Epilogue
Anna
“Why can’t I ever find something I like?” I muttered, tugging at a blouse on the rack. Dresses were too short, pants too tight, colours too bright. Every piece seemed to mock me. “I’m so fed up.”
I moved to the next rail, holding up a simple top. Well, this might work…then I heard my name.
“Anna?”
I looked up. “Michael?”
His eyes widened, and a small, nervous smile formed. “Wow… you look…gorgeous. And you can walk? How are you?”
I gave a polite nod. “I’m good, thank you.”
He shuffled slightly, clearly trying to make casual conversation. “I started my own law firm.”
“Congrats,” I said, keeping my voice neutral, not really in the mood to talk. I let my hands move from rail to rail as he continued.
“So…I was thinking—I could maybe take you out to dinner sometime. I know you’re probably still mad at me, but despite what it may have looked like back then, I really loved you, Anna. I wanted to make a life with you.”
I raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop moving. “Interesting. You can have that life with Veronica now.”
“We broke up,” he said quickly. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. And…for what it’s worth, if we start over and eventually get married, I’ll sign a prenup. I’ll take care of everything financially. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”
I barely had time to process Michael’s words before movement caught my eye from the other side of the store. Ian appeared, and strapped to his chest in a soft baby carrier was Zack—our eight-month-old whirlwind from our honeymoon, dozing peacefully against him.
“There you are, love! I’ve been looking for you the entire store,” Ian said, his voice warm as he leaned down to press a gentle kiss to my cheek.
Michael froze, his mouth slightly open, unsure where to look.
“You remember Michael, honey?” I asked lightly, a small smile tugging at my lips.
“Oh…yes. How could I forget?” Ian replied smoothly, stepping forward with calm authority.
He gave Michael a glance that was just sharp enough to silence him without raising his voice.
“Michael, this is my husband, Dr. Ian Collins. And this,” Ian tilted Zack slightly so he could be seen, “is our little one, Zack.”
Michael’s jaw tightened. He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to.
“Anyway,” Ian continued, turning his attention back to me, taking my hand, “did you find anything you like, love?”
“Not yet. Honestly, I’m not really in the mood to shop anymore,” I admitted.
“Then let’s go,” Ian said softly, guiding me toward the exit, his hand firm around mine. As we moved toward the exit, he glanced over his shoulder and gave Michael a small, steady wave. Michael remained rooted in place, a silent witness to a life he could never touch again.
Outside, Ian opened the back door for me, Zack still snug against his chest in his carrier, little arms peeking out. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight—he looked so peaceful, so tiny and perfect.
Ian carefully unstrapped him from the carrier, cradling him gently in his arms. “Okay, buddy,” he murmured , “time to bug your Mom.”
I leaned over, helping him with the car seat as he carefully placed Zack into his seat next to me, fastening the straps with precise care. Zack cooed happily, resting his tiny head against the padded seat, completely content.
Ian climbed in and settled into the driver’s seat, shooting me a playful glance through the rearview mirror. “So… what were you two talking about?” he asked, his tone teasing, eyes sparkling.
“He asked me out on a date,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, though a smirk threatened to escape.
“Is that so?” Ian raised an eyebrow, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
“Yes. I can’t believe he had the audacity to talk about starting over. And if we ever decided to get married, he said he’d sign a prenuptial,” I added, shaking my head in disbelief, watching Zack wiggle slightly in his seat.
“And you didn’t interrupt him to say… you’re spoken for?” Ian asked, voice smooth but teasing.
“Why should I?” I shrugged. “It was better for him to see… so it could hit harder. Besides,” I added, glancing at Zack, “I knew you were right there. No need to ruin the moment.”
Ian chuckled softly, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “Smart move. But don’t think you’re getting away with that. You know I’ll make him regret even breathing near you.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.” I said, glancing down at Zack, brushing a gentle finger over his tiny hand.
When we arrived home, Ian’s mom was waiting for us, a warm smile on her face. She took Zack from Ian effortlessly. “Come to grandma,” she cooed, lifting him into her arms. “I’m taking him to grandpa for a bit.”
“Grandpa?” Ian looked at me, a teasing glint in his eye. “Which one?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“The only one he knows,” she said with a shrug, smirking.
The moment his mom stepped out the door, Ian whispered, “Don’t tell me your dad and my mom…”
“I was thinking the same thing,” I admitted, shaking my head.
“Thank God they didn’t meet while we were kids. That would’ve been a disaster,” Ian said, laughing softly.
“I can’t even picture us being step-siblings,” I replied, giggling.
“Still,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from my face, “it seems we’re destined to start out forbidden for one another.”
I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips.
Ian leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur. “Now… about you talking to Michael,” he said as we moved toward the kitchen. “You’re not off the hook yet.”
“Were you jealous?” I asked, pretending to sound casual.
“Jealous?” His grin widened. “That’s an understatement.”
Before I could react, he lifted me effortlessly onto the kitchen counter, pressing me into his chest. His lips found mine in a sudden, heated kiss that made my knees weak. His hands moved to the buttons of my top, fingers brushing my skin.
“Wait—what if your mom comes in?” I gasped, breathless.
“Then we take this to the bedroom,” he said, his voice low and commanding. Before I could protest, he scooped me up effortlessly in his arms.
“Zack needs a sibling anyway,” he murmured, that mischievous glint in his eyes making my pulse race.
His lips found mine instantly—soft, teasing, then deeper.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting myself melt against him as he carried me through the house.
When we reached the lift, he pressed the button for the upper floor, never breaking our kiss.
The quiet hum of the lift became our private rhythm, a pulse that matched the thrum in my chest. My hands roamed his back, feeling the taut strength beneath his shirt, and he responded in kind, fingers tracing the curves and lines I ached to memorize.
By the time we reached the bedroom, his lips never left mine, and his hands were everywhere I wanted them to be. Buttons slipped, straps fell, fabrics pooled around us. The world outside the room ceased to exist—there was only him and me.
His hands moved over my back, pulling me closer, and I gasped into his mouth. A laugh, a shiver, a whispered name—and then the door closed behind us with a soft click.
“I love you,” he breathed against my lips, and it stole my breath entirely.
....The End