REMINISCENT

EPILOGUE

3 years later...

Ashley's POV
It's been three years since the day I almost ended my life.

Looking back, I'm thankful for everyone who told me to hold on just a little longer, who reminded me I wasn't alone. We all still keep in touch, and sometimes it amazes me how much has changed—and how much hasn't.

So... where are they now?

Jake. After graduation, he dove straight into psychology. He's in school, interning right next to Charlie—who, by the way, got promoted and married to a gorgeous, tall, model-looking woman. Their forest-themed wedding was breathtaking, like something out of a fairytale.

Jake, though... he was the mastermind all along. Turns out he had a plan from day one: to push Aiden into remembering me, and to push me into talking to him. He orchestrated everything—even encouraging Aiden's relationship with Desirae—just to stir things up enough to force the truth out. He even roped my friends into pretending I hadn't told them about Aiden and me, so I'd be cornered into confronting them and, eventually, him.

At first, I was furious. I felt played with, like he toyed with my life just to prove a point. And while part of me still struggles with the methods, I can't deny the results. Jake refuses to reveal everything he did behind the scenes, but he always says the same thing: "It was necessary." Our relationship isn't the same as it used to be—it hasn't been for a long time—but we've mended what we could. I'm grateful for where we stand now. His plan even caught Charlie's attention, which is how Jake landed under his wing.

On the personal side, Jake's dad finally retired and even stepped back into the dating scene. They had that long-overdue heart-to-heart, and their bond has been better ever since. As for Jake's brothers—they're scattered across different paths: some married, some with kids, some dating, and a few still single. Life is moving for everyone.

Chanel. She ended up studying abroad, and she and I still talk almost every day. She and Jake aren't dating, but they are talking—though only as friends, at least for now. I never push the subject, because honestly, their dynamic is complicated enough without me poking at it. Funny thing, though—remember the day she slapped me? I always assumed it was about Jake, but it wasn't. She was actually talking about Dylan. The way she spoke that day, though—who could've guessed?

As for Dylan... well, that's still a blank space in my mind. I've never asked, and she's never explained.

Chanel does fly home once in a while to visit her parents and her little brother, Evan Nathaniel Williams. His name means "The Lord is gracious" and "God has given." And honestly? He's a little ball of sunshine. His eyes are brown like Chantel's, but his whole face is Ian's. Every time I see him, my heart feels lighter.

Christina and Brandon. Those two surprised me the most. They went to the same school, remained inseparable best friends, but never actually became more. I always thought they'd end up together, but life had other plans. Brandon's in a relationship now, while Christina isn't. They both share an apartment in a beautiful neighborhood a few cities away, along with a few other friends

Emma and Ryan finally started dating sometime after Emma graduated college—or maybe a little before. Honestly, I don't remember the exact timing, but it doesn't matter. They made it work. Every weekend, one of them makes the two-hour trip to see the other, since they live in different cities and go to different schools. They're kind of an odd couple, but in the cutest way. Ryan's changed so much—lighter, happier, he actually smiles a lot now. They'll be hitting a year and a half this month.

Justin wasted no time after graduation; he was on the first flight back to the UK. He slid right into his parents' business and, of course, he's thriving. He's still the sharpest out of all of us, still a flirt, and still very much a bachelor. Some things never change.