Epilogue

FOUR YEARS FROM THE END OF FORGIVE ME MOTHER ONE YEAR FROM ANGEL'S 8TH BIRTHDAY

You've got this. You are a badass bitch that takes no shit from anyone!

I continue my pep talk the whole drive to Heart Meadows. I can't believe I'm doing this.

I'm going back to the one place I swore I would never return to… But how dare that bitch think that she's marrying my man!

And she had the audacity to invite my best friend!

I have loved King Harlison since I was young. He was my best friend, my first lover, and yeah… my stepbrother.

He also may be the biological father to my son, Romeo. I am not letting that skank dig her claws into him again.

I honestly didn't even know he was back together with Holly. She's a grade A bitch, with a righteous mother on her side, and a bigot father to boot.

She doesn't deserve him, and even though I've clearly lost my damn mind, I am going to stop him from making the biggest mistake.

God, I think I'm going to be sick.

I haven't seen King or Roman in four years, and I know this is going to be a total shit show, but it's time.

Otto and Jacob have been amazing, and we've started a little family together, but I still feel like something is missing.

I want what Chastity and her men have. I want Romeo to have his dad, or maybe even dads.

Ugh, I don't even know who his father is, but I'm hoping that won't matter.

Placing my hands on my stomach, I pat my small bump as I pray that they will still have some kind of feelings for me, and will accept my new life.

Pulling up to the church, I check my hair in the mirror. I'm back to dark brown. The blonde was fun, but I needed a change. Back to my natural roots, I guess.

Romeo laughs in the backseat, watching something on his tablet, and I smile.

Looking around at the full parking lot, I take some deep breaths. I don't know when I became so cautious and scared.

I guess I have another thing to blame on Isabella. May she rot in Hell.

You are a badass, Tempest Rian. You defeated that evil bitch, and you will take down Holly, and this small town.

A van pulls in beside me and I groan. I should have known they would follow me here.

"Daddy," Rome cries, spotting Otto outside his window. I press the unlock button, letting Jacob climb into the passenger seat as Otto opens up Romeo's door, so he can unbuckle him.

I wait until my son is out of the car, then turn to face Jacob. His brows are furrowed and he seems deep in thought.

"Are you mad?" I whisper, and he sighs.

"No, I think I'm more hurt that you'd take our son and disappear."

"I planned to come back…"

Jacob takes my hand and brushes some hair off the side of my face, pushing it behind my ear.

He places his warm palm on my cheek and I lean into it.

"Do we not make you happy?"

"Oh, no, that's not it at all. I love you and Otto so much. You are amazing fathers, and I'm happy to start this new life with you, but…"

"You still love them," he finishes for me, and I nod.

"I guess I just need to try. To see if there is any way for them to accept my new life. To accept us. I know it won't be easy, but…"

"We've been through hell and back, Tempest. I made you a promise to love and protect you, and to make you happy. If you want to try with the men that still own pieces of your heart, we won't stop you, but if they even think about hurting you, or our family, they will meet the end of my blade."

Jacob kisses me on the lips quickly, then lets me go and leaves the car.

Ugh, my eyes are watering, and I curse these damn hormones.

"Okay, you can do this, Tempest. You have to do this. For Romeo. For closure…"

Otto opens my door and offers me his hand. I check my makeup once more, take a deep breath, and then accept his help out of the car.

Jacob now holds Rome, but he wants to be put down. He's become vocal lately, and I love the little man he's turning into.

"Ready?" Otto whispers. He pulls me from the car, right into his arms, and gives me a passionate kiss.

"I love you, Tempest. Now go, get your men."

I nod and he holds my hand, leading me into the church where I once hid behind the pulpit and gave the Preacher a blow job.

I find myself smiling at the memory, and a burst of confidence swirls through me.

"I've got this," I mumble, then let Otto go as I storm through the doors.

Everyone turns to look at who has entered, and I can tell the exact moment they realize it's me.

Roman looks like he's seen a ghost, and Holly is livid.

I continue down the aisle as Otto and Jacob follow a few paces behind. Rome is waving like these people are his friends, and not discussing if he's the son of the Preacher.

I mean, it's pretty obvious, he looks identical to Roman and King.

When I reach the three steps up to the altar, I stop, place my hands on my hips, and smile.

"Tempest," King gasps, and Holly grips his arm tight, digging her nails into his skin.

I can't see if she's pierced through his flesh due to the suit jacket he's wearing, but by his wince, I'm going to take a guess that she did.

"Sorry I'm late. Did I miss the part where I shout, ‘I object'?"

King rips his arm away from Holly and turns to me.

"Is this a joke to you? I haven't seen you in years, Tempest," he snaps, then shakes his head.

I nibble on my bottom lip, then lean in and whisper, just for him.

"I know this is crazy, and like my namesake, I'm coming through here like a sudden storm, but I love you, King. I've never stopped loving you, and I can't let you marry this woman. She's evil, and trust me, I've seen true evil. They could be cousins, as far as I'm concerned."

"What? Are you on drugs? You walk in here, with the men you replaced me with, during my wedding, of all days. They have a child in their arms, and still you say you love me. That I shouldn't marry the girl who saved me, who brought me back from the brink after you ruined me? Fuck you, Tempest. If anyone is evil here, it's you."

Otto comes up behind me, and I'm thankful. My heart shatters and my knees feel weak.

I knew they would be upset, but he's being downright cruel.

I watch as he continues to break my heart by turning to his father and saying, "I do."

Holly gives me an evil smirk as the tears begin to run down my face.

"What are you still doing here, tramp? He chose me. You lost and I won," she whispers, leaning closer to me as she speaks.

King won't look at me, but Roman won't take his eyes off me.

Holly stands back up and repeats the words that broke me.

"You will regret this, King," I mumble, then turn and storm back down the aisle.

The guys follow behind me.

Roman screams for me to wait, but it's too late.

I never should have come back here.