LOVE YOU, LOTTIE.

Epilogue

“All rise.”
The courtroom was warm.
Lottie didn't make the mistake of hiring Mrs. Turner again.
Inplus, all of the evidence incriminating Hoya was online, for the world to see. Thanks to her friends and their trusty burner phones.
Nobody was on his side as he rotted in that hospital bed.
Not even Sora!
Hell, she testified against him.
Lottie didn't feel the uncertainty she felt a year ago in this courtroom.
She knew the odds were in her favor.
She has played this game well.

The prosecutor describes the evidence: the bruises, the threatening messages, the near-fatal encounters that could have ended Lottie’s life. Each word feels like a nail in Hoya’s coffin, a relentless march toward his inevitable downfall. Hoya’s attorney shifts uncomfortably, knowing the case against his client is ironclad, the charges too damning to dismiss.

Hoya’s being charged with Assault, 2 charges of 3rd degree attempted murder and stalking.
His mother is present in the courtroom for him, as he's in a coma. And her husband is currently imprisoned for attempting to strangle Lottie.

“Hoya Koizumei..”
Here it is.
Finally.
“Is guilty.”
As the judge concludes the reading of the charges, the gavel strikes with a resounding thud, sealing Hoya’s fate. The courtroom falls silent, the weight of the moment settling over everyone present. The reporter's, the press, the prosecution, defendant's, everything.
“He will serve his sentence of 10 years in the county jail when he's awoken from his medically induced coma. Court dismissed.”

“Guys dinners ready!” Mrs. Kalos sang, placing the lasagna on the table.
Mike, Caska, Ruden, Liz and Lottie ran to the kitchen, pulling out the chairs and cutting into the steaming dish.
It's been a year after the incident, they've all graduated, but get-togethers like this are normal.
Ruden and Lottie got together.
Liz keeps her cool, for now.
She loves her friends and wants them to be happy.
“Mrs. Kalos your food always hits!” Mike chanted, earning a giggle from the older woman, “Thank you love.”
After dinner the night was filled with games, movie marathons and more games.
Lottie and Ruden slept upstairs in his room while everyone else crashed downstairs.
“What do you want for your birthday babe?” Lottie asked.
Ruden ran his hand through her now, short coils, “You.”
The two cackled, Lottie playfully slapping Ruden's arm.
“Really though, a year ago I.. I thought I was gonna lose you-”
Lottie pressed her lips against his, he melted into the kiss, gently laying his hand on the side of her head.
She pulled away softly, showing a toothy smile, “Well you didn't.”

Every lie I told, every step I took—it was all calculated, deliberate. I knew it was wrong, and yet… I didn’t care. I still don’t.

I don't talk to Doris, she got new friends.
I don't talk to Kason, he got new friends too.
Sora.. to hell with her.
I got what I needed though.
The media.
I'm their victim.
Oh, they ate up that story like it was Michelin meal.
It was perfect.

You can judge me all you want, but it won’t change anything. You can’t stop me. I’ve come too far, done too much. So, keep reading, keep pretending you wouldn’t do the same in my position. It makes no difference to me.
Hoya will stay the monster in people's eyes.
His father's money will dry out, due to his scandal of almost killing me.
And i'm going to get married.
Have a family.
And have my perfect little life.
After all, this was my story.
And you were just along for the ride.