Epilogue / Prologue Bridge

Sophie’s POV

I didn’t like weddings.

Not because of the dresses or the noise or the way everyone suddenly acted like love fixed everything.

But because of the way people looked at each other.

Like they were promising things no one could actually guarantee.

Forever.

Always.

Never.

Words that sounded beautiful... until they broke.

I stood near the edge of the reception hall, away from the dancing, away from the laughter, watching everything like I didn’t quite belong in it.

Maybe I didn’t.

"Sophie, why are you hiding over here?"

I glanced over as Lia waddled toward me, slightly unsteady on her feet but determined, her tiny hands reaching up.

"I’m not hiding," I said, crouching down to pick her up. "I’m observing."

"You always say that," Alicia said, appearing behind her.

She looked... different tonight.

Not just happy. Peaceful.

Like whatever storms used to live inside her had finally gone quiet.

"You’re thinking too much again," she added.

"Someone has to."

She smiled faintly, but there was something in her eyes—something that flickered for just a second before disappearing.

"Not everything needs to be figured out, Sophie. Some things... you just live."

"That sounds like something people say right before everything goes wrong."

Alicia sighed softly. "You’ve been reading too many dark books."

"Or maybe I’ve just been paying attention."

She didn’t argue with that.

For a moment, we just stood there, the music swelling around us, people laughing, glasses clinking.

It looked perfect.

Too perfect.

"Are you happy?" I asked suddenly.

She blinked. "What kind of question is that?"

"A real one."

Alicia looked across the room—to where Malachi stood, talking to someone, his gaze flicking back to her like it always did.

Like he couldn’t help it.

Like he needed to know where she was at all times.

"Yes," she said finally. "I am."

I studied her face, searching for something.

Doubt. Fear. Anything.

But there was nothing.

Just certainty.

That should have been reassuring.

Instead... it made something twist in my chest.

"Good," I said quietly.

Because if someone like Alicia—someone who had gone through everything she had—could find peace...

Then maybe things really did work out.

Maybe the world wasn’t as complicated as I thought.

Maybe love didn’t always come with a cost.

Maybe—

"Sophie."

I turned.

Alessandro stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable as always.

"Can I speak with you for a moment?"

Alicia’s posture shifted slightly beside me.

Subtle.

But I noticed.

"About what?" I asked.

"Just a conversation."

"I’m in the middle of something."

"No, you’re not."

His tone wasn’t harsh.

But it wasn’t a request either.

I hesitated, then handed Lia back to Alicia.

"I’ll be right back."

Alicia nodded, but her eyes lingered on me for a second longer than usual.

Like she wanted to say something.

But didn’t.

—

We stepped outside into the cold night air.

The music became muffled behind us, replaced by quiet.

Real quiet.

The kind I liked.

"What is it?" I asked.

Alessandro didn’t answer immediately.

He just looked at me.

Not casually. But... carefully.

Like he was measuring something.

"You’ve grown," he said finally.

"That tends to happen."

"You’re not a child anymore."

"Congratulations. You’ve discovered time."

His lips twitched slightly, but the expression didn’t reach his eyes.

"There are things you need to understand."

"Then explain them."

"Not yet."

I frowned. "Then why bring it up?"

"Because the time is coming."

"For what?"

Another pause.

Longer this time.

"For choices," he said.

"I already make choices."

"Not the kind I’m talking about."

Something in the way he said it made my stomach tighten.

"What kind of choices?"

"The kind that define the rest of your life."

I let out a quiet breath. "You’re being dramatic."

"I’m being honest."

"That’s debatable."

His gaze didn’t waver.

"You trust Alicia."

It wasn’t a question.

"Yes."

"And Malachi?"

I hesitated.

"...I don’t know him like that."

"But you trust that she’s safe with him."

"Yes."

"Good."

Something about that felt... off.

"Why does that matter?"

"Because safety," he said slowly, "is often an illusion."

I crossed my arms. "You’re not making any sense."

"I will. Soon."

"Soon when?"

But he didn’t answer.

Instead, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out something small.

A black card.

No design. No explanation.

He held it out to me.

"Keep this."

I didn’t take it. "What is it?"

"A precaution."

"For what?"

"For when the truth finally reaches you."

I stared at him. "You’re seriously doing the mysterious old man thing right now?"

"You’ll understand later."

"That’s what everyone says right before things get complicated."

"Things are already complicated, Sophie."

I finally took the card, more out of curiosity than anything else.

There was nothing on the front.

But when I turned it over—

A name.

Just one.

No number. No address. Nothing else.

I frowned. "What is this supposed to mean?"

Alessandro stepped back slightly.

"It means," he said, "that your life is bigger than you think it is."

"I already know that."

"No," he replied quietly.

"You don’t."

—

Inside the hall, the music swelled again as the doors opened.

Warmth. Light. Noise.

Normal.

I slipped the card into my pocket, suddenly unsure why my fingers felt cold.

"This is weird," I muttered. "You’re being weird."

Alessandro didn’t deny it.

"Go back inside," he said. "Enjoy the night."

"And forget this conversation?"

"If you can."

I scoffed. "I won’t."

"I know."

—

Later that night, after the dancing ended...

After the laughter faded...

After everyone started leaving...

I stood alone in my room, staring at the card in my hand.

I don’t know why I kept looking at it.

It wasn’t like it was going to change.

It didn’t.

The name was still there.

Clear, and unfamiliar.

But somehow...

It didn’t feel random.

It felt intentional.

Like it had been waiting for me. I exhaled slowly and dropped it onto the table.

"This is stupid," I murmured.

Just a name.

Just a piece of paper.

Just Alessandro being cryptic like usual.

It didn’t mean anything.

It couldn’t.

I turned off the light and lay down, pulling the blanket over myself.

The house was quiet.

Just like Alicia said.

Just like everything was supposed to be.

I closed my eyes.

And for a moment...

****

Miles away, in a city that never slept, a screen flickered to life in a dark room.

A single file opened.

A single image filled the display.

A girl standing near a window. Unaware.

A man sat back in his chair, his expression calm as his eyes traced every detail.

"Finally," he murmured.

A figure stepped forward from the shadows. "Shall we proceed, sir?"

"Yes. I’m done waiting."