“That’s why I’m not saying goodbye.” Mama softly kissed me on the forehead. “You’re never going to lose me. I will always be around, sweetheart. You may not be able to see me, but you’ll always feel me in your heart. And sweetheart?”
I sniffled. “What?”
“Mama loves you very much. I didn’t get to make you feel that in the past, but in my heart, I’ve always loved you.”

“HAVE you made up your mind?”
Just like before, I almost jumped out of surprise when I suddenly heard that deep voice. But I was able to regain my composure quicker this time as I faced the owner of that voice.
“I can heal your mother, Brianna, if you will only say yes to my offer.”
I was silent for a moment as I gaze at the sky. I had wanted to question God many times. I’d wanted to question His plans for me. But after talking to my mother, realization had hit me hard. I should actually be contented now. God had always been kind to me. Maybe the reason why God took away my father was to make my mother return in my life. I had to lose Kristoff so I could meet Ingram. I didn’t lose him not because I was inadequate, not because something was wrong with me. I lost him simply because he was not the right man for me.
Mama’s illness became a bridge for me and Stella to fix our relationship. It became a way for us to learn how to forgive and how to be forgiven as well. Her illness exists not to scare us but to remind us that every second was important, that while we could, we should learn to love each other now.
God had blessed me with so many beautiful things. But I wasn’t able to notice that because I kept searching and desiring for more. Mama wouldn’t leave me with painful memories because she had made me feel loved. And now that she wanted to rest, I should not be selfish. Love was not selfish. It doesn’t dictate. It doesn’t manipulate. It accepts and it understands. Love… sees beyond reasons.
“Brianna?”
“Stop manipulating the people around you, Sullivan. Humans are not puppets. Do you know why you couldn’t move on? It’s because you keep looking back. You are stuck in the very place where Acantha left you,” I said when I found my voice. “Didn’t you stop for a moment to think that maybe she just wasn’t the right woman for you? The same way that her doppelgangers are not meant for you, too. Stop this. Stop trying to hurt others just because you are hurt. Set yourself free from Acantha and Xenos’ memories. And set me free as well.”
I was about to leave the balcony when Sullivan spoke again.
“Why wasn’t I surprised anymore?”
I heard him laugh but it sounded empty in my ears.
“Like I once told you, you are different, Brianna. Maybe it’s because you understand darkness. You knew how it felt to be in the dark that’s why you are so effective in bringing out the light. And believe it or not, I do love you the way Ingram love you. Yes, I was able to love again after a long, long time. After we met, I’ve tried to search for the witches so I would know how to break the curse. But the witches said they cannot lift the curse because the ones who casted it had already died. I’m sorry, Brianna.”
I gasped. I wanted to believe the sadness and love written in his eyes but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. “Why do you suddenly want to break the curse?”
Sullivan shrugged. “It may be hard to believe but love could certainly change a person. When I fell in love with you and witnessed how much you love Ingram, I grew tired of being an asshole. I was about to finally free Erasmus and Ingram when I got caught by Xanthus’ group. I realized quite a few things. What am I really fighting for? Acantha and Xenos were both dead. You and Ingram were just doppelgangers now who were suffering because of the curse.
“The Council was right when they reprimanded me back then. But I didn’t listen. Loving you made me finally accept the truth. Now if your next question was why I fell in love with you, I don’t have the answer to that. Maybe I was cursed, too. I only know one thing. You are unique. You are a combination of light and darkness. Perhaps, that tempted my heart. Freedom, that’s what I wanted to give to you after I realized my feelings. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make you say ‘yes’ to me. I just came here not to take my chances but to say goodbye. The moment you wake up from this dream, please tell Ingram my apologies...”
I woke up when I heard Mama calling my name over and over again. I opened my eyes and glanced at her. She was still asleep.
“Brianna…” she called once more in a very low voice before opening her eyes. I held her hand. “Ma? You’re dreaming.”
“Please close the windows, sweetheart. It’s too bright. My eyes hurt.”
I looked at the windows, puzzled. They were all closed. And it was still dark outside. I glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table. It was only one-twenty in the morning. What was Mama saying?
“But ‘Ma, the windows are closed-“I was stunned when her grip loosened. My body froze when I understood what she meant. My heart pounded as I got up on the bed. “Ma?”
I gently shook her shoulders but she didn’t move an inch. Tears ran down my cheeks as I leaned on her chest. But I couldn’t hear and feel her heartbeat anymore.
I suddenly found myself screaming. “Mama!”

(Brianna)
“IN A LIFETIME made of memories, I believe in destiny. Every moment returns again in time. When I’ve got the future on my mind, know that you’ll be the only one...”
I flashed my sweetest smile while walking down the aisle. Tears ran down my cheeks when I saw the man waiting for me at the altar, the man whom I never thought existed and the man who opened my eyes about the countless beautiful things in the world. I never thought that a wedding such as ours would still be possible after everything we had gone through.
“In a lifetime, there is only love reaching for the lonely one. We are stronger when we are given love. When we put emotions on the line, know that we are the timeless ones. Meet me halfway across the sky. Make this a new beginning of another life...”
New beginning, indeed, I thought as the song continued to play. Everything was beautiful today. This day made me realize that such perfection could exist in real life, too, and not just in the novels that I write. The sea was beautiful, even the sand caressing my bare feet, the soft wind playing with my hair, and the sunrise. They were all perfect… especially my groom.
So many things happened. If not for the love Ingram and I had for each other, we would probably have given up already. It had been a year since Mama passed away. It was hard to accept at first. But God was good. He didn’t allow me to wallow in misery for a long time because when He took my mother, He left people that would help me rise again.