FINALE(II)

EPILOGUE

(A year later)

RYAN

Our wedding day dawned clear and sunny over the breathtaking shores of the Maldives. The turquoise waters shimmered under the sunlight, stretching endlessly toward the horizon. The gentle sound of the waves and the rustling of palm trees made it feel like a dream—a dream that somehow, unbelievably, was real.

"I can’t believe you’re getting married.” Jack’s whisper slid from the corner of his mouth as we stood at the altar, waiting.

“Shut up,” I said through my smile, keeping my voice low. The cameras were watching, and I wanted today’s photos to be perfect. “Unsolicited commentary isn’t the work of a friend.”

Jack smirked, straightening his tie like he wasn’t the most annoying person alive. “Just trying to lighten the mood, Jenkins. You look like you’re about to pass out.”

I ignored him and swept my eyes over the crowd instead. Almost every guest had RSVP’d yes, and the beach was packed with familiar faces. Kyle and Ashley sat near the front, their faces glowing with excitement. My dad sat a row ahead of them, his face beaming with pride. Our parents had gone all out for this day, inviting friends, family, and people from across the world to celebrate with us.

As much as I appreciated the effort, none of it mattered compared to what was coming.

The guests rose as one, their attention snapping to the end of the aisle. And just like that, all thoughts of annoying friends, equally annoying groomsmen, and even the crowd itself faded into nothing.

Violet appeared.

Hell, all thoughts ceased, period.

The only thing that existed was her.

My breath stilled as she walked down the aisle with her mother. Her dress shimmered with every step, the soft fabric hugging her figure perfectly before flowing into a train behind her. Her veil was pinned in place with tiny pearls, but it was her face that stole the show. She glowed, her smile radiant, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

And when her gaze found mine, the world fell away.

She took each step slowly, her arm linked with her mother’s, and I realized I’d never been more certain of anything in my life. This woman—this incredible, strong, beautiful woman—was mine, and today, I would finally make her my wife.

When she reached me, I stepped forward, gently taking her hand. Her fingers were warm, steady, and they felt like home.

“You look so nice, Mr. Jenkins,” she murmured, her voice soft enough for only me to hear.

“I could say the same for you, Mrs. Jenkins,” I replied, my lips curving into a grin.

Her brow lifted, mischief lighting up her eyes. “I’m not Mrs. Jenkins yet. There’s still time for me to live out my runaway bride fantasy.”

A wicked smile spread across my face. “I do love a good chase.”

Her cheeks flushed at the double meaning, but her smile widened.

The ceremony blurred in a haze of emotions—vows exchanged, promises sealed. I told her how she’d changed me, how she’d given me hope when all I’d known was darkness, and how I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life making her as happy as she’d made me.

Violet’s vows brought me to my knees. Her words were full of love and vulnerability, reminding me of the woman I fell for and the woman who had stood by my side through it all.

“I never believed in forever,” she said, her voice trembling, “until I met you. You’ve shown me a love so real, so undeniable, that it’s become my everything. Today, I promise to be your partner, your safe place, and your biggest believer. I love you, Ryan. Always”

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may—”

I didn’t wait for the officiant to finish. I stepped forward, wrapped Violet in my arms, and kissed her deeply, pouring every ounce of love and devotion I felt into that one moment.

The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles, but their noise barely registered. The world had narrowed down to Violet—her warmth, her smile, her soft gasp against my lips as I kissed her.

Wife. The word hit me like a jolt of electricity, surging through every vein.

When we broke apart, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining with a mix of laughter and pleasure. “Impatient as always,” she teased, her voice laced with affection. “We’ll have to work on that, husband. Patience is a virtue, you know.”

“Sinning is more fun,” I shot back, my grin wicked as I leaned in close to her ear. “And you’ll find out tonight. I can assure you.”

Her laugh bubbled up, full of life and joy, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this—this moment, this woman—was everything I’d ever wanted and so much more.

THE END.

And with that, we reached the end of In Love with My Stepbrother.

From forbidden beginnings to a love that defied every obstacle, Violet and Ryan’s journey was anything but ordinary. It was messy, complicated, and filled with heartbreak and healing, but in the end, they found their way to each other, proving that love—no matter how unconventional—can conquer even the most uncharted territories.

This wasn’t just the end of their story; it was the beginning of a lifetime together, filled with promises, laughter, and a love that would only grow stronger with time.

A NOTE TO MY AMAZING READERS

Dear Readers,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this rollercoaster of emotions and drama that is In Love with My Stepbrother. Your engagement, feedback, and patience have meant the world to me. I know the journey hasn’t been perfect, and I truly appreciate your understanding and kindness toward any errors or flaws along the way. Writing this story has been a labor of love, and knowing it resonated with you in some way has been my greatest reward.

I hope you laughed, cried, swooned, and yelled at the characters just as much as I did while writing them. Thank you for believing in this story and these characters. Your support has made this journey unforgettable.

And don’t miss out—Ashley and Kyle’s story, A Second Chance at Forever, will be releasing next month! If you loved their moments in this book, you won’t want to miss the drama, love, and redemption waiting in their journey. Stay tuned!

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REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS.

1\. Who was your favorite character, and why?

2\. What was your favorite Ryan and Violet moment?

3\. Which character grated your nerves the most, and why?

4\. Who was your favorite villain, and what made them stand out?

5\. Which character do you think deserved so much better, and why?

6\. If you could spend a day with any of the characters, who would it be, and what would you do?

7\. Was there a plot twist or moment that caught you off guard?

8\. How did you feel about Violet and Ryan’s forbidden relationship at the start versus the end?

9\. What lesson or message stood out to you most in the story?

10\. If this book had an epilogue set ten years later, what would you want to see for Ryan and Violet?

Feel free to share your thoughts—I’d love to hear them!