Her hands trembled, fingers barely managing to clasp the delicate pearl hairpin. She barely recognised herself in the mirror. Panic bubbled beneath her skin.

The wedding room was a sanctuary of soft whites and muted golds to feel both intimate and elegant. Silence surrounded her.

What if I trip? What if I can't breathe walking down that aisle?

Her thoughts raced faster than her heartbeat. Jiyong—her Jiyong—was waiting. The man who had pursued her with an intensity that both terrified and captivated her. The artist who saw through her, who understood her inner complexities.

Her mother adjusted the intricate hanbok. Traditional yet modern, just like their love.

"Breathe," her mother whispered, squeezing her hand.

The music began. Soft, almost imperceptible at first. A melody that seemed to have been composed just for this moment.

One step.

Then another.

The doors opened, and there he was. Jiyong. Dressed in a custom black and white ensemble that was quintessentially him.

Their eyes locked.

His reaction was instantaneous and visceral. His eyes widened with a raw admiration that seemed to strip away every layer of his carefully constructed persona.

His smile faltered.

Dropped completely.

Her breath caught. Panic rose threatening to overwhelm her. Tears welled up, threatening to spill out of pure anxiety. Her vision blurred, the walk seeming impossible.

What if I trip?

What if I'm not enough?

A single tear threatened to escape. Her hands began to tremble. The room seemed to close in, every eye feeling like a judgment, every step a potential misstep.

And then—

A bright, gummy smile erupted across Jiyong's face. Unrestrained. Pure. Radiant.

The tear finally escaped, trailing down her cheek, showcasing her vulnerability.

It was a smile that said everything words could not.

Her panic softened, melting into something warm, something profound.

Each step deliberate, each movement telling their story.

Jiyong's eyes never left her.

In that moment, she was home.

One step closer to forever.