Chapter 159 Part one Epilogue: Coming home

Chapter 159 Part one Epilogue: Coming home

Aria’s POV

The music was too loud. The lights were too bright. And Aria was exactly drunk enough not to care.

She laughed as Melissa spun her around on the makeshift dance floor of their tiny apartment. They’d pushed all the furniture against the walls. Invited half their graduating class. Someone had brought a speaker that was definitely going to get them noise complaints.

But they’d graduated.

Actually, officially graduated.

So screw the neighbors.

“More champagne!” someone shouted.

A bottle appeared although it was cheap stuff that tasted like fizzy regret. Aria didn’t care. Just took a swig straight from the bottle.

Melissa grabbed it from her. “Share, Martinez!”

“Get your own!” But Aria was laughing. Spinning. Feeling lighter than she had in years.

Two years of late nights. Early mornings. Crying over assignments. Supporting each other through therapy. Through nightmares. Through the slow, painful process of becoming whole again.

And they’d done it.

Both of them.

The song changed to something with a heavy beat that made the floor vibrate.

Aria closed her eyes and let the music move through her. Let herself just… be.

For once, not thinking about the past. About what had happened. About…

The music cut off abruptly.

“Hey!” someone protested. “Who…”

Aria opened her eyes.

And standing there was none other than Kane.

He stood in her doorway like he owned the place. Like he owned the whole damn world.

Dressed in dark jeans and a fitted shirt that should be illegal. Hair perfectly styled. Face absolutely devastating.

The entire party had gone silent. Everyone was staring at him.

He walked straight through the crowd and didn’t even glance at anyone else.

Just made a direct line to Aria.

She barely had time to breathe before his hands cupped her face.

And he kissed her.

Right there. In front of everyone. Deep and possessive and absolutely claiming.

Aria melted into him. Her hands fisting in his shirt. Two months. It had been two months since she’d seen him. Since she’d insisted on space. She had tried focusing on her finals. She also wanted to prove she could stand on her own.

And God, she’d missed him.

When they finally broke apart, she was breathless.

“Kane,” she gasped. “What are you…”

“Congratulations,” he murmured against her lips. “I’m so proud of you, mia dea.”

The room erupted.

“Oh my God, who IS that?”

“Is he a model?”

“Look at his FACE.”

“Are those custom clothes?”

“I think I just got pregnant from watching them kiss.”

Aria laughed against Kane’s mouth. “You’re causing a scene.”

“Good.” He pulled back just enough to look at her. “Let them see that you’re mine. You look too beautiful to be hidden.”

Her heart almost flew off her chest. “Possessive much?”

“Always. When it comes to you.” His thumb brushed her cheek. “Are you surprised to see me?”

“Yes. No. Maybe.” She shook her head. “I told you I needed space. To focus…”

“And now school is done.” His voice dropped lower. It made her shiver. “So I’m here. To collect what’s mine.”

“I’m not a possession, Rivers.”

“No. You’re a goddess. My goddess.” He kissed her again. Softer this time. “And I’ve given you enough time.”

Melissa appeared beside them. Slightly drunk. Definitely grinning.

“Kane! You made it!”

“Melissa.” He acknowledged her with a nod. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” She looked between them. Her smile dimming slightly. “Did… did Gavin come with you?”

Kane’s expression shifted. Became more careful. “I don’t think so. He said he had something to handle.”

Aria watched Melissa’s face fall. Saw the disappointment she tried to hide.

Two years. Melissa and Gavin had been dancing around each other for two years. Phone calls. Texts. And keeping a lot of distance.

And Melissa still didn’t know what she wanted.

“Oh,” Melissa said. Her voice too bright. “That’s fine. I didn’t really expect him anyway.”

Liar, Aria thought. But she didn’t say it.

Kane turned his full attention back to Aria. His hands settled on her waist.

“You’re coming home,” he said.

“Kane…”

“I’m not leaving without you this time. I’ve been patient. I’ve given you space. But now…” his grip tightened slightly “…now I need you home. With me. Where you belong.”

Aria’s heart was racing. “I need to stay with Melissa. We have plans. Girls’ night. I can’t just…”

“Yes, you can,” Melissa interrupted. She was smiling but her eyes were knowing. “Go. Be with him.”

“Mel, no. I promised. Tonight is ours.”

“And we had tonight. We danced. We drank terrible champagne. We celebrated.” Melissa squeezed her hand. “But he’s here. And he’s looking at you like you’re the only person in the room. So go.”

Aria looked at Kane. At the man who’d saved her. Protected her. Waited for her while she figured out how to be herself again.

“I don’t have my stuff packed. I can’t just…”

“We’ll get your stuff tomorrow.” Kane’s voice was firm.
“Tonight, you will come home with me. I can’t spend another moment without you in my space and in my life, I’ll fucking die.”

Before Aria could respond, he bent slightly. Swept her up into his arms.

She squealed. “Kane! Put me down! We’re in public!”

“This is your apartment. Filled with drunk college students.” He was already walking toward the door. “This is barely public.”

The crowd parted. Everyone staring. Some giggling. Some sighing.

“Oh my God, he just picked her up like she weighs nothing.”

“That’s so hot.”

“Who IS he?”

Melissa called after them. “Use protection!”

“MELISSA!” Aria’s face flamed.

But she was laughing. Couldn’t help it.

Kane carried her out of the apartment. Down the stairs. Out onto the street where a car was waiting.

He set her down carefully. Kept one arm around her waist.

“Are you upset?” he asked quietly.

Aria looked up at him. At his perfect face. His concerned eyes. The man who’d literally carried her out of hell.

“No,” she said honestly. “I’m relieved.”

“Relieved?”

“I’ve been pretending I didn’t need you. That I could do this alone. That space was good for me.” She cupped his face. “But the truth is, I’ve been miserable without you. I missed you every single day.”

Kane’s expression softened. “Then why…”

“Because I needed to prove I could. Stand on my own. Graduate. Be Aria Martinez, not just ‘Kane’s girlfriend.’” She smiled. “And I did. I proved it. To myself. To everyone.”

“And now?”

“Now I’m ready to come home. To you. To us.” She pulled him down. Kissed him. “Take me home, Kane.”

“With pleasure, mia dea.”

He opened the car door. She slid in. He followed.

The driver pulled away from the curb.

Aria looked back at her apartment building. At the party still going on. At Melissa standing in the window, watching them leave.

She waved. Melissa waved back sending a flying kiss to her forever sister.

Then Aria turned forward. Settled against Kane’s chest. Let herself finally relax.

“I love you,” she murmured.

“I love you too.” Kane pressed a kiss to her hair. “Welcome home.”

And for the first time in two years, Aria felt completely at peace.

She’d survived. Graduated. Proven herself.

And now she was choosing this.

Choosing him.

Choosing them.

Not because she needed to. But because she wanted to.

That made all the difference.

The car drove through the night. Taking her home. To Kane. To their future.

Whatever it held.

She was ready.

Finally, completely ready.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​