FINALE
FINALE
EPILOGUE
BRIELLE
TWO YEARS LATER
“Happy birthday to you… happy birthday to you… happy birthday, dear Aurora… happy birthday to you!”
The living room glowed with soft golden fairy lights and pastel balloons that floated lazily near the ceiling. A massive three-tiered cake sat on the center table, decorated with delicate pink roses and a little golden crown on top that read “Our Princess is Two!” in elegant script. Laughter and the sweet scent of vanilla filled the air as our family and closest friends sang along, voices warm and off-key in the most beautiful way.
Aurora sat in her high chair like a tiny queen, clapping her chubby hands with pure delight. Her dark curls bounced with every movement, and those sharp grey eyes (an exact copy of her father’s) sparkled with mischief as she blew out the two candles with dramatic flair, helped only slightly by Damien’s gentle guidance.
The room erupted in cheers. Aurora squealed happily and immediately reached both arms out toward the one person she adored most in the world.
“Daddy!”
Damien didn’t hesitate. He scooped her up in one smooth motion, spinning her gently in the air as she giggled wildly. The sight of them together never failed to make my heart feel too full for my chest.
“There’s my birthday girl,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Two years old already. How did you grow up so fast, princess?”
Aurora wrapped her little arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder, the way she always did when she wanted comfort or attention. She had taken after Damien in so many ways…the same intense gaze, the same quiet determination, and that same protective streak that made her scold her stuffed animals if they “fell down.”
“This is so unfair,” I groaned playfully from where I stood beside the cake, cutting the first slice. “Only you get to be her favorite. She runs to you first thing in the morning, she demands you read her bedtime stories, and now she won’t even let me help blow out her candles properly. I carried her for nine months, Damien. Nine!”
Damien turned toward me with that devastating half-smile that still made my knees weak after all these years. Aurora peeked at me from his shoulder, then hid again with a shy giggle, clearly enjoying the attention.
“She loves you just as much, Luna,” he said, walking over with our daughter still clinging to him. He leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips, then pressed another kiss to my forehead. “She just knows Daddy is wrapped around her little finger. Right, Rori?”
Aurora nodded solemnly against his neck. “Daddy best.”
I laughed, shaking my head as I handed him a plate with a generous slice of cake. “Traitor. Both of you.”
The party continued beautifully. Aria was chasing Aurora around with a balloon, making her squeal with laughter. Sofia sat quietly in the corner, watching everything with a soft smile…she had become a steady, if still careful, presence in our lives over the past two years. Friends and family mingled, sharing stories and taking photos.
But my favorite moments were the quiet ones.
Later, when most guests had left and the living room was scattered with wrapping paper and toys, Damien found me on the balcony. Aurora was asleep in his arms, her head tucked against his chest, one tiny hand fisted in his shirt. The city lights twinkled below us, and the cool evening breeze brushed my skin.
He came up behind me, wrapping his free arm around my waist and pulling me back against him. Aurora sighed contentedly in her sleep.
“You okay?” he asked softly, lips brushing my temple.
“More than okay,” I whispered. “I was just thinking… two years ago today, we brought her home. And now look at us. A family.”
Damien’s hold tightened. “The best decision I ever made was loving you. The second best was making this little one with you.”
I turned in his arms, careful not to wake Aurora, and kissed him deeply. When we pulled apart, his eyes were shining with that same fierce love that had carried us through every storm.
“I love you,” I said. “Both of you. More than words.”
He smiled, the kind of smile that still made butterflies erupt in my stomach. “And we love you right back, Luna.”
My writing career had also bloomed in ways I never dared to dream.
The Veiled Heart had become a runaway success. It hit every major bestseller list, stayed there for months, and earned me several awards including the prestigious Golden Quill for Best Debut Romantasy. Readers connected deeply with the themes of chosen family, healing from betrayal, and love that defies the odds. Fan art, book clubs, and messages poured in daily from people whose lives had been touched by the story.
I was now working on the sequel… Veiled Vows and the words were flowing easier than ever. Motherhood had changed me as a writer. It added new layers of tenderness and strength to my characters, and I found myself smiling at my laptop more often than not.
Life wasn’t perfect.
It never was.
But it was ours…messy, beautiful, and full of love.
THE END
To My Dear Readers,
Thank you.
From the very bottom of my heart, thank you.
Writing The Lies Between Us felt like pouring pieces of my soul onto the page during some of the quietest, most vulnerable nights of my life. There were moments when I sat in the dark with only the glow of my laptop, heart heavy with my own scars, wondering if anyone would ever understand the story I was trying to tell. I never imagined…not even in my wildest dreams that these words would reach so many of you, that they would touch your hearts, make you laugh, make you cry, and become something we all shared together.
You turned this story into something magical.
Your comments and your endless love for Damien and Brielle kept me going on the hardest days. You celebrated their small victories like they were your own. You rooted for them through every lie, every heartbreak, every moment of doubt. You laughed at their banter, swooned at their romance, and felt every ounce of pain and healing right alongside them. Some of you told me this book helped you process your own past, find hope again, or believe in love after heartbreak. Those messages meant more to me than you’ll ever know.
You didn’t just read this story.
You lived it with me.
I hope this final chapter left your heart feeling full… warm, satisfied, and maybe a little emotional. I hope you felt the depth of Damien’s love, Brielle’s strength, and the beautiful, messy journey they took to find their forever. I hope you smiled through the happy moments, wiped a few happy tears at the end, and closed the book feeling like you had just spent time with people who mattered.
Thank you for trusting me with your time and your emotions. Thank you for loving these characters as fiercely as I do. Thank you for every single message, every review, every kind word. You made this dream real.
If The Lies Between Us brought even a little light, laughter, or healing into your life, then every late night and every tear I shed while writing it was worth it.
With all my love and endless gratitude,
Zainnyalpha ❤️
Here are some questions I’d love for you to think about (or answer in the comments!):
Who was your favorite character in the book and why?
Which scene made you laugh the most?
Which scene made you cry, scream, or want to throw the book (or your phone)?
Be honest… did you forgive Damien before Brielle did, or were you still mad at him for keeping secrets? 👀
What’s your favorite Damien and Brielle moment?
If you could insert yourself into one scene just to be nosy or helpful, which would it be?
Which quote or line stuck with you the most?
What would you say was Brielle’s biggest moment of growth?
And Damien’s?
Do you think Damien and Brielle were truly ready for forever when they finally got there?
Did Sofia redeem herself in your eyes? Fully? Or is there something more you would’ve liked to see from her?
If you could give Aurora one piece of advice as she grows up, what would it be?
If you loved the romance, angst, emotional depth, and dark romance vibes in this story, I hope you’ll check out my other books:
In Love with My Stepbrother – A forbidden, slow-burn romance full of tension and healing.
Owned by the Bully – A dark YA romance with redemption, enemies-to-lovers, and intense chemistry.
A Second Chance at Forever – A heartfelt second-chance romance about forgiveness and new beginnings.
Thank you again for reading, for loving these characters, and for making this dream possible. Your support means the world to me.
With all my love,
Zainnyalpha