Vermillion

Epilogue

Circe laid on the soft white sheets, sea breeze caressing her scarred body through the open windows as she softly opened her eyes.

"Mama!" a small voice happily called, as the child jumped onto the bed and into her mothers arms.

"Good morning my sweet girl" Circe smiled, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Morning my love" a man's voice came from above her, as he placed a sweet kiss on her lips after walking into the room.

"Morning handsome" Circe replied, giving him a genuine smile before sitting up on the bed "Ilaria baby why don't you go with daddy to get breakfast while Mama goes for a shower?" she suggested, and the young girl eagerly nodded.

He always wanted a girl

Circe didn't swat away the thoughts like she used to.

She let them come and go as they pleased.

She knew that no matter how hard she tried, those thoughts would always creep back up to her.

It was better to acknowledge them than to push them away.

The ring on her left hand glistened in the morning sunlight coming in through the bathroom window, and she smiled to herself.

She was finally happy.

This wasn't an ending she ever saw for herself. In Greece. Married with a child, and another on the way.

It wasn't an ending she could have ever imagined, but she found herself happy in this unexpectedness.

The last person she had killed was Raffaele Marchesi. She hadn't spilled a single drop of blood since then, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Although she felt no regret for Raffaele, she cried for Ilaria every day, and sometimes even Mario.

Ilaria didn't deserve what happened to her. But blood runs thicker than water, especially in families like the Marchesi's, and she knew that Ilaria and Mario would soon be after her if she hadn't gotten to them first.

Circe was madly in love. Who knew that all it took was a flight to Greece to find happiness.

She certainly didn't.

But even on the days that coping with her past is harder than usual, she would find herself smiling at nothing, just because she could.

She loved to smile now. It's all she did.

She knew that there were some things in her past that would never leave her. Like the guilt of murdering her best friend, but she had to learn to live with it, to let go of the guilt, and to embrace the life she has now because of it.

There were some things in her past that she would never let go of, like the necklace around her neck. But she wouldn't have it any other way.

Stepping out of the shower and in front of the mirror, Circe looked at herself, beaming.

Her skin was glowing, slightly tanned from all of the Greek sun. Her hair was long, almost down to her waist, and it shone so brightly in the morning light.

Her figure was full, plump, well fed and well rested. Her baby bump was growing by the day, with only two months to go before her baby boys arrival.

I always wanted a boy.

She smiled to herself and went to go greet her husband and daughter by the door as they arrived home, pastries in hand and smiles on their faces.

A/N: and that's a wrap!

i know this is a very short epilogue but that's the way i wanted it.

i didn't want to drag the story out any longer. i think our girl Circe needs a break.

i feel like me naming her daughter after ilaria makes up for murdering her (my way of begging for forgiveness i'm so sorry) so PLEASE refrain from killing me

as for the last chapter, i hope the insight into her diaries made it more clear as to why circe was so angry that raffaele didn't tell her. she had a very hard past like i genuinely cannot emphasise it enough.

I was wondering if you guys would ask me some questions (dm/ comments i don't mind) on either vermillion or misanthrope, or even on myself and i might make a q&a chapter to answer them. i already have one started with questions from dms and stuff, so just ask away if there's anything you want me to answer

again, thank you guys so much for still being here if you are. i really appreciate it and love you guys so much.

for now,
alex <3