EPILOGUE
Aliya
PRESENT
One last time, I flip through my notebook.
For years, it’s been my faithful companion, listening to me in my darkest moments without ever judging me.
But now, I don’t need it anymore.
I spent the Christmas holidays with Milan at his place. During that time, I received a message from my mother.
Wilson Engineering is bankrupt.
Deep down, I already suspected who might be responsible. But honestly, it hardly touched me. She always put her wealthy husband above my well-being. Now, they can both end up on the streets for all I care.
The old Aliya might have caved and forgiven her. But Milan has corrupted me – in a positive way.
I no longer put the needs and wishes of others over my own. I’ve learned to live for myself and not let others dictate my life.
Today is December 31st. New Year’s Eve.
Milan hates fireworks.
And since I don’t want to watch him drink himself into oblivion, we’ve come to St. Claire Shores. It’s much quieter here than bustling Detroit.
Here, in the silence, Milan can tune out the fireworks easily, even though this is the place where his brother lost his life.
The only sound breaking the stillness in the cabin is the crackling of the fireplace. I gaze out the large window beside me, my eyes fixed on the distant lighthouse.
Milan allowed me to read Kilian’s last letter. And although there are still so many unanswered questions – like who his biological father is – we’ve decided to let the past rest, so he can finally find his peace.
“What are you doing?” Milan peers over my shoulder, prompting me to close my notebook and turn to face him. His hair is still dripping wet from the shower, dark strands clinging to his forehead.
He looks so damn perfect .
“I was just reading it one last time,” I explain.
He knows what’s in those notes but hasn’t read a single line. Even though I offered, he didn’t want to. It’s somewhat ironic that Damian is the only one who’s read and absorbed all my thoughts.
Milan sits down, pulling me onto his lap, and I immediately wrap my arms around his neck. I feel the warmth radiating from him, and the scent of his shampoo fills my senses.
“You don’t need that thing anymore,” he says. “You’ve got me now.”
“That’s right. I’ve got you now.”
As I snuggle up to him, I can almost feel the weight of the past slowly lifting from my shoulders. I truly believe everything is going to be okay.
With me in his arms, he leans forward and picks up Kilian’s envelope.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask him one last time, just to be certain. He nods, though his mind seems elsewhere.
Escaping the fireworks isn’t the only reason we came here today. To start fresh and truly leave the past behind, we need to destroy all the evidence and dark memories tied to it.
“I’m sure,” he finally speaks, meeting my gaze. “We’ve both carried our pasts for too long. It’s time to let go.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I reply. “Those letters were his final words to you.”
“And that’s why I need to let them go.”
The thought of him throwing away the only words he has left from his brother pains me, but I know he needs this. Milan looks at me, and while his eyes seem cold and emotionless, I can feel the storm raging inside him.
He glances at the envelope one last time before tossing it onto the stone hearth before us. The flames slowly begin to consume the envelope, curling the edges of the paper as it blackens in the heat.
As we sit in silence, watching Kilian’s words turn to ash, I can sense the weight slowly lifting from Milan’s shoulders.
It’s like saying goodbye to Lio.
Milan holds me tighter, running one hand through my hair while tracing patterns on my thigh with the other, while I slip my hand under his shirt.
Suddenly, my fingertips brush against something unfamiliar on his chest – a new tattoo, freshly inked into his skin.
I immediately sit up. “What’s this?”
My fingers tug at the fabric of his T-shirt.
He chuckles softly and pulls it off, revealing his bare chest. My eyes widen as I take in the new ink – a small yet striking crescent moon on his left half of his chest.
I’m stunned by the detail and artistry.
When did he get this?
“A moon?”
“A moon.” He watches as I trace the lines of the tattoo with my fingers. His muscles tense under my touch.
“Why a moon?”
“It’s a reminder of you.”
“M-me?” I ask, confused.
“You’re like the moon in my darkness, sweetheart.” He brushes a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering on my cheek as he continues. “You’re my constant, my direction. Always there, always shining. You found me when I was sinking, pulled me out of the darkness and became my everything.”
“Oh, Milan.”
A rush of warmth and affection floods through me. His words are so sincere, they make my heart race.
Glancing down at the moon tattoo on his chest, embarrassment creeps in, knowing he’s permanently marked his body with a symbol that reminds him of me.
I reach for my notebook, staring at it for a moment before tossing it into the fire as well. The flames consume the pages, paper curling and darkening as the words burn away.
It feels like I’m finally letting go of the past. The memories and emotions I poured into those pages are now disappearing forever.
Milan hugs me tighter, his body pressed firmly against mine, as if he can feel the turmoil in my thoughts. He doesn’t say a word, but his presence is calming.
Finally, I turn to him, feeling lighter and freer than I have in a long time.
“I’m ready for a fresh start,” I say with determination.
A small smile tugs at his lips. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from my little curse.”
“I’m serious. I’m done living in the past. From now on, it’s just us.”
Milan nods. “Just us.”
The fire slowly dies, leaving only a trace of ashes and forgotten memories. A sense of peace washes over me as I watch the last embers fade.
In the hope that one day my wishes will come true and I’ll finally find the courage to move forward, I’m burning this letter.
This letter of silence.