Xue Ting was wrapped in Qiu Wen's arm in his sofa bed in the office as she studied every feature of his face while he gently combed her soft hair.

"Tell me, what happened after I left?" Xue Ting said softly. He hesitated as he averted his gaze to the French window. She stole a kiss which diverted his attention back to her. "You tell me and I will tell you in explicit detail." She teased as she stared right into his gaze. He smiled at her playful self.

"I was looking for you Ting Ting. Not just looking but frantically like a madman. After you left I blamed him for breaking up with you. He regretted it and those were the motivations that drove us into madmen looking for you. Little did I know it was leading me to this. To hold you in my arms at the expense of losing him…" His words trailed up to a choke as Xue Ting caressed his face.

"Someone knew all along where I was." She continued as she snuggled in his arm. He did not have to ask who. He knew it was Qiu Yeh. "He is exceptional." Qiu Wen said briefly.

"He is. Why didn't you ask me about that night what we talked about?" She asked as he thought of which night and realise it was when he knew she was "Snowbell".

"You mean when I figured the paintings there were all by Snowbell?" He chuckled with her as he kissed her forehead.

"Yes, and he had been taking care of me since I first left I suppose. Even meeting May wasn't entirely a coincidence." She added as Qiu Wen was half jealous but half thankful too.

Seeing how quiet he was, she kissed him and he returned the kiss.

"Even then he respected that I only had eyes for you. He was the one who donated blood to save me during the delivery complications." She clarified when they pulled away from their kiss.

Qui Wen hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry that must be so devastating thinking you're all alone. I should have been there. James should have been there…"

Xue Ting shook her head. "It was my choice and we are lucky to have Qui Yeh being a samaritan discreetly. That's why I said you should do your best to help him get the recognition he wanted from your mother. That's the only way I could think of repaying his gratitude."

Qui Wen nodded as he buried his face into her hair inhaling the floral fragrance of her shampoo. "I'm just so glad you're here now. With me. And is mine."

"Me too." Xue Ting beamed in his hug. "So tell me more what else did you and James do?" She persuaded.

"We went to invest in many businesses and some made money some made losses but we only kept what we like even if it's making losses. We will try to help the business to improve. We did that for many years after you left and he…" Qiu Wen paused not able to bring himself to say he passed away.

Xue Ting lay her hand on his heart. "I know I know what happened after. What did you do after he left?"

"I began to look for you earnestly. I had never let the family know cause I know they must think I'm insane. That I had to pester Wen Kang of your whereabouts." That raised suspicion in Xue Ting pondering the reasons for her brother selling her off. "...but I wonder if I did force Qiu Yeh for information, would I have met you earlier…" He continued on to distract her from zoning out.

"It's just not meant to be…" Xue Ting lamented.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"But that's alright. My perseverance paid off." He said as she smiled and yawned.

"Sleep. We need to be up early." He coaxed as she eased into his arms. He sighed at the fact that he omitted his medical condition which was triggered by her. He sighed thinking when would he be able to come clean with her.

Early the next morning the husband and wife quietly made their way to visit the columbarium of James. A part of Qiu Wen felt at ease this time as he finally fulfilled his promise to James.

I hope you can rest in peace now, my friend. He reached out to touch the mirror. Xue Ting gently rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb to soothe him.

He smiled at her direction as they left. At the car park, Xue Ting received a call from Pam that it was time to bring Brisbane back. At first, Xue Ting hesitated, worrying it would be too tiring for Pam but hearing her telling him about the couple reconciling last night, she knew it would be best to send Brisbane back to them and let the little family reunited.

As Xue Ting hung up the phone, she watched her husband driving. "Was it Pam checking on Brisbane? How's Dan doing?" He asked as she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Since it's a public holiday today due to the King's birthday, you should send Dan's little minion back to the family." Xue Ting teased as he was caught by surprise.

"Are you sure she can cope? Does he not need to rest more? So fast?" He questioned as Xue Ting chuckled.

"Well if you really want to know then you send her back to them and see for yourself." Xue Ting teased him further as he got more frustrated and worried all the way home.

When they reached, the children were having breakfast as Xue Ting announced to them that Pam had called earlier for them to send Brisbane back. The twins quickly helped Brisbane who got excited to pack up before loading them into the car with both puppies.

"Daddy Ryan can you stop by the flower shop?" Brisbane asked while leaping into his arms for him to lift her up.

"Getting a bouquet for your mum?" He asked as Brisbane waved goodbye to the twins while Xue Ting followed them to the passenger seat.

"No, getting for Daddy Dan. It's your present." She said cheerfully while wiggling her legs as Qiu Wen fastened the seat belt.

"Guess it's time to reconcile…" Xue Ting smiled while patting his shoulder as she stole a kiss. He initially rolled his eyes but was smitten after the kiss as he dragged himself to the driver's seat and drove off.

As Qiu Wen stepped into the house with Brisbane distributing one bouquet each to Pam and ran to hug Dan with her bouquet for him, Qiu Wen stood dumbfounded in the living room with his bouquet. Fortunately for him, Brisbane was quick to act.

"Daddy Ryan is here to give you a gift. After he gives you the gift, you cannot get angry anymore with him. He also won't be angry with you anymore." Brisbane announced which made both men chuckle watching her putting her arms on her waist in between them.

"Now, you give him your gift and you must accept it." She instructed Qiu Wen and Dan as they obediently obliged which sent Pam laughing at Brisbane's loyalty.

"Why, looks like you have a very loyal baby girl now, Dan?" She asked as Dan squatted and kissed Brisbane.

"Thank you sweetie for helping me. Now, go ahead and freshen up with Mum. I will need to talk to Daddy Ryan." Dan said as Brisbane nodded.

"No fighting!" She gave a last warning as Pam lifted her up while the men chuckled.

Dan met Qiu Wen's gaze and signaled to head to the balcony as Qiu Wen made his way there while Dan went to the kitchen to fetch him a beer while he poured a glass of water for himself.

"It's been so hard to get you for a drink, my man," Dan said to Qiu Wen as he took a seat by his side on the balcony.

"It has been crazy indeed…" Qiu Wen said as he took a sip of the beer.

"The same with you too isn't it… a loyal minion and now ex-crush turn lover who is in the midst of a tough divorce?" Qiu Wen teased as Dan chuckled.

"The rush to the court physically. Mentally hoping for the best. Baby sitting not to mention. Yes, finally she accepted last night. Guess when it comes to life and death, it makes oneself realise many things on many different levels." Dan took a sip on his glass of water.

Qiu Wen smiled empathising with Dan's situation. "I'm sorry for worrying you the past few days. I understand where you're coming from after all that we have been through. I promise I won't let it repeat again." Dan raised his glass.

"Cheers and may James rest in peace finally after so many years…" Dan said as Qiu Wen clung his beer bottle to it.

"Been a while since we sat in peace man. How's your so-called open or contractual or serious marriage going now?"

"I don't know, Dan. One second I recalled I was saving myself from my mother at the banquet and the next thing I knew I saw her and it just prompted me to instantly make her my wife by all means. Then with her coping with James's passing. The parenting. In normal circumstances, I would definitely want to shrug off these responsibilities but I couldn't with the twins. I see myself in them. Their interest, their favorite food, their reaction, everything. At some point, I even suspected they were even mine though Xue Ting denied it. And here I am, officially dating her now." Qiu Wen concluded with a smile.

"Well, it does feel like a real marriage instead when all her issues became yours? And maybe the twins could be yours?" Dan pointed out as the men chuckled.

"I have no idea man. I thought it was temporary but it kept bugging me nowadays. Not only are her problems bugging me but mine seemed to bug her these days too. I really want to do a paternity test secretly but I don't want to offend her. Besides, we just cleared out past misunderstandings and things are just…" Qiu Wen paused as he smiled.

"Then hold it off for now and choose to believe her. When the time comes, things are meant to be revealed anyway." Dan advised as Qiu Wen pondered.

"Maybe... Perhaps you're right." Qiu Wen agreed as the men continued to drink and chat like they used to till dinner before Qiu Wen decided to make a move and head home to his own family for dinner.

A part of him began to try and put the past away as he chose to not be sceptical about the identities of the twins' father and be grateful instead.