The Next Day — Nicole's POV
The Court Affairs Bureau was quieter than Nicole expected.
Too quiet.
The air smelled faintly of paper and disinfectant, the polished floors reflecting the overhead lights as she and Gu Sean stood side by side at the counter. Everything about the place felt sterile—like it was designed to drain emotion from moments that were supposed to matter.
And yet… her heart wouldn't slow down.
Nicole stared at the form in front of her, fingers hovering just above the pen. Her name. His name. Boxes neatly aligned, waiting to be filled in like this was any other administrative task.
Marriage license.
The word echoed in her head.
This is really happening.
She swallowed hard, her chest tightening as the weight of it finally settled in. Yesterday had been discussions, contracts, hypotheticals. But today—today made it real. Permanent in ink, not just intention.
Beside her, Gu Sean stood tall and composed, his expression unreadable. His posture was relaxed, shoulders squared, hands folded neatly in front of him. To anyone watching, he looked like a man handling routine business.
Nicole knew better.
She could feel the energy coming off him—contained, controlled, but unmistakably alive. There was something almost reverent in the way his gaze lingered on the document, like this moment meant more than he was willing to show.
The clerk cleared her throat.
"Please sign here… and here."
Nicole picked up the pen. Her hand trembled.
She hesitated just long enough to notice Gu Sean glance at her—not impatient, not pressuring. Just present.
"Take your time," he said quietly, his voice low and steady.
That helped more than she expected.
Nicole exhaled and signed.
Each stroke of her name felt heavier than the last.
When Gu Sean signed beside her, his movements were smooth, confident. No hesitation. No doubt.
The clerk stamped the paperwork with a sharp thud.
"Congratulations," she said blandly. "You're officially married."
Nicole blinked.
Married.
The word settled deep in her chest, strange and surreal.
Gu Sean inclined his head politely, thanked the clerk, and gathered the documents. When they stepped back outside, sunlight greeted them—too bright for such a quiet, internal shift.
They stood there awkwardly for a moment, neither quite sure what to say.
"So…" Nicole began, then stopped.
Gu Sean turned toward her, attentive.
"About moving in," he said smoothly, filling the silence. "I'll have a driver pick you up tomorrow morning. He'll help with transporting your things."
He pulled a card from his wallet and handed it to her.
"This is the address."
Nicole took it, her fingers brushing his briefly—electric, fleeting.
"We'll keep things… simple at first," he added. "No pressure. Separate rooms. You set the pace."
She nodded, grateful.
"Thank you," she said softly.
For the first time since leaving the building, Gu Sean allowed himself a faint smile.
⸻
Two Days Later
The last two days passed in a blur.
Ash was everywhere—packing boxes, folding clothes, reminiscing, crying, laughing, and then crying again. They stayed up too late, ordered too much takeout, and talked about everything and nothing.
On the morning of Nicole's move, the apartment felt too quiet.
Ash hugged her tightly, tears streaming freely.
"I don't know why we're crying like this is the end of the world," Nicole said, laughing weakly as she wiped her cheeks.
Ash sniffed.
"I know," she said. "But it feels like one chapter ending and another starting."
She pulled back, hands gripping Nicole's shoulders.
"I'll come over tomorrow to help you settle in," Ash added firmly.
"And you better go prove your dad and your brother wrong."
Nicole smiled, emotion swelling in her throat.
Ash leaned in closer, lowering her voice.
"And don't forget your sleep meds," she whispered.
"No nightmares. Not tonight."
Nicole stiffened slightly.
The accident always lurked at the edges of her mind—the cold water, the panic, the darkness. And then… the silhouette. Strong arms. A steady presence that had carried her, stayed with her until help arrived.
She still didn't know who he was.
She still wished she could thank him.
"I've got it," Nicole said gently, nodding.
With one last look around the apartment—the place that had held her during heartbreak and healing—Nicole picked up her bag and stepped outside.
As the car pulled away, optimism bloomed quietly in her chest.
A new life, she thought.
And maybe… answers.
She didn't know it yet, but the man who had once pulled her from the water was already waiting to welcome her home.