Swamp Murder

Swamp Murder. 32

Wang's Pov.

As we cram ourselves back into the cab, I turn to Zhan excitement still flickering in my eyes. "Zhan, let's have dinner and invite a couple of our friends."

I glance at him, my heart still fluttering from everything that just happened. A small, amused smile tugs at my lips. "Okay," he says, knowing that even if we don't have the most extravagant wedding, a night surrounded by the people we love will be perfect.

Zhan grins and leans in, pressing a kiss to my lips, soft, lingering, full of unspoken emotions. Mia groans dramatically beside us.

"Can you two save the honeymoon phase for when I'm not trapped in a small space with you?" she complains.

Ji Li just laughs. "Leave them alone, Mia. They're newlyweds. Let them be sickeningly in love for at least 24 hours."

Zhan pulls away slightly, resting his forehead against mine, ignoring their banter. "Tonight is about us," he murmurs. "And the people who matter."

I nod, feeling warmth bloom in my chest. "Yeah. Let's celebrate."

As the cab speeds back toward home, I can't help but think this is only the beginning. And for the first time in a long time, the future doesn't seem so terrifying.

My heart still racing from what we just did. My husband. Zhan is my husband. The thought alone sends a thrill through me.

I grin, leaning in to kiss him again, ignoring Mia's exaggerated groan. Zhan kisses me back, slow and deliberate, his hand coming up to rest on my cheek.

When we pull away, I brush my thumb over his lower lip, my voice low enough that only he can hear. "I just married you, but I still feel like I need to keep proving you're mine."

His eyes darken slightly, and he exhales a small laugh. "You don't have to prove anything. I am yours."

My chest tightens at his words. I know he means them. But there's still a small voice in my head whispering that we just did something reckless, that reality is waiting for us outside this cab, and sooner or later, we'll have to deal with the fallout.

But not tonight.

Tonight, we celebrate.

Back at the house, Zhan and I waste no time sending out invitations. It's nothing extravagant, just a small dinner with the people who matter to us. We send a message to a few close friends, telling them we are inviting them to dinner without revealing too much.

Mia complains the whole time. "I still don't know how you pulled this off. Like, did you two just wake up and decide 'Hey, let's get married today'?"

Zhan smirks. "Pretty much."

Ji Li laughs. "Iconic behavior."

As we prepare breakfast, Zhan moves around the kitchen, focused and efficient, and I can't stop watching him. He's not doing anything special, just chopping vegetables, and setting things in order, but everything about him captivates me. His hands, the curve of his neck, the way his ring catches the light when he moves.

I walk up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my chin on his shoulder. "Do you think they'll be happy for us?" I ask quietly.

Zhan pauses, then turns his head slightly toward me. "The ones who matter will be."

I press a kiss to the side of his neck. "Then that's enough for me."