Epilogue MegraWe stand quietly in front of my mother’s gravestone, feeling the earth beneath my feet solid and cool, like an anchor to this moment. The air is still, the sky washed in muted shades of grey as though the world is holding its breath with me. My eyes trace the familiar letters etched into the smooth stone:**Iris Adams** **Loving Mother, Wife, Daughter, and Sister.**The words feel heavier than usual today, each title pulling me back into memories I’ve spent years trying to bury. There’s something so final about seeing her name like this. My mother. The one person who was always there for me, always strong, always protecting me. And yet, she carried so many secrets. I think about the life she left behind to raise me on her own—the family I only just found out about. All that time, it was just the two of us. She gave up so much, not for herself but for me.A gust of wind stirs the leaves around the graveyard, and I close my eyes, letting the cool air brush against my ski
I jump out of the taxi in a rush to get to my house. I can feel the butterflies in my stomach. I have never been so excited or happy. Today will be the beginning of my happily ever after, and I am ready.I had gotten a tip that Andrew would be proposing, and I want to make it special. It has been three years since he walked into my life. He was tall, with brown eyes, and accomplished. I could not believe it when he asked me to be his girlfriend. I run for the elevator as soon as I enter our building. I can't stop thinking about everything I need to get done.I could already picture him kneeling with a ring in his hands. It is going to be wonderful tonight.I hurriedly walk out of the elevator to our fifteenth-floor apartment. I open the door, and my heart drops. I can feel the blood draining from my face. My gaze is fixed on the clothes that are scattered all over the floor.This is not possible. Not on our anniversary. Today, Andrew was meant to pop the question and ask me to marry h
I run out of the building, tears still streaming down my face. I can still picture Andrew's cold reaction. I can still see him and Becca in my bed. I feel my heart pounding, fighting to escape my chest. I cannot think straight.I can feel a hand on my shoulder.“Miss megra?” “Are you okay?”I lift my face to see Matthew, the security guard, staring at me. Worry is written all over him.I look around, and people have surrounded me.The security guard stretches his hand to help me up. I must have been so distraught that I sat down on the curb."Can you call me a taxi, Matthew?" I ask, wiping away my tears. He shakes his head and brings me back to the lobby.The cab ride is silent, and I am left to my thoughts. How can I be so blind and naive? When Becca introduced me to Andrew, I wondered why the two had not gotten together. I always wondered why he chose me over her; she was undeniably gorgeous. I now have my answer. I was being played. I was the fool in this story. The amateur porn I
I wake up to the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee, accompanied by a throbbing headache. Slowly opening my eyes, I find myself in an unfamiliar space. It takes me a moment to remember Andrew, and my heart shatters all over again. It feels like someone is driving a hand through my chest and ripping my heart through it. With the wreckage of my life now in full view, tears start rushing down my face. I can feel the pain throughout my body. I see Becca and Andrew wrapped in their passion every time I close my eyes.I reach for my bag. I needed to find out if Andrew had bothered to reach out. I need to know if he was sorry. If he knew how much he hurt me, maybe he wanted me back home. Nothing. He had not called me. I fix my eyes on the yellow pill bottle. The pain is too much. I could just end it—end my misery. No, that will let them win.Sliding back into the king-sized bed, I attempt to look for comfort in the sheets that are wrapped around my body. I wonder what else transpired the n
I am startled when Nathaniel walks into the bathroom. I had not realized he was already back. I had made myself comfortable, finding ways to relax. His gaze is intense, and honestly, I enjoy it. I watch as he approaches me. I can feel him devouring me with each glance. I invite him with a coy smile, showing him my evident desire.As Nathaniel stands before me, his actions feel deliberate. My heart is racing. I watch him slowly undress, unsure of what to expect next but eager to find out. The water envelopes us in warmth, heightening our sensual tension.Without a word, he pulls me in for a kiss, and I welcome it. Slowly, he caresses me, his other hand entangled in my hair, massaging my neck. My body responds eagerly, aching for more. He treats my breasts with reverence, as if they were delicate treasures. I let out a soft moan and jerk towards him. I feel bold. I take his hand and guide him down my waist, parting my legs to grant him access to my most intimate place.Nathaniel underst
Cradled by the softness of the high-threaded sheets and the release of tension from my body, I drift into deep slumber. Did I just have the best night of my life? The morning light floods the room, and as I stretch, my mind replays the events of the previous night. "You're up!" His voice cuts through the air as he emerges from the bathroom. "We need to talk." His tone is direct and devoid of emotion, and those words strike a chord of unease in me. I know what is coming. No harm, no foul, I remind myself. After all, we are both adults, and I am newly single.I walk towards him, sinking into a chair next to him. I can feel Nathaniel’s observant eyes watching me, sensing a shift in my demeanor."Last night was unexpected, but I hope you don’t think I took advantage of you.”"No, you dint. I told you I am a big girl. I knew what I was doing." I clarify.Nathaniel hands me some papers before clearing his throat, preparing to divulge more information. "Before you read that, you should know
I sit in the back seat, my hands gripping the door tightly. I am scared to face Andrew. I don’t know how our conversation will go, knowing I am still madly in love with him. I open my purse, staring at the two phones, the folded contract, and the key card to my unfortunate new home. The hotel room. I reached down and picked up my phone, and finally I text him, making inquiries about his whereabouts. Andrew does not bother to call me back or reply.As I lay in the hotel room bed, the events of the past few days replay in my mind. Nathaniel has made an impact on me. I smile simply thinking about his face. I should know better by now. Men will always break your heart and yet I like him. I grow curious about the contract again, reaching for the dresser and grabbing it. I also grabbed a notebook and a pen, determined to make sense of it. I traced the words "pros and cons" onto an empty page. I finally fall asleep, with my decision made.Going back to the house I once shared with Andrew fee
As I walk out of the building, my decision is clear. Nathaniel's response is a simple "done." I stand there, looking at my packed bags, ready to start my new life. There is no turning back now. I am going to meet him at the house to sign the new contract. My stomach is tied up in knots; I am not sure what I'm getting into. I'm signing over my life to a stranger.The house looks lively; I see a few people walking around, which is odd considering how quiet the place was before. Everyone looks busy, trimming and cleaning, clearly getting ready for something. Nathaniel towers over most of them as he walks towards the driveway. He looks majestic in the sunlight. Zeus has surely climbed down from Olympus to come and greet me. I smile awkwardly, my eyes fixed on him, watching him as he puts on a show. I watch Nathaniel's hands reach and open the door. This is new, and I do not know how I am supposed to act. Everybody's eyes are fixed on me as if to watch for the slightest misconduct from me.