Special Chapter 402: A Glimpse into the Future Part 2

Aurora’s P.O.V

I barely noticed Caleb until I felt his arms wrap around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. His warmth seeped into me, grounding me in the moment, but his voice carried the weight of something deeper. "Do you still miss her?" he asked softly, the question cutting straight through me.

My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn’t answer. Of course, I missed her. Every damn day. The pain of losing her hadn’t faded—it had only settled into a dull, constant ache that I had learned to live with. I swallowed hard, blinking against the sting in my eyes as I watched our children play. "Always," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "She should have been here, Caleb. She should have had this. A family. Love. Everything that was stolen from her."

Caleb tightened his hold, pressing a kiss to my temple, his grip firm as if he could keep me from breaking apart. "She would’ve loved them," he murmured. "And she’d be proud of you."

A sharp exhale left me, my hands clenching at his arms as I closed my eyes. Maybe he was right. Maybe Violet was watching over us, smiling as her namesake played in the moonlight. But it didn’t make the loss any easier. It didn’t fill the empty space in my heart. I forced a small smile as I opened my eyes, watching Cameron and Violet chase each other along the shore. "I just hope they never have to know what it feels like to lose someone like that," I whispered.

Caleb’s silence told me he wished for the same. But we both knew the world didn’t work that way.

I sat beside Caleb, my fingers idly tracing patterns in the sand as I watched the waves kiss the shore. The sky stretched endlessly above us, tinged with the cool hues of the night sky. The laughter of my children rang through the air, a melody of innocence and joy, but my heart carried the weight of a name I hadn't spoken in a long time.

"Even though I only knew her for a short time," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, "I loved her like a real sister. Violet." I let the name linger between us, heavy with memories. "She was just a little girl, Caleb. So full of life, so full of dreams. And maybe it’s just my wishful thinking, but I can’t shake this feeling that she’s still out there somewhere, waiting to be found."

Caleb exhaled, long and slow, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Aurora," he said, his tone careful, measured. "If Violet were really out there, she would’ve found us by now."

I turned to him then, searching his face, looking for something—hope, belief, anything. But all I saw was the resignation of a man who had long stopped believing in miracles. I smiled, but it was a sad, quiet thing, a mere curve of my lips that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

"Maybe," I said softly, not agreeing, not arguing—just existing in that moment between hope and reality.

And then my eyes found my children, their small hands sculpting castles in the sand, their laughter unburdened by the ghosts of the past. My smile shifted, turning real, warm. "But if she is out there," I whispered, more to myself than to him, "I hope she finds her way back. Back to us. Back to her real home."

I closed my eyes for a brief moment, letting the ocean breeze carry my silent wish to the universe. Because even if Caleb had given up, I never would.

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Hey guys!!! And that’s a wrap!

Sadly, this story has finally come to an end. Aurora and Caleb have found their happily ever after and everyone is now doing well. I’m not sure if I’ll be writing Violet’s story but I’ll let you guys know when I do.

Till then, happy reading!

Lovage!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The End.