CHAPTER 58 — ALWAYS, IN EVERY LIFETIME
Three years later
—
The house was not calm.
It wasn't peaceful.
It wasn't organized.
—
It was chaos.
—
"WHO TOOK MY JACKET—"
"I DIDN'T TOUCH IT—"
"YOU'RE WEARING IT—"
"OH—"
—
"PERCY STOP RUNNING—"
"I'M NOT RUNNING—"
"YOU'RE LITERALLY RUNNING—"
—
"WHY IS THERE GLITTER ON THE FLOOR—"
"ASK CI-N—"
"IT WAS A TEST—"
"FOR WHAT—"
"I DON'T KNOW—"
—
Jae stood in the middle of it.
—
Dressed.
Ready.
—
And completely still.
—
Because somehow—
in all of this noise—
—
everything felt quiet.
—
"…You okay?"
—
She turned.
—
Sora.
—
"…Yeah."
—
"…You look like you're about to cry."
—
"…I'm not."
—
"…You are."
—
Jisoo walked in.
—
"She's allowed to cry. It's her wedding."
—
Min-jae leaned against the doorframe.
—
"…She won't."
—
Jae raised an eyebrow.
—
"…Why not?"
—
"…Because you don't break like that anymore."
—
Silence.
—
He wasn't wrong.
—
But he also wasn't right.
—
Because this—
—
this wasn't breaking.
—
This was…
everything.
—
—
Across the house—
—
"KEIFER—STAND STILL—"
"I AM STANDING STILL—"
"YOU MOVED—"
"I BREATHED—"
"DON'T—"
—
"THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE—"
—
Keigen laughed from the side.
—
"…You deserve this."
—
Keiren shook his head.
—
"…He really does."
—
Keifer ran a hand through his hair.
—
"…I'm surrounded by idiots."
—
"YOU LOVE US—" Percy yelled from across the hall.
—
"…Unfortunately."
—
—
Outside—
—
Guests arriving.
—
Cars lining up.
—
Everything set.
—
—
Inside—
—
Jae stood in front of the mirror.
—
Her dress—
perfect.
—
Not overdone.
Not too simple.
—
Just…
her.
—
A soft knock.
—
"…Come in."
—
The door opened slowly.
—
Tita Gema.
—
Jae turned.
—
And for a second—
—
neither of them spoke.
—
Because this—
—
this was the moment.
—
"…Look at you."
—
Her voice broke slightly.
—
Jae smiled softly.
—
"…You're going to make me cry."
—
"…I already am."
—
She walked closer.
—
Hands gently holding Jae's face.
—
"…You grew up."
—
That hit.
—
Not like before.
—
Not painful.
—
Just…
real.
—
"…I did."
—
Tita Gema nodded.
—
"…And you did it your way."
—
Jae exhaled slowly.
—
"…Yeah."
—
A pause.
—
Then—
she pulled her into a hug.
—
Tight.
Warm.
—
"…I'm so proud of you."
—
"…Thank you."
—
—
Another knock.
—
Aries.
—
"…Can I come in?"
—
"…Yeah."
—
He stepped in—
and froze.
—
"…Wow."
—
Jae laughed slightly.
—
"…That bad?"
—
"…No."
Pause.
"…You look… unreal."
—
She smiled.
—
"…You clean up okay too."
—
He rolled his eyes.
—
Then stepped closer.
—
"…You ready?"
—
She looked at him.
—
Really looked.
—
Her brother.
—
Still here.
—
Still hers.
—
"…Yeah."
—
He nodded.
—
"…Good."
—
Then—
quietly—
—
"…I won't mess this up."
—
She blinked.
—
"…What?"
—
"…Walking you."
—
Her expression softened.
—
"…You won't."
—
A pause.
—
"…You didn't last time either."
—
That stayed.
—
He didn't respond.
—
He just nodded.
—
—
Angelo appeared at the door.
—
"…If you two are done being emotional—"
—
"We're not," Aries said.
—
"…Too bad. It's time."
—
—
Outside—
—
Everything ready.
—
Guests seated.
—
Section E already causing problems.
—
"WHY ARE WE SITTING—"
"BECAUSE IT'S A WEDDING—"
"THIS IS BORING—"
"SHUT UP—"
—
Ella sat nearby—
laughing softly.
—
And beside her—
—
a small child.
—
Curious eyes.
Bright smile.
—
Jae's niece.
—
"Where's tita Jae?" she asked.
—
"…Coming soon," Ella said.
—
"…Is she pretty?"
—
Ella smiled.
—
"…Very."
—
—
Music started.
—
Everything shifted.
—
Jae stepped forward.
—
Angelo beside her.
—
And for the first time—
—
her hands trembled slightly.
—
"…Hey," he said quietly.
—
"…I'm fine."
—
"…I know."
—
A pause.
—
"…Just breathe."
—
She did.
—
And then—
—
they walked.
—
—
At the end—
—
Keifer.
—
Waiting.
—
Still.
—
Focused.
—
Only on her.
—
Everything else—
gone.
—
She reached him.
—
Aries stepped back.
—
And just like that—
—
it was them.
—
—
"…You're late," Keifer whispered.
—
"…I'm right on time."
—
He smiled.
—
"…Yeah."
—
—
Vows—
—
Not rehearsed.
Not perfect.
—
But real.
—
"…You were never supposed to be part of my plan," Keifer said.
—
Soft.
Steady.
—
"…But you became everything I didn't know I needed."
—
Silence.
—
"…You stayed. Even when I didn't make it easy."
—
A small pause.
—
"…So I promise—"
—
Her voice didn't shake.
—
"…to choose you. Every time."
—
—
Jae looked at him—
like nothing else existed.
—
"…You made me believe in something I didn't even think was real."
—
A breath.
—
"…And I don't plan on letting that go."
—
—
"…I choose you too."
—
—
Silence.
—
Then—
—
"FINALLY—" Percy whispered loudly.
—
"SHUT UP—" Yuri hissed.
—
—
Laughter broke through.
—
And somehow—
—
it made everything better.
—
—
"I now pronounce you—"
—
They didn't wait.
—
They kissed.
—
And everything—
—
fell into place.
—
—
After—
—
The chaos returned.
—
Even worse.
—
"MOVE—MOVE—PICTURES—"
"WHY AM I IN THE BACK—"
"BECAUSE YOU'RE TALL—"
"THAT'S NOT FAIR—"
—
Jae laughed.
—
Actually laughed.
—
Because this—
—
this was her life.
—
—
Her niece ran up to her.
—
"…Tita Jae!"
—
Jae bent down.
—
"…Yeah?"
—
"…You look like a princess."
—
She smiled softly.
—
"…Thank you."
—
"…Can I hug you?"
—
"…Always."
—
—
She picked her up.
—
Holding her close.
—
And for a second—
—
everything slowed again.
—
—
Keifer walked up beside her.
—
"…Already stealing attention."
—
"…Obviously."
—
—
The night continued.
—
Music.
Laughter.
—
No alcohol.
—
Didn't need it.
—
Because this—
—
this was enough.
—
—
Later—
—
Jae stood slightly away from the crowd.
—
Looking at everything.
—
Everyone.
—
Min-jae.
Jisoo.
Sora.
—
Section E.
—
Her family.
—
His family.
—
All in one place.
—
—
Keifer stepped beside her.
—
"…You're doing that thing again."
—
"…What thing?"
—
"…Watching."
—
She smiled slightly.
—
"…I like seeing everything."
—
—
He followed her gaze.
—
"…And what do you see?"
—
She leaned slightly into him.
—
"…Everything I fought for."
—
A pause.
—
"…Everything that stayed."
—
—
He nodded.
—
"…Good."
—
—
Silence.
—
Peaceful.
—
—
"…Hey," he said softly.
—
"…Yeah?"
—
"…We made it."
—
She looked at him.
—
Then back at everything.
—
—
"…Yeah."
—
—
Because they did.
—
Not perfectly.
Not easily.
—
But completely.
—
—
And this time—
—
nothing was missing.
—
Nothing was unfinished.
—
—
Just—
—
Always
The music didn't stop.
If anything—
it got louder.
—
Because the moment the ceremony ended—
Section E decided this was their event now.
—
"DJ—PLAY SOMETHING GOOD—"
"THIS IS GOOD—"
"NO IT'S NOT—"
"WHO GAVE YOU CONTROL—"
"I TOOK IT—"
—
"PERCY GIVE THAT BACK—"
"NEVER—"
—
Jae stood near the center of it all—
watching.
—
Her heels abandoned somewhere ten minutes ago.
Her dress slightly loosened at the sleeves.
Hair not as perfect.
—
But her smile—
—
completely real.
—
"…You look like you lost control of your own wedding."
—
She turned.
—
Keifer.
—
Tie already loose.
Sleeves rolled up.
—
"…I didn't lose control."
—
She glanced at the chaos.
—
"…I handed it over."
—
"…Bold move."
—
"…Regretting it slightly."
—
He smirked.
—
"…Too late now."
—
—
Across the space—
—
Ci-N had somehow dragged Min-jae into dancing.
—
"I DON'T DANCE—"
"YOU DO TODAY—"
"I DON'T—"
"YOU DO—"
—
Jisoo clapped from the side.
—
"FINALLY—"
—
Sora recorded everything.
—
"This is blackmail."
—
"…Delete that."
—
"…No."
—
—
Aries stood near Angelo.
—
Watching everything.
—
"…This is insane."
—
"…This is normal for them."
—
Aries shook his head slightly.
—
"…She's happy."
—
Angelo didn't respond immediately.
—
Then—
"…Yeah."
—
Because it was obvious.
—
In the way she laughed.
In the way she moved.
—
In the way she didn't look like she was holding anything back anymore.
—
—
Ella sat nearby—
their child asleep against her shoulder.
—
Tita Gema beside her.
—
"…I never thought we'd see this day," Tita said softly.
—
Ella smiled.
—
"…She did it."
—
"…They both did."
—
—
Back near the center—
—
Jae was pulled into another hug.
—
"YOU'RE MARRIED—"
"I KNOW—"
"THIS IS CRAZY—"
"YOU'RE CRAZY—"
—
Felix, Denzel, Rory—all talking at once.
—
"GROUP PHOTO—NOW—"
"WHY NOW—"
"BECAUSE I SAID SO—"
—
They gathered anyway.
—
Messy.
Loud.
—
Perfect.
—
—
Later—
—
The night softened.
—
The music still playing—
but quieter now.
—
People spread out.
Talking.
Laughing.
—
Jae slipped away for a second.
—
Not far.
—
Just to the edge of the balcony.
—
The air cooler.
—
The noise behind her fading slightly.
—
She rested her hands on the railing.
—
Breathing.
—
Not because she needed to calm down.
—
Just—
taking it in.
—
Footsteps behind her.
—
She didn't turn.
—
"…You keep disappearing."
—
"…I'm right here."
—
Keifer stood beside her.
—
"…Still counts."
—
She smiled slightly.
—
"…I needed a second."
—
"…From your own wedding?"
—
"…From them."
—
He laughed softly.
—
"…Fair."
—
—
Silence.
—
Then—
—
"…You okay?"
—
She looked at him.
—
"…Yeah."
—
A pause.
—
"…You?"
—
"…Better than okay."
—
—
She leaned slightly into him.
—
"…This feels real."
—
"…It is."
—
"…I know."
—
A small pause.
—
"…I just—"
She stopped.
—
"…What?"
—
She exhaled slowly.
—
"…I spent so long thinking I'd lose everything eventually."
—
Silence.
—
"…And now?"
—
She looked back inside.
—
Everyone still there.
—
Still loud.
Still present.
—
"…Now it feels like nothing's going anywhere."
—
That stayed.
—
He nodded.
—
"…It's not."
—
—
Back inside—
—
"WHERE DID THEY GO—"
"THEY LEFT—"
"THEY CAN'T LEAVE—"
"IT'S THEIR WEDDING—"
"EXACTLY—"
—
"FOUND THEM—"
—
Too late.
—
Jae groaned.
—
"…We got caught."
—
"…Obviously."
—
—
They got dragged back in.
—
No escape.
—
—
At one point—
—
Keiren walked up to Jae.
—
"…So."
—
"…So?"
—
"…You're officially stuck with him now."
—
She smiled.
—
"…I've been stuck for a while."
—
"…Good."
—
He nodded.
—
"…He's different with you."
—
That caught her attention.
—
"…How?"
—
"…Better."
—
—
Keigen added from behind—
—
"…Less annoying."
—
"…Still annoying," Keiren corrected.
—
"…Always annoying."
—
Jae laughed.
—
"…I'll keep that in mind."
—
—
Hours passed.
—
But no one really left.
—
Because no one wanted to.
—
—
At some point—
—
Jae found Min-jae sitting slightly away from the crowd.
—
She walked over.
—
"…You're quiet."
—
"…I can be."
—
She sat beside him.
—
"…Thank you."
—
He looked at her.
—
"…For what?"
—
"…For staying."
—
A pause.
—
"…That was never a question."
—
She nodded slightly.
—
"…Still."
—
Silence.
—
Then—
he smiled faintly.
—
"…You look happy."
—
"…I am."
—
"…Good."
—
No tension.
No past lingering.
—
Just…
what they became.
—
Best friends.
—
—
Back in the main area—
—
Percy had somehow climbed onto something.
—
"I HAVE A SPEECH—"
"GET DOWN—"
"NO—"
"GET DOWN—"
—
"No one approved this—"
"I APPROVED IT—"
—
Everyone groaned.
—
"…Let him speak," Jae said.
—
"NO—" multiple voices.
—
Too late.
—
"…I just want to say—"
Pause.
—
"…this is insane."
—
"…That's your speech?" Yuri said.
—
"…YES."
—
Laughter broke out.
—
—
And somehow—
—
that was enough.
—
—
Later—
very late—
—
People started slowing down.
—
Some asleep on couches.
Some still talking.
—
Jae walked through it all slowly.
—
Taking in every detail.
—
Because she knew—
—
these were the moments that stayed.
—
—
Her niece ran up to her again—
half asleep.
—
"…Tita…"
—
Jae bent down.
—
"…Yeah?"
—
"…Can I stay with you?"
—
Her heart softened instantly.
—
"…Always."
—
She picked her up gently.
—
Holding her close.
—
—
Keifer walked over.
—
"…Already stealing her."
—
"…She chose me."
—
"…Unfair."
—
"…Deal with it."
—
—
They stood there.
—
Quiet now.
—
Finally.
—
—
"…What now?" he asked softly.
—
She looked around.
—
Everyone still there.
—
Everything still full.
—
—
"…We keep this."
—
"…This?"
—
"…All of it."
—
A pause.
—
"…We don't lose it."
—
He nodded.
—
"…We won't."
—
—
She leaned her head lightly against his shoulder.
—
Holding her niece.
—
Standing in the middle of everything she built—
—
everything she fought for—
—
everything that stayed.
—
—
And for the first time—
—
there was nothing ahead she was afraid of.
—
Because whatever came next—
—
she wouldn't face it alone.
—
—
Not ever again.
The music didn't stop.
Even when it got softer.
Even when people sat down instead of jumping around—
—
it stayed.
—
Like a heartbeat in the background.
—
Jae didn't move from where she was for a while.
Her niece still half-asleep in her arms.
Keifer beside her.
—
And everything around them—
still alive.
—
"…You should put her down," he said quietly.
—
"…I will."
—
She didn't.
—
Because something about holding her like this—
felt grounding.
—
Real.
—
"…You're attached already," he added.
—
"…Obviously."
—
"…She's not going back."
—
"…Good."
—
He laughed softly.
—
"…We just got married and you already replaced me."
—
"…She doesn't talk back."
—
"…Wow."
—
—
Across the room—
—
"WHO ATE MY CAKE—"
"IT WAS EVERYONE'S CAKE—"
"NO IT WAS MINE—"
"YOU DON'T OWN CAKE—"
—
"PERCY YOU ATE HALF OF IT—"
"PROOF—"
"IT'S ON YOUR FACE—"
—
"OH—"
—
Laughter again.
—
Jae shook her head.
—
"…They're never changing."
—
"…Do you want them to?"
—
She looked at him.
—
"…No."
—
—
Time slipped.
—
Not slowly.
—
Not fast.
—
Just…
easily.
—
—
At some point—
Jae finally walked upstairs.
—
Her niece still asleep.
—
She placed her gently on the bed in one of the guest rooms.
—
Adjusted the blanket.
—
Paused.
—
Watching her for a second.
—
A small smile forming.
—
"…You're really good with her."
—
Jae turned.
—
Ella stood at the door.
—
"…She's easy."
—
Ella leaned against the frame.
—
"…No. You're just soft."
—
Jae raised an eyebrow.
—
"…Don't say that."
—
"…It's true."
—
Silence.
—
Then—
Ella stepped closer.
—
"…Thank you."
—
"…For what?"
—
"…For everything."
—
Jae didn't respond immediately.
—
Because there was a lot behind that.
—
"…We're okay now," Ella added softly.
—
That mattered.
—
"…Yeah," Jae said.
—
And it wasn't forced.
—
It wasn't something she was trying to believe.
—
It was just—
true.
—
—
Back downstairs—
—
The chaos had shifted again.
—
Now it was slower.
—
More talking.
Less yelling.
—
But still loud enough to feel alive.
—
—
Aries sat with Angelo.
—
"…You're quiet again."
—
"…I can be."
—
Angelo glanced at him.
—
"…You're thinking."
—
"…I always think."
—
A pause.
—
"…She's okay."
—
Angelo nodded.
—
"…Better than okay."
—
Silence.
—
"…We almost lost this," Aries said quietly.
—
Angelo didn't argue.
—
Because they both knew.
—
"…But we didn't."
—
And that was the part that mattered.
—
—
Near the kitchen—
—
Min-jae stood with Jisoo and Sora.
—
"…You think she'll slow down now?" Jisoo asked.
—
"…No," Sora answered immediately.
—
"…Not completely," Min-jae added.
—
"…But she's different."
—
Jisoo nodded.
—
"…Yeah."
—
"…She knows when to stop now," Sora said.
—
Min-jae looked across the room—
at Jae.
—
"…And she knows who she has."
—
That was the biggest change.
—
—
Later—
—
Jae found herself back on the balcony again.
—
Same place.
—
Same air.
—
Different life.
—
She leaned forward slightly.
—
The night stretched out endlessly.
—
Quiet compared to inside.
—
"…Predictable."
—
She didn't turn.
—
"…You followed me again."
—
"…Of course."
—
Keifer stood beside her.
—
Closer this time.
—
No space at all.
—
—
"…Tired?" he asked.
—
"…A little."
—
"…Regret inviting everyone?"
—
"…Not even a little."
—
He smiled.
—
"…Good answer."
—
—
Silence.
—
Then—
—
"…Three years," she said quietly.
—
"…Yeah."
—
"…That went fast."
—
"…Not really."
—
She glanced at him.
—
"…No?"
—
"…It felt like we lived everything in those three years."
—
That was true.
—
Every high.
Every low.
Every moment in between.
—
"…We did," she admitted.
—
—
A pause.
—
"…Do you remember the first time we fought?" he asked suddenly.
—
She laughed softly.
—
"…Which one?"
—
"…The first one."
—
"…You were wrong."
—
"…I wasn't."
—
"…You were."
—
"…You just didn't listen."
—
"…Because you were wrong."
—
He shook his head.
—
"…We're married now. You can admit it."
—
"…Never."
—
—
They both smiled.
—
Because it didn't matter anymore.
—
—
"…You stayed," she said after a moment.
—
He looked at her.
—
"…Yeah."
—
"…Even when I didn't make it easy."
—
"…You never made it easy."
—
She laughed.
—
"…True."
—
A pause.
—
"…But I wasn't going anywhere."
—
That stayed.
—
"…I know."
—
—
Inside—
—
"WHERE ARE THEY AGAIN—"
"STOP LOOKING FOR THEM—"
"NO—"
—
"LET THEM BREATHE—"
"NO—"
—
—
Jae groaned.
—
"…We should go back."
—
"…We should not."
—
"…They won't stop."
—
"…They never do."
—
—
They stayed anyway.
—
Just a little longer.
—
—
Back inside—
—
"THERE THEY ARE—"
"FINALLY—"
"WE THOUGHT YOU LEFT—"
—
"…It's our house," Jae said.
—
"YOU CAN STILL LEAVE—"
—
She rolled her eyes.
—
—
At some point—
music picked up again.
—
Not wild.
—
But enough.
—
Keifer held out his hand.
—
"…Dance."
—
She looked at it.
—
"…You don't dance."
—
"…For you, I do."
—
She raised an eyebrow.
—
"…That line was bad."
—
"…It worked."
—
She took his hand anyway.
—
—
They didn't dance properly.
—
Just moved slightly.
—
Close.
—
Comfortable.
—
Everyone else faded out.
—
Even in the middle of everything.
—
—
"…This is better than the ceremony," he said quietly.
—
"…Don't let them hear that."
—
"…Too late."
—
Percy from across the room—
—
"I HEARD THAT—"
—
"IGNORE HIM—" multiple voices.
—
—
Jae laughed.
—
Actually laughed.
—
And didn't stop.
—
—
Time passed again.
—
Eventually—
people started leaving.
—
Slowly.
—
One by one.
—
Hugs.
Goodbyes.
Promises to come back soon.
—
—
Section E was the last to even consider leaving.
—
"WE CAN STAY—"
"No."
—
"WHY—"
"BECAUSE NO—"
—
"THIS IS OUR HOUSE TOO—"
"IT IS NOT—"
—
After way too long—
they finally left.
—
Still loud.
—
Still arguing.
—
—
The house—
quieted.
—
Finally.
—
—
Jae stood in the living room.
—
Looking around.
—
Empty now.
—
But not empty.
—
Because everything that happened—
still filled the space.
—
—
Keifer walked up behind her.
—
"…We survived."
—
"…Barely."
—
"…Worth it?"
—
She looked around again.
—
Then at him.
—
"…Always."
—
—
A pause.
—
Then—
—
"…So this is it?" he asked.
—
"…What?"
—
"…Married life."
—
She smiled slightly.
—
"…This is just the start."
—
—
He nodded.
—
"…Good."
—
—
They stood there for a second.
—
No noise.
No chaos.
—
Just quiet.
—
—
"…Come on," she said.
—
"…Where?"
—
"…We still have a house full of mess."
—
He groaned.
—
"…I regret everything."
—
"…Too late."
—
—
They didn't clean immediately.
—
Of course not.
—
—
Instead—
they sat on the floor.
—
Back against the couch.
—
Looking at the aftermath.
—
—
"…We'll do it tomorrow," he said.
—
"…Obviously."
—
—
Silence.
—
Comfortable.
—
—
She
_____________________
A/N
I don't even know how to start this.
This story started as just an idea — a random thought, a scene, a feeling I couldn't get out of my head. And somehow… it turned into this. Into Jae. Into Keifer. Into a whole world that refused to stay small.
I didn't expect it to grow this much.
I didn't expect to feel this much while writing it either.
There were chapters that hurt to write.
There were chapters that healed something.
And there were chapters where I just sat there smiling like an idiot because these characters felt so real.
Jae… she isn't just a character to me. She's strength in the quiet moments. She's growth that isn't loud but still powerful. She's someone who broke, rebuilt, and chose to keep going — and that matters.
Keifer… he's not perfect, and that's exactly why he works. He stayed. He didn't try to fix everything — he just didn't leave. And sometimes, that's what love actually looks like.
And everyone else — Aries, Angelo, Tita Gema, Ella, Section E, the crew (Min-jae, Jisoo, Sora)… they made this story alive. It was never just about romance. It was about people. About relationships. About staying. About coming back.
If you've been here from the beginning — thank you.
If you joined halfway — thank you.
If you're reading this now — still, thank you.
Because stories only exist fully when someone reads them.
This isn't really a goodbye to them.
It's more like…
we're just leaving them where they're finally okay.
Where they're happy.
Where nothing is unfinished anymore.
And that's enough.
—
Epilogue next.