Chapter 11

A long while later, the chapel was a mess.

Cakes and desserts were scattered on the floor, and flowers lay crushed everywhere.

I lay with my head in Julian's lap, tickling his face with a flower petal.

"Julian, if only we hadn't gotten married, you wouldn't have had to—"

"Had to what for you?"

He sighed, a soft laugh in his voice.

"Chloe, whether we married or not doesn't matter. I've always loved you. For a very, very long time."

I froze for a moment.

The flower petals in my hand fell onto my face.

Suddenly, many images of Julian popped into my mind.

Julian, who laughed at me for failing to climb a fence, then pulled a band-aid from his backpack;

Julian, who was supposed to go to America but inexplicably ended up in England, studying abroad with me;

Julian, who added a clause to my twenty-page prenuptial agreement: "penalty for running away from home is sharing a bed for six months";

Julian, who, even after we married, would video call me if he was away for just one day, calling it his "husbandly duty."

It turned out his love had always been evident everywhere, but I was just too dense to see it.

The Julian before me picked up a petal and flicked my forehead.

"Idiot."

I sniffled, burying my head deeper into Julian's lap.

"Okay, I admit I'm a *little* bit of an idiot."

His voice was tinged with amusement.

"Chloe, you actually gave in."

I let out a soft "Hmph," and after a moment, said,

"Julian, don't you dare commit suicide."

He fell silent for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.

"Dream on. Maybe one day I'll meet someone beautiful and forget all about you."

"Julian, why are you still such a big talker?"

I reached up and buttoned his open shirt.

"But you really should try dating. Don't always dwell on me. After all, you won't find another perfect person like me in this world."

He caught my hand, teasing,

"How did your skin get even thicker after becoming a ghost?"

I rolled my eyes, then grew serious again.

"Julian, take good care of Mom, Dad, and Lily."

"Mind your business. You think I need you to tell me?"

"Put all my things away, don't keep them in the house."

"It's my house, I decide."

I bit the back of his hand hard.

"Burn all those '100 Positions' books! They're ruining my reputation!"

He smiled playfully.

"Why burn them? I might still use them with someone else."

"…"

I gritted my teeth.

"Julian, you shameless jerk!"

He bent down, examining me closely.

"So particular, are we? Then why do you keep wanting me to find someone else?"

My voice was muffled.

"It's different."

"Julian, I'm serious."

"Get well, let me go, and don't commit suicide."

He fell silent again.

I don't know how long the quiet lasted before I spoke.

"I won't bother you anymore. You have to take Lily to Mom and Dad's for dinner tomorrow."

With that, I tried to leave.

But Julian pulled me back into his embrace, holding me tightly.

"Chloe, just a little longer."

This time, I heard it.

He was crying.