Epilogue(?): A Future Forward

"Bennard, honey? Are you alright? You're spacing out again." Sandra calls out to her husband.

Bennard snaps into reality. It's like he remembered a distant memory, a faraway nightmare that he forgot as he woke up. It's important, but his brain can't put an effort to remember, just a fleeting feeling. A storm in the years before that got mentioned in a small corner of today's newspaper.

"Sorry, I guess the age finally caught up to me," He chuckles.

"Aw come on dear, I can assure you, you're not that old, because that means I'm that old." Sandra slapped his shoulder, playful and loving, "But you need to stay up. We're about to watch the special tape with Leogan."

"Yeah dad, no falling asleep on my 18th birthday." Leogan said, "It's not every day that happens."

"I know, I know. I'll do my best." Bennard said, his voice is full of love, of warmth, of affection.

Bennard walked to the couch in the center of the media room where he sat. Sandra and Leogan are already there, waiting for him. His wife sitting to the left and his son to her left. Their eyes are full of excitement, of anticipation, of eagerness. Bennard can't help but smile, his heart is filled with joy, with pride, with adoration. He is happy, he is content, and he is satisfied. Leogan comes to them like a gift from god, after years and years of trying, they finally get blessed by such an angel, a perfect son. Despite being born when Bennard and Sandra were both in the late 40s, the boy didn't have any health problems whatsoever. He's a perfect, healthy, and smart young boy. Sure, he's not that interested in sports, and more on gaming, but who cares. The boy is a blessing regardless.

With all of them seated, Sandra pressed play on the remote and the theater screen lit up. Bennard's mood turns to sour as he sees the first thing that shows up on the screen. Of what he heard as the video plays. Like a bursting dam, the day he thought he dreamt up as a bad nightmare came flooding in. It all became so clear, like it just happens. As dread crept up to him. As horror takes overs. His **** is not over, it all has been a long con, a false high so he can be brought down further and further into despair. His hell has not ended, it's just getting started. He takes a hurried look at his wife, all smiling as if nothing is wrong. He takes a look at his son, what he thought is his son, and sees that he's also looking at the screen with a smile. As if he knew. As if the surprise is not him, but for Bennard. As if that's the 18th birthday gift, to watch Bennard getting crushed by reality. To be part of the sick, twisted joke. To be part of the cruel, elaborate prank. To be part of the long con. Bennard now remembers it all. Bennard now realizes it all. What Liam enjoys out of his wife, his love; what he toys with, what he takes, is far, far from over.

"Isn't it great that Leogan got to know the wonderful man that is his father, right Bennard? Honey?"

A/N: I saw someone mention about the vow, and while I don't actually plan to write it explicitly (as I plan it to be implied through the ending here) nor do I plan to wrote more for this story; if any of you are interested for a little extrapolation/continuation of the story where it mentioned the vow itself, please let me know. I might take the time to write it if there's enough interest about it.