Résonance: a LingOrm's Story

Chapter 44: The War is Over

The courtroom was packed, the air thick with tension as everyone waited for the judge to deliver the final verdict. Months of endless preparation, sleepless nights, and relentless pressure had brought them to this moment. Ling sat next to Orm, holding her hand tightly, their fingers intertwined as a source of mutual comfort and strength. This was the moment they had both been waiting for—the culmination of a long, hard-fought battle.

The sound of the judge's voice cut through the silence, commanding attention from everyone present.

"After reviewing the evidence, it is the court's decision that the defendants are guilty of all charges. The plaintiffs, Miss Orm Sethratanapong and Miss Ling Ling Kwong, are awarded full damages, including punitive compensation for emotional distress."

The words hit Ling like a wave, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to process what she had just heard. They had won. Not only had the culprits behind Orm's bullying been found guilty, but the court had also recognized the gravity of their suffering. A substantial settlement had been ordered, ensuring that justice would not only be served legally, but financially as well.

Orm's grip tightened around Ling's hand, her face etched with disbelief. "We did it..." Orm whispered, her voice trembling.

Ling turned to her, eyes gleaming with tears. "We did it, Orm," she repeated, as if saying it aloud made it more real. She leaned in and kissed Orm on the forehead, a gesture of love and solidarity. For so long, their lives had been dominated by this fight, but now, finally, they could move forward.

The judge's gavel came down with a resounding crack, signaling the end of the case. It was over.

As they exited the courthouse, the realization of their victory began to sink in. The media was buzzing outside, waiting for statements, but Ling had arranged for their legal team to handle the press. She and Orm had done their part, and now it was time to rest. After months of sleepless nights, running a business, and taking on the role of a personal caretaker for Orm, Ling felt the weight of everything finally begin to lift. But with that relief came a sudden, overwhelming exhaustion.

Her vision blurred as they stepped into the bright daylight. The adrenaline that had kept her going for so long was rapidly wearing off, and her legs felt like they were about to give out.

"P'Ling? Are you okay?" Orm's voice was filled with concern as she noticed Ling's unsteady movements.

But before Ling could respond, her body betrayed her. She staggered, her knees buckling beneath her as the world around her spun. Orm cried out in alarm as Ling collapsed, her body crumpling to the ground.

Panic surged through Orm as she dropped to her knees beside Ling. "P'Ling! P'Ling, wake up!" She shook her gently, her hands trembling.

Security and bystanders rushed to their aid, and within moments, an ambulance had been called. Orm's heart pounded in her chest as the paramedics arrived and lifted Ling onto a stretcher. The world seemed to move in slow motion as she followed them into the ambulance, refusing to leave Ling's side.

At the hospital, the doctors quickly diagnosed Ling with extreme exhaustion, attributing her collapse to the stress she had been under for months. Though her condition wasn't life-threatening, they emphasized the need for her to rest and recover fully before returning to her usual pace of life.

By the time Ling's father, Mr. Kwong, arrived from Hong Kong, Ling was stable but still unconscious. He had flown in as soon as he received the news, having just finished settling matters back home for both their family and business. His expression was a mixture of relief and concern as he entered her hospital room, where Orm was sitting by her bedside.

"How is she?" he asked softly, his eyes never leaving his daughter.

"The doctors said she'll be fine," Orm replied, though her voice was shaky. "She just... she's been through so much."

Mr. Kwong nodded, his face softening as he placed a gentle hand on Orm's shoulder. "You've both been through a lot," he said. "But now, it's time for her to rest."

Ling woke up the next morning to the sound of soft conversation. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she was met with the sight of her father sitting by her bedside, his hand gently brushing the hair from her face. Orm was on the other side, her eyes red from crying but full of relief when she saw Ling stir.

"Ling, sweetheart, welcome back," Mr. Kwong said, his voice filled with affection.

Orm leaned in, her hand finding Ling's once more. "You scared me," she whispered, trying to smile through her tears.

"I scared myself," Ling murmured, her voice hoarse. She tried to sit up but immediately felt a wave of dizziness. "What happened?"

"You collapsed," Orm explained softly, brushing a tear from her cheek. "Your body couldn't take the stress anymore."

Mr. Kwong sighed, his expression a mixture of fatherly love and worry. "You've been pushing yourself too hard, darling. You need to rest. Let the world wait for a while."

Ling looked between her father and Orm, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. They had been by her side through everything, never once leaving her to face it alone. She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay," she whispered.

"It is okay now," Orm assured her, her voice soft and soothing. "The case is over. We won. You can finally breathe."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Ling's lips. "We won..." she repeated, as though she needed to hear it to believe it.

Mr. Kwong chuckled softly. "You've done enough for everyone, Ling. Now it's time to take care of yourself."

In the days that followed, Ling's recovery became the family's top priority. Mr. Kwong made sure his daughter had everything she needed, from nutritious meals to plenty of rest. Mrs. Kwong, who had flown in to join them, added her motherly touch to the care regimen, frequently making congee and herbal teas to aid in Ling's healing process.

Orm was ever-present, hovering close to Ling but giving her the space to rest when she needed it. As Ling's strength returned, so did her family's lightheartedness.

It was during one of those quiet family dinners, a week after Ling had been discharged from the hospital, that the teasing began.

"So, Ling," Mr. Kwong began, his tone casual but with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "now that you've conquered the world and won the lawsuit... when are we going to get that daughter-in-law we've been waiting for?"

Ling, who had been sipping her soup, nearly choked at the sudden question. "Pa!" she exclaimed, her face flushing as Orm laughed beside her.

Mrs. Kwong joined in, a playful smile on her lips. "You know, darling, your father's right. You've been so focused on business, but we're curious... when will we finally meet your bride?"

Orm's laughter bubbled over as she tried to stifle it with her hand. "You two are relentless!" she said, her cheeks turning pink as well.

Ling groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "Why do you do this to me?" she muttered, though a smile was playing at the edges of her lips.

Mr. Kwong leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying his daughter's flustered reaction. "We're just saying, we'd love to officially welcome Orm into the family, sooner rather than later."

Orm, still laughing, leaned over and whispered into Ling's ear, "Looks like the pressure's on, P'Ling."

Ling peeked at her through her fingers, a shy smile spreading across her face. "Well... I guess I'll just have to think about it, then."

As the teasing died down and the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Ling looked around the table, feeling a warmth she hadn't felt in months. Her parents were here, supporting her as they always had. Orm, the love of her life, was sitting next to her, smiling and happy. The war was finally over, and for the first time in a long while, Ling felt a sense of peace and hope for the future.

There was still a lot ahead of them—Orm's career choices, Ling's growing business, and whatever life had in store—but they had survived the storm together. And now, they could start looking ahead, planning a life filled with love, laughter, and maybe, just maybe, a future that included a wedding.