Swamp Murder

Swamp Murder. 31

Zhan's Pov.

I stirred awake to the warmth of Wang's body pressed against mine, his steady breaths fanning softly against my skin. My arm was draped around him, holding him close, as if even in sleep, I couldn't bear to let him go. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over him, making him look even more breathtaking.

For a moment, I didn't move, I just lay there, soaking in the quiet intimacy of the moment. The steady rise and fall of his chest, the way his fingers were loosely curled against mine, the peaceful expression on his face, it was perfect. He was perfect.

A deep warmth spread through my chest, a realization settling into my bones. I wish I could wake up to this view every morning for the rest of my life.

Carefully, I tightened my hold on him, pressing a lingering kiss to his bare shoulder. He stirred slightly, shifting closer to me as if even in sleep, he knew he belonged here.

I let out a quiet sigh, burying my face in his hair. There was nowhere else I'd rather be. Nothing else I wanted more than this, than him.

"Mine," I whispered, the word slipping out before I could stop it.

And in my heart, I knew Wang had always been mine, just as I had always been his.

Wang stirred in my arms, his body shifting slightly against mine. I felt the way he nestled closer before his breath hitched, the slow blink of his eyes signaling that he was waking up. I braced myself for the moment he would look at me because every time he did, it felt like the whole world disappeared, leaving only us.

His gaze found mine, warm and still laced with sleep. A soft smile tugged at his lips, and for a moment, everything felt perfect just the two of us tangled together in the quiet morning light as if nothing else mattered.

Then I moved, intending to brush my fingers through his hair, but something cool pressed against my skin. A foreign weight.

My heart stilled.

Slowly, I lifted my hand, my breath catching in my throat as I caught sight of it, a ring. Simple, elegant, and sitting snugly on my finger.

A rush of emotions crashed over me. Confusion. Shock. Hope.

Wang's expression shifted as he followed my gaze, and for the first time, hesitation flickered in his eyes. "Zhan..." His voice was barely a whisper, cautious, unsure.

I swallowed hard, my pulse thundering in my ears. "What is this?" I asked, even though part of me already knew.

A long silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words, with the weight of reality pressing down on our perfect moment. Because as much as I wanted to believe this ring meant something, meant forever, I couldn't forget the truth.

Wang was engaged. To someone else.

And the only way for us to be together... was if we ran away.

"I wanted to give it to you last week, but I didn't know how," Wang murmurs, his voice so soft I almost think I imagined it.

I stare at the ring, my mind spinning, my heart caught between the weight of reality and the desperate hope clawing its way to the surface.

"Wang..." I breathe, still speechless.

His fingers tighten around mine, his gaze searching, uncertain. "I was scared you'd reject it," he admits, his lips barely moving, as if saying the words aloud might shatter something fragile between us. "Last night was perfect. I wanted you to have it... so I put it on your finger while you were sleeping."