Epilogue

19 July 2026

The final whistle blew, and the stadium erupted in wild cheers. The French football team had just won the World Cup, and he couldn't believe it. He had worked his entire life for this moment and now it was finally here.

As he ran towards the team bench, Kylian accepted the back rucksack from De Champs with a wide grin. He had been planning this moment for months, and he knew that now was the perfect time to do his thing.

With the small sack in his hand and heart pounding in his chest, he felt the rush of nerves and excitement while sprinting towards the VIP section of the stadium. When he reached the top of the stands, he saw Sapphie sitting in the front row with his family. With the French flag strips drawn on both her cheeks, she was beaming with pride and Kylian was again reminded by how lucky he was.

Despite him being sweaty, she vaulted into his arms the second he was within reach and she wound her arms tight around his neck. She kissed his cheek and whispered how proud she was of him in his ear. When she let him go and stepped back so he could receive congratulations from the rest of his family, Kylian promptly reached into the little rucksack and got down on one knee, opening the little black box he'd stashed in it. Inside was a beautiful diamond ring that sparkled in the light. If it was possible, the cheers in the stadium reached a full-blown crescendo as all of it was being broadcast on the huge screen for everyone to see. All Sapphie could do was gape at him and step back in utter shock!

"Sapphira Maida, you mean everything to me," he shouted over the noise, "I love you more than words can say, and I wan to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

Sapphie's eyes filled with tears as she nodded her head and presented her left hand to him. The people around them went wild as Kylian slipped the ring onto her finger. He stood up and pulled her into a passionate kiss without a care that the entire world was watching. The moment was perfect, and he knew this was one day he would never forget.

As he looked out over the sea of cheering football fans, he felt a sense of gratitude and joy. Not only had he won the World Cup for the second time in his career, but he had won the heart of this beautiful woman he loved. Never would he have thought he'd be here so soon.

THE END