Epilogue
LEONI
Six months later.
The office is quiet now. The chairs pushed in, computers humming softly, the smell of coffee lingering even though no one’s had one in hours. I shut down my screen and gather my things, smiling to myself as I flick the light off above my desk.
I love it here.
Hannah stuck her head around my door earlier and reminded me, again, that I don’t have to stay late to prove anything. That doing my job well is enough. That I don’t need to earn my place by running myself into the ground. And convincing her I want to be here because I love it, was impossible.
Outside, the city is glowing gold with early evening light. I spot Warren straight away, leaning against his car, phone to his ear, suit jacket off, sleeves rolled up. He looks… settled. Not softer, just steadier.
He ends the call when he sees me.
“Hey,” he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“Hey.”
We walk side by side toward the river, fingers brushing before he looks at me, still always checking, making sure I’m okay. I nod, smiling.
His hand finds mine, our fingers lacing together. “How was work?” he asks.
“Good. Busy,” I say, smiling. “How about you?”
He shrugs lightly. “Less fires to put out these days.”
It’s true. He stepped back. Restructured. Let go of things that once threatened it all. And if he still runs in darker circles, I wouldn’t know. Because this new life we’re leading, it’s quiet. And normal. And it feels safe.
We stop by the water and lean against the railing, the world moving on around us.
“Jordan starts college again next week,” I tell him. “He finally got his enrolment date.”
His face lights. “That’s brilliant.”
“And just so you know, Mum’s already planning a celebration dinner,” I warn. “She’s very stressed about it.”
He chuckles. “I’ll mentally prepare.”
I glance at him, the man who once scared me, challenged me, broke my heart, and now somehow feels like my everything.
“You okay?” he asks, reading my silence like he always does.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “I just… sometimes I can’t believe how much has changed.”
He squeezes my hand once. “Me neither.”
“I feel so lucky,” I add.
He leans down and presses a kiss to the side of my head. “I’m the luckiest man in the world.” He waits for a beat, then adds, “Now come on, let’s get back to the car before Anthony sends out a search party.” I laugh as he leads me away.
Our evenings by the river are my favourite part of the day. Rain or shine, we do this every night after work, five quiet minutes to check in. To breathe. To remember what matters.
“I think we should order Chinese,” I say, teasing.
He snorts. “Not a chance.”
I throw my arms around his neck and he catches me easily, pulling me against his side before kissing me.
“Fine,” I sigh, rolling my eyes. “Steak it is.”
I tuck myself closer into his side, and he doesn’t let go. It feels like a promise.
I’m finally where I belong.
THE END