Timeline - December 31st | ( 4 Days later)

Eko should have known today was going to be different when she woke up that morning. Her boyfriend had been unusually attentive, even more so than usual. While their mornings together were always filled with warmth, that day, there was an added layer of care that felt almost ceremonious. Breakfast in bed was a luxury he rarely indulged in, yet here it was—perfectly plated, with a steaming cup of coffee just the way she liked it.

But it was the small black box beside the breakfast tray that caught her attention. Inside was a pair of stunning drop earrings, each gem catching the light with a brilliance that seemed almost too perfect. She had been eyeing these earrings for months, their hefty $33,000 price tag always a barrier she thought would keep them out of reach. She had mentioned them in passing, more as a wish than a genuine expectation, but there they were, nestled in velvet and gold.

At that point, she hadn't given it much thought. He had spoiled her before; it wasn't the first time. The sleek black coupe parked in the basement garage of Allegiant was just another testament to how much he enjoyed doing such things for her.

After breakfast, they had laughed, bantered, and chatted away like every other morning. Their friends, arriving with wide smiles and bubbling excitement, should have been her second clue that something was up. Their unusually cheerful demeanor seemed out of place, but she dismissed it, attributing it to the excitement of the party that night. It was then that he told her to go shopping and handed her the card.

Why she failed to notice the red flag waving right in front of her was a mystery. Taking the card from one of the blacklisted accounts—the ones he had explicitly declared off-limits under normal circumstances—should have screamed that something was up. It was as if the universe had handed her a neon sign reading "Beware," and she'd decided it was a decorative feature.

Yet, tonight, the rules seemed to be on vacation. Her excitement for the shopping spree, combined with the sheer thrill of the upcoming New Year's Eve party, made any reservations she might have had feel like minor footnotes in a much more thrilling chapter. As Jesse had put it, tonight's celebration was shaping up to be the party of all parties. No expense would be spared, and it seemed she was about to dive headfirst into the party of a lifetime.

The dress code for the evening was black tie, and he urged her to find an outfit that outshone all her previous ones. This should have been her fourth clue. Matthew had always been one to remind her about reusing the dresses she had bought and stored in her room. This seemingly insignificant detail, overlooked in the excitement of preparation, should have been the most glaring warning sign.

What should have been her fifth clue was Mya's advance planning: she had arranged for a salon to stay open on New Year's Eve, ensuring that the four of them could get manicures and pedicures. With a few bottles of wine between them, they strolled together, sharing laughter and giggles, their new hairstyles and glamor adding to the sense of excitement.

As the hours passed and a little after six, Eko, dressed in a long, elegant golden gown, swayed gracefully with Mya towards the auditorium. The dress, adorned with intricate lace detailing, shimmered under the lights, exuding a regal elegance fitting for the night's festivities. The fitted bodice accentuated her curves, while the flowing skirt created a captivating silhouette that trailed behind her. The gown's tasteful yet alluring design was perfect for the occasion, and Eko knew that, given their history, Matthew would surely appreciate the allure before the fireworks lit up the sky at midnight.

Matthew had wanted tonight to be the night that she remembered for the rest of her life —a night to look back on and remember how deeply she was loved, not just by him, but by everyone around her. This wasn't just about creating a perfect moment; it was about embedding in her heart the understanding that his love—and the love of their closest friends—was a constant, unwavering presence that would endure through every high and low they faced together.

For weeks, they had all discussed and meticulously planned the event. Every detail mattered because if Eko said yes, it wasn't just a commitment to Matthew but to all of them, she was saying yes to being a family. Yes to forever.

Jesse cast a final, lingering glance around the room. The ethereal ambiance was heightened by white peonies, delicately suspended and scattered, creating a breathtaking floral tapestry. Orbs of magical light, like softly glowing fireflies, floated around the ballroom, casting a warm, inviting glow that seemed to infuse the air with a sense of enchantment.

The scene before them was undeniably breathtaking. Every detail, from the delicate arrangement of flowers to the ethereal play of light, spoke volumes about the meticulous planning and seamless collaboration that had gone into creating this moment. Jasmine, standing beside Jesse, felt a swell of pride. This wasn't just an event; it was a masterpiece, a stunning manifestation of their collective dedication and creativity. It was, without a doubt, some of their finest work.

Jasmine turned to Jesse with a pointed look. "She better say yes, right? I didn't go through all this blood, sweat, and tears for Matthew to mess it up, or for Eko to turn him down."

Jesse glanced over at the woman beside her, whose striking aqua hair complemented her elegant nude sheer gown. They were both impeccably dressed for the New Year's Eve celebration in Isadora. An entire hotel had been reserved for the event, and while the evening's festivities were starting to come to life, they still needed to head to the venue to officially kick things off.

This meant that their said headmaster needed to propose to his girlfriend for the festivities to begin. The plan was to celebrate, uncork the wine, capture a multitude of photos as the publishing houses were poised to go wild with the news, bask in the hard-earned praise directed their way for the meticulous effort invested in the setup, and ensure they were ready to leave by seven thirty.

The crucial part of the plan was to accomplish all that without Matthew and Eko sucking face with one another — after all, they had the rest of their lives to do that.

As Mya and Eko approached the auditorium, their laughter mingled with the soft hum of music that seemed to weave through the air. In hindsight, Eko realized this should have been her sixth clue that something was off. Why were they gathering in the auditorium when the event was meant to be held at Aqua da Luca's hotel?

Eko slowed her pace, entranced by the delicate strains of the orchestra that seemed to resonate deep within her. As they neared the ballroom, she took a deep breath and turned to Mya, her closest friend. Mya, with a touch of practiced grace, gently pushed Eko's long, brunette waves from her shoulders and adjusted the golden corseted dress with a meticulous eye. Her smile, radiant and full of affection, spoke volumes as she looked at Eko, embodying all the love and support she had for her.

"Okay, what's going on?" Eko's suspicion deepened as she noticed the unusual softness in Mya's demeanor. It was highly out of character, and Eko couldn't shake the feeling that something was definitely up. Mya had never been this attentive—never, ever. Eko blinked rapidly, her long black lashes fluttering as she watched Mya, dressed in a navy blue silk gown, step back and admire her with tears glistening in her eyes.

"Breathe," Mya whispered, her voice soothing and calm. She placed her hand over the control panel, and with a gentle swipe, the doors slid open. Before Eko could question her further, a fragrant wave of lavender and lilies enveloped her, mingling with the soft strains of the gentle violin strings of the recomposed four seasons song.

As the doors fully opened, Eko was met with a breathtaking spectacle: a wondrous world of white and light unfurled before her, every detail meticulously arranged to create an enchanting atmosphere.

Eko's mouth fell open in astonished silence as she took in the scene before her. It took her a moment to fully grasp the transformation that had occurred. The auditorium was no longer recognizable; it had been utterly transformed into a breathtaking wonderland.

The space was awash in an ethereal glow, with floating lights casting a soft, magical radiance. Her favorite flowers, rare and exquisite even among the galaxies she had explored, were everywhere, their delicate petals glowing softly. As she stepped into the vast expanse of pinks and whites, the floor was adorned with tiny tea light candles, their flickering flames creating a path that led to the heart of the ballroom.

The flowers along this path were interwoven with golden lights, making them appear like stars twinkling in the night sky. The entire ballroom sparkled as if it had been crafted from a thousand brilliant diamonds, each surface reflecting the enchanting glow and adding to the spellbinding beauty of the scene.

In her wildest dreams, she never could have imagined witnessing something so extraordinary. Her tears now threatened to spill as she approached the epicenter of this unparalleled beauty. She spun around slowly, taking in the endless, breathtaking panorama before her. No words seemed adequate to describe the profound beauty of the moment.

As she completed her final turn in the auditorium, her gaze landed on the man who had orchestrated this entire event. She stopped in her tracks, her smile widening as she watched him approach her, almost as if in slow motion. There he was—an ethereal figure dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, the extraordinary man who had transformed her life, the one who owned her heart, body, and soul.

A grin spread across her face as tears streamed down her cheeks. His smile was the same one that had always captured her heart, and now, it was clear he had surprised her in every conceivable way.

As he reached Eko, he gently took her hand and pulled her closer. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, he sank to one knee in front of her. Her heart raced uncontrollably, the intensity of the moment leaving her breathless.

Her heart beat wildly in her chest. "Holy fuck..."

The room's lights dimmed and illuminated in a soft, mesmerizing dance, casting a gentle glow over the tea lights and flowers that adorned the space. The ambiance was intimate and serene, the delicate lighting highlighting the beauty of the moment. Eko's heart fluttered as she felt a gentle tug on her hand, drawing her back to him. She watched, captivated, as he reached into his jacket pocket.

With a slow, deliberate movement, he pulled out a ring—a stunning, exquisite piece that sparkled brilliantly under the soft light. Eko's breath hitched as she took in the sight of the ring, her hand trembling slightly as it clasped his tighter.

His blue steel eyes locked onto hers, reflecting the raw, unfiltered emotion he was feeling. The world seemed to shrink to just the two of them, the noise and chaos of the outside world fading away.

"Eko Isobelle Swan," he began, his voice calmed the entire room, "I couldn't tell if I loved you the first moment I saw you, or if it was the second or third or fourth. But I remember the very first moment I looked at you walking towards me and realized that somehow the rest of the world seemed to vanish when I was with you."

Eko's breath caught, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked at him, the weight of his words settling over her. "Matthew?"

He smiled softly, the warmth of his gaze as comforting as it was unwavering. "And I've always believed that real love is chaotic. It sweeps you off your feet, shakes you to your core. When you love someone as deeply as I love you, you lose control, you lose perspective, you open yourself up completely. The greater the love, the greater the chaos it brings. And yet, it's a chaos I wouldn't trade for anything."

"The greater the love, the greater the chaos," Eko repeated, her voice trembling with emotion. As her tears fell freely, she found herself dropping to her knees before him, before the man she had loved most in all the worlds she had known. She had worshipped him, and in that moment, there was nowhere else she would rather be in any reality than here with him.

Matthew's eyes softened as he spoke, his voice filled with a profound tenderness. "And it just happened one day for me. One day, I woke up and found myself in this place where everything just feels right. My heart," he took her hand and placed it gently on his chest, "is calm. My soul, my thoughts—God, my vision is so clear. I'm at peace, Eko. Peace with where we've been, at peace with what we've been through, and at peace with where we are headed."

As he spoke, he took her hand and, with a broad grin adorning his face, slowly slid the ring onto her finger. The moment seemed to stretch into eternity as Eko was lost in the depths of his steel-blue eyes. In those moments, she realized just how profoundly he had softened her—softened her in ways she hadn't believed possible.

For much of her life, storms had coursed through her veins whenever anyone had laid their eyes on her. She had carried the weight of a belief buried deep within her—a notion that she was inherently difficult to love. This belief had been thrust upon her, its roots reinforced by the cruel words Madison had once spoken, words that reverberated in her mind like an unyielding, soul-wrenching chorus.

But then he came into her life.

"So, Eko Isobelle Swan, will you do me the honor of marrying me, spending the rest of your life with me, in this life and the next, a thousand times over?"

In that moment, Eko felt as though she was witnessing her entire life in a single, breathtaking instant. Meeting Matthew had revealed a truth she had long been blind to—that the perception that she was hard to love was nothing more than a complete misunderstanding. 

For, he had made love seem so easy.

For, he had loved her so effortlessly. 

"I-I-... I-I," Eko stammered, her voice trembling and barely audible as the tidal wave of emotions surged over her. All she could manage was a breathless gasp before she hurled herself into his arms, her heart exploding with joy as she screamed the word "Yes!" with every ounce of strength her lungs could muster.

As she stumbled backwards, Matthew fell to his knees, a wave of visible relief washing over him. Eko wrapped her arms around his neck, her gaze lingering on the ring that now adorned her wedding finger. The princess-cut platinum ring, encircled by a halo of diamonds, gleamed softly in the ambient light. Despite its grandness on her slender fingers, it fit perfectly, a tangible symbol of their love and commitment.

"A thousand times yes," Eko sobbed, her voice trembling with emotion. She leaned back, her hands gently cupping his cheeks, her smile growing brighter with every passing second, like the first glimpse of sunlight after a decade of winter's darkness.

She kissed her now husband-to-be. Both of them on their knees, Eko's fingers tangled in his hair, her touch tender yet filled with a desperate yearning. Matthew's hand rested against the back of her head, drawing her closer, his arm wrapped securely around her waist, grounding them both to that moment. 

Amidst tears and laughter, Eko kissed him again, pouring all her heart and soul into it. Matthew's lips moved over hers, slow and tender, as if time itself had slowed just for them. Deep down, Eko knew it would always be him, that he would forever be hers. They had come so far, and though their journey was far from over, they were undeniably meant for each other. With a lifetime ahead of them, Eko couldn't wait to share every moment with him by her side.

"North stars," Eko heard her mother's voice, soft and wistful as they lay together in bed. Eko had just turned twenty-one, and her mother, a bit tipsy and nostalgic, spoke in a gentle tone. "Soulmates aren't rare, my love. You'll meet many in a lifetime, just as you'll live countless lives."

"But North stars are?" Eko giggled. 

"North stars are the rarest of them all," her mother said with a wistful smile, turning onto her back. She let out a long breath, her eyes closing as she drifted into her own memories. "And by chance, you'll meet someone who embodies home—someone who is home. Knowing them is like being found without ever realizing you were lost.

And you will love them. God my little bug, you will love them as they are because they are yours. They exist beneath your skin, in your veins, in your bones. They were written in some far-off past life.

There is no force that is more than they are.

You are born half in love with them, and to have them, to be theirs is like nothing else.

Nothing would dare to be."