Epilogue
Aria
It’samazing how fast life changes.
One day, I was suffering. Scared. Unwelcome in my own home, in my own family. Unable to control anything about my life. Glad to live through another day, wondering if I’d get the same chance tomorrow.
Now? Now, I wake up in the morning, and all I feel is love. Connection. Like I belong somewhere. Like I’m needed.
Because I wake up in Knox’s arms. We always sleep this way, and it’s the only way I can sleep soundly. He admitted to me not long after we first got together that he never used to sleep much before the first night he had me stay in his bed. Now? There are mornings when I wake up to the sound of him snoring in my ear.
I’ll take it. It means he’s feeling peaceful. I get the feeling he didn’t have a lot of peace in his life before we met.
Not that there’s much more peace now. He still does what he does for his family. I can accept that—his family is the most important thing in his life, and he considers me part of that. What he did to Dale, he would’ve done to anyone who dared hurt somebody who matters to him.
I don’t know how they cleaned up the cabin to hide what happened. The family probably has a lot of experience when it comes to things like that, so I’m sure it wasn’t difficult.
I know my mother’s gone, too. I didn’t ask many questions about that, and I have no intention of doing so. I don’t need to know the specifics. As far as she was concerned, I might as well not have been alive. She would’ve let her husband kill me and would’ve defended him afterward. I can’t bring myself to feel much pity for her when I remember that.
I’m sure they’ll both be declared legally dead in time, but right now, they’re only missing. I’m also sure people think it’s weird that I haven’t launched an investigation into what happened to them. The house sits dark, empty. I don’t even know if either of them had a will or if anything was even supposed to go to me.
It doesn’t matter. I don’t want it. I don’t need it.
I have everything I need.
Knox stirs against me, and I smile as I nestle closer to him. He’s so warm, so comforting. “Good morning,” he murmurs in my ear before kissing my cheek.
“Good morning.” I lift my head from his chest and smile up at him. He’s still sleepy, and something about that strikes me as adorable. He’d probably gag if I ever used that word to describe him, so I keep it to myself.
I still can’t get over this new feeling. Being glad to wake up. Knowing somebody wants me around, that my presence actually makes him happier. He gave me a life, one worth living. I never knew people lived like this—and even if I did, I wouldn’t have imagined it happening to me.
It takes a second, but I finally remember why today’s such a big deal. I’m going back to the gym for my first class in over a month. Lisa was great when I explained in vague details that I had needed time to get myself together. She didn’t ask for more. Once again, I had the feeling she always knew more than she let on, and it seemed like she understood.
I can’t wait to get back to work, back to the kids. I never understood until now how bearable they made my horrible life—seeing their enthusiasm, watching how hard they were willing to work, and how overjoyed they were once they mastered a move. It always made me remember how I felt as a kid, how exciting it was to see the results of my hard work. Back when I had self-esteem and dreams.
I’m working on getting that back. It’ll take time, but the odds are in my favor thanks to the second chance at life Knox gave me and continues giving me every day.
We shower together like we do most mornings, only today he’s in too much of a hurry to do much more than wash up and head out. He’s been this way lately—distracted, in and out at random times. He’ll get phone calls I can tell he doesn’t want to take in front of me.
I know what I signed up for when I decided to make a life with him. He knows what he’s doing—he’s been working for his family for way longer than he’s known me. I can only hope he stays safe. Maybe one day it’ll be easier to deal with my worries and questions.
He comes back in the afternoon to drive me over to the gym. It’s nice not having to rely on a bus schedule anymore. “You excited to get back to work?”
“I am. I didn’t think I’d be this excited, but now that the day’s here, I can’t wait.” I’m practically bouncing in my seat as he drives. “I’m sure the kids will want to show me what they’ve learned. I’ve missed them.”
“I’m sure they’ve missed you, too.” He squeezes my knee with a little grin, and it strikes me how happy he looks. How relaxed he seems. It’s good to see him this way. It makes me believe I’ve added something to his life just like he added so much to mine.
I’m about to say that to him when we round the corner and the gym comes into view. “Wait. Why is it all dark? There are no cars in the lot. She’s never closed on Mondays. Why isn’t anybody here?”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” Knox drives farther into the lot, parking near the door.
I jump out of the car and go to the windows. There aren’t any lights on in there, and I can’t see anybody moving around. “Lisa can’t afford to randomly be closed like this.” My heart sinks. I was so looking forward to getting back here today.
Knox rubs my back. “No offense, seriously, but you’re overthinking it.”
I hold my head in my hands. “Oh, my God, what if something happened, like she’s sick or something? Or what if she had to close? I had no idea she was going through trouble here. I wish she had told me.”
“Maybe it’s not that. Maybe she had to close for a little bit, like she’s getting it painted inside or something.” He cups his hands around his eyes and leans toward the window, trying to look inside. “Why don’t we see if we can go in?”