Chapter 92

EPILOGUE

ANASTASIA’S POV

The soft afternoon breeze rustled through the leaves, swaying the tall trees in the empty private park. The sunlight came through the tree branches in soft lines, casting golden patterns on the grass.

I sat on the picnic cloth spread over the grass with my arms wrapped loosely around my knees as I watched Hailey dash across the open space with her bubble stick.

She giggled wildly as she waved the stick through the air, bubbles floating into the sky before popping in soft, invisible bursts.

“Mommy, look!” she squealed and ran toward me, her little legs carrying her across the open space as she swung the bubble wand with dramatic flair as bubbles danced into the air, floating around her like tiny enchanted orbs. One burst against my cheek as she got closer, laughing mischievously.

“You got me!” I laughed, grabbing her and pulling her into my lap. “Tickle monster’s coming!” I warned and dove my fingers into her sides. Her giggles filled the empty air as we tumbled gently onto the cloth, both of us laughing so loudly I wondered if we were disturbing the peace.

“Moooom! Stoop!” she shrieked between giggles.

“You started it!” I teased, planting a loud kiss on her cheek. She squirmed out of my hold and ran off again, returning to her bubble play.

I leaned back onto the cloth, resting on my elbows before lying flat on my back. My eyes fluttered closed as the sun warmed my face, and for a moment, I allowed myself to drift.

But as soon as the quiet settled in, the memory crept back in too.

That night. The screams. The gunfire. Camila’s bloodied shirt. The way I’d clutched Hailey to my chest, running through the forest with bare feet and a heart full of terror.

And then the silence that followed. The deafening silence.

They said Nolan was gone. Nothing was found—no body, no trace, nothing but ashes. For three years, I held on to that sliver of hope. Hope that no body meant no death.

Hope that he would find his way back to us. But that hope was tangled with fear also. Fear that Ivan was still out there waiting for us.

Even though I had changed cities, changed my name, dyed my hair, and cut off everyone who could be tracked… part of me was still scared. I never let Hailey out of my sight, and I memorized exits wherever we went.

I didn’t know if Ivan had survived what happened that night… but I knew him well enough to know that if he had, he wouldn't stop looking.

“Mummy!” Hailey’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

I blinked as I sat up, “Yes, baby?”

She walked over slowly, her bubble wand now dragging behind her.

“I’m getting tired,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

“Then come rest for a bit before we head home,” I said, patting the spot beside me.

She dropped her bubble stick, crawled onto the blanket, and lay her head in my lap with a little sigh. I stroked her dark hair, smiling as her lashes fluttered and she blinked up at me.

“Mummy?”

“Yes, princess?”

“Can we get my doughnut before going home?” she asked in the softest and sweetest tone, tilting her head slightly and adding, “Pleaseee?” dragging the word out in that adorable way she knew always melted me.

I chuckled. “I didn’t drive today, baby. I really don’t feel like walking all that way.”

“But I need my doughnut if I'm going to play with Mummy,” she replied, her bottom lip jutting out. “And I want to play with Mummy…”

“Is that so?” I teased.

“Yes! Please, please, pleeeaase!” she pleaded, her eyes wide and sparkling.

I let out a loud laugh, unable to resist her charms.

“Fine,” I said, bending to kiss her forehead. “We’ll get the doughnuts, my princess.”

She beamed, her smile nearly knocking the air out of my lungs. As I stared at her perfect little face, I reached out and brushed a strand of hair away. Every day, she looked more like him. Her eyes—those unmistakable gray eyes with golden rims—looked exactly like his. She even furrowed her brow the same way he did when she was concentrating.

She was all I had left of him.

It was hard to explain the ache that lived with me. For three years, I had refused to believe Nolan was gone. Every few months, I would call my mother just to ask if there had been any news. Each time, her answer was the same.

“Anna, let him go. He’s gone. He would have found you by now if he was alive.”

Then she would change the subject. “When are you coming back home? I want to see my granddaughter.”

I never answered that part. I always hung up before she could press further.

“Hailey,” I whispered, tracing her cheek with my thumb, “You’re my everything.”

I looked at Hailey’s sleeping form and continued to admire her. I wish Nolan could see how beautiful she is and how similar they both are. 

I sat there, holding her until the sun began to dip behind the trees. I kissed her temple and gently nudged her as the shadows stretched longer across the field.

“Time to go home, baby,” I whispered.

She rubbed her eyes and yawned, nodding wordlessly. Together, we packed the blanket, snacks, and bubble stick and I carried the bag as we walked hand in hand down the quiet path toward our regular doughnut shop.

The familiar chime of the bell welcomed us as we stepped inside. “Go sit over there, baby. I’ll get the usual.” I said, pointing to a seat by the window. 

Hailey obediently skipped to the seat and climbed into the booth. I approached the counter, smiling faintly at the familiar face behind it.

“The usual?” she asked, already reaching for a box.

“You know me too well,” I said, giving her a small smile.

She packed the doughnut with ease and handed me the box. I passed her the money, then turned to drop some coins into the tip jar when someone bumped into me.

The box slipped from my hand and tumbled to the floor.

“Oh—I’m sorry,” the man said quickly, bending to pick it.

“I—it’s fine—” I began, but when he straightened and turned to hand me the box, time slowed.

The man in front of me had messy dark hair. His eyes, those exact eyes I was admiring on someone else just a few minutes ago, locked with mine.  

It was him.

It was Nolan.

He stood right in front of me, holding the box of doughnuts, and was wearing a simple gray hoodie and jeans.

“Nolan?” I breathed, barely able to get the word out.

He looked at me, startled, blinking like he was trying to place me. “…Sorry?”

“Oh my God,” I said, stepping closer. “It’s you.” I breathed as I threw my arms around him and pulled him close.

“You’re alive,” I sobbed into his shirt. “You’re actually alive.”

He stiffened and pulled away from me. “I—I’m sorry, do I know you?”

With his brow furrowed, he looked from my face to my trembling hands. “Miss… I think you’ve got the wrong person,” he said quietly. 

The words hit like a punch to the chest, but I couldn’t stop staring at him.

It couldn’t be. No, it was him. The same jawline I had kissed a hundred times. The same voice that once whispered to me in the dark. He couldn’t just not know me.

I took a shaky step forward. “Nolan,” I called again, louder this time. “It’s me. Anastasia.”

He blinked slowly, as if the name didn’t mean anything.

I stepped even closer. “We were married. We had a child together. Hailey. You held her the night you left. You promised me you’d come back—”

“Ma’am,” he cut in, his voice calm but firm. “I’ll appreciate it if you do not create a scene.”

“No,” I said quickly, voice breaking. “If this is a joke, Nolan, stop it. We were everything to each other—everything! They told me you were dead, but I waited for you.”

He looked around uncomfortably, as if hoping someone would rescue him from the stranger with the meltdown. “Look, I’m sorry,” he said slowly, “but I really think you need rest or something.”

“I’m not crazy,” I snapped.

The people close to us turned to look at us before they went back to their business. 

“Nolan, you have a daughter,” I said desperately, voice trembling. “She’s sitting right there!” I pointed towards the booth.

His eyes followed my finger. Hailey was watching now, her small face looking confused. 

“Look, I get you’re looking for someone, but that person isn’t me,” he muttered. “I don’t know you or her.”

Tears blurred my vision as I stepped away from him, my heart pounding hard against my chest. 

“You don’t remember anything… do you?” I whispered.

He didn’t answer. He just stared at me with pity, then turned to pick up his coffee and walked straight to the door.

“No! Nolan, wait!” I cried, but he didn’t pause. Didn’t look back.

The bell above the door jingled softly as he walked out the door, and then he was gone.

I stood in the middle of the shop, stunned, and barely aware of the doughnut box in my hand. My heart ached as I walked towards the booth, wiping my tears.

Hailey blinked up at me as I sat down, her brows drawing together. “Mummy…” she began slowly, “who was that man you were talking to?”

I swallowed hard, brushing a hand over her hair. “He was…” My voice cracked. “He was someone I used to know.”

Her little face creased in confusion. Before she could ask another question, I opened the box of doughnuts for her. 

I pulled her close, holding her tighter than ever as the ache in my chest spread and tears threatened to fall. I kissed her hair and held onto her like she was the only thing anchoring me, because she was.

The man I had mourned, loved, and waited for… was alive.

But he was gone all over again.