Heat curls low in my stomach.
Yeah.
Life is definitely good.
I lean into him, resting my head briefly against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
Strong.
Solid.
Mine.
And for the first time in a long time?—
I don’t wonder how it’s all going to fall apart.
I don’t brace for the next disaster.
I don’t question if I’m allowed to be this happy.
Because I am.
We built this.
We fought for this.
We earned this.
And whatever comes next?
We’ll face it together.
Just like we should have all along.
Epilogue 2-Benji
Three months later
Summer’s winding down.
You can feel it in the air.
Not cold yet—but softer. Slower. Like the world’s catching its breath before fall rolls in and changes everything again.
Funny thing is?
I’m not waiting for the next hit anymore.
Not bracing.
Not expecting shit to fall apart.
Because for the first time in my life?
Everything I’ve got… I built it right.
And I didn’t build it alone.
