“It’s me. It’s really me. My Casey is finally back.“}
Feeling her warmth in my arms, the tension and exhaustion I’d carried for so long finally melted away.
At that moment, Elodie stirred awake.§
She looked down at her frail, damaged body and screamed in disbelief, “No! This can’t be! How… how did we switch back?!”
Casey’s gaze turned to ice as she glared at her. “I saved you on that mountain, remember? I pulled you up when you nearly fell to your death. And how did you repay me? You coveted my boyfriend–and stole my body when I passed out!“}
Elodie sneered. “Saved me? You rich girls don’t know the first thing about kindness. You didn’t help me out of compassion–you pitied me. It was charity, not friendship. Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you looked at me.“}
“If you were truly kind, you’d have handed over your body so I could live the life I deserve!“}
Screaming, she pulled a knife from her bag and lunged at Casey.
But the bodyguards were ready. One kicked her straight into the ash basin beside the altar.}
She choked and spat out a mouthful of ash, her hair was disheveled and her eyes turned bloodshot.”
At that moment, Jaylen crossed his arms and sneered at her with disgust. “I showed you intimate photos of my brother–in–law and that woman, but you didn’t react. It turns out that you are that woman.“>
“You stalked him, faked intimate photos, and stole my sister’s body when she least expected it. You’re fucking insane!“}
Now that everything’s back in place, let’s settle the score for all the crap you pulled!“}
Elodie scoffed and straightened her back proudly. “Settle what? Anything done in this body points back to Casey. Your evidence only traces back to her. Not me.”
“Sure,” I said coldly. “Let’s ignore the past three months. What about all the other crimes you committed before this?“}
She opened her mouth to argue again–but Granny Emely had already listed every one of her past offenses, loud and clear.
By the time she finished, the entire perimeter of the altar was surrounded by police.”
Even then, Elodie tried to, shout her way out. “You can’t do this! You don’t have any proof–this is illegal-!“}
But the mountain of evidence the police had silenced her for good.”
As she was dragged away, Granny Emely turned to us and bowed slightly.
“I deeply apologize on behalf of my misguided apprentice. When I find her, I’ll make sure she personally begs for your forgiveness.”}
After Granny Emely left, we didn’t waste a second–we threw a welcome–home feast for Casey.}
After a few rounds of drinks, Casey held my hand and smiled at everyone around the table.
“Mom, Dad, Uncle Sergio, Aunt Helen, Martin and I have talked. We’d like to pick the next auspicious date and finally hold our wedding.“} Aunt Rosa, her eyes brimming with tears, looked at me with warmth and gratitude.
“Yes, yes, of course we’ll hold the wedding. Our family must have saved eight lifetimes‘ worth of luck to have a son–in–law like you. Without you, we wouldn’t even be whole agai
again.”
She opened a delicate wooden box and slipped a carved jade thumb ring onto my finger.
“This is a Garza family heirloom. We were going to give it to you after the wedding, but now it feels like the perfect time.“}
Jaylen clapped his hands. “Exactly! Martin is the only one worthy of being my brother–in–law.”
He raised his glass and apologized, “I was too impulsive before. I misunderstood yoù, Martin. Three shots, and I’ll drink them all to make it up to you.”
Then my parents, teary–eyed, took my hands.}]
I quickly spoke up before this turned into an endless apology fest.
“No–it was my fault for keeping everything secret. I was afraid the truth would leak. I’m the one to blame, no one else.”
Laughter returned to the room. Onie, finally back to his usual self, barked and wagged his tail–begging for food with strings of drool hanging from his mouth.
Watching him, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I knew something was wrong. Onie used to drool like a fountain. When did he become so well–mannered and refined?“}
Casey caught my teasing tone and leaned in, planting a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Thank you, my love–for saving me from the flames.”
A week later, we got married in the largest church in the city.@
That day, in front of everyone, Casey turned to me with glowing eyes and asked, “Martin, do you take me as your wife?“} Without hesitation, I nodded.
“Idora
“I do.
