LOGINDear Readers, First, thank you all for your incredible support throughout this journey. As I approached the ending of this book, I received numerous messages and comments expressing that the conclusion felt too soon or left you wanting more. Many of you also requested that I continue the story and give the characters more time to grow and reach a more satisfying conclusion. After carefully considering your feedback, I have decided to extend the book. There are still several storylines, character moments, and developments that deserve more attention, and I believe continuing the story will allow me to give both the characters and readers the ending they truly deserve. Thank you for your patience, encouragement, and for loving these characters as much as I do. Your support means more than you know, and I’m excited to continue this journey with you.
RheaThe evening had settled into that particular gold that only happened at the beach house. Warm and slow and unhurried. The kind of light that made everything look like a memory even while it was still happening.We were on the patio, the three of us, the remnants of dinner still on the table and wine in our glasses and Zuri long since put to bed after declaring that tomorrow she wanted to build the biggest sandcastle anyone had ever seen.“So.” Brandon leaned back in his chair and looked between me and Jackson. “Tomorrow.”“Tomorrow,” Jackson confirmed.“Father Emmanuel.” I turned my wine glass slowly in my hands. “I keep going over what to say. How to say it. Whether to let you two do the talking or whether I should—”“We all talk,” Jackson said. “Equally. He needs to see all three of us as a unit.”“What if he says no.”“We’ve been through this,” Brandon said.“I know. But what if he does.”“Then we find another way.” Brandon reached across the table and covered my han
RheaThe beach was quiet in the late morning, that particular stillness before the heat peaked and everyone came out. I had found my spot on the sand, close enough to hear the waves, far enough from the house that nobody would interrupt me.Or so I thought.I stretched my legs out and adjusted my sunglasses and listened to the phone ring twice before Elora picked up.“Finally,” she said. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten I existed.”“I’ve been busy.”“You’ve been engaged. There’s a difference.” Her voice was bright and warm and I could hear the sound of somewhere beautiful behind her. “Tell me everything. Start from the beginning. Leave nothing out.”“They did it in the garden,” I said. “Lanterns in the trees. Both of them on one knee at the same time.”Elora made a sound that was somewhere between a scream and a sob. “Stop it.”“Zuri was behind me clapping.”“I cannot.” She was laughing now. “I genuinely cannot. That is the most ‘them’ thing I have ever heard. How d
RheaI had been pacing for twenty minutes.Zuri was sitting on the living room floor watching me with the focused attention she usually reserved for her cartoons, her chin in her hands, tracking me back and forth across the rug like I was the most interesting thing happening in the room.“Mummy,” she said finally. “Why do you keep walking?”“I’m thinking.”“You think with your feet?”Brandon looked up from the sofa. “She does actually.”“Daddy does it too sometimes,” Zuri said thoughtfully. “But he walks slower.”“I walk with purpose,” Brandon said.“You pace anxiously,” Jackson said from the armchair without looking up from his phone. “There’s a difference.”I stopped walking and looked at both of them. “How are you both so calm right now. Your father is sitting in a priest’s office trying to explain to a man of God that his two sons want to marry the same woman simultaneously. And you are sitting there.”“Calmly,” Jackson said.“That is not reassuring.”“Rhea.” He put his phone down
Rhea I’d been so excited about the surprise date, I didn’t even think twice about how mysterious they were being. Curiosity wiped away any nervousness, and I found myself walking faster, hurrying down the path that led to the garden. I was almost there when something caught my eye and made me stop dead in my tracks. Beautiful lanterns glowed softly, hanging from the tree branches, while strings of warm lights lined the way forward. I stared all around me, soaking up the magical atmosphere. It’s them, I realized, my heart swelling with love. Knowing it was Jackson and Brandon who had created this path just for me, excitement flooded through my veins and I almost started running. The garden soon came into view. Golden fairy lights were twined elegantly around the white pillars. Moving closer, I saw vines of fresh white roses and baby’s breath covering the roof and railings, making it look like a scene straight out of a dream. “It’s so beautiful,” I breathed, my hand
RheaFour Years LaterThe summer sun beat down warmly on the patio, turning the air golden and sweet. I stood by the large wooden table, folding the last of the tiny, colorful clothes that had just come off the line.Doing Zuri’s laundry had become my favorite kind of quiet. Everything was so small, so soft, carrying the scent of sunshine and lavender detergent.It was hard to believe that four years had already passed since our world changed forever, since everything broke, and somehow, we still managed to build something new from it.On the table beside me sat an endless spread of food, towers of fresh fruit, platters of sandwiches, and large glass pitchers of lemonade and chilled juice, condensation dripping lazily down the sides.The heat was thick, the kind that made the ocean sparkle endlessly and the sand burn gently beneath your feet.We were back at the beach house for the holidays. Our tradition now. The one place where everything felt peaceful…Where we could pretend
RheaI walked with my head held high.On my left was Jackson, his hand firmly tangled with mine, his long fingers wrapping securely around my smaller ones. On my right was Brandon, his arm draped comfortably over my shoulders, pulling me close into his side.There was no hiding anymore. No more sneaking around. No more lies.Ever since that picture was sent out, the truth had been laid bare for everyone to see. We weren’t hiding it. We weren’t ashamed of it. And right now, walking through the busy school corridors, they were owning every single bit of it. They were my shield, my protection, and they made sure everyone knew exactly who I belonged to.My hand rested instinctively on my stomach, which was now noticeably rounded at five months. Pregnancy had changed my body, but with the way these two looked at me, I had never felt more beautiful. The hormones were there—mood swings, cravings, tiredness—but they took care of everything. They anticipated my needs before I even spoke them.
Rhea“So talk.” Brandon leaned against the lockers, deceptively relaxed.“We need to stop. This—whatever we’re doing, it’s getting out of control.”Jackson’s hands stilled on the tape. “Out of control how?”“Elowen cornered me last night. She was asking questions—where I’ve been, who I’ve been with
RheaThe cafeteria was loud. Too loud. Voices bounced off the walls, punctuated by laughter and the clatter of trays. I stood in line with my food, watching the chaos of students sorting themselves into their designated social hierarchies.I scanned the room for a familiar face. For someone who wou
RheaMrs. Patterson’s voice droned on about symbolism in The Great Gatsby, but I could not focus on a single word she was saying. The green light. Daisy’s dock. The American Dream. None of it penetrated the fog in my mind.I kept replaying Elowen’s words from last night.‘They have girlfriends. Gorg
RheaElowen led me away from the main group, toward the side of the house where no one would overhear. When we were alone, she turned to face me.“I know what you are doing,” she said without preamble.My heart started racing. “What are you talking about?”“Do not play stupid. It does not suit you.







