𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐑 ✓ | 18+

Epilogue

Isabella

12 months later

It's been a year since the chaos that turned my life upside down. Since Oliver tormented me. As I walk across the campus, the sun shining brightly overhead, it's hard to believe how much has changed and how much has stayed the same.

I still remember the night Oliver saved me like it was yesterday. The fear, the adrenaline, the relief when he finally held me in his arms. Now, as I make my way to my last class of the day, I can't help but smile at the thought of him. Oliver has been my rock, my protector, my monster,  the love of my life.

We've built a life together, one that seemed impossible in those dark moments. Oliver has stopped killing for me, a promise he made and has kept with unwavering determination. It hasn't been easy for him. I can see the struggle in his eyes sometimes, the internal battle he fights to leave that part of himself behind. But he's done it, for us.

We're living together now, in his luxury apartment filled with memories we've made over the past year. I can still see the nervous excitement in Oliver's eyes when we moved in, the way he tried to hide his fears of not being enough for me. But he's more than enough—he's everything.

As I enter the classroom, my thoughts drift to our wedding day. It was simple, intimate, just the two of us and a few close friends. We wanted it that way, a quiet celebration of our love without the shadow of our past looming over us. I remember the way Oliver looked at me as I walked down the aisle, his eyes filled with love and devotion. The vows we exchanged were more than just words—they were promises to continue fighting for each other, no matter what.

The professor's voice pulls me back to the present, and I focus on the lecture. College has been my sanctuary, a place where I can immerse myself in my studies and feel a sense of normalcy. But even here, the past sometimes creeps in, especially when I think about Emily.

Emily's disappearance still haunts me. We haven't found her, and the thought of her out there somewhere, possibly in danger, gnaws at me constantly. I know Oliver feels it too, the weight of guilt and responsibility. We've searched tirelessly, followed every lead, but she's vanished without a trace. It's the one dark cloud that hangs over our otherwise bright future.

I miss her so much.

After class, I head home, my steps quickening with anticipation. Oliver usually gets home before me, and I can't wait to see him. As I reach our apartment, the familiar sense of warmth and safety washes over me. I unlock the door and step inside, greeted by the scent of something delicious wafting from the kitchen.

"Hey," I call out, dropping my bag by the door.

"Hey gorgeous." Oliver replies, poking his head out of the kitchen. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

I walk over and wrap my arms around him from behind, resting my head on his back. "Mmm, Smells good. How was your day?"

He turns to face me, a soft smile on his lips. "Good. Better now that you're home."

I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him, a slow, lingering kiss that speaks of all the love and gratitude I feel. "I missed you," I whisper against his lips.

"Missed you too," he murmurs, his arms tightening around me.

We sit down to dinner, talking about our days, sharing little moments that make up our lives now. It's a stark contrast to the life we once knew, but it's a change we've embraced wholeheartedly. We talked about my classes, And about his job at the local community center, and our plans for the weekend. But beneath the surface, I can sense the lingering tension—Emily's absence is a shadow that never quite fades.