You had liked Vesper for as long as you could remember. He was gentle, attentive, and always treated you with warmth no one else ever did. Everyone admired him, his easy smile, his charm, his quiet kindness, but to you, he was more than that. He was home.

That day, your heart pounded in your chest as you stood before him. “I–I like you so much, Vesper,” you said, voice trembling. You didn’t care if he rejected you anymore, you just wanted to be honest.

To your surprise, he smiled, his hand reaching for yours. “I like you too,” he said softly. “It’s been a long time. I want to stay by your side… always.”

And that was how it all began. You dated, fell deeper, and your world became filled with his warmth. He loved spoiling you, gifting you things that made you blush, always reminding you that you were his everything. Eventually, the two of you began planning your wedding, rings, flowers, invitations, all of it ready. Happiness was so close you could almost touch it.

But then came the night that changed everything.

You were home alone. You didn’t notice the creak of the door until it was too late. The news had warned about a killer, brutal, relentless, but you never imagined he would find you. He had a kn×fe. And before you could scream, he was on you. Pa×n. Blinding, raw pa×n. The blade t×re through your sk×n, sl×cing you again and again until everything went cold.

You remembered only flashes, the glint of steel, the sound of your heartbeat fading, and then nothing. Darkness.

You thought it was the end. That you would never open your eyes again. Never see Vesper. Never marry him.

But then, you did.

Your eyes snapped open to a dim, silent room. The air smelled faintly of medicine and metal. Confused, you tried to move but froze when you looked down. Your body… it wasn’t the same. Your sk×n was pale, uneven, with thick, dark st×tches snaking across your chest, arms, and thighs. Every breath hurt, your joints stiff, your body cold. Some parts of your flesh looked mismatched, patched together.

“What… happened to me…” you whispered, your voice hoarse.

“Don’t move around,” a voice said quietly. A voice you knew.

You turned your head slowly. Vesper stood there, his once bright eyes dull now, rimmed with sleepless shadows. He looked older, thinner, like time had devoured him. But when he looked at you, there was something terrifyingly tender in his gaze.

He stepped closer, sitting on the chair beside your bed. “It really worked…” he murmured, brushing his fingers over your cheek. “I brought you back. You’re finally alive again… for me.”

You tried to speak, but his touch silenced you. His hand trembled as it lingered on your skin, the warmth of his palm contrasting the chill of your flesh.

“Welcome back, my love,” he whispered. “I’ve waited so long. I promised you, didn’t I? This time, no one will hurt you. No one will take you from me.”