Epilogue

EPILOGUE

HEATHER

I used to think being a pushover kept the peace between me and Corinne … until I realized there would never be any as long as she did everything in her power to provoke and hurt me.

I don't know what happened, but I don't recall us ever being close. It's something that everyone expects because we're not just siblings, we're twins. We shared Mom's womb for nine months. She would've been my instant best friend if she didn't think only about herself.

It's been years since Mimi's party, and Corinne and I haven't talked. It's fine. It doesn't bother me since my conscience is clear. I sleep peacefully at night knowing I'm not intentionally causing pain to anyone. I can't say the same for her.

Besides, it's no surprise she and Alex broke up after that night.

I see her on the news—the popular socialite who likes to party—but I don't keep track of her. For one, I'm too happy to care about people who only feel resentment toward me. Two, Baron makes sure my every waking thought is of him and him alone.

Funny how he went from bully to fake boyfriend to actual husband. Some days, I still can't believe it, but then he goes and proves to me everything's real. We still get into arguments from time to time, but it almost always ends with us tearing each other's clothes off.

What can I say? We're both insatiable.

It's Mimi's 85th birthday, and the theme is Old Hollywood.

After much research, Baron and I decided to go as Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Our outfits aren't over-the-top, but I have to wear a blonde wig and Baron needs to darken his hair temporarily.

It's a lot of work, but with the way Baron's been ogling me since we stepped out of the car and into the hallway, I guess it's safe to assume he likes what he sees.

You'd think after a month-long honeymoon, he'd get tired of me already. But no. The guy's sexual appetite needs to be studied. Not that I mind. I find that it takes one look, one word, or even one simple touch for me to submit to his seduction.

This bastard.

"Happy birthday, Mimi. Your parties are still the talk of the town," I tell her as we sit in front of her special table for family only, munching on her favorite appetizers.

Baron has excused himself to go grab us some drinks.

Mimi rests her hand above mine and squeezes it. "Thank you, dear." She peers at me from over the rim of her glasses. "Marriage agrees with you. You look stunning."

My mind chooses that moment to revisit all the things Baron and I did for the past month. Even today, I'm still struggling to walk straight. "It's too soon to tell. We've only been married for three months."

"I knew you'd end up together."

"What do you mean?"

"When you introduced him to me five years ago, I knew he wasn't your boyfriend."

"What?!"

Mimi just laughs, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "But I knew it wouldn't be long before you got together. It's in the way you stared at each other."

"Mimi…"

She gets this faraway look in her eyes as she smiles softly. "I remember when your Papi used to look at me that way too. We'd be in the middle of the crowd, and he'd stare at me just so. Like he wanted to take off my clothes right there and then."

Heat creeps on my face. "Mimi!"

She chuckles and rests a palm on my cheek. "Sex is nothing to be ashamed of, dear. I wouldn't have married your Papi if I didn't want to jump him every chance I got."

Baron returns to find me burying my face in my palms and Mimi smirking devilishly. He darts his eyes from her to me and lifts a brow. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing, Mimi and I?—"

"I've been telling her about how much her grandfather and I did it whenever we could."

"Did it?" Baron's forehead furrows. Realization dawns on him, and he bursts out laughing. "Damn. Should I leave to get you harder drinks?"

"No. But you can join us. Don't think I didn't notice Heather walking funny."

Horror, embarrassment, and pure disbelief war within me. Oh my God. Should we just go home? Did everyone else notice?

"Which is to be expected in honeymoons. Otherwise, what's even the point? Play scrabble and hopscotch?" Mimi punctuates her sentence by raising a glass to us. Baron's shoulders shake, and I'm still shocked at this turn of conversation. "To healthy marriages and even healthier appetites. You deserve the world, dear. You too, young man, for taking good care of her."