A week had passed since the tumultuous events unfolded, and now the time had come for the Halloween-themed gathering. Rita and Leo, ever the loyal friends, rushed to my side upon hearing the shocking news of my near abduction by our former CEO, Jeon Jungkook. In a gesture of solidarity, they presented me with the art gallery, declaring it my own.

To be precise, it had always belonged to me, a fact obscured by the treachery of Jeon and Jane, who had stolen it from my family. Yet, who would stand up to prove that truth now? As long as I had reclaimed what was rightfully mine, the shadows of the past held little weight.

From this day forward, I was determined to embrace a new perspective.

The staff busied themselves with the task of welcoming guests, guiding them through the festivities with a practiced ease.

I had the honor of inviting Haegue Yang from Korea and Gerhard Richter from Germany to serve as judges for the event.

As the competition commenced, the artists unleashed their creativity, their brushes dancing across the canvases like wands casting spells. The clock was ticking, and I found myself filled with anticipation, eager to discover who would emerge as the shining star of the day.

After an hour and a half of intense artistry, the competition drew to a close, yet the results remained a mystery. Haegue and Gerhard moved among the artworks, their discerning eyes taking in every detail.

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me, and as I turned, I was greeted by a stunning bouquet of lavender. As I took the flowers from the hands of their bearer, Taehyung's familiar face came into focus.

"You made it," I said, a smile spreading across my face as I welcomed him into a warm embrace. Over the past week, I had grown closer to Taehyung, uncovering the layers of his life and the stories of his family.

His father, a criminal lawyer, had only crossed paths with my father in a quest to halt his misdeeds and unveil the truth. Their identities remained a closely guarded secret, known only to my father, who had chosen to confront his past and seek redemption for his wrongs.

I had also come to learn that Taehyung's family had stepped in to assist with my father's debts, and my heart swelled with gratitude for the kindness the Kims had shown us.

"You're going to stick around for a bit, right? Once the competition results are announced, we could grab dinner together?" I asked, my voice laced with hope, silently wishing he would say yes. 
"I would love to," he replied, and we settled into our seats, anticipation buzzing in the air as we faced the stage, eager for the judge's verdict.

"Good evening, everyone. It is a true honor to be here tonight, judging these remarkable artistic expressions," Haegue began, her voice resonating through the hall. 
"This is indeed a fierce competition, showcasing the incredible talents on display. However, as with any contest, we have narrowed it down to the top three," Grehard added, his tone serious yet enthusiastic. 
"And now, the third prize goes to Marcus, for his stunning piece that captures a landscape with two contrasting sides—one radiant and the other dark and foreboding." As Marcus received his award, the audience erupted in applause, celebrating his remarkable achievement.

The second prize was awarded to Lee Mary for her poignant artwork that captured the tumultuous landscape of a patient’s mind during a time of trauma. Another prize had been claimed, and curiosity swirled around who might have taken home the first prize.

"The first and most touching piece of art reflects the duality of existence. It portrays a mother’s spirit embracing the earthly form of her daughter, cradling her in a final, chilling farewell as the grave looms ominously behind them. This extraordinary creation belongs to Kim Taehyung," Haegue announced, and I found myself staring at him in disbelief. The painting depicted a moment so intimate—my mother and me. Tears of joy cascaded down my cheeks as I absorbed the beauty of his work.

It encapsulated the last moments we shared together. His masterpiece would find a permanent home in the gallery, and I enveloped him in a heartfelt hug, burying my face in his shoulder as I tried to compose myself.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice muffled against him, and he gently rubbed my back, offering comfort.

"Anything for you, Elli," he replied, his gaze locking onto mine as I pulled away.

"Thank you for always being there for me," I said, my eyes drifting to his lips. In a moment of spontaneity, I leaned in for a soft kiss, but he held me close, responding with a tenderness that sent warmth through me.

As we turned to face the gathering of friends and family celebrating our wedding, I felt a sense of completeness.

A year had passed since that fateful Halloween event, and now we were finally ready to embrace the vows that had once been postponed.

"That's the spirit!" I laughed softly, wiping away a tear that had escaped down my cheek.

With a playful flick of my wrist, I tossed my bouquet in her direction. She caught it with glee, a triumphant smirk directed at Leo, who raised his hands in mock defeat and took a step back.

As I glanced at my surroundings, a smile crept onto my face. Taehyung stood beside me, holding my hand gently, as if it were the most valuable treasure in the world.

Maybe life wasn’t so bleak after all. There were shadows, yes, but also rays of light.