Epilogue
S tanding in the crowded arena, Ignacio watched Delta in awe. He could have stood on the side of the stage but preferred being in front with the audience, where he could experience the full effect of her performance.
During the concert, she had gone through multiple costume changes, but at the moment she wore a sparkling white gown and her purple hair in an elegant updo. With the spotlight on her, and the rest of the stage in darkness, she sang the biggest hit from her latest album—“I Don’t Miss You.” Although she had been hesitant to share the deeply personal song, it resonated with fans.
He had been to almost all her shows during the tour, yet every single time he was blown away by her stage presence and talent. Vivian, seated beside him, squeezed his hand. He glanced at her, and they both beamed with pride.
Blissful was a critical and commercial success, exceeding everyone’s expectations by reaching the top of the Billboard charts and garnering three number-one hits for the first time in Delta’s career. “Unworthy” and “Bad Behavior,” both written by her, were the other two songs that had climbed to the top of the charts. Music journalists praised Delta’s evolution as an artist, using words like “masterpiece” and commending her for the “raw honesty” in her lyrics.
As her voice soared over the crowd in the heartrending song, the green stone on her finger caught the light as her hand gripped the microphone. After eleven long years, the heirloom ring was finally in its rightful place. More than an engagement ring, it was a symbol of defiance and forgiveness, a reminder that love, once interrupted, could be reborn in the light of understanding.
Don’t want to see you
Don’t want to hear you
I’m at my limit
No, I don’t miss you
But I do wish you
Only the best
Don’t dream about you
Don’t think about you
Not on my mind
You’re not important
Thank God it’s over
I can move on
I only want to forget about you, and the memories
(Chorus)
I don’t miss you
Don’t miss the way that you say my name
I don’t miss, I don’t miss, I don’t miss you
See you again I might go insane
I don’t miss, I don’t miss, I don’t miss you
My friends won’t listen
They keep insisting
That I’m still in love
I’m Aphrodite
There’s no one like me
And I have had enough
My hands are shaking
My heart is aching
I can’t explain it
I really hate it
I hate your gray eyes
I hate your warm smile
I can’t stop screaming
I only want to forget about you, and the memories
(Chorus)
I don’t miss you
Don’t miss the way that you say my name
I don’t miss, I don’t miss, I don’t miss you
See you again I might go insane
I don’t miss, I don’t miss, I don’t miss you
I don’t long to hear your laugh
I feel free, I’m free at last
I can finally sleep through the night (I don’t miss, I don’t miss)
I don’t long to hear your laugh
I feel free, I’m free at last
I can finally sleep through the night (I don’t miss, I don’t miss)
(Chorus)
I don’t miss you
Don’t miss the way that you say my name
I don’t miss, I don’t miss, I don’t miss you
See you again I might go insane
I don’t miss, I don’t miss, I don’t miss you
I don’t long to hear your laugh
I feel free, I’m free at last
I can finally sleep through the night (I don’t miss, I don’t miss)
I don’t long to hear your laugh
I feel free, I’m free at last
I can finally sleep through the night (I don’t miss, I don’t miss)
Ain’t a dream, it ain’t a wish
Not a damn thing that I miss
Not a damn thing that I miss
(I don’t miss, I don’t miss, I don’t miss you)
I won’t beg and I won’t plead
I won’t drop down on my knees
Baby, won’t you please set me free
(I still love, I still love, I still love you)
When the song ended, the crowd—who had joined in on the final chords with Delta—erupted into deafening screams and thunderous applause. Since she ended each show with “I Don’t Miss You,” they knew the night was coming to an end.
She blew kisses to the audience. “I love you, Miami!” she shouted into the microphone, her voice brimming with energy.
The lights behind her flared to life and illuminated the band. Then her ten dancers burst onto the stage, grinning and waving. One by one, Delta called their names, giving each of them a moment to soak in the roaring applause.
Finally, she said, “Good night, Miami! Thank you! Thank you so much!”
As the arena lights slowly brightened so the audience could leave, Ignacio and Vivian headed off the floor.
“Time for the backstage dash,” he remarked.
She laughed, the sound reminding him very much of Delta’s bubbly laugh.
“Lead the way, future brother-in-law.”
They made their way backstage where the crew members, dancers, band, and security had crowded into the Green Room, filling it with laughter and excited conversation. Ignacio and Vivian slipped in behind them and hovered near the back.
Delta stood in the center of the room, her face glowing, her stage outfit sparkling against her chestnut skin. Hands clasped together, she did what she always did after each show—thanked everyone for making the night a success. As she spoke, she turned in a slow circle to make eye contact with each person, her gratitude sincere and unwavering.
As she wrapped up, she said, “Two more nights, and then we get off this crazy ride.”
They laughed.
“But it’s been a blast,” her drummer hollered.
She grinned. “Yes, it has. Well, we hit the road early tomorrow, so let’s?—”
“Excuse me.” Ignacio spoke up.
Everyone turned to look at him.
“Before you all leave, I have something to say.”
“Uh, okay.” Delta eyed him with confusion.
Everyone knew he was her fiancé, but this was the first time Ignacio had spoken in front of the whole group.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, hurrying from the room.
When he returned, he walked in slowly, wheeling in a huge rectangular cake covered in buttercream frosting, with candles shaped like the number thirty-three flickering on top. The crowd parted to let him through, and Delta’s mouth fell open in surprise. Almost everyone there knew about the plan and had kept his secret.
At Ignacio’s cue, the room burst into song.
“Happy birthday to you…”
Standing before her, he sang right along with them. They finished with, “Happy birthday dear Delta… happy birthday to you!”
“And many more!” Vivian added.
The entire room burst into laughter. Seconds later, they were all silent.
“Make a wish, mi amor ,” Ignacio whispered.
“I already have everything I want,” she said softly, her gaze never leaving his face.
“Then make a wish for the future,” Ignacio encouraged.
He knew what he looked forward to—getting married, having kids, celebrating each other’s future successes, and spending their lives together.
Delta closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she blew out the flames. The group cheered, and she clasped Ignacio’s face and gave him a quick kiss. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“Aww,” the group said.
“You guys, stop,” Delta said, wiping her lipstick from his mouth with her thumb.
Ignacio stole another kiss from the corner of her mouth before turning to the group. “Who wants cake?”
Raucous cheering filled the room. An assistant wheeled in a smaller tray with plates, champagne, glasses, and utensils.
Ignacio cut a hunk of cake for the birthday girl and sat on the leather sofa with her curled up beside him. The Green Room hummed with celebration, warm laughter, and champagne bubbles. The entire team had to get on the road early tomorrow, but for now, they were going to enjoy spending time together.
“This is so good,” Delta said, sighing as she cut into the moist dessert with her fork.
Across the room, the dancers playfully recreated their choreography from one of her up-tempo songs, and the bassist, Marcus, had everyone in stitches with his impression of their stern-faced sound engineer. Vivian watched the shenanigans from her wheelchair, her face bright with joy as she chatted with one of the backup singers.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been happier,” Delta said huskily. Her eyes met his, filled with contentment.
Ignacio’s heart swelled as he gazed at her. “Me either. And just think, this is only the beginning.”
A beautiful smile stretched across her lips. Unable to help himself, he leaned in, his hand cupping the back of her head as he pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was soft, tender, and a promise of all the tomorrows stretching before them.
Someone whistled playfully in their direction, and Delta laughed against his mouth. Settling more comfortably against him, she rested her head on his shoulder.
After the last show, Ignacio had an additional birthday surprise. He planned to whisk her away to Isla Barú, south of Cartagena, Colombia, where he had rented a beachfront villa with a private pool. They would be there for a week before they had to return to their demanding lives.
He planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
The pain and darkness of the past were long gone. All he saw was a bright, happy future—with the woman he loved.