Epilogue

6 months later

I sit down on the grass beside her, experiencing a moment of déja vu. But this time, everything has changed. I've changed.

Sighing, I take a look at all the tombstones around me. My eyes stop on Brandon, who's leaning against the car with his arms crossed, waiting for me. I smile.

"You see him?" I question out loud, hugging my knees to my chest. "Yeah, he isn't dead. He's very alive. He makes me feel alive."

Pausing, I close my eyes. "I wish you were, too. We arrested... dad. He got what he deserves."

I glance at her tombstone, swallowing. "I wish I knew what you think of me, right now. Did I do the right thing? Am I a good person, mom? Brandon says I am, but he's Brandon."

Shaking my head, I stand up. The wind blows in my face like a caress, and I tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear. I raise my head towards the sky and the bright sun, hoping that she's at peace, now. That she's okay where she is.

Two arms wrap around me from behind, and Brandon rests his chin on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?" he asks, and I take a deep breath, nodding.

"Yeah. I am, now." I turn around and bring my hand to his cheek, my thumb caressing the subtle on his jaw. Brandon's bright blue eyes smile at me.

"We should go soon, or else we'll be late," he says.

"And missing Garry's gala?" I shake my head, sighing dramatically. "Awful."

"I know, we could spend our time more considerably." Brandon winks and kisses my lips.

Rolling my eyes, I smile at him. His expression slowly becomes more serious.

"You'll announce it tonight?"

Letting out a shaky breath, I glance down at my feet. "Yeah. I don't know how he's gonna react."

Brandon raises my chin with his finger and meets my eyes. "You're like a daughter to Garry, Sophia. He wants you to be happy. And if you want a more normal life, so be it."

I slowly nod my head. "And you?"

"I want to be with you," he replies naturally, kissing my forehead. "The rest doesn't really matter."

I tilt my head. "That was smooth."

Brandon smiles, then takes a look at her gravestone. I wrap my arms around him, my cheek against his chest. We stay there for a few more minutes before we head back to the car.

Brandon drives for a good fifteen minutes before we arrive at the place where the gala takes place. I look down at my short black dress and heels, then climb out of the car when Brandon opens my door, offering me his arm. His tuxedo is all black as well and fits him perfectly.

We start walking towards the event, talking about the recent rumors of Britt and Andrew dating. I make a face and shake my head. I never expected this. I'll have to ask her myself if they're really a thing, but if she's happy, then I am.

"Sophia!"

Frowning, I turn around. A woman with brown curly hair and green eyes approaches me, smiling. It doesn't take long for me to recognize her.

"Hanna?" I take a few steps towards her, smiling. Brandon stays behind, his hands in his pockets, watching us curiously.

She nods, letting out a small laugh. "Yeah. It's been a while."

"Indeed," I say, watching as she clutches a notebook to her chest. "How have you been?"

Hanna looks to her right at nothing in particular, lost in her thoughts for a moment. I notice she carefully chooses how to answer, and she finally turns her head towards me again, nodding once.

"I've been good, actually. Just trying to forget about the past." She shrugs a shoulder, and I nod carefully.

"Trust me, I know the feeling. You'll be okay, one day. I promise." Pausing, I look down at her notebook and raise an eyebrow. "How is that book of yours going?"

She blinks twice. "How do you know I'm writing a book? Are you... spying on me?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "No. You just said you wanted to be a writer, right? And you're clutching this notebook as if your life depends on it."

She chuckles, looking down to hide her embarrassment. "Right. Well, it's going pretty well. Actually, you're in it."

I raise my eyebrows. "I'm in your book?"

"Yeah. Let's say I got inspired by everything that happened. Are you okay with that?"

"Sure! I just wasn't expecting that. My life isn't that exciting, you know."

Hanna tilts her head, smiling. "Agree to disagree. You're still a mystery to me."

So are you. I smile, nodding. "Well, how is it called?"

"Oh, I haven't found the right title yet. Actually, it's really not finished."

"Well, if you need my help, you know what to do," I propose, taking a step back.

Hanna smiles, watching me for a while. "I think I'll do. You know, it looks good on you."

I frown. "What?"

"Happiness," she replies, taking a few steps back. "Have a good night, Sophia."

"You too," I say, watching as she turns around and crosses the street. I walk back to where Brandon stands.

He raises an eyebrow at me and intertwines his fingers with mine.

"What?" I ask, looking up at him.

"Nothing." He smiles, starting to walk. Then he looks down at me. "Ready?"

I meet his eyes and smile. With him, I always am. Still, I squeeze his hand and reply, as always.

"Are you?"

*

The end.

Shit, it never gets easier. This is my second completed book, but still. Writing a book is something. Living with characters in your head for what feels like forever, always thinking of what will happen next, then being shocked when something happens and you didn't expect it because your characters somehow took control of the story and not you, the author.

As always, I didn't have a clear idea of where I was going with this story. I had a few ideas in head, I "plotted" a little bit, but in the end, everything that happened was literally out of my control. It happened and I was like oh wow okay that's a good idea. Let's kill Nova but no, she'll stay alive because... oh she's Sophia's stepsister! Surprise!

Anyway. Just thank you for reading this story that literally came out of nowhere. ❤️ I hope you loved Sophia, who was really hard to write because of how complex she is (at least to me.)

I love y'all. If you'd like to read more of my works, I have another action romance that is actually a published book on Amazon. Check it out: Secret Agents: My Bodyguard.

💙 I also have a sweet forbidden romance novel about a twenty-one-year-old woman who tries to overcome her feelings for a man with whom she can't be after surviving with him for days at sea. 🛩 It's called The Aftermath of Drifting Away, and there is a sample on my profile. It's definitely my best work so far, and the writing is way better since it's my most recent work. (Hello from 2021!)

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Until next time,

Audrey ❤️

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