Page 107 of Knot the Last Chapter

He shrugs with mock innocence. “You wrote a book. I figured we’d get ahead of the game.”

“Calm your jets,” I tease. “I still have to edit it.”

Rhys hands me a fork and cuts the first slice of cake, nudging it toward me. “You’ll get there. And we’ll be here for every step of the process.”

They all will. I know that now, in my bones. In the way they’ve supported me through heat, fear, laughter, and growth.This house is no longer haunted. It’s filled with light and messy family and fire-lit mornings. I didn’t just find a story here. I found myself.

And now…

“I have something for you, too,” I say, trying to steady my breath.

They each glance up, intrigued as I set the small white box on the counter.

Tyler picks it up first, turning it in his hands. Then he lifts the lid and stills.

Inside is the test.

Two pink lines.

He goes silent. The world stills with him.

Corwyn leans over his shoulder, and his eyes widen. Rhys, behind them, sees the result and nearly drops the cake slicer.

“You’re…” Tyler begins, his voice barely a whisper.

I nod. My heart’s racing. “Pregnant.”

For a second, there’s only stunned silence. Like the air is holding its breath.

Then Rhys lets out a laugh, breathless and stunned and beautiful. He scoops me up in his arms, spinning me once, then sets me gently down as though I’m made of gold.

Corwyn’s hands are trembling when he cups my face and kisses my forehead. “You’re serious?”

“Never more so,” I whisper, smiling up at him.

Tyler hasn’t moved. His eyes are glassy, filled with something deeper than joy. He walks forward and presses his forehead to mine, his palm warm on my belly.

“I thought today was about endings,” he murmurs.

I smile. “It’s also about beginnings.”

We all gather around the table, arms brushing, shoulders touching. The air is thick with love, with cake and flowers and promise.

There’s laughter, and soft teasing. They argue over baby names that range from classic to hilariously absurd. Rhys promises to cook for two now—four, if you count the cravings he’s certain I’ll have. Tyler vows to design the best nursery. Corwyn wants all the best baby books the world has to offer.

The warmth of the room wraps around us like a blanket.

More than any book I could ever write, this is the real fairy tale I’ve always wanted.

Chapter sixty-three

Lila

Seven months later

The bookstore smells like old paper and cinnamon scones, the scent of celebration and stories. Fairy lights are strung across the ceiling beams, twinkling like stars above the heads of the small crowd gathered for my book launch. My name is printed in delicate gold foil on the banner above the reading nook, and stacks ofThe Vanishing of Lark Valeline the front table, each one tied with a deep blue ribbon.

I never thought I’d get here.