"Rhett… what do I do now?" Neva breathes.
"Nothing, Angel," he whispers, pressing a gentle kiss to her shoulder.
"He married me. Had the twins with me."
Her silent tears floats down her cheeks.
Rhett's expression darkens.
"It doesn't matter."
He draws her closer, brushing her hair aside with care, then buries his face in the crook of her smooth, bare neck.
"I never truly felt at home there," she murmurs.
"I always felt… not present.
I kept wishing for something—someone—to fill the hollowness in my chest." Her fingers trail through his hair, stroking it with slow, aching fondness.
"I know, Angel," he says softly.
A pause. A breath.
"If I really had been gone… what would you have done?"
"You leaving me forever was impossible," Rhett says, voice low but steady.
"Even if you did in this life, I wouldn't have stopped looking for you.
Not until we were reunited—in that place where souls know no misery, and the light never fades."
Neva weeps—tears of longing and helpless frustration.
"You make me feel so bad," she whispers. "Why would you love me so?"
Rhett only smiles, sinking deeper into her warmth.
Rhett only smiles, sinking deeper into her warmth.
"I can't imagine a single moment where I don't love you," he murmurs.
"There are no words strong enough to explain why.
All I know is—I can't live without you."
Neva flattens her palms against his back.
"But I'm dirty, Rhett. A mess. You shouldn't even want me."
His chest tightens at her words.
"You are the purest being I could ever hold," he murmurs, voice muffled against her shoulder.
"Please… don't say anymore, Rhett," Neva whispers, her eyes swollen and burning though the tears refuses to stop. "Just... be here and hold me.
Neva melts into his arms and, at last, feels at home.
A light blooms in her chest—warm and radiant, like shimmering sunrays seeping through a canopy.
And she finds herself in a sacred garden: the air is rich with the scent of blossoming flowers, the breeze carries the dancing leaves, and the soft caress of rustling foliage songs a tender lullaby. While the birds trill overhead, their song weaving through the hush.
She knows she never wants to be anywhere else but here—in his embrace. And this feeling is succoring. She is fulfilled.
And in his arms, she can live forever and die sweetly at the same time.
Ishmael is right.
Miracles do exist.
And Neva is so sure to hold it and absorb it fully.
She opens her eyes and lifts her left hand, the gold wedding band catches the sunlight pouring through the balcony and glints.
This miracle—the garden—is her truism.
His miracle—Ishmael's Eden—is defiled.
She has shattered the illusion he clung to, broken from the shackles of his fantasy.
He is the shadow she needs to forsake.
Neva pats Rhett's back gently. "Can I be let go for a little moment?"
In reply, he only tightens his hold. "Only for a little moment.
I've had enough of not being able to feel you."
Neva smiles softly. "Perfectly fine."
He releases her—reluctantly—and their eyes meet.
Their tears have long since dried in the heat of their lovers' embrace.
Neva caresses his cheek, a small smile blooming on her lips. And Rhett can only drown in the ocean of her eyes.
She rises and walks toward the balcony.
He follows, but stops at the threshold, watching her as she has her back turn to him, leaning gently on the railing.
Sunlight kisses her frame, and she glows.
She is an angel—his angel.
Neva smiles in serenity, her hands gripping the handrail.
She curls her body further toward nature—soaking in the golden rays, the rustling trees of the woods, the swaying breeze, the birdsong, the scent of flowers, rain-dripping leaves, and petrichor.
She closes her eyes and draws in a deep breath.
She is lightened.
The weight she once carried slips from her shoulders.
The world has never looked this beautiful—never felt so free.
She looks down at the ring again.
In the next moment, slow and smooth, she slips it off.
And when the final shackle falls away, she feels feathery—unbound.
She gazes at the plain gold band one last time. Then she laughs—softly.
Neva clenches the ring in her fist—and with a sharp breath, hurls it across the woods.
She turns around, her eyes gleaming with new light.
Rhett stands waiting, a smile blooming across his face.
And he opens his arms.
Neva beams back, radiant—and when she runs to breathe in his embrace, she feels like she is flying.
She giggles, her feet lifting off the ground. Her arms wrap around his neck while his strong arms sweep around her back, lifting her effortlessly. With ease, he sways his married lover in the air, spinning them gently as euphoric laughter spills between them.
They swirl together at the heart of the balcony, wrapped in golden sunlight and the soft caress of the breeze.
Rhett looks at her, grinning wide, eyes alight with joy. Neva's eyes soften, and she feels herself melting.
They still now, bodies close, her legs curled up in his arms, toes scrunching in quiet bliss. Their breaths come heavy, hearts ignited—drowning and swimming in the warm cocoa depths of each other's gaze.
Their eyes refuse to part.
Neva leans in, eyelids fluttering closed as she presses her forehead to his, feverish and tender.
She is in love.
She is the bride in a wildflower meadow—
And she rests in her groom's arms.
Neva pulls away gently and smiles at him.
His eyes remain veiled, relishing the warmth of her presence.
When he finally opens them, a single tear escapes, gliding down his cheek.
Oh—
He is so happy.
Neva kisses the tear away, and his lips tremble. Rhett tightens his hold on her back, lifts his chin, and she leans in—her hands cradling his face.
And then—
The sinking of soft lips, the melding of dewy warmth…
Sparks burst like stars.
Scarlet rose petals swirl around them, blessings in bloom.
And in that sacred moment—
They create their own garden of heaven.
When they pull away, Neva's tears fall onto Rhett's cheek.
"I don't believe in the forced marriage I couldn't even remember, Rhett," she whispers. "But… can I please stay? Because even if I can't recall our own vows, I can't waive off this feeling—this sacred marriage written deep into my soul."
Rhett is breathless, euphoria swelling in his chest until it nearly steals the air from his lungs. Grinning, overwhelmed with joy, he gently sets her back on her feet.
His hands cradle her face, and he kisses her deeply again.
Neva's arms snake around his neck, pulling him closer—closer still.
She is finally home.
But even in their need to live, to breathe, they must part lips again, just slightly—
Foreheads pressed together, sweet breaths mingling, warm and trembling.
It's as if the honeyed bond of their joined souls still lingers between their tongues.
They smile, eyes still closed, basking in the quiet afterglow.
Rhett leans in, drawn again to the sweetness of her lips—
But a loud bark slices through the moment.
Their heads snap toward the living room, where their golden retriever stands barking indignantly, tail wagging like a drumbeat of interruption.
Neva giggles—then freezes, eyes widening as she catches a tiny black-haired figure peeking out from behind the sofa.
"Rhean," she breathes.
Startled, she gently pushes Rhett away, cheeks flaming.
He doesn't mind.
He did want more, but he was gratified.
Neva was back to him.
He smiles, watching her cheeks turn a lovely shade of crimson, embarrassed and glowing.
Rhett turns toward the shadow by the sofa.
"You're not very good at spying, Rhean. Come on out now."
Slowly, Rhean emerges, wide-eyed while the golden retriever nuzzles his head affectionately into the boy's hand.
Just then, the front door creaks open and Ace steps in, his hair tousled, beige baggy shirt slipping off one shoulder.
"Damn your romance. I thought I was gonna die of starvation," he mutters, ruffling his hair, heading straight for the kitchen without pause.
Niall and May come out too, casual and composed, pretending not to notice anything amiss as they make a quiet beeline to the open kitchen.
But Neva can't shake the guilt blooming in her chest.
They have kept everyone waiting.
Quietly, she slides behind Rhett, shrinking away, hiding from consequence.
Her head lowers, eyes shut tight, cheeks burning in embarrassment.
They saw it all.
It's probably late in the morning now, and no one has eaten breakfast because she and Rhett had taken over the living room.
She feels especially bad for Rhean, who now just stands there, wide curious eyes staring at them.
Her own hunger is long forgotten.
Love fills both Rhett and Neva's stomachs.
Rhett grabs her hand and leads her through the living room.
Zoro, tail wagging eagerly, trots after Ace and the middle-aged couple into the kitchen, lured by the tempting aroma of food wafting through the air.