Epilogue
Alice Mendes
Of course I'm the happiest woman in the world. I have a wonderful man by my side, perfect children, in-laws who support me in everything, and inseparable friends.
I never imagined I'd have all this one day, that I'd be as happy as I am today—with a wonderful family and a huge house with a beautiful garden, where I'm sitting now on the grass, watching my husband play with the twins.
Four months pregnant with a baby girl, and I still catch myself feeling surprised.
I mean, who would've thought I'd get pregnant so fast?
It all happened during our reconciliation…
just thinking about it makes me blush. It was the craziest, most perfect night we'd ever had.
We made love like never before, and my husband—yes, husband now—made me feel like the most desired woman in the world.
Oliver is insatiable, and I don't waste a single second with that gorgeous hunk of a man.
The next day, we rushed to the courthouse and got married, just the two of us, surprising everyone.
I couldn't let him slip away again. Of course, we're planning a ceremony at home, in the garden—I've always dreamed of wearing a wedding dress.
But fate stepped in again and gave us our little girl.
So we decided to wait until after she's born.
I want a beautiful, perfect wedding, right there in that very spot, with our children carrying the rings. We'll have to wait until our little girl is walking, but that's fine. We're together—and that's what really matters.
We don't talk about the past anymore. That was our agreement: leave everything behind. Justice was served, and that's enough. We keep building our life and letting the future surprise us, just like it has so far.
I'm continuing my degree and plan to finish it—I want to help Oliver with the hotels. We have huge plans, and we're going to accomplish every single one of them together, the way it should be.
Yes, I've missed my parents. But now I accept that they're no longer part of my life, and I try not to dwell on it anymore.
Life will make them pay for what they did to me.
I've forgiven them and I'm moving forward.
The past needs to stay where it belongs.
I carry the bad as lessons and the good as memories.
What matters is living in the present and letting the future surprise us.
I'm lost in my thoughts when Oliver comes up and hugs me from behind.
“Mind telling me what my wife is thinking so hard about?” he asks, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“I'm thinking about how happy I am. I never expected any of this… I only ever wanted the basics, but life completely surprised me. Now I have so much more than I ever dreamed of,” I respond with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.
“You have what you've always deserved, Alice.
You're a wonderful woman, a fighter—you've always worked hard for everything and helped anyone who needed it.
This is the least life could give you. Just be grateful.
And I'm the luckiest man in the world to have you all.
I'm grateful every day that you forgave me and took me back,” Oliver says, kissing my cheek.
“And I'm so grateful for everything I have. I have a beautiful family, and I love you all. I'm the lucky one, to have you—my most precious treasures.” I turn to face him and wrap my arms around his neck.
“We love you too, and we'll always take care of you both, won't we, my loves? We'll always protect Mommy and your little sister,” Oliver says, looking at the twins.
They run to us, and we embrace, silently sealing the promise that we'll always be like this: united, taking care of each other, and living in love.
And may our ending—or rather, our new beginning—always be filled with love and gratitude!
THE END
Before you go, just one more special request: don't forget to rate the book! Your opinion is incredibly important for the growth and recognition of an independent author's work.
Thank you for coming along on this journey with me. It was a joy to share this story with you!
With love, Paula Ferracini
Kisses, and see you next time!