The world had not only changed; it had healed. The sky no longer wore the bruises of war, and the ground, once soaked in blood and burden, now bore flowers of peace.
The final battle against the Council had been the last—their greatest storm. And when it passed, it left behind a world finally free to breathe.
For the first time in what felt like lifetimes, there was stillness.
Years passed. The wounds of the past grew softer, replaced by memories that sang instead of screamed. Sophia had graduated, and with Mr. Lee’s unwavering support, she became a renowned veterinarian in the United States. She found her purpose in healing not just the world, but the lives of innocent animals who, like her, had once been voiceless.
It's so unbelievable that her dream finally came to past after all the huddles 🥹
I'm so proud of her🥲
And yes, Mr. Lee—Lucius. The same man who had guarded her like fire and fought beside her like thunder. They had reconciled. Not in a moment of passion, but in quiet understanding. In the warmth of shared silences and truths too old to deny. Their love was no longer a flicker between battles, but a steady flame in the quiet of peace.
Sophia had returned to live with him, not out of need, but choice. And alongside her came Crystal. Once just a maid, now more like a sister. Sophia never saw her as just help—Crystal had been there through the worst storms. Today, she stood by Sophia’s side, not in a uniform, but in gowns and decisions, laughter and dreams.
Crystal had found love too. With Kai, Mr. Lee’s personal assistant—or rather, friend in all but title. Their banter was legendary, their love playful yet unshakable. They had grown together, inseparable.
And then there were Rose and Alex. Rose, the girl from Sophia’s darkest days, and Alex, the friend who crossed oceans for her. Now married, with two kids who looked like they had inherited the best of both worlds. Rose visited often, her laughter filling the halls, her children chasing after Lucius who tried to play the stoic godfather but melted every time they climbed him like a jungle gym.
Even Penelope, the one who had once tried to tear them apart, had changed. After asking for forgiveness, she had chosen to walk away from the estate—not in shame, but with a quiet hope of finding her own future. "Trying to compete with Sophia was like trying to outshine the sun," she had said with a sad smile. "So I’ll go find my moon."
Sophia forgave her. She meant it.
And Ji-hyun—Lucius’ sister, Sophia’s friend—was now at the very college Sophia had graduated from. Letters came every week, sometimes flowers. Sometimes chaos. Ji-hyun would be arriving soon, just in time for tonight.
Because tonight... tonight was special.
---
The estate sparkled.
Silken banners waved softly in the wind. The ballroom had been transformed into a realm of dreams. Starlight poured through the glass dome above, chandeliers glimmering like constellations frozen in mid-twirl.
Mr. Lee held a ball.
Not for politics. Not for alliances. But to mark a new beginning. A celebration of life after survival, of love after war.
Sophia stood by the grand balcony of the estate, watching as soft golden lights lit up the skies. Lanterns floated like dreams released—quiet, glowing wishes ascending into the heavens. Tonight was not about mourning. It wasn’t about the fallen, the sacrifices, or even the scars.
Tonight was about love.
"You’re quiet," came a voice from behind her—low, velvet, familiar. Lucius.
She didn’t turn immediately. Instead, she let the wind tease her hair, her fingers brushing the cold marble beneath them. "I’m always quiet when I’m thinking about forever."
He stepped beside her, the moonlight dancing along the edges of his black suit. He looked less like a conqueror tonight and more like a dream. "And what does forever look like to you, Sophia?"
She turned then. "It looks like you."
Lucius smiled, but there was something deeper behind it—like a man who never thought he'd be allowed peace, now holding it in his hands, terrified he might drop it.
"Then come dance with me," he whispered, offering his hand. "Let’s give forever a beginning."
The ballroom below sparkled like a storybook, the chandeliers casting gentle gold across the marble floors. People laughed, smiled, lived. Kai spun Crystal into a dance that had her squealing and swatting at his chest. Rose and Alex stood hand-in-hand, her head on his shoulder, both swaying gently to music only they seemed to hear.
Sophia descended the staircase slowly, her gown catching light with every step. It shimmered like stardust, silver-blue and soft, hugging her curves with a grace she didn’t know she possessed.
Lucius was waiting. Always waiting.
When she reached him, his fingers curled around hers—not just possessive, but reverent. Like she was something sacred.
They didn’t speak as they moved to the center of the floor. They didn’t need to. The music swelled, slow and aching with sweetness.
And then, they danced.
Every step was a vow. Every spin a memory. And every breath they took, they took together.
She laughed as he twirled her.
He smiled as she stumbled into his chest.
Their eyes stayed locked.
“I used to dream of a day like this,” she whispered.
“I didn’t,” Lucius said. “I never believed I’d survive to see one.”
Her fingers pressed against his cheek. “But you did. We did. Together.”
He leaned in slowly, reverently, brushing his lips against her forehead. “Sophia… I never knew what love was until I saw it in your defiance.”
She tilted her head. “I fell in love with the man who chose mercy in a world of rage.”
They paused for a heartbeat.
And then his lips met hers.
It wasn’t wild. It wasn’t rushed.
It was a kiss that said I’m yours. I survived for this. For you.
Applause echoed, but in their bubble, they heard nothing. Just heartbeats. Just breath.
When they pulled away, Lucius whispered, "Let's begin forever."
And Sophia smiled, glowing.
"Let's rewrite the stars."
---
Hashtag Crystal and Kai are officially together 😜
Rose and Alex and now married with two kids......
I'm so so so happy for them
They all have their own stories and struggles but I'm so happy they've successfully overcame them all.
CHEERS TO THEM 🥂🥹🥲
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SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)
Romance"Beyond Shadows" In a world where darkness whispers secrets and power knows no bounds, a young orphan's dreams of becoming a veterinarian are crushed by the cruel betrayal of her own blood. Sold into an unforgiving fate, she finds herself in the eni...
