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His arms wrap around me, pulling me close as we kiss again, this time slower, deeper, as though sealing a promise we’ll carry with us for the rest of our lives.

The moment stretches, the world narrowing to just the two of us. The weight of the past lifts, replaced by something that shines like stars in the night, something unbreakable. And as we hold each other, I feel it—the certainty that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.

Forever.

EPILOGUE

EARL

The hallway outside Raven’s hospital room feels like a liminal space—too quiet, too clean. The soft hum of monitors and faint voices from nearby rooms create an unsettling backdrop to my restless thoughts. I shift my weight from one foot to the other, my arms crossed tightly as if bracing myself for bad news. Through the small window in her door, I can see Raven sitting up in bed, her mother beside her, holding her hand. She looks so calm, so radiant. She has no idea of the turmoil still swirling inside me.

Beside me, Raven’s father clears his throat. I glance at him. He’s standing straighter now, a picture of health compared to the man I first met. The lines on his face are less pronounced, his color has returned, and his presence feels... steady. But his gaze is fixed on me, sharp and assessing.

“Earl,” he says finally, his voice quiet but deliberate. “Can we talk?”

I nod, turning to face him fully. “Of course, Sir.”

His lips press into a thin line. He glances at Raven’s door, then back at me. “You’ve done a lot for her. I won’t deny that. You’ve been by her side when she needed someone the most. And I can see how much she loves you.” He pauses, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But I need to know something before I can fully give you my blessing.”

I meet his gaze, already knowing what’s coming. “You want to know about my past.”

He nods, his expression unwavering. “Raven won’t tell me, but I need to know the truth. Not just for her, but for the family you’re about to build. What kind of man are you, Earl?”

I draw in a slow, measured breath, feeling the weight of his words. The truth isn’t easy, but I owe it to him—to all of them. My fingers twitch at my sides, but I hold his gaze.

“You know my history,” I begin, my voice steady but tinged with regret. “I was angry and desperate. You know my dad, how he was a drunk, and how he made sure everyone around him suffered for it. At the point he left, I knew I had to do something.

“I didn’t want to end up like him, I wanted to be better and I wanted it fast. So I made bad decisions. I targeted men like Charles’s father—arrogant, entitled men who thought the world owed them everything. I conned them out of their money. At the time, I told myself they deserved it, that it was justice somehow.”

I see his jaw tighten, but he doesn’t interrupt.

“It wasn’t justice. It was theft,” I admit, the words like stones on my tongue. “But I didn’t just blow the money. I used it to start over. I invested it carefully, and built legitimate businesses. And after a while, I left that life behind completely. Every cent I’ve earned since then has been honest hard work.”

There’s a long silence. His gaze is piercing, and I can feel him weighing every word, every inflection. I hold my breath, waiting for the judgment to fall.

Finally, he exhales and steps closer, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. “You were young,” he says, his voice surprisingly gentle. “And you made many mistakes, but you didn’t stay in the gutter. You climbed out. That’s more than a lot of people would’ve done.”

His response humbles me.

“What matters now,” he continues, his tone firm, “is how you treat my daughter and the life you’re building with her. You’ve shown me thus far, Earl, the man you truly are and I have no complaints.”

Relief floods through me, so overwhelming I almost laugh. “Thank you, Sir, for the trust in me,” I say quietly. “I won’t let you down.”

He chuckles, a warm, genuine sound. “Isn’t it high time you call me Dad?” he asks, his smile widening. Then, without warning, he pulls me into a quick, gruff hug.

The door to Raven’s room opens then, and her mother steps out, her face alight with joy. “She’s nearly ready,” she says, beaming. “And she’s asking for you.”

Raven’s father claps me on the back. “Go on, kid. She’s waiting. Go deliver my grandson.”

My heart swells as I step into the room, where Raven is waiting with a smile that feels like I’ve finally come home.

And they lived happily ever after …