FINAL CHAPTER

All Zhan wanted was to be in Yibo's arms. Flashbacks of his vivid dream ran through his mind. As he gazed into his eyes, he saw their children. The family they'd created was beautiful, but it wasn't real. Zhan's heart wrenched missing Ling Xi and Junior.

"Then when I saw you at the restaurant,"

Yibo continued,

"I had flashbacks too."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You did?"

"Why wouldn't I?" He sprung to his feet and paced the hardwood floor.

Zhan swallowed hard.

Yibo proceeded. His tone wasn't as intense.

"When I saw you, I thought... why didn't I fight harder to convince that guy to marry me? I wasn't going force you to be with me. I didn't want you resenting me later."

He reassured him,

"I wouldn't have. I know that now," Zhan reassured him.

Yibo still didn't look convinced.

"Do you?" he asked sharply.

His eyes narrowed at him. He jumped to his feet.

"Why are you snapping at me?"

He argued.

"I have every right to snap at you, Zhan! Do you realize how much you hurt me?"

"I know! How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?" Zhan shouted.

"Until I believe you!" Yibo exclaimed.

"If you came here just to make me feel worse than I already do, then why don't you just—"

Yibo covered his lips with his. He wanted to push him away. His own anger boiled, but he welcomed the kiss instead.

Zhan nearly melted in his arms but managed to stay on his feet. Yibo seemed to release all his frustration through their kiss. He heard so much in their silence.

His arms encircled his waist as he hugged his neck.

Then he picked him off the floor. His feet crossed on his body as his lips pressed to his. As his heart fluttered in his chest, Yibo broke the kiss and set him back on his feet. He leaned in and pressed his forehead against his. Zhan gasped for air only to hear him chuckle.

"What about your wife?" he breathed.

He couldn't believe himself. He didn't plan to kiss him, but he caught him off guard.

He was lost in his touch.

What am I doing?

"Zhan... I'm not married," Yibo corrected him.

His eyes widened as he stepped away from him.

"I don't believe you."

Yibo showed his his left hand. He wasn't wearing a ring. I didn't even notice.

"I didn't marry her," Yibo stated.

Zhan  remained in disbelief. He reminded him,

"I thought you said you loved her."

"Do I have to spell it out for you?"

Yibo commented.

His smile gave him away. He then shook his head, put his hand in his pocket, and pulled out a piece of paper.

"As it turns out, I'm still in love with my old lover." His smile grew.

"I forgot I wrote you this letter. After reading it... I knew I couldn't go through with the wedding," he explained.

Zhan returned to his couch. His thoughts raced.

Yibo sat beside him.

"How did she take the news?" hewondered.

He hated being responsible for their break-up.

"She was feeling pressured by her parents to settle down. She wasn't ready to get married. She wanted to call it off anyway and focus on her career at her father'scompany," Yibo shared with him.

"I'm sorry."

"I understood. In a way, it reminded me of you. She didn't want to lose her dream trying to please her family. It was us all over again, and I didn't want to repeatpast mistakes. Her decision to call if off only confirmed the feelings I still have for you."

Zhan's gut wrenched with guilt. He wanted to be happy that Yibo was here with him, but hated the way everything unfolded.

"I want to ask what about us but —"

"What about us?" Yibo smiled.

He playfully hit his arm. He laughed.

"WANG YIBO!" Zhan squealed.

He replied,

"I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I know what I want. I've known for a long time. I want you, Zhan. I should've found you sooner."

"I'm so sorry, Yibo," Zhan apologized, "maybe if I—"

"Zhan we're past that okay," he said.

"What we need to decide, is can we build something from here. Sure we're different people now, but this," he gestured between them,

"is still here."

"I'd like to try."

He agreed,

"Me too."

She asked.

"Can you forgive me, Mr. Wang Yibo?"

"I already have Zhan," he replied, sincerity evident in his voice.

Zhan pressed his forehead againsthis.

"I love you."

"I love you too," he responded.

He kissed him again.

"Is it too late to say Happy New Year?" He mumbled in between his kisses.

Yibo chuckled.

"No, Happy New Year."

Zhan cupped his face and kissed him once more, never wanting the moment to end.