Epilogue
EPILOGUE
AIDEN
Eight months later
It’s release weekend.
There’s a large banner featuring the book cover. It’s got a plain background and a black-and-white image of me. Embossed text below. Titan, Rising. The tagline is right beneath it. A story of an American media empire, and the man behind its future.
“This is torture,” I say.
The woman beside me laughs. She’s heard me complain for weeks in preparation for this day.
Her hand slides into mine. “One hour. Contractually, we have to be here for one hour.”
“I’m going to throw all the attention on you.”
Charlotte chuckles again. “No, you’re not.”
“For a release party, I think that’s pretty expected,” I say. I pull her in closer and press a kiss to her temple. “After all, this book wouldn’t have been a success without you.”
Vera Tran is standing by the drinks table, chatting with a few people. She sees us coming in and excuses herself.
I’ve heard a lot about Charlotte’s editor at Polar Publishing. Especially in the last few weeks, ever since Charlotte submitted the outline for her non-fiction book. They’ve chatted weekly about what to keep, what to change.
Vera is slating it along next year’s spring releases and wants to make Charlotte into one of their biggest debut authors.
“You both made it,” Vera says. “Come in, come in. A few of your guests are already here.”
I frown. “I didn’t put anyone on the list.”
But someone must have, because standing in the corner of the bookstore is my mother and Mandy. They’re chatting with Charlotte’s parents.
On the table between them is a stack of books. Of my memoir.
Charlotte chuckles as we walk up to our families.
I’m already groaning.
“My hero!” Mandy says and holds out the book to us. “Could you sign it for me, please, Aiden?”
“You’re ridiculous.”
She laughs and hands the book to Charlotte instead. “You’re right, it’s her autograph I want, anyway. The actual author.”
Charlotte accepts the book from my sister. She turns the hardback over, studying the spine and the elegant cover. The design is nice, I’ll admit that much.
And so is the content of the book. I’ve cut almost nothing of what Charlotte wrote. Even if the idea of people buying it and reading it, making the story their own, is terrifying.
Mom even likes it.
She was the hardest critic. The one I suspected would be most upset by some of the stuff in it. But she liked it. You’re getting your revenge, she’d said.
Mandy and I have agreed not to chase any of the headlines that might come out after this book is released. She made me promise not to. That we won’t continue trying to clean up the mess he made.
It’s not our mess, she’d said. It never was.
We’d written him a letter together ahead of the book release. Each said our part, and it was a lot of anger. I’d made sure it was delivered there with utmost security—no chance of it getting leaked again.
I don’t know what the future holds for him. Or for us, if there will ever be an us again, a relationship. But for the first time since he was arrested, I’m okay with not knowing.
And now, here we all are, at the release party. It once felt like we’d never reach this day.
“Hi,” I tell Charlotte’s parents and step past her to greet them properly. “Thank you both for coming. It means a lot to us.”
Charlotte’s mother hugs me. “We’re glad to be here. Did you know, we’ve never been to a release party for one of her books before?”
“Really?”
“Never,” she says again and motions for John. “Have we?”
“Nope.” He extends his hand my way. “I read it. Charlie sent me an early copy.”
“She did?”
“Sure did. I didn’t realize… quite how much you’ve overcome.” John shrugs his shoulders. I’ve gotten to know both him and Helen quite well over the past few months.
Charlotte and I have been back to Elmhurst several times.
And each time, I’ve had a few hard conversations with her parents.
I thought they’d be people I’d need to charm and impress. Instead... the relationship has developed into something far more genuine. They’re like Charlotte. Honest, kind, and straight shooters.
They’re people I respect.
“You’ve had some crazy years,” he continues. “I’m sorry about all of it. No child should be held accountable for the sins of their parents.”
It takes me a moment to speak. “Right. Thanks, John. I appreciate that.”
A lot.
He shakes my hand again and smiles at me. “Now let’s get this party started. We’re here to celebrate, after all. To celebrate you!”
“And Charlotte,” I say. “You know this book wouldn’t have happened without her.”
He looks at his daughter. Laughing with Mandy and both of our mothers, with a copy of the book under her arm. She was nervous about her outfit for tonight, but she had nothing to worry about.
Charlotte is stunning. She always is.
“She has always surprised me,” John says. “I’m not surprised that her choice of a man surprised me, too.”
I chuckle. “I know. I’m sorry about that.”
He claps me on the shoulder. “That’s okay. I think we’ve all gotten over the initial shock by now, hmm?”
“We definitely have.”
“And between you and me, I don’t think Charlie could have chosen better. I was worried she wouldn’t...” He clears his throat. “I’ve been worried about her. All part of being a parent, you know. Well, I suppose you don’t.”
“No. Not yet, at least.”
His face softens with a smile. “Yeah. Not yet. But she’s on such a fantastic path, and… I’m really excited about the book she’s writing now.”
“So am I,” I say honestly. “I think we’re only at the beginning of what she’ll accomplish.”