Epilogue
Three Years Later
Grief is a weird thing. It doesn’t follow a straight line or stay constant; it comes and goes in waves, with good days and bad days. The pain, the guilt, the grief—it all seemed unbearable at first. But Victor and I clung to each other through it all. Our love, which started as forbidden and messy, is now unbreakable.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Esme. The happy memories and laughter keep me going on the darkest days. Even now, three years later, it’s hard to believe she’s gone. Those first few months were the toughest for Victor and me. Losing his son left a hole in his heart that I know will never fully heal. And for me, the absence of Esme in the world will never feel normal.
But life keeps moving forward, even when it hurts like hell sometimes.
After I earned my master’s degree last year, I landed my dream job as a substance abuse counselor at a rehab center. A week after starting my position, Victor opened his own tattoo parlor.
To celebrate our first successful year of career adventures and the love that’s gotten us through the worst of times, we jetted off to the breathtaking island of Ibiza, Spain.
It’s been absolutely incredible. The luxurious beachfront resort we’re staying at is like something out of a movie, with jaw-dropping ocean views and top-notch everything.
Is there anything better than waking up to the sound of crashing waves and the sight of an endless blue horizon? I don’t think so.
Our first day was a whirlwind of sun-drenched adventures. We lounged on the pristine beaches of Cala Comte, sipping fruity cocktails and laughing until our faces hurt. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we found ourselves at a lively beach club, dancing the night away to the beats of world-famous DJs.
Day two was more low-key but just as amazing. We wandered the cobblestone streets of Dalt Vila, marveling at the rich history and stunning architecture. A leisurely lunch at a quaint café was followed by a couples’ massage at our resort’s luxurious spa.
Pure bliss, I’m telling you.
Today, we’re getting ready for what promises to be an unforgettable evening as we chase the sunset on a private yacht.
Victor’s in the shower when I return to our suite from the hair salon.
On my way up, I stopped by the gift shops, snagging a baby doll for Quentin and Fatima’s IVF miracle, little Imani, and toys for my nephews—plural now that Yasmine and Hunter have tied the knot and welcomed baby Miles. I splurged on Novalee’s four kids too; she was right about being pregnant that day at my apartment. They now have three boys and one girl, and their family is complete.
There have been a lot of babies born over the past couple of years, though Niko and my new sister-in-law, Jordyn, say they’re going to put off having babies for at least a few years.
After dumping the shopping bags by the bed, I head straight to the closet to pull out my outfit for the yacht. Yasmine and I shopped like crazy for this trip, so my closet is bursting with outfits, most of which I’ll probably never wear while I’m here. But instead of picking something new, I decide on a chiffon number, a flowing white maxi dress that I last wore to Liv and Smith’s all-white-themed engagement party two years back.
As I’m reaching for the hanger, I accidentally knock Victor’s jacket to the floor. I bend down to pick it up, and that’s when I feel something in his pocket. Curiosity gets the best of me, and before I can talk myself out of it, I pull out a small ring box.
Hold up . Is this what I think it is?
What else could it be?
Maybe it’s a pair of earrings. But now that I think about it, Victor has been acting kind of strange all day, sort of fidgety and nervous. He’s been extra stringent about today’s plans, wanting everything to be perfect.
Oh shit . Maybe he really is going to propose. There’s the fact that he went to see my dad last week. I mean, those two are thick as thieves, so it wasn’t totally out of the ordinary. But what if he was asking for my hand in marriage?
My mind is spinning with all the possibilities. I can stand here and overthink it until the cows come home, or I can let the evening unfold naturally without obsessing over it.
I should just put the jewelry box back and forget I ever saw it. Yep. That’s what I should do…right now. Slip the box back into his jacket pocket. The jacket that he planned on taking on the yacht.
Except, I never really was good at surprises. I open the box and holy fucking shit, it’s a ring. An engagement ring. The most stunning engagement ring ever.
Oh my God, this is really happening! I could scream, I’m so freaking excited. But in all my giddiness, the shower shuts off. I snap the box shut and shove it back in his jacket pocket, hanging it back up on the hanger. Then I sprint out of the closet, dress in hand, nearly breaking my ankle.
Okay, Skylar, act natural. Don’t let on that you know anything.
Easier said than done, but I manage to act nonchalant, closely inspecting my dress. Victor emerges from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, looking hot as hell, his tattooed torso still glistening from the shower.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says, that cocky smile I love on full display.
“Hey, you,” I say, my eyes raking over his chiseled body from head to toe.
He’s none the wiser, completely oblivious to the fact that I’ve just discovered his big secret. I can’t help but smile to myself, thinking about the incredible night that lies ahead of us.
Victor and I are going to start a new chapter in our love story, and I couldn’t be more ready or more in love.
***
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