Epilogue
Epiloog
Three Months Later
I press a fresh drawing of Rebel’s against Connor’s gravestone, smoothing it down with a strip of clear tape.
“Hey, Con,” I murmur, lowering myself onto the grass in front of it.
The earth is still damp beneath me, cool against my jeans.
“She’s moving on to the next grade. Somehow.
” A soft smile tugs at my lips as I start pulling at the weeds crowding the stone.
“She’s stronger than any kid should have to be.
After everything… she’s still smiling. Still her. ”
My chest tightens, and I let out a shaky breath.
“But that’s not the only reason I’m here,” I admit, looking up at the headstone.
connor hayes
beloved husband and father
Just like Kyler said—simple. Honest. Fitting. It sounds like him.
“I need to tell you something.” The first tear slips free before I even finish the sentence.
“I’m sorry, Con. I’m so damn sorry I didn’t love you the way you deserved.
” I sniff, blinking up at the sky, then back at the stone.
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t love you. I did.
I do. But not in the way I should’ve. Not in the way you needed. And I’m sorry for that.”
I swipe at my nose with the back of my hand, my voice catching. “God, I hope this whole nightmare didn’t happen because of me. I wish I knew why you kept it all from me… why you didn’t tell me what was going on.” My voice falters. “Maybe I could’ve helped. Or at least been there.”
I draw a long breath and shift my gaze to the stone next to his.
“Why, Dad?” My voice trembles. “I get that you loved her… but why’d you have to go out like that? Why leave me behind?” My hands clench the weeds before ripping them out. “I needed you. I still need you.”
The ache rises like a wave, and I bury my face in my hands.
“Hey.”
Paxton’s voice breaks through the fog—low, gentle, unexpected.
I quickly wipe my face, startled. “Shit. Sorry.”
“Don’t.” He sits down beside me, his presence grounding, steady. “You don’t need to hide that.”
We both look up toward the sky, the sunlight slipping through the trees. His expression softens, and then he says, “You were right.”
I blink at him, confused. “About what?”
“You and Kyler.” His jaw flexes as he looks away, brushing his thumb along his bottom lip. A lock of hair falls over his shoulder. “It wasn’t my place to interfere. I should’ve kept my damn mouth shut.”
I nod slowly. “Thanks… I guess.” It’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to an apology from Pax.
“A year after you left…” He trails off, fidgeting with the ring around his thumb.
“My best friend… she killed herself.” The words are stiff, heavy, like they cost him something to say.
“And I—I blamed a lot of shit on Kyler. Thought he was being selfish. Distant. I missed my brother, and I guess I pinned that on you.” He swallows hard. “I’m sorry, Layne. I really am.”
I watch him for a long moment, my heart twisting.
“Thanks, Pax,” I whisper.
He nods without looking at me, and for the first time, the silence between us feels like peace.
I wrap my arms around him and, completely unexpectedly, he buries his nose in my shirt. A moment later, he sits up straight and looks at me.
“It’s okay, Pax,” I say softly. “And I’m sorry about Violet.”
“What?” he says, tilting his head down so his hair falls even further forward.
“I knew you liked her. You always took her and Colt with you to the lake, and I could see it in your face. I have a memory, you know.” I grin at him and he smiles back.
“Yeah, she always came with us.”
“And you loved her,” I whisper.
He just nods.
We sit next to each other in silence for a few minutes until he suddenly points to a stone in the corner of the cemetery. “She’s over there,” he whispers.
I lay my head on his shoulder. “That’s beautiful, Pax, that you have a place where you can talk to her.”
He lays his head on mine. “I think so. Just like you have for that accountant of yours.” He chuckles and nudges me gently in the side. “I’m glad you’re back, bitch.”
“I’m glad you’re still the same jerk, jerk.”
And we sit like that until I have to pick up Rebel. “See you tonight at the barbecue?”
“Always, Layne, always.”
I nod and start walking back to the clubhouse. Back to my daughter. Back to my life.