TANTIANA UNIVERSITY | SCARLET LIGHTS

CHAPTER 30: A PROMISE

The night felt like a miracle to the pair—something both surreal and grounding. Fireflies danced in the cool evening air, their glow like tiny stars caught in a moment of suspended time, guiding them through their shared dreams. Their arms were wrapped around each other, a silent promise of safety and solace in a world that had once felt too large, too unpredictable. After so many apologies, so many dark storms of the past, the soulmates had finally found each other. They had found a path, a sense of peace, and above all—each other.

Donghyuck woke up first, his body clock a little off from the usual routine, but this time, instead of cursing it, he smiled. It was the first sign of luck he had ever wished for—because it allowed him a precious moment to look at the woman lying beside him. The most beautiful gift he'd ever received.

His heart swelled, thinking of her as his. His—it was a word that held weight. It was a kind of ownership no one else could ever take away. There was no feeling comparable to this—no material possession that could surpass the warmth of knowing she was his. Gayoon was his, and that thought made his heart flutter in ways he couldn't even explain.

In this quiet moment, staring at her peaceful form, Donghyuck realized that words could never fully capture what he was feeling. But there was one thing he knew for certain—he was happy. His lips were pulled into a smile that never seemed to fade, even as time passed and the sunlight began to creep into the room.

As the sound of his alarm buzzed, signaling the start of the day, Donghyuck resisted the urge to hit snooze. He quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her slumber. He leaned over, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead before making his way toward the bedside table to silence the alarm.

Today, he would let her rest. She deserved it. He'd let Gayoon sleep a little longer while he prepared breakfast for them both.

Donghyuck stifled a chuckle as he imagined how tired she must be after their first night together. It had been... intense, to say the least.

His face flushed at the thought, and he muttered under his breath, "Calm your libido, Lee Donghyuck..."

With that, he quietly left the room, moving toward the kitchen. He stretched, letting out a lazy yawn, but as he neared the hallway, his senses heightened when he heard faint voices in the distance. His brow furrowed as he followed the sounds, his mind racing. He froze in his tracks when he saw not only Yizhuo standing in the living room but his mother as well. His mother is here—and to his surprise, Gayoon was there too!

"Oh, oppa's awake," Yizhuo's voice called out, making him pause before he could retreat back to his room.

Donghyuck turned to face them, offering a forced smile and a half-hearted wave toward his mom.

"Mom, you're—"

Before he could finish his sentence, his mom cut him off, "What does Gayoon like for breakfast?" Her tone was no-nonsense, and she wasn't about to waste time with pleasantries.

Donghyuck blinked, stunned for a moment before shaking his head in disbelief. "What?"

"Breakfast, son. Do you plan on letting her leave without eating?" she insisted, crossing her arms as she stood in the living room.

Donghyuck's shoulders slumped in resignation. His gaze met Yizhuo's, who was now stifling a laugh. She winked at him, clearly enjoying his discomfort.