35. Extended Epilogue

35

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

TILLY

P hoenix tucks himself back into his pants and then looks at me. “I’ve got a surprise for you, sweetheart.”

I arch a brow. “What kind of surprise?”

“I can’t tell you.” He offers me his hand. “Come on.”

I take Phoenix’s hand as he guides me through the carnival, intrigued by his surprise. As we approach the woods, I see a picnic blanket set up ahead, glowing jack-o’-lanterns dotting the area.

“What’s all this?” I ask, my eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Phoenix gestures for me to sit, and I lower myself onto the soft blanket, taking in the cozy, intimate scene.

Phoenix sits down next to me, a soft smile on his lips. “I wanted to do something special for you. After everything we’ve been through, I thought we could use a moment of peace and quiet.” He reaches into the basket and pulls out a bottle of wine and two glasses .

As he pours the wine, I can’t help but feel touched by his thoughtfulness. The carnival chaos fades into the background, and it’s just the two of us, surrounded by the warm glow of the pumpkins. I accept the glass he offers me, our fingers brushing gently.

“Phoenix, this is beautiful. Thank you.” I sip the rich red wine, savoring the flavor.

He shifts closer to me, his arm brushing against mine. “You deserve this. I want you to know how much you mean to me.” His ice-blue eyes hold mine, filled with a tenderness that catches me off guard.

I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. “I’m so grateful to have you, Phoenix. Despite the chaos you wreaked, I can’t imagine not being with you.”

His arm wraps around me, pulling me close. We sit in comfortable silence, watching the flickering pumpkins and listening to the muffled sounds of the carnival in the distance. It’s as if the world has faded away, leaving just the two of us.

Phoenix shifts to face me, his expression earnest. He takes my hands in his, his touch sending tingles up my arms. “Tilly, you mean everything to me. This past year has been a whirlwind, but you’ve been my light through all the chaos and darkness.”

My breath catches in my throat as he pauses, his eyes shining intensely. Could this be what I think it is?

“Before I met you, I was consumed by obsession and driven by a need for control. But you showed me what it means to truly love someone.” Phoenix swallows hard, steeling himself. “You gave me a reason to let go of the past and embrace a future worth fighting for.”

He releases one of my hands to reach into his pocket, retrieving a small velvet box. My heart pounds rapidly in my chest as he opens it, revealing a stunning diamond ring.

“Tilly Jane Lawson, will you marry me? Be my partner, my love, my everything?”

Tears well up in my eyes as I stare at the glittering ring, the weight of his proposal hitting me. After everything I’ve been through—him stalking me, kidnapping me, and then Veronica kidnapping me, the twisted journey to this point—Phoenix is offering me the ultimate commitment.

I meet his piercing blue gaze, letting my love and adoration for this complicated, dark man wash over me. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “Yes, Phoenix, I’ll marry you!”

A radiant smile breaks across his face as he slips the ring onto my trembling finger. It’s a perfect fit, just like us. Phoenix pulls me into a searing kiss, tangling his fingers in my hair as our lips move in perfect sync.

When we finally break apart, I’m breathless and beaming. “I love you so much,” I murmur against his lips. “Nothing will ever change that.”

Phoenix holds me tightly, burying his face in the crook of my neck. “You’re everything to me, Tilly. I promise to show you how much you mean to me daily.”

I should question the depth of his obsession and the lengths he’s gone to keep me. But in his arms, all rational thought disappears, consumed by the all-encompassing love for this man.

I know our relationship began in darkness and obsession. I was forced into this world, but now, as I remain with Phoenix, a rush of emotions wash over me. Fear and uncertainty, yes, but also a growing acceptance and an unmistakable love.

“I love you, Phoenix,” I whisper.

In response, he tightens his embrace, his breath tickling my ear. “I know, Tilly. And I’m forever yours.” His voice is hoarse, his words a promise that resonates deeply within me.

I understand that our path forward won’t be easy. There will be challenges, obstacles, and consequences to face. But at this moment, here with Phoenix, I am ready to face it all because I know that our love, born out of darkness, has the power to light our way forward.

* * *

Thank you for reading Carnival Stalker! Did you enjoy it? If so, check out my other Carnival Books:

Gage & Aurora’s Book - Carnival Monster: A Dark Serial Killer Romance

Cade & Lily’s Book - Carnival Nightmare: A Dark Stalker Romance

Lars & Alice’s Book Carnival Obsession: A Dark Romance

More books by me:

Hunted: A Dark Romance

Welcome to Carnage: A Dark Romance Novell a

Stranded: A Dark Romance novella

Salvation: A Dark Stalker Romance

Carjacked: A Dark Hitchhiker Romance