Golden sunlight slipped through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting warm streaks across the wooden floor and the neatly made hotel suite.

Outside, the city had already awakened. Church bells echoed faintly in the distance.

The aroma of freshly baked bread drifted up from the cafés below.

Cars moved through the narrow streets while pedestrians began another busy day.

Inside the suite, everything was peaceful.

Chris had been awake for nearly twenty minutes.

He lay on his side, one arm tucked beneath his head, simply watching the woman sleeping beside him.

Liliana’s long brown hair had spread across the pillow. The morning sunlight made it shine softly. Her breathing was slow and steady. She looked completely relaxed.

Chris smiled to himself. For the first time since becoming sick, he felt genuinely rested. Not just physically. But emotionally, too.

He quietly brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.

"Lily..."

She stirred slightly. Then slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Chris smiling at her.

"...Good morning."

His voice sounded stronger than it had in days.

She blinked several times.

"Good morning."

She smiled sleepily before stretching, then immediately stopped.

"...Ow."

Chris bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing.

"You okay?"

She slowly turned to look at him.

"I..." She paused. "...I’m tired."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Tired?"

She nodded dramatically.

"Very."

Chris couldn’t hide his smile anymore.

Liliana suddenly remembered everything from the previous evening. Her cheeks instantly turned bright pink.

Without another word, she grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her face.

Chris laughed.

"Why are you hiding?"

A muffled voice answered from beneath the blanket.

"I’m too embarrassed to look at you."

He gently tugged at the edge of the blanket.

"Again? Lily."

"No."

"You can’t stay under there forever."

"Watch me."

Chris chuckled.

"I thought you were brave yesterday."

The blanket immediately moved. A flustered face appeared.

"Chris!"

"What?"

"Don’t remind me!"

He smiled innocently.

"I’m only saying..."

He pretended to think.

"...you seemed pretty happy."

Liliana covered her face again.

"I am never listening to Emily again."

Chris laughed so hard he had to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.

"So this was Emily’s idea?"

Her eyes widened.

"I didn’t say that!"

"You practically did."

She groaned dramatically.

"I’m changing hotels."

"You can’t."

"Why not?"

He reached for her hand.

"Because I’m staying here."

She tried to look annoyed. Instead, she laughed.

After a quiet moment, she looked at him carefully.

"...You look better."

Chris nodded.

"I feel better."

She instinctively placed the back of her hand against his forehead.

Normal. No fever.

She smiled in relief. "The doctor will be happy."

Chris gently took her hand.

"I think resting helped."

She looked at him suspiciously.

"Resting?"

"Yes."

"You were sleeping."

"You were too."

Liliana narrowed her eyes.

"I don’t believe you."

He grinned.

"You shouldn’t."

She lightly tapped his shoulder.

"You’re impossible."

"And yet..."

He smiled warmly.

"...you married me."

That made her laugh again.

"I did."

"And I don’t regret it."

He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"Neither do I."

An hour later, the couple finally emerged from Liliana’s suite.

Chris looked noticeably healthier. His complexion had regained its color. His posture looked stronger.

The members waiting in the hotel dining room immediately noticed.

Nathan blinked. "You look alive again."

River smiled. "Much better."

Aaron nodded in agreement. "The fever’s finally gone."

Leo folded his arms. "Good. You scared us."

Chris smiled apologetically.

"I know. I won’t push myself like that again."

Matthew looked relieved.

"We’ll hold you to that."

Amanda hugged him briefly.

"That’s all we wanted to hear."

Liliana quietly smiled.

The worry that had filled everyone’s faces during the past week had finally begun to disappear.

Just then, Emily suddenly appeared carrying a cup of coffee.

The moment she saw Liliana, she smiled.

A very suspicious smile.

"Oh? Lily."

Liliana immediately knew.

"No."

Emily walked closer.

"How are you feeling?"

"I’m fine."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Mary quietly joined them.

"Everything went well?"

Liliana froze.

"What do you mean?"

Emily exchanged a glance with Mary. Then both of them smiled at exactly the same time.

Liliana slowly backed away.

"...Don’t."

Emily laughed.

"We’re just asking."

Mary nodded innocently.

"Yes. Just asking."

Liliana covered her burning face.

"I’m not answering anything."

Emily dramatically gasped.

"So that’s a yes."

"It is not!"

Mary couldn’t help laughing.

"Lily. You’ve turned red three times already."

Nathan looked over curiously.

"What are you talking about?"

Emily immediately answered.

"Nothing."

"Adult conversation."

Nathan wisely raised both hands.

"I suddenly don’t want to know."

River quietly pulled him away.

"Trust me. Don’t ask."

The boys immediately changed the subject.

Meanwhile, Emily gently slipped her arm around Liliana’s shoulders.

"So..." She whispered. "Mission successful?"

Liliana stared at her in disbelief.

Then sighed dramatically.

"...I’m never accepting relationship advice from you again."

Emily’s eyes sparkled.

"I’m taking that as a success."

Mary smiled warmly.

"You both look happier."

Liliana’s expression softened.

She glanced across the room toward Chris, who was laughing with the other members.

He looked healthier. His smile had returned. The exhaustion in his eyes had disappeared.

She smiled without realizing it.

Mary quietly noticed.

"You know..."

She said softly.

"That’s all we wanted."

Liliana nodded.

"So did I."

Emily looked between the husband and wife before placing both hands on her hips proudly.

"I declare..."

She paused dramatically.

"...Operation Confidence officially completed."

Liliana laughed despite herself.

"You really named it?"

"I name everything."

The three women burst into laughter.

Across the dining room, Chris looked over.

Seeing his wife laughing freely again, he couldn’t help smiling too.

The worry had eased.

And ahead of them waited the rest of Europe along with new stages, new dreams, and new memories that they would face together, just as they always had.

Their next stop would be Milan.

Pulse would have a two-day concert and finally, Rhythm’s official debut.

Liliana and Nicolo also had solo campaigns. Both of them were invited to Milan Fashion Week.

Their schedule was full, but there were still incoming proposals and offers for all of them.

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