Epilogue
Nora
I have to pinch myself to believe this is really happening.
I look around, surrounded by a picturesque landscape of trees and open fields.
The sun sets, casting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
The diamond on my finger reflects the evening colors from every direction.
Two warm hands wrap around my waist and remind me I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
“Admiring your ring?” Andreas asks as he kisses my neck.
I let myself be swept away, enjoying the feel of his lips on my skin.
“Absolutely.” I turn around and throw my arms around his neck.
“It’s time we start planning the wedding, Nora.”
Andreas can’t wait to call me Mrs. De Graeve, but everything has happened so fast over the past six months that I really want to take my time with this.
I want to savor the anticipation. Enjoy what the future holds for us without rushing it.
Andreas knows this, but he never misses a chance to remind me of our plans every week.
“Soon, very soon,” I say, massaging his neck with my hands.
He kisses me tenderly, stroking my back.
Choosing to give Andreas a second chance was the best decision of my life.
Maybe calling it a choice is a mistake because from the moment I saw him, I was sold on him.
I couldn’t be happier. He’s an incredible man.
Since we’ve been together, he radiates a contentment that touches my soul.
He’s truly happy, and that makes me happy too.
The past still lingers, but it doesn’t drag him down as much anymore.
He still works out obsessively and still wants control, but that compulsiveness is gone.
He’s become a better version of himself.
His facade has dropped, which means his confidence and arrogance now feel genuine, though they don’t always work in my favor.
I’ll take it all because I get so much in return.
“It’s getting cold. Let’s go inside. Our guests have arrived,” Andreas says.
I take his hand and follow him toward our house. I still can’t believe I now live in the villa I sold just six months ago. It’s become a warm place, filled with life and love. In more ways than one, it feels like home.
During my studies, I learned how to create warm, welcoming spaces and eliminate the coldness from any home.
Maybe I was trying to compensate for something I’ve never been able to experience myself.
But now, the love and warmth in this house are more than enough to fill both our hearts.
Since moving in here, both my home and office have been rented out.
It was harder than I expected to get back to work after everything that happened, and since Andreas prefers to have me by his side twenty-four-seven, choosing to live here was an easy decision.
The vacant section on the third floor of Andreas’s city office building has become my real estate office over the past few weeks.
It’s incredible. I was able to furnish it entirely to my liking.
Drawing inspiration from Andreas’s office, I now proudly own a hidden minibar stocked with water, diet coke, and a few bottles of champagne for those happy emergencies.
It’s my personal office, but even when I’m working solo, it feels like I have a whole team of colleagues, and that feels really good.
The fact I see Andreas every day at work and that his apartment above is always at our disposal also helps.
Business is thriving, and I’m considering hiring a colleague soon.
Thanks to Andreas’s extensive network, I’m starting to make a name for myself in the higher segments of the market.
I enjoy it, though I still take on every house that comes my way and work hard for each client.
Bertrand and I have become good colleagues.
There’s a fun little competitive streak between us, but when it comes down to it, we wish each other all the success.
His honesty and experience have already been invaluable in expanding my clientele, and I’ve helped him boost his online presence in return.
My thoughts come to a halt when I see Anna, Melvin, and baby Lucy through the window.
I wave and walk over to them. It’s always a pleasure to visit them or to welcome them here.
Today we’re celebrating Anna and Melvin’s second wedding anniversary.
Since going out to eat with little Lucy isn’t very practical, we invited them here for a dinner together.
I welcome them both with a kiss, but all my attention goes to little Lucy.
I’m the proud godmother of this little darling, and I never miss an opportunity to hold her.
I whisper sweet words and gently rock her in my arms. Her heavenly baby scent and soft coos make my ovaries kick into overdrive.
For now, I want to enjoy Andreas exclusively a little longer, but I know that someday I want to be a mom too.
Andreas and I haven’t really talked about babies yet, but when my gaze meets his, I know more than enough.
He melts just as much as I do. He wouldn’t admit it now, but Andreas would be an amazing dad.
Until that day comes, we’ll stick to practicing for now. Lots and lots of practicing.