EPILOGUE
WHENARIADNEFOUND out that she was pregnant with triplets, she had some strong words for her husband. Only the Katrakis genes could be blamed for such a thing.
They had married quickly. They didn’t care about what the world thought, not anymore.
And there were rumors, of course there were. But she didn’t care.
The pregnancy with the triplets was surprisingly uneventful, though she did have to stay in bed for most of it. And it wasn’t until Androcles, Adonis and Achilles were eight, that she was back to being a rightful member of the Diamond Club, on her own merit.
Her new shipping empire had absolutely smashed Katrakis. She had hired all the employees from Katrakis and given them raises.
In the end, she had bought the struggling company from Patrocles. The payoff that she gave him was nothing compared to what the company had been worth at one time.
It felt like justice.
As did making James godfather to the triplets, and ensuring he was the beneficiary of most of Theseus’s wealth. They also brought him on as CFO of their company.
When he joined the Diamond Club some years on, it created the most delightful ripple in the staid institution.
It was also a particularly bittersweet joy to finally inter Theseus’s ashes with a grave marker that truly honored him.
Beloved partner to James
Dearest friend of Ariadne
Most loved brother of Dionysus
James and Dionysus had become very fast friends, and though part of her would always mourn that Dionysus hadn’t known Theseus fully, in the way she had, she loved that he got to know him through James.
And when James found love again ten years later they and the triplets were in the wedding.
Identicalboys, and all menaces.
She loved them.
As she loved her husband. They were busy, of course, but they always found time for each other. They always took time out on the island.
They brought their children, who ran around and swam and played.
And one night, they snuck down to swim, just the two of them. Like they were young, and like they were themselves. She swam up to her husband, and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. “Do you know,” she said. “I’m the richest woman in the world.”
“I had heard that,” he said.
“It isn’t the money,” she said. “It’s us.”
“Ah,” he said. “Something we can agree on.”