REMI HOOD

Epilogue

Two years later, Remi

"Wake up sleeping beauty!" Gem's voice wakes me up. She yanks the blanket off me and my feet are hit with freezing cold air.

"Hey! It's so cold!" I groan loudly to which Gem laughs.

"That's because you keep the air conditioner at 20!" Gem retorts with a grin.

"Whatever." I stick out my tongue at her.

Gem's grin turns into a genuine smile. "Happy birthday to the best girlfriend in the world!" She exclaims loudly and lunges at me for a hug.

I laugh, suddenly realizing it's my birthday and I hug her back. "Thank you, Gem. You're the best."

Gem lets go of me. "Wait... I haven't even given you your gift yet. Be right back." she tells me and rushes out of my room.

I smile sadly at the ceiling. It has been two years since I found out the truth, two years after my mom sacrificed her life to save me. I still grieve her at times, but I've learned to conclude that she's in a better place. I didn't know how to feel about dad's death at first, it was all mixed feelings. I had always been under his control, it's weird living freely without him ordering me to do anything. I don't know if this makes me a terrible person but I'm glad he's dead. I just didn't expect him to die so soon. The moment I knew the truth, both mom and dad had died. My only family left in the world. I've always hated him, I still do but he was my dad. I don't miss him at all, I just miss having a dad. I also hate that he didn't even get punished for his bad deeds here but I'm sure he's getting damn punished in hell. I wish I'd known the real Richard Hood, the man mom fell in love with. At least he'll be resting in peace now. I wish a lot of things, sometimes wishes just don't come true.

The police questioned me that day and I told them the whole truth, no lies. I told them about the deal, what I did back in Malé and what kind of person Tom Hood was. I explained everything to them. I knew I was going to jail because there was no way I could afford to pay for the charges that were ought to come at me.

They had sentenced me for ten years in prison and I had to pay about ten million dollars to have the charges dropped. I remember feeling so hopeless, but that was when my lawyer came to me to hand me mom's will. I remember crying my eyes out, mom had been saving for me in the past years she left. She had a whole savings account for me. There was also a letter along with the will, I still remember the exact words mom had said in it.

Dear Remi,

If you're reading this, then that means I'm gone. I'm so sorry Remi for not coming back for you, I truly am. I never forgot about you, I miss you so much every day. I've been saving money for you so you could finally have a better life. I opened a saving account and I've been saving since I came to Florida. So don't worry Remi, you'll be okay. Even though I'm gone, I never actually left. I know we don't have many memories of us together, I'm not even sure if you'd remember them but I'm still in your memories and most importantly in your heart. I'm writing this letter in 2016, you must be so grown up now. I don't know what year you'll be reading this and I don't know if I'll ever get the courage to go back to you in the future. I'm so so sorry, my little princess. Don't worry, you'll get your happily ever after, I'll make sure of that.

Lots of love,

Mom

The money in mom's saving account and the money I could afford myself were just enough to drop the charges. I decided to stay in America and not to return to Malé, so I rented an apartment in Washington. I'll always be thankful for mom, she didn't deserve to go through what she went through.

She'll forever be the strongest person I've ever known.

Gem runs back into the room with a small wrapped gift in her hand. She throws it at me. "Open it!"