Judy felt a wave of warmth rise in her chest as she leaned back into Keh’s arms.


    The two of them pressed close together, and the air between them was filled with a soft, quiet kind of happiness.


    Het voice was light and clear as she said, “Of course. I’ve made up my mind. I want to build a future with


    you.


    “Once I’ve decided on something, I don’t change it easily.”


    Keh was overjoyed. He lowered his head and ced a soft kiss on her cherry pink lips.


    His voice was low, but firm with promise. “You can count on me. <b>I’ll </b>treat you well.


    “No matter where I go, I’ll always take you with me.”


    Judy nodded seriously, her expression just as sincere. “I believe you, Keh.


    “Only with you have I really felt what happiness means.”


    She looked up, her bright, clear eyes locked onto his.


    Her features were already soft and pure, and in this moment, that gazepletely melted Keh’s


    heart.


    The two of them clung to each other, not just physically close, but emotionally in sync.


    While the couple shared their bliss, Joseph was drowning in frustration.


    He’d thought one phone call would be enough to win Judy over.


    If she needed anything, he would’ve bought it for her on the spot.


    But what he hadn’t expected was for her to not even answer.


    He’d even prepared what to say, rehearsed every word of his apology, yet she never gave him the chance


    to speak.


    Staring at the nk screen of his phone, Joseph’s face grew darker by the second.


    His grip tightened, knuckles white as he ground his teeth.


    “Alright. Fine. You’ve really got some nerve, not answering my call. Judy, just you wait.”


    His eyes sharpened with fury, and as he drove, he lost all sense of reason.


    He wasn’t even sure how many red lights he’d blown past.


    415 BONUS


    His mind had gone nk, like someone had poured cold water over his thoughts and washed them all


    The ck car tore through the city like a streak of lightning, weaving through the endless stream of traffic


    Joseph had only one goal in mind–to head straight to Judy’s studio and see for himself whether she was


    there


    If she was, then at least he could confront her directly, and maybe some things could finally be resolved.


    But when he arrived, he froze for a moment, caught off guard by what he saw.


    The studio was noticeably smaller than before, and a chill crept into his chest.


    He’d only been in the hospital for a few days, yet the world outside felt like it hadpletely changed.


    This wasn’t how things were before.


    The ce looked different, and even more strange–most of the familiar employees were gone.


    Many of the people now working there were faces he didn’t recognize at all.


    His unease grew heavier, knotting tighter in his chest.


    What had he missed in such a short time?


    Suddenly, his eyesnded on a familiar figure.


    He rushed forward and grabbed Emily’s wrist, his voice urgent. “Emily, where’s your boss?


    “Why are you the only one here? And what happened to this ce? It looks like half the staff is gone- most of these people I don’t even know.<i>” </i>


    Emily recognized him instantly, but his barrage of questions overwhelmed her.


    Her mind spun trying to process everything.


    She quickly raised a hand to stop him from saying more.


    “Wait, just pause for a second.”


    <i>2/2 </i>