Epilogue

Three months later…

S unlight pierces through my eyelids like a dagger, and I flinch. Groaning, I pull the covers over my head, relief flooding me as the darkness blocks out the assault.

Sleep starts to pull me back under when suddenly the blanket is ripped away.

“Wake up, sleepyhead!” Summer’s voice is bright and far too loud.

I grab my pillow and slam it over my face. “Five more minutes.”

“Please keep it down. Let her sleep,” Vicky says softly, her tone apologetic. “She probably needs it.”

Thank you, Vicky , I say internally. After last night, I’m beyond spent. Damian had kept me up until the early hours. He was insatiable. And as much as I’d craved every second of it, my body was paying the price today. This morning, I kept retching for what felt like an eternity, so after breakfast, I’d slipped away to crash.

“Yeah, no,” Hannah deadpans. “It’s the middle of the day, and she’s been hiding in here to nap while we’ve been stuck waiting.”

A second later, my pillow is yanked away.

“Guys, seriously?” I grumble, keeping my eyes stubbornly shut.

Then, something cold and wet presses against my forehead. I crack open one eye, groggy, and find Goldie, panting right in my face. The once tiny golden retriever is all grown up now, nudging my cheek like he thinks he can wake me up with his slobber.

Without thinking, I open my arm, and he curls right into me, settling down to cuddle.

“Goldie, stop it! Leave Aunt River alone. You’re not helping!” Summer tries to pry him off, but I tighten my hold.

Summer lets out a dramatic sigh and flops onto the bed beside me, huffing as if the world has wronged her. Not even a second later, the bed dips on the other side. “I could really use a nap too,” Hannah murmurs, practically melting into the mattress.

“Where are you going, Vicky?” Summer calls out. “Come on. This four-poster’s got space for everyone.” She shifts toward me, and the bed dips again.

“Well, Hal said—” Vicky starts, but she’s immediately interrupted.

“Hal?” Summer and Hannah both say in unison, their voices full of playful teasing.

I manage to crack open one eye to glance at Vicky, whose face is now bright red.

“You guys are on a first-name basis now?” Hannah asks with a wicked grin. Then she turns to me, still smirking. “So, you’re finally awake, huh?”

I shake my head, pulling the covers up. I hear Hannah snort.

A phone goes off, dragging another groan from me. These girls are relentless.

“Yes, baby,” Hannah’s voice drops into that soft, sugary tone, and I lower the covers to gape at her. When it comes to her husband, she sheds her cold, aloof persona in an instant and turns into a lovesick puppy.

“How’s my princess?” Raleigh’s voice comes through the phone, muffled but clear enough for me to catch.

Hannah giggles. I glance at Summer, raising an eyebrow, and she chuckles in response.

“Is River ready?” Raleigh asks, and I narrow my eyes at the mention of my name. Ready for what? I lean toward Hannah, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation, but she’s off the bed in a flash. A few seconds later, she ends the call.

I sit up, absently petting Goldie, my suspicion growing. “What’s going on?”

Hannah rests her hand on her small baby bump, cradling it. “Nothing.”

It’s a tell. In the past two weeks, I’ve noticed her doing that every time she lies or gets nervous. She just caresses her bump as if doing so calms her.

There’s a soft knock and before any of us can respond, the door swings open. Morag steps in, her eyes scanning the room.

“Still in bed?” she says. “Up ye get, lass. A shower’s needed.”

I frown. “But I already showered this morning.”

“Aye, and even so, ye’ve got to do it again for yer—”

“We’ll take it from here, Morag!” Summer jumps off the bed, then slows herself, remembering she’s four months pregnant.

I watch as Hannah and Summer gently usher Morag out of the room.

My gaze shifts to Vicky, silently demanding answers. She meets my eyes for a split second before quickly looking away.

When she sneaks a glance at me, I narrow my eyes at her in mock anger. Traitor. I say with my look and she averts her eyes again.

It’s official—Vicky has jumped ship. She used to be firmly in my corner, but in the past two weeks, she’s gotten closer to Summer and Hannah. Now, I’m the odd one out. Not that I blame her—those two have a way of pulling you into their orbit. But still!

My mind drifts back to Damian and the unexpected trip he planned two weeks ago. He’d walked into the room with his usual commanding demeanor, barely giving anything away. “Pack a bag,” he’d said, and I hadn’t questioned it. I’ve gotten used to traveling with him for work, so I assumed it was just another one of his business trips.

But when I boarded our private jet, I was met with the loud, cheerful shout of, “Surprise!” from our friends. Hannah, Raleigh, Summer, and Archer stood there, grinning at me like they’d been waiting forever.

The happiness that washed over me in that moment was so overwhelming that I didn’t care about the audience. I flung myself at Damian, wrapping my arms around his neck, and kissed him with every bit of gratitude and love I felt. It wasn’t just a thank-you for the trip; it was for him . For how much he’s changed.

Since we returned to L.A., he’s been showing me through his actions that I’m his number one priority now. His work no longer consumes him like it used to. He’s cut back to weekdays only and has finally learned to delegate instead of trying to carry the burden of his empire alone.

Even better, he’s stopped being so hard on himself. He smiles more. Laughs more. And for once, he’s letting himself enjoy life—with me.

I think back to how Raleigh’s obnoxious gagging noises broke the moment between Damian and me that day. I’d laughed so hard because Damian was blushing.

This surprise Scotland trip wasn’t just about fun, though. It was about healing, too. Seeing Summer and Raleigh finally forgive Damian, finally move past the tension that used to hover over us like a storm cloud... it meant everything.

Watching Damian smile and laugh—not just with me, but with everyone—was everything. That man deserved every ounce of happiness this world could give him. And after all he’d been through, it was about time the universe started making it up to him, showering him with that joy in abundance.

But as much as I loved seeing him happy, I couldn’t deny how entertaining it was to witness the rivalry between Archer and Damian. Those two were like wolves at each other’s throat, proving who was the biggest alpha, and honestly? It made every moment better.

Take last week, for example. We were having a picnic by the pond. The sun was shining, the breeze was perfect. I was having trouble opening a jar of jam. Archer decided to be the knight in shining armor. He helped me open it before Damian even had the chance to offer.

I swear, I’ve never seen Damian sulk so hard. It was like someone had stolen his favorite toy. And Archer? He was grinning like a cat who’d just caught a mouse. It was honestly adorable.

But of course, the tables turned the very next day. Summer, who was neck-deep in planning the launch of her clothing line, went straight to Damian for advice. And the second she did, Archer’s smugness evaporated into thin air, replaced with a sour expression while Damian’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction for scoring a point.

And don’t even get me started on Hal. Ever since Raleigh decided to take him under his wing, he’s been trying to “un-grump” him. Apparently, staying too long with Damian had turned Hal into a mini version of my husband—stoic, brooding, and, in Raleigh’s words: no fun at all . So, Raleigh took it upon himself to teach Hal how to be “cool.”

Step one: Ditch the suits. Hal’s collection of leather jackets has now grown to an almost absurd number. Step two: Raleigh’s legendary “how to woo a woman” lessons. Raleigh took his role seriously, even using his wife, Hannah, to demonstrate everything—from perfecting the ideal smirk to delivering a line that could make any girl blush.

Meanwhile, the girls have been busy with their own schemes, starting with a total makeover for Vicky. They’re obsessed with playing matchmaker and even set up a full day out for her and Hal. The way Raleigh grinned when he heard about it made me suspicious that he might’ve been in on it too.

It’s no wonder Vicky’s been keeping secrets from me lately. Like I said, she’s fully switched sides.

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on?” I protest as the girls practically drag me off the bed and start steering me toward the bathroom.

“It’s a surprise!” Summer chirps, her grin wide. Hannah shoots her a sharp look that shuts her up immediately.

I spin to face them. “Wait a second… it’s Damian, isn’t it?” The thought alone makes my heart leap, excitement bubbling over. “He planned something for me again, didn’t he? What is it? Please, tell me!”

“Something like that,” Hannah says smoothly, her expression completely neutral except for the tiniest twitch of her lips. “Now stop asking questions and get moving.” She waves me toward the bathroom.

I sigh and obey.

I step into the shower, letting the warm water soothe me. I’m careful not to rub my overly sensitive nipples.

A smile tugs at my lips. Whatever he’s planned for today, it can’t top the surprise I have for him. My hand drifts to my still flat stomach.

I conceived that day in the cottage, three months ago. The memory of that night still feels like a dream—intense, raw, and filled with so much love.

I found out a little over two weeks ago, but before I could tell him, he swept me and our friends here to Scotland. Between his romantic spontaneity and the constant company of our friends, the right moment to tell him never came.

Today feels like the perfect time, though. It’s obvious the girls are trying to act all hush-hush about whatever Damian’s planned, and their failed attempts at being subtle are downright adorable. I let out a soft laugh.

I’ll use it as my chance to finally tell him. Though, knowing him, he probably won’t be too shocked. After all, he’s been relentless ever since I told him I wanted kids. He’s made it his mission to ensure I’m pregnant. Morning, noon, or night—he’s been at it with a kind of dedication that should probably embarrass me but doesn’t. If anything, I find it hot.

Once I finish up, I wrap myself in a soft robe and step out of the bathroom.

The room goes quiet the second I appear, the girls freezing mid-conversation. Their wide-eyed glances at each other only make me grin. Whatever they’re hiding, they’re terrible at it.

The room looks cluttered—thick garment bags lined up on one side, shoe boxes stacked on the other. My brows knit in confusion as I step further inside, taking it all in.

Summer rushes forward, her face lit up with excitement. “Ready to party?” she blurts out.

Hannah groans audibly, dragging a hand down her face. “Seriously, Summer?”

Vicky turns away, but her shoulders are shaking with suppressed laughter.

Summer whirls around, throwing her hands up. “What?”

“Party? That’s your best excuse?” Hannah says. “Out of all the things you could’ve said, that’s what you went with?”

Summer crosses her arms, tilting her chin up defiantly. “Well, did you have a better idea?”

Hannah stares at her for a beat before letting out a sigh.

“Oh, come on! It’s not like we can hide that!” She jabs a finger toward the corner of the room.

My gaze follows where she’s pointing, and I spot a single white garment bag hanging in stark contrast against the black ones. I step closer, my breath catching when I see my name embroidered on it in silver glitter.

“What is this?” I ask softly, my fingers brushing over the delicate lettering.

There’s something else etched beneath my name on the bag, and I lean in closer and read it aloud.

“River.”

“Damian’s bride.”

My voice falters, and my mouth falls open. For a moment, I just stare at the inscription, my brain struggling to process. Slowly, I turn to face the girls, who are now grinning like cheshire cats.

“So… you see… this isn’t exactly for a party,” Hannah says, throwing a sidelong glance at Summer, who just sticks out her tongue in return.

Before I can even process the whirlwind of emotions, Vicky clears her throat and calls out, “You may come in now.”

The door creaks open, and to my utter shock, a parade of manservants begins to enter, each one carrying a bouquet more beautiful than the last. The room fills with their fragrance, rich and intoxicating. I can barely keep track as they keep bringing more, taking my breath away. By the time the sixteenth one arrives, I just stop counting.

The last bouquet is handed to me. I notice a small card tucked among the red roses. My fingers tremble as I lift it, unfolding it slowly.

It’s Damian’s handwriting, unmistakable, and as familiar to me as the beats of my own heart.

For every month since our marriage.

My heart skips, and I hold my breath as I continue reading.

I never gave you the wedding you deserved, and I’ve realized that’s a sin I can’t forgive myself for. So today, I’m giving you the fairytale you always dreamed of—not only because I’m trying to make up for what I’ve done, but because I want it too.

Yours,

Damian.

“I… this is…” I choke on my words as I stare at the card, my hands trembling, my eyes brimming with tears.

Before I can gather myself, the girls are at my side, closing in around me like a warm, comforting cocoon. They peer over my shoulder, their eyes flicking between the card and my reaction.

“Awwww,” Summer squeezes my shoulder, her expression filled with warmth and affection.

Hannah and Vicky are silent but their smiles soft.

“He’s—he’s planning to marry me again…” The words come out in a dazed murmur as my fingers run over the card.

Summer grins, her eyes twinkling. “It’s so romantic! Damian’s going all out.”

“I… I can’t believe it,” I murmur, my voice thick with emotions as I look up at my friends. “I never even thought—” My voice cracks, and I press my hand against my chest, trying to calm my racing heart.

“River, you’re his world,” Hannah says gently, her eyes soft as she watches me. “He wants to make up for every moment he feels he fell short. He wants you to know, beyond any doubt, that you’re the most important person in his life. And he’s doing it in the biggest, grandest way possible.”

Summer narrows her eyes at Hannah, suspicion written all over her face. “Hold on. Raleigh told you all that, didn’t he? Because that’s exactly what Damian said. I swear, that man can’t keep his mouth shut about anything.”

Hannah flushes, caressing her baby bump. “He’s my husband! There are no secrets between a man and his wife. Don’t act like you didn’t spill everything to Archer.”

Summer falters, her cheeks pinking. “Well, my case is different! Archer’s been overseeing the creative arrangements, so it’s mandatory.”

Hannah raises an eyebrow, clearly gearing up for a retort, but I cut them off with a watery smile, wiping at my eyes. “Enough, you two! Bickering isn’t going to get me down the aisle any faster. Now, stop distracting each other and help me get ready! ” My voice is a bit shaky, but the excitement in my chest is impossible to contain. “It’s my wedding day!”

The girls cheer in unison, all tension forgotten, and they jump into action.

Two hours later, I stand in front of the mirror, transformed into the image of a bride straight out of a dream. The dress is breathtaking—a fitted mermaid gown that hugs my figure in all the right places, its full sleeves shimmering with thousands of delicate crystals that catch the light like stars scattered across the fabric. The skirt flows out in soft, graceful waves, every inch a masterpiece.

And then there’s the tiara. Diamond-encrusted and sparkling like a crown meant for royalty, it sits atop my head, making me feel like a queen.

Later, Raleigh walks into the room, Mrs. Hawthorne trailing behind him. When she greets me with her familiar sternness and motherly warmth, I nearly lose my composure. The sight of her, someone who has been like family to me, makes the day even more special. My eyes well up, but I blink quickly, determined not to ruin the meticulous makeup the girls worked so hard on.

When we were ready to go down, I turn to Raleigh, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. “Raleigh,” I start nervously, “would you… would you walk me down the aisle?”

His expression softens instantly, and he gives me a gentle smile. “I’d be honored to,” he says, his tone filled with sincerity that makes my heart warm.

When we step outside the castle, my jaw drops. “Oh my God,” I gasp, taking in the breathtaking scene before me.

The sprawling lawn has been transformed into a vision straight out of a fairy tale. Rows of white chairs, draped with delicate satin ribbons, are arranged in perfect symmetry, facing an opulent altar adorned with cascading flowers in shades of blush, cream, and soft pink. Crystal chandeliers dangle from the large pergola overhead.

Everywhere I look, there are floral arrangements bursting in full bloom, their fragrance weaving through the warm air.

The aisle is nothing short of a dream brought to life—a raised, elevated runway made entirely of reflective glass, its surface gleaming like a flawless mirror under the golden afternoon sunlight.

It stretches straight ahead, framed by floral arches that seem too perfect to be real. Each arch is wrapped in glimmering golden vines and adorned with white and blush roses and strands of sparkling crystals hang from the blooms, swaying gently in the warm summer breeze, catching the light like tiny diamonds.

Beneath the elevated platform, soft pools of golden light cast an ethereal glow, making the glass seem as though it’s floating above the ground.

“When… when did he do all this?”

“This morning,” Raleigh replies, his tone casual, as if it’s no big deal.

I blink rapidly, struggling to process it. “But… how?” I ask in a stunned whisper as I take in the massive crowd gathered in their finest attire—powerful men and women mingling. Photographers swarm the perimeter, their cameras clicking incessantly, capturing every dazzling detail.

Raleigh chuckles softly. “Damian said, the first time he didn’t give you the grand wedding you deserved. And,” he gestures toward the impeccably dressed guests, “a lot of his colleagues and acquaintances didn’t know you. So, naturally, he wanted to make sure everyone—and I mean everyone —was here this time. Influential figures. The works.”

My brow furrows as I turn to him, my voice a mix of awe and confusion. “But why?”

Raleigh’s grins. “Because he can. And, more importantly, because he wants the entire world to know you’re his.”

“He said that?” I whisper.

“Word for word,” Raleigh confirms, his grin turning mischievous. “Very caveman-ish, isn’t it?”

“More like romantic,” I murmur, a shy smile tugging at my lips.

Raleigh’s smile fades a little, replaced by something that looks almost wistful. “You know, the Damian I knew wouldn’t have done any of this. He wouldn’t have known how to. But now… he’s different. He’s not the person I knew; he’s a better version of himself. And you—you’re the reason for that, River.” His voice softens, his eyes locking with mine. “I just want to thank you. For bringing out the best in him. For changing my best friend, for making him into someone I’m proud to call my big brother again. You’ve made him a better man. Thank you for saving my savior.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and I give him a soft, shaky smile.

Raleigh clears his throat to hide his emotions. “Ready?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

I’m so ready.

◆◆◆

Damian

Happiness.

For decades, it was a foreign concept for me. A word that didn’t belong in my vocabulary, a feeling I couldn’t remember.

When I was younger, happiness was simple, almost too simple. It was the quiet mornings spent with my father, the scent of motor oil in the air as we worked side by side in the garage. It was the warmth of my mother’s voice calling me to the dinner table, the comfort in the aroma of her cooking filling the house with something resembling peace.

Happiness was the feeling of being wanted, needed and loved. Happiness was the day I learned I was going to be a big brother, the excitement of knowing my world was about to expand.

That was before everything changed.

Before the world turned cold and empty. Before the laughter in our house turned to silence. Before tragedy ripped everything away from me—the family, the warmth, the hope.

I lost my mother, my father, my innocence. And in the process, I buried myself. I became someone I didn’t recognize, walking through life with a hollow chest, a man who had forgotten how to feel, how to believe in anything good.

That’s why happiness, to me, was a fantasy—something that belonged to people who hadn’t been through what I had been through.

But now... as I stand here, dressed in a tuxedo, waiting for River, I realize I’m not the same man who walked through hell years ago. I’m not the same man who thought he would never feel whole again. Because despite everything—despite all the loss, the darkness—fate has given me a second chance.

And her name is River.

The girl who has shown me that love isn’t just a word. It’s a lifeline. It’s something real, something raw, something that runs deeper than I ever thought possible. I don’t know when it happened, or how, but River has made me feel again. She revived my heart—pulled me from the edge, and showed me a life I never thought I could have.

I never asked for this. I never thought I deserved this. I was ready to die in the shadows of my past all alone, but she... she pulled me out. She loved me with a tenderness that terrified me. She saw me when no one else could, even when I couldn’t see myself. And now, standing here, waiting for her, I realize I’ve never been more alive.

Fate took everything from me once, but it didn’t leave me empty-handed. It gave me her.

River. My heart. My salvation.

I’ll never understand why she chose me, but I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of the love she’s given me.

River knows the kind of loneliness I’ve felt. She’s not untouched by it either. Her father along with Richard McAllister now stand trial for my father’s murder, a betrayal that’s left her an orphan in all but name. She has no one to turn to—no one but me.

Now, standing at the altar, looking out at the sea of faces, I realize how much has changed. And how despite everything, River and I are not really alone.

We have Summer, Raleigh, their spouses, Archer and Hannah. Not to mention Hal and Vicky. We’re a mismatched family but we fit together.

I glance at Summer who is going to officiate the ceremony. She is dressed in a rainbow-colored evening gown, grinning like a fool. Then at the groomsmen, Hal, my ever-loyal security chief and Archer who catches my gaze and squints his eyes. I ignore him like I always do, looking for my best man, Raleigh.

I glance at the bridesmaids, Hannah and Vicky, both dressed in champagne-colored, floor-length gowns. I want to ask where the hell Raleigh is, but they’re too focused, their attention locked ahead.

The second I look ahead, the world stops.

Because I see her. River.

She’s walking toward me with Raleigh by her side, looking like a goddess, like everything I ever wanted and more. I swear my heart stops beating for a moment.

She’s mine . The thought slams into me with the force of a thousand blows, and the possessiveness surges to the surface like a tidal wave.

I want to move, I want to erase the distance between us and take her in my arms, but I don’t. I stay rooted to the spot, watching her.

She’s glowing, perfect, too perfect. How the hell did I get so lucky?

When our eyes lock, she gives me a smile that makes my chest ache. She doesn’t know what she does to me—what her smile does to me. When she smiles like that, so freely, so purely, it’s as if the world could burn to ash, and I wouldn’t care. She could smile at me forever, and I’d never ask for anything more.

She is so fucking beautiful, it makes me want to lock her away in my private world where no one else can even breathe the same air as her. No one can look at her, not even for a second. If I had it my way, she’d never smile at anyone but me, never give a single glance to anyone but me.

I want to rip her away from this crowd, from the eyes of these people who don’t deserve her—hell, even I don’t deserve her.

But she’s here. She’s walking toward me. Me .

I force myself to take a deep breath. I’m not going to lose control, not now. Not in front of all these people.

She reaches me, and I don’t waste a second. My hand closes around hers, pulling her to my side. I don’t give a damn if anyone’s watching. The only thing that matters is that she’s here, in front of me, and she’s mine.

The entire ceremony passes in a blur. Summer’s words nothing but muffled noise because my focus is on my wife as I refuse to take my eyes off her.

Summer has to prompt me twice before I finally growl, “I do.”

“I do,” River breathes out, her skin flushed under the weight of my stare.

I pull her into me, kissing her like I’ve never kissed her before—because this moment, this love, it’s everything I’ve been waiting for. Every second of heartache, every year of pain has led me to this.

To her.

When I finally break the kiss, I look down at her, my heart still hammering in my chest.

“Did you like the surprise?” I ask her, my voice a little rough, my arms still tight around her.

She nods, shyly. “I did,” she says softly. “But I have a surprise for you, too.”

I raise an eyebrow, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips. “You do?”

“I do,” she says biting her lip, her face going red.

I lean down, lowering my voice so only she can hear. “I can’t wait, Mrs. Montgomery.” I pull her close, kissing her again, this time with even more fervor, as if I could show her everything I’m feeling in this kiss.

And as I pull away, my eyes lock with hers, filled with something more profound than mere happiness. I already know about her surprise. She’s carrying our baby now. A new chapter in our story.

A story that should have never been this painful, but has turned into something even more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.

In this moment, I can finally say I’m at peace.

I’m home.

And I have everything I could ever wish for.

The End