Epilogue

" W hen was the last time you spoke to your mother?"

"Last weekend actually." I folded my hands into my lap, trying to get comfortable on the big couch in my therapist's office.

Dr. Short was a friendly-looking older woman, maybe in her late sixties. Chance had helped me find someone who was covered under the school's health plan, and after everything I'd been through, they had been more than willing to make sure I was able to see someone who could help me process everything, rather than sue them.

"How did that go?"

"Good." I met her gaze. "It's not as awkward as it used to be. I suppose I wish the circumstances were different, but a part of me is glad she has Jake and Jenny and their kids. I was never going to be able to give her what they do, so I'm lucky that she has a support system that can give her what she needs. I still don't feel a strong connection with her, or a desire to have her be a bigger part of my life, but I'm just not as angry."

"Hmm." Dr. Short liked to hum when she found something particularly interesting.

"I find these days I'm less angry in general."

"How's that?"

"Well, being that close to death makes one reevaluate things." I chuckled.

Dr. Short smiled, but she didn't comment.

"I realized after everything calmed down that I had been holding on to so much anger, for some things that had happened decades ago…things that couldn't be changed. And it wasn't serving a purpose for me to internalize all of those emotions." I looked out the window onto the main street of the town closest to Montgomery.

"I think I've needed to let go for a while. I need to move past all the resentment in order to step forward with my future." I paused, processing my thoughts. "I think it was Chance who made me realize how bad things had gotten. Because having a single person in my corner has changed everything. And if I hadn't fought so hard to push past my fear of betrayal and failure, things I was hanging on to from past relationships, I would have lost him. Facing that fear and making the choice to try anyway gave me everything. So I'm committed to doing that more."

"That's quite profound, Violet." Dr. Short smiled gently. "And things are still going well with Chance?"

I nodded, cheeks flushing at the memory of how deeply he'd kissed me in the car when he'd dropped me off for my appointment. I could see his car from the window. Knowing he was nearby made me feel a calmness I found hard to describe.

"We're moving in together," I told her. I wasn't sure why, but I'd been nervous to share the news with her.

She raised a brow, but remained silent, allowing me to continue.

"We could have stayed at Montgomery. Like I told you, the headmistress was willing to make an exception as long as we were discreet on campus. And we will be at school. I'm even helping the headmistress to update the code of conduct to be more gender-inclusive. A part of me will always love my time living on campus, but there were a lot of bad memories too, and it was hard to feel safe in the faculty dorms after everything that happened."

"It sounds like you've given this a lot of thought."

I nodded. "Neither of us took the decision lightly. We'll get a small stipend from the school for living expenses. I was able to refinance my student loans to lower the payment, and I got the courage to talk to my mom about the mortgage, and she agreed she'd be okay if I sent less home. She actually said I didn't have to send anything because she's been working for the last couple years, but I can't help it. It feels like the right thing to do."

"And how are you feeling about the move?"

"Excited." I smiled. "When I lived with Harry, everything belonged to him. I always felt like a visitor, and he never did anything to make me feel welcome. But it's like I'm building a life with Chance. He cares what I think. He puts me first." I paused, blinking back tears that had come out of nowhere. "He loves me."

Dr. Short was unable to hold back her own watery smile.

"Are you taking any steps to feel safe in your new environment?"

"Chance has been doing research for weeks to make sure we have the best security system, and Jolene is behind bars and not going anywhere anytime soon. Plus, I think having a fresh space that we can make our own will make it feel safer too." I leaned back into the couch. "I still have nightmares sometimes, but Chance helps me calm down."

She nodded, seemingly pleased with my response, and made notes on her steno pad. "And when are you moving in?"

"In a few weeks."

"Do you anticipate any challenges or stressors?"

"I think money will be tight for a bit, while we get what we need. I know Chance wants to just pay for everything, but I need to feel like I'm contributing equally, and although he only wants to help, he understands. He respects me and my decisions." I sighed in contentment.

"I'm sure we'll disagree on things, but we practically live together now. I don't know the last time he was in his room for anything other than to grab a change of clothes. I think we're both so motivated to make things work because of the deep connection we have with one another that we don't let little things get in the way." I shrugged.

I felt like perhaps I sounded naive, but having experienced a lot of adversity in past relationships, I could feel the difference with Chance and me every day, with every breath, with every word.

"Unfortunately, that's our time today, Violet." Dr. Short smiled kindly, unfolding her legs.

"I won't be here next week," I reminded her. "I'll be out of town for Chance's photography show."

"That's right." She smiled brightly as she walked me to the door. "Please pass along my congratulations."

"I will." I gave her a small wave. "Thank you."

"Can you help me with the corset?" I glanced over my shoulder at Chance, whose gaze was dangerously dark.

Per his request, I was wearing the dress his sister had given me for New Year's for his debut photography exhibition. Somehow brand-new and brand-name heels had miraculously arrived at our hotel room the day we checked in. Chance and his sister claimed to be innocent, but I knew better.

"I'll help you out of it." He smirked.

"I already gave in to you in the shower."

"But it's my big day."

"You've been using that for the last week." I laughed. "Please," I pouted. "I can't do the laces by myself."

"Fine," he huffed, getting up from the hotel bed. His hands went around my waist, and his chin rested on my shoulder. "We've got time," he purred.

"No, we do not," I replied sternly, but couldn't help but lace my fingers through his, imperceptibly leaning back into him.

"You're going to be the end of me, Violet." He placed a soft kiss behind my ear before pulling away to start tying the strings.

"Are you nervous?" I asked, probably because I definitely was. Sure, he had taken all the photographs, but it was my face that was going to be plastered all over, just like in his stalker darkroom.

"No. You'll be there. That's all I need."

I thought I might melt.

He tugged the strings. "Tell me when they're tight enough."

"One more time."

Following my instructions, he pulled once more, then tied a bow at the base of my spine. "Give me a twirl," he directed, taking my hand in his and lifting it above my head to keep me steady while I gave him a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the dress.

"Stunning, as usual." He cupped my cheeks, tipping his face down to kiss me sweetly.

"Thank you, Chance." I smiled up at him through my lashes, the words coming out heavy, more than just gratitude for tying the dress in them.

We'd been lucky that the gallery that had agreed to host Chance's show had sent a car for us. I was sure that word had gotten out that Chance was related to the Roberts, likely due to his family being on the guest list, so they'd gone all-out to invite the who's who of the tristate area.

Walking into the gallery was surreal. Seeing so many versions of my face staring back at me was indescribable, albeit slightly unnerving.

Applause broke out amongst the crowd when we made it into the main room. The gallery owner piped up, "Our artist, Chance Harper, and his muse, Violet Price."

I felt my heart flutter in my chest, never having received such a reception before, and never having willingly been the center of attention at such a large gathering.

Chance tightened his grip around my waist, pulling me into his side. "They all recognize beauty when they see it," he whispered into my ear.

I could only blush in response.

While we made the rounds, Chance was so naturally charismatic that he found connections with everyone he spoke to, always checking in to make sure I was comfortable.

About halfway through the exhibition, a slight hush fell over the crowd as the Roberts arrived. Amanda, once again, looked stunning, wearing a chic black jumpsuit that made her look a million miles tall. Cindy and Thomas, arm in arm, looked an elegant coupling as they strode through, in Amanda's wake, while she winked and waved to acquaintances in the crowd.

"You did so good, big brother!" Amanda gave him a tight hug. "And Violet." She stepped back to admire me. "What a muse you are." She waved to someone over my shoulder. "I'll be back. Careful with Mom and Dad."

And not a moment later, Chance's parents came up to greet him.

"It's really something, Chance." His mother smiled, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "I'll just be a moment, I need to go say hello to Mrs. Weathers." She excused herself, leaving Chance and me with his stone-faced father.

"I'm sorry about Daniel," Thomas said out of the blue.

"You're only saying that because mom told you to," Chance bristled.

"I'm saying it because it's the truth."

An awkward silence cut between them.

But Thomas wasn't ready to walk away. He looked around, at all the people, at the gorgeous photography Chance had created, and then turned his gaze back to Chance.

"I'm impressed."

Chance raised an eyebrow. "Didn't think anyone would turn up?"

"No, son." Thomas looked Chance in the eye. "I'm just impressed."

Chance's lips parted, clearly taken aback by the compliment.

"Do you take commissions?" Chance's mom returned, looping her hand through his elbow on the opposite side from me, unaware of the moment she'd walked into. "I'd love for you to take some photos for the charities I run, sweetheart."

"I'd love to," he agreed, still a bit shell-shocked by his exchange with his father.

"In case I forgot to tell you, I'm so proud of you." I snuggled into Chance's side. The evening had been exhausting, but never too exhausting not to enjoy each other for a little while.

Chance gave me a dreamy smile, still drifting in post-coital satisfaction. "I am nothing without my muse."

"Your father seemed to be proud of you too," I stated, curious of his response.

Chance's gaze softened into one of contemplation. "Figured hell would have frozen over first, but here we are."

Placing a soft kiss on his chest, I murmured, "Here we are. Putting our demons behind us, and starting anew…together."

"Always."