Ugly Girl
Copyright© 2026 by Han Jansz. van Meegeren
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
Don’t read this. I hate epilogues. It’s for lazy writers who cannot end a story properly. It’s boring, and the ending the writer gives is seldom how you projected the book to end.
Much later, after I fully agreed to my Master’s terms, I understood Ciaran was far more sensitive than I’d ever imagined he could be. He understood that my insecurity about myself, him, and our relationship was so profound that I needed to hear that I would be with him forever.
I think he meant ‘forever’ at the time, but as time passes, I think he would set me free if I so desired. Of course, I don’t. I feel free and safe, loved and protected. I am happy. All that I require, I have, and if I need something, I only have to ask.
I know now that he loves me.
There. I said it. He loves me. Some days he adores me. Other days we just behave like a normal couple doing everyday things. He can be strict if I step out of line. That’s good. It’s the correction I needed, and after that, we move on with a clean slate. We never quarrel. I live in a house of peace. I never thought I would. Me. Ugly Girl.
To those who worry about how completely and totally Ciaran claimed me: I understand. Sandor and Ilse, Sylvia and Jutta, they all came to me. Basically, they all asked me what the fuck I was doing. To them and to you I say: I have never belonged. I just hung around and watched. It was like that with Sylvia during my childhood, and if I’m being completely honest, it continued seamlessly into my marriage. Sorry, Johan, but that’s how I feel. Now I have someone who needs me at arms-length. He needs to touch me all the time; he needs to hear how I feel about something that happened at work. Someone who forbids me to travel because he needs to touch my body every single day. There isn’t a day I don’t want to kiss his feet in gratitude.