Updated Feb 25, 2026 • ~3 min read
POV: Nix
I find Brandon in three days.
Living in a motel in Everett.
Paying cash. Using a fake name.
I surveil him.
Watch his patterns.
He’s sloppy.
Desperate.
Visiting Gabi’s old apartment building.
Her studio.
Following her online.
I call Agent Morrison.
“I found him.”
“Mr. Carter, you shouldn’t be—”
“Seabreeze Motel. Room 7. He’s there now.”
“We’ll send officers.”
“Make it fast. I think he’s planning something.”
Thirty minutes later, FBI arrives.
I watch from across the street.
They knock.
Brandon answers.
He runs.
Out the back window.
I’m already there.
Waiting.
He sees me.
Stops.
“You.”
“Me.”
“Get out of my way.”
“No.”
“I’ll go through you.”
“You can try.”
He charges.
I sidestep.
Trip him.
He goes down.
FBI agents catch up.
Cuff him.
“Brandon Vale, you’re under arrest for violating parole, violating a restraining order, and destruction of property.”
He’s screaming.
“This is HER fault! She destroyed my life!”
“You destroyed your own life,” I say calmly.
They drag him away.
I call Gabi.
“It’s over. They got him.”
GABI
Relief washes over me.
“He’s in custody?”
“Yeah. And he’s not getting out this time.”
I cry.
Happy tears.
“Thank you.”
“Always.”
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine. He tried to run. I stopped him.”
“Nix—”
“I was careful. I promise.”
When he gets home, I’m waiting.
I throw myself into his arms.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
“I won’t.”
“I mean it. You’re not allowed to put yourself in danger for me.”
He pulls back.
Looks at me.
“Gabi, I’ll always put myself in danger for you. Because I love you. And protecting you isn’t optional.”
“But what if—”
“No what-ifs. I’m here. You’re safe. That’s what matters.”
I kiss him.
Hard.
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
That night, we celebrate.
Wine. Takeout. Relief.
“He’s going back to prison,” Nix says. “For longer this time.”
“How long?”
“Agent Morrison says three to five years for the new charges.”
“So I’m free. Really free.”
“Really free.”
I exhale.
A weight lifting.
“What do we do now?”
Nix sets down his wine glass.
Gets down on one knee.
My heart stops.
“What are you doing?”
He pulls out a ring box.
“Gabriella Moreno, I’ve been carrying this ring for two months. Waiting for the right moment.”
I’m crying.
“And watching you face Brandon again, seeing your strength, your courage—I realized there’s never going to be a perfect moment.”
“Nix—”
“You’re the bravest person I know. You’ve been through hell and came out stronger. And I want to spend the rest of my life being the person who gets to witness that strength.”
He opens the box.
Sapphire ring.
Blue. My favorite color.
“Will you marry me?”
I’m full-on sobbing now.
“Yes. Yes! A thousand times yes!”
He slides the ring on my finger.
Stands.
Kisses me.
“You’re sure?” he asks. “After everything with Brandon—”
“I’m sure. Because you’re nothing like Brandon. You’re honest. Loyal. Real.”
“This time it’s real,” he says.
“This time it’s real,” I echo.
We make love.
Celebrate.
Plan.
“When?” I ask.
“When what?”
“When should we get married?”
“Whenever you want.”
“What if I want soon?”
“How soon?”
“Like… six months?”
He grins.
“I can work with that.”
END OF CHAPTER 26
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