Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
“I’m getting married today, Mama. I am so excited and nervous that I’m going to trip or something while walking down the aisle. But Daddy will be with me and I know he’d never let me fall.”
I smile, tilting my face up to the sun. I want to believe that she’s looking down on me, especially today.
“I love him so much, Mama. Sometimes it scares me just how much. Did you ever love anyone like that? I hope you did. I hope you lived long enough to find your love.” I place the bouquet on her grave.
“I’m walking down the aisle with pink roses.
This way, we’ll be holding the same flowers. I’ll come back soon.”
Standing, I dust the dirt off my shorts.
Then I turn and walk towards the car. I pass two graves on my way.
Two names I recognize. My former bodyguards are buried a few rows over from my mother.
I don’t know how Bradley had managed to drug them that day, but he did it and then he came for me.
My dad and brother did their best to try to revive Isaac and Hunter when they found them hunched over in the supply closet a few hours later.
It was too late, though. Both of them were gone already.
I’d never seen Bradley violent before. So it was a shock when I found out he’d killed them, even though he was threatening to do the same thing to me. It’s crazy what money can make you do, what kind of monster it can turn you into when you lose it, I guess.
I send the two men a silent thank you and an I’m sorry as I continue to make my way over to where Antonia is waiting for me. I can’t help but feel like they would be alive if it weren’t for me, if it weren’t for the job they were hired to do.
“Ready?” Antonia asks as I approach the car.
“Ready.”
“Good, because we have a wedding to get to and you have a dress to put on,” she says. I’ve already had my hair and makeup done, and my dress is waiting at the church for me.
As soon as I’m dressed, Antonia starts crying, which makes me start crying. “You’re going to ruin our makeup,” I tell her.
“I can’t help it. It’s just… you look so beautiful. Like a princess. You are my little princess,” she says.
“I love you.” I hug her, but not too tight. I don’t want to squish my dress in any way.
“Okay, I’m going to meet you out there. But first, I wanted to give you something,” she says. “It’s something old.” She hands me a folded piece of paper. “Don’t read it yet. I’m going to put it into your bouquet. You can read it after.”
“Okay. Thank you,” I tell her.
“Thank you for letting me be your stepmother. You are the light of my life, Jazzy.”
I smile. “Don’t let Aiden hear you say that.”
“See you out there.” She leaves the room, and I take a huge breath.
This is it.
When I exit the room, my dad is waiting for me. “Holy fuck.” His eyes widen when he sees me. “Princess, you look fucking stunning,” he says.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“It’s not too late. I don’t care if you want to be a spinster and live with me forever,” he says.
“I want to marry Jake,” I tell him, for what seems like the millionth time.
“You can’t blame me for trying. I feel like I’m losing my little girl.”
“You will never lose me.” I mean that. I love Jake, but my dad is the single most important man in my life. The only man to never leave my side. The man who forgave me for lying to him without question.
He wasn’t even mad when I finally confided in him about what happened that night.
Not prom, which I wasn’t honest with him about either.
But the night in my kitchen, the one that was the catalyst for bringing me home.
It was probably because he’d figured it out on his own somehow.
But he was definitely hurt—and that just made me feel worse about not calling him for help in the first place.
I don’t know why I was so afraid to tell him the truth about Freddie. I guess it was because I was afraid of him seeing me as anything other than perfect. But looking at him now, I know that’s not possible. My dad loves me unconditionally.
I link my arm with his, and he tugs me close to his side. “The day you came to me was the single best day of my life.”
“I was so scared, you know. That you wouldn’t want me.”
“And I was scared I was going to fuck up the dad thing,” he admits.
“You are the best father a girl could dream of having.”
“Okay, let’s get through these doors before I change my mind,” he grumbles.
“Don’t let me fall,” I whisper as we start making our way down the aisle. Everyone stands. They’re all looking at me.
“Never. I’ve got you, always,” Dad says.
My eyes connect with Jake’s, and my breath leaves my lungs. I love him, more than I’ve ever loved anyone. My dad hands me over, and I sigh in relief when he sits in the pew next to Antonia. I really thought he’d pick me up and run out of the church.
Jake takes my hand. I pass my flowers to Antonia, that little bit of paper sticking out and catching my eye. Everything is a blur after that. I repeat my vows, and then when the priest pronounces us husband and wife, I press up on my tiptoes as Jake’s lips come down on mine.
“I love you.”
“I love you, Mrs. Westmead,” he says.
As the reception dwindles down, Jake drops his mouth to my ear. “Are you ready to get out of here, Mrs. Westmead?”
I smile at him. I don’t think I’m ever going to get sick of hearing that name. “Yeah, let me just grab my things from the back room,” I tell him.
We had our reception at Aces. The ballroom was packed. I don’t think I even know half of the people in attendance, but Jake seemed to know a lot of them.
A lot has changed for him over the past year. For one, The Court is down to just four families. Mr. Levine was sentenced to fifteen years in jail. And Mr. Van Baron was found guilty on four counts of murder for hire. He’s serving life. He will never get out of there.
And Jake? He is thriving. Westmead Industries is performing better than ever before.
I walk into the back room and pick up my bouquet. I want to dry out the roses so I can keep them. Then I remember the piece of paper Antonia tucked inside. I sit down and unfold it.
Dear Antonia,
You don’t know me, but I want you to know how grateful I am to you. I hope that you will be able to love Jasmine as if she were your own. I hope that you give her a chance to make your life as full as she made mine.
I know Carlo will love her and protect her and give her the world, but every little girl needs a mother figure and I wish for Jazzy to have that too.
You don’t owe me anything, but I’m asking anyway. Please watch over her. Guide her. I know with your guidance, she will grow up to be a wonderful woman. I’ve watched you for the past week. I know you are kindhearted. I’ve seen it.
I can go with the knowledge that my little girl will be looked after and cherished by both Carlo and you.
Eternally grateful,
P
It’s from my mom. She wrote to Antonia. I can feel how much my mother loved me in these words.
“She did, Mama. She loved me just like you did,” I whisper, hoping my mother can hear me.
I fold the note back up and go in search of Antonia.
When I find her, I throw my arms around her. “Thank you for showing me that letter. But it’s yours. You should keep it.”
“I wanted you to know how much she loved you today,” she says.
“Thank you. And just so you know, you did.”
“Did what?” Antonia asks.
“You loved me like I was your own, taught me and guided me. You were the best mother.”
“You made it easy,” she says.
“You okay?” Jake wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into his side.
“Yeah. You ready?” I ask him.
“I’ve been ready to get you alone since you said I do,” he says.
“Jacob!” Antonia scolds.
“Sorry,” he replies sheepishly.
We exit the ballroom, and Jake leads me out to the valet area in front of the casino.
“I can’t wait to get you home, Mrs. Westmead.”
“I can’t wait for you to get me there,” I tell him.
We start our honeymoon tomorrow. I have no idea where we’re going, but Jake wanted to plan it and I let him.
He said it will be somewhere tropical, where we can be naked all day and have sex until we literally can’t move.
His words. And honestly, I can’t wait for the trip.
Because I’ll be with my best friend. My husband.