The night sky shimmered with scattered stars, the cool wind brushing softly against Meilin's skin as she stood on the balcony. Below, the city glittered like a sea of memories — every light a reflection of a moment she had lived, loved, and lost.
Rui came up behind her, wrapping his arms gently around her waist. His warmth seeped into her, grounding her to the present.
"You've been quiet all evening," he murmured against her hair.
Meilin leaned back into his chest. "I was just thinking... how much has changed. How much we've changed."
Rui chuckled lightly, his breath tickling her ear. "Change isn't always bad. Sometimes it's what saves us."
She turned to face him, her eyes shining in the moonlight. "Do you ever regret it?"
He frowned slightly. "Regret what?"
"Coming back to me. After everything I did — after how I hurt you."
Rui took her hands in his, lifting them to his lips. "Meilin," he said softly, "I would rather be hurt a thousand times by you than live a lifetime without you."
Her heart trembled at his words. The old Rui — the one who had once loved her with a quiet fire — was still there, but now there was something new in him: peace. Acceptance.
They stood together in silence, listening to the faint sound of crickets and the hum of life around them. Then, Meilin spoke again, her voice a whisper carried by the wind.
"I want to make a promise."
Rui raised an eyebrow. "A promise?"
"Yes." She smiled, eyes glistening. "That no matter what comes next — joy or pain — we'll face it together. No more running. No more hiding."
He smiled, pulling her closer until their foreheads touched. "Then I'll make mine too — to never let you go again, no matter what happens."
The stars above seemed to glow brighter as their words hung in the air — simple, but eternal.
As they stood beneath that vast sky, Meilin felt something she hadn't felt in years — true peace. Her past no longer chained her. Her future no longer frightened her.
For once, love didn't hurt — it healed.
And as Rui pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, she knew the story of their love wasn't end
ing — it was just beginning again.