Se-Ri's POV
The morning after the wedding was always supposed to feel a little surreal. But not like this.
Rhea's bidai was emotional chaos in slow motion. Aunties sobbed into tissue-stuffed clutches. Uncles offered toast-level advice like she was heading off to war. Rhea, radiant and composed until the last second, unraveled the moment she hugged me and Amisha.
Then she cried.
Then we cried.
She whispered into my ear, "Don't be confused. If you don't want him, don't go further. Stay clear."
But my chest was too tight to process it.
When the car pulled away, flower petals trailing like blessings, I didn't feel joy or sadness.
Just... weight.
And Leo was still here.
Technically, I was supposed to leave the next day.
But the thought of spending another evening in the same house — breathing the same air — made my stomach knot.
So I packed.
Quickly.
I had just shoved my last shoe into the bag when Amisha burst into my room without knocking.
"Whoa. Okay. Full-blown escape mode."
"I'm leaving today."
"Figured."
She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. Watching.
Then came the ambush.
"I need your Porsche."
I blinked. "Sorry?"
"I have to drive it to Vancouver. It's urgent."
"Aren't there other cars?"
"There are. But they're all busy dropping guests. Plus, that Porsche was supposed to be mine anyway. You hijacked it."
"Amisha, seriously—"
"Relax. You have cars in Toronto. And an even better option: Leo. He's driving back today. You two live in the same city. It makes sense."
"Absolutely not."
"Come on. It'll be a quiet, scenic road trip. Worst case, you stare at the window the whole time."
"Amisha."
"He's already outside. Waiting."
I wanted to scream.
Instead, I grabbed my bag and walked out.
The car ride was five hours of curated silence.
Leo didn't ask questions. Didn't glance sideways. Just drove.
I stared out the window like the landscape might offer clarity. Every time I let my eyes drift toward him, memories bloomed. His voice. His hands. That night.
So I kept looking forward.
We reached my villa just as the sun dipped below the skyline. The sky was a smear of gold fading into bruised blue.
He parked smoothly, without a word.
I fumbled with my overstuffed luggage, trying to wrestle it free.
Then his hand appeared. "Let me help."
He carried the bags to my doorstep like it was nothing. Quiet strength, as usual.
"Do you want to come in? Just for a minute?" I asked, mostly out of politeness. My voice didn't sound like mine.
He nodded.
Inside, I kicked off my shoes and turned to thank him.
But he was already at the door.
"Okay," he said. "I'll go."
I reached for the handle.
Instead, I touched his wrist.
He looked at me.
And I kissed him.
Again.
No thinking. No space. Just gravity.
This time, I didn't pull away.
We moved through the house with slow hands and quiet breath. The door shut. Clothes slipped. The silence deepened.
It wasn't like the first time.
There was no panic.
I let it happen.
And when it was over, I didn't feel regret.
I felt still.
Like I had crossed into something worth staying for.
The next morning, I woke alone.
I wrapped myself in a robe and stepped out of the room.
There was breakfast on the dining table.
And a note.
"Had to leave early for work. Eat your breakfast."
I sat down. Reached for my phone. My thumb hovered over Rhea's name.
Then I set it aside.
I took a bite.
I was smiling.
Actually, I was happy.
Epilogue
Earlier that morning
Leo was already at his car, checking his phone when Amisha approached with a coffee in hand and her usual smirk.
"You're leaving today?" she asked.
"Yes," Leo replied. "Just waiting for traffic to thin out."
"Good." She sipped her coffee. "Because you're taking Se-Ri with you."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "She said she's staying until tomorrow."
"She changed her mind. She's packing right now."
Leo was quiet. Watching her carefully.
Amisha tilted her head. "Look, she won't ask. You know that. And she won't ride with just anyone. So, I'm asking for her. Drive her back to Toronto."
"She won't like that," he said.
"She'll pretend she doesn't. But she'll get in the car. And she needs to."
Leo hesitated. "She's avoiding me."
"Yeah. Because she's human. And proud. And scared." Amisha shrugged. "But she's also stupid about love. So, if there's a chance—be there when she finally figures it out."
Leo nodded slowly. "Alright."
Amisha grinned. "I knew I liked you."
She tossed him the keys to the villa gate. "Now go wait like you're not completely tangled up in her."
And he did.