around them. Someone cracked open another beer. Laughter swelled near the couches. Hana, from her perch in the kitchen, was already offering plates of finger food like the earth would stop spinning if someone didn't try her mini gimbap rolls.

Beth's eyes drifted toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, where the lights of Seoul glimmered like fireflies caught in glass. Everything felt golden for a moment—safe, suspended.

Then the front door burst open again.

Lee Know and Hyunjin came barreling in like a storm, arms full of something heavy and suspicious. Beth tilted her head just as Lee Know set the massive karaoke speaker down with a theatrical thud.

"Guess what we brought?" he asked, that devilish glint already in his eye.

Alex groaned playfully, still sipping her iced tea. "Oh no."

Beth laughed into her wine. "Oh yes," she muttered, already knowing where this was going.

Hyunjin was practically vibrating with excitement, fingers flying over the buttons like he was defusing a bomb. "We're not just bringing the karaoke machine," he declared. "We're bringing chaos. Prepare yourselves."

A round of excited cheers broke out, and the furniture started shifting like it had a mind of its own. Bottles were tucked safely onto the counter. Pillows tossed onto the floor. The lights dimmed just a little. The penthouse—clean lines, polished finishes—morphed into something looser. Warmer. Like a living, breathing party.

And then the opening beat of Connected shook the windows.

Beth's heart skipped.

She saw the way Chan's head snapped up, grin spreading across his face like he was sixteen again. "Oh, we're definitely doing this one."

Alex met his gaze and something electric passed between them. That look. That spark. Beth had seen it a thousand times before—but tonight, it felt different. Charged. Heavy with history and promise and everything in between.

"I thought you'd never ask," Alex teased, already moving toward him.

Chan handed her a mic and Beth had to smile. They didn't even need to cue each other—they just knew. Their energy synced like muscle memory, like oxygen, like home.

Beth leaned into Changbin's side and let the scene wash over her. Her best friend was alive. Happy. Whole. And whatever fears still flickered beneath the surface—about blood thinners, about loss, about what it meant to survive—they could wait.

Beth didn't realize she was swaying until Changbin's arm curled more firmly around her waist. The music thudded through the floor like a second heartbeat, but her focus stayed locked on Alex and Chan, standing beneath the golden pendant lights with microphones in hand—two halves of a whole that had nearly broken apart last winter.

She watched as Chan counted in with his fingers, then Alex jumped in right on beat, her voice wrapping around the familiar lyrics like silk. There was no stage, no spotlight, no grand performance. Just them—playful and in sync, grinning like fools through every word. It was stupidly romantic. It was them.

"God, they're disgusting," Beth muttered without heat, leaning into Changbin's side.

He laughed against her hair. "I love it."

"Me too," she admitted quietly, smiling despite herself. "I used to think Alex would never let herself have this. Not really."

"Think she's letting herself now?"

Beth glanced toward the kitchen, where Hana had paused with a tray of food, watching the pair on their makeshift karaoke stage with the same soft awe Beth felt blooming in her chest.

"Yeah," she said. "She is."

The chorus kicked in, loud and a little off-key, and Alex spun dramatically into Chan, who dipped her like a musical theater prince and kissed her forehead before helping her up with a laugh. The whole room erupted into cheers and laughter—Felix whooping from the floor, Seungmin hiding behind a pillow like secondhand embarrassment might kill him, Hyunjin trying to steal the second mic while Lee Know held him back by the collar.

It was chaos, pure and simple. But the good kind. The kind Beth hadn't let herself believe she could be part of again.

She caught Alex's eye across the room as the song faded out. There was a moment—brief but bright—where everything else disappeared. No kids, no court threats, no bad memories or uncertain futures. Just two women who had survived a lot more than they should've and still showed up anyway.

Alex grinned and mouthed, You good?

Beth nodded. Her throat tightened. But she smiled, wide and honest.

She was good.

Really, really good.