E P I L O G U E
I hope I don't trip.
"Keep your eyes closed," Nico said, his voice amused.
I laughed softly, letting him guide me forward. "If you're taking me somewhere embarrassing, I swear—"
"Trust me," he said. "You've always wanted this."
I tilted my head. "I know we said we'd wait but, If this is our honeymoon and it's not Paris, I'm going to be disappointed."
He chuckled. "This isn't our honeymoon yet."
"Oh," I teased. "So you are planning Paris."
He didn't answer. Just squeezed my hand.
We'd been married a few weeks now. And somehow, living with Nico had been everything I imagined and more. Peaceful. Safe. Full. I'd never been happier.
I saw Lizzy all the time—more than ever, actually. I never had to worry about missing her. And my biological mother... she felt like the missing piece I didn't know I was searching for. She taught me how to braid my hair, how to care for my curls, how to love the parts of myself I used to hide.
My parents eventually apologized. Really apologized. I accepted it—but I didn't forget how lonely I'd felt growing up. We stayed connected because of Lizzy. Because she mattered more than old wounds.
"Okay," Nico said. "Open them."
I did.
"Oh my god," I breathed.
A horse stood a few feet away, calm and beautiful. My heart jumped instantly.
"You remembered," I said, turning to him.
He smiled like this was the easiest thing in the world. "You told me once. A long time ago."
I laughed, emotional. "I used to imagine riding a horse with my future husband holding my hand."
"Well," he said gently, helping me up, "let's make it real."
The horse walked slowly. Nico stayed beside me, his hand never leaving mine.
"I love you hubby," I said, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt.
"I love you, my beautiful wife," he replied.
"So we're getting a dog right?" I teased.
"Anything for you."
I grinned.
"You like the way I ride?"
He looked at me squinting his eyes then chuckled.
"I love the way you ride, baby."
I knew he wasn't talking about the horse, with the way his voice got deeper. I laughed.
The wind caught my curls, loose and wild the way I wore them now. I never straightened my hair anymore—not unless I wanted to. No one ever made me feel like I had to change again.
For the first time in my life, I felt chosen. Loved. Accepted.
And I loved and chose him right back.
Because the way Nico Costa loved me so fiercely — felt like something I'd once read about in books... and never thought I'd get to live.
He loved me first.
I loved him deeper.
I'll always choose him.
Truthfully, my story doesn't exist without Nico Costa.