The kiss was deep, forceful, and terrifyingly passionate. Antonio quickly pulled his head back, panting. He stared at Trist's manipulative, intense gaze.
"What happened? Aren't you happy to kiss me?" Trist Tan asked, his voice low and unsettling.
Antonio's mind raced. My Ryan is dead, but my heart is still searching for him. Trist Tan is my husband, and he believed Antonio loved him. What if he finds out my heart isn't truly his?
No, no. I have to forget Ryan. I have to move on.
A new, desperate resolve brightened Antonio's eyes. He grabbed Trist Tan's waist tightly and kissed him even more deeply, determined to drown out the memory of his ex.
Meanwhile, inside Trist's eyes, Ryan Star was thoroughly enjoying the sensation of kissing his former lover while inhabiting the body of his rival.
The restroom door suddenly slammed open.
"Antonio, are you done? Mr. Trist Tan hasn't been found! His mother is worried—we have to keep searching!" Lilly Cury urged from the doorway.
The abrupt noise shattered the moment. Antonio steadied himself, his fingers gripping Trist's hand. He opened the door, pulling Trist out.
"My husband is right here," Antonio stated flatly.
"Oh, Mr. Trist Tan! Your parents are so worried! What were you doing? Come fast, both of you!" Lilly Cury ushered them back toward the party hall.
"Oh, son! What happened to you? Where did you go?!" Rosy and Stone rushed their son, frantic with worry.
Trist was silent, his expression strangely hard—almost violent.
"Dear Tan, before you go somewhere, you should at least inform your parents," Sabastian interjected smoothly. "Instead of them, I was also so worried."
Trist's mysterious, stiff behavior alarmed Rosy. "Ah, can I take my son away for a moment?" Rosy asked Antonio.
"But Trist is just here! Let the newlywed couple talk for media and others!" Daisy protested, smiling.
"Mom!" Antonio controlled his mother. "Aunt and Uncle, please take him. Come back as soon as you all can."
As the in-laws led Trist away, Sabastian tried to speak. "Anto—"
"Dad, I know he's my husband, and I am trying to move on," Antonio interrupted. "We have to respect my in-laws, whatever they ask."
Daisy's eyes filled with tears. "Are you really agreeing from your heart now?"
"Mom, you should first sit down. Don't worry. No matter what, Trist Tan is my husband, and I will take care of him." Antonio helped his mother to a seat, thinking privately: Even if I don't truly love him, he is my husband. I have to move on.
Inside the quiet room, Rosy forcefully shoved Trist onto the bed.
"Rosy, what are you doing?!" Stone demanded.
"He's not my son! He's not my Tan, Stone!" Rosy hissed, trembling.
Stone's eyes widened in horror.
Suddenly, a creeping, loud laugh erupted from Trist. His face went white, his skin looking bruised and spectral—the chilling visage of a ghost possessing a body.
"Ahhh! Did you find out I'm not your son, old lady?" Trist cackled wildly.
Stone was traumatized. Rosy, however, roared, "Hey! Who are you, bitch?! Are you a friend of my family or Tan's? Tell me, wicked devil!"
"Ahhhhhh! Trist laughed, his voice breaking into static. "F-f-fuck you, old lady! I'm more than close! I'm more than close to his heart! I can't leave him! Do whatever you want, old lady! AHHHHH!"
"Stone! Hold your son tightly! Hold this powerless devil!" Rosy commanded.
Stone grabbed his son from behind. "Ahhh! Leave me, you f-fucking old guy! How dare you! Otherwise, I would smash your head on the floor now!" Ryan/Trist struggled violently.
Rosy reached into her bag. She pulled out a thick Bible, opened it, and touched its cover to her son's chest.
"AHHHHHHHHH! NO! NO! DON'T KILL ME! DON'T KILL ME!"
Ryan screamed. In a burst of chilling air, the ghost was ejected from Trist Tan's body and flew out, shattering the glass of the window.
Rosy watched, breathless, as her normal son reappeared. Stone released him, holding him gently.
"Mom… Dad! Hel—help me!" Trist Tan cried before collapsing, unconscious.
Stone carefully lifted his son onto the bed. Rosy rushed with a towel, spraying water on Trist's face.
"Are you alright, dear?" Rosy asked.
"Mom! Mom!" Trist woke up, instantly hugging Rosy and sobbing hysterically. "I'm sorry! I… I didn't put the Christian cross necklace on my pocket! I'm so afraid! Now"
"Oh, baby, it's okay! It's okay! See, you're normal now. Nothing is going to happen as long as your mom and dad are with you," Rosy reassured him.
"Where is the necklace?" Stone demanded, his eyes hard.
"It's in the cupboard," Tan whispered.
Stone retrieved the broken necklace, tightly securing the patched chain. "See? Tomorrow we are going to church. Until that time, you must wear this! Even tonight. If Antonio asks, just distract him, but no matter what, you are not going to take this off!" Stone warned, fastening the necklace around Trist's neck.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Daisy Cir stood in the doorway.
She stepped inside. "Oh, what happened, dear? You look so tired. Look at your hair!" Daisy said, seeing the messy Trist.
"Ah, actually, he's just… tired," Rosy defended quickly.
Daisy laughed, her voice teasing. "Oh, tired? Then how will you manage this night? Today is your first night with your husband! As per our culture, you should both sleep together, talk about your life, and then… something, something…"
Rosy and Stone forced thin, worried laughs, exchanging panicked glances at the fragile state of their son.