Swamp Murder

Swamp Murder. 79

Zhan's Pov.

Her name is Yara, with bright eyes, soft curls, and the same mischievous grin Wang gets when he's trying to hide that he's happy. The first time I saw her, she questioned me with no hesitation, no fear. Kids have this instinct; they can tell when your heart means well.

"You're Zhan," she said matter-of-factly, looking up at me.

"I am," I replied, crouching to her height. "How did you know?"

She giggled, the kind of sound that makes even silence lean in to listen.
"Because my dad has a picture of you in his wallet," she said, "and you're his laptop screensaver at home."

My heart pounded so hard I almost forgot to breathe. Wang looked away, pretending not to blush, pretending not to melt. He failed, of course.

The wedding was set for the following weekend, a small, beautiful ceremony overlooking the water in St. Trapez. Wang's parents were already in town; his mom was buzzing around the planners. To my surprise, my own family was coming too. My grandmother had cried on the phone when I told her, Ji Li and Mia simply said, "If he makes you smile again, we'll be there."

As the day approached, the house filled with laughter and flowers and the smell of new beginnings. Mila followed me everywhere, asking endless questions about the ceremony, about my suit, about whether she could carry the rings.

And I said yes. Of course she could.

Because this time, this wedding wasn't just about Wang and me. It was about the life we fought for, the family we built through pain, love, and second chances. And as I watched Wang dancing with Mila in the fading light, I realized... for the first time in forever, we were finally home.

The morning of the wedding felt like sunlight itself had decided to settle on St. Trapez. The air was warm but not heavy, the kind that makes everything glow.

The villa was alive, laughter echoing from the balcony, distant chatter from the garden where the staff were setting up the archway with white lilies and gold ribbons. I stood by the window, coffee in hand, watching it all unfold.

For once, there was no tension. No shadows from the past creeping in. Just... peace.

I turned when I heard the soft knock. It was Wang's mother. She looked elegant, calm, radiant, a kind of warmth in her eyes I hadn't seen before.

"You look handsome," she said with a smile.

"Thank you, ma'am," I replied, still not quite used to how kind she'd become.

She came closer and adjusted my boutonnière like I was already her son. "You've made him happy again, Zhan. You brought him back to us. Thank you for not giving up."

Her words hit somewhere deep. "He didn't give up on me either," I said quietly.

She nodded, eyes glistening a little, and then patted my arm. "Come downstairs when you're ready. The families are waiting."

When she left, I took one last look in the mirror. My reflection looked different, lighter. Maybe because, for once, the weight I'd carried wasn't there.

Outside, guests were arriving. Ezra and Dre were already at the bar. Dre teasing Ezra about his tie. Wang's father was laughing with my grandma, and playing with Mia and Ji Li's children, and it felt surreal seeing the two families side by side like it was always meant to be.

Then I saw her, little Yara, running toward me in her white dress, her curls bouncing.

"Uncle Zhan!" she giggled, stopping right in front of me.