Epilogue Lexi
W hen you live by the sea, the end of summer hits like a bittersweet tiredness. That’s how I used to feel when I had to leave the salty breeze and endless blue for the same old routine in my small town. Every summer, a few weeks were stolen away at Lena’s grandma’s beach house. Those days were pure sunshine and happiness. And then I’d feel miserable during the long, sad, and lonely winters of my childhood, especially after it was just my dad and me.
Dad tried his best to fill the empty space left by my mom’s departure and losing a child. He worked hard to make our home feel safe and happy—that’s just who he is. Yet, I always felt hungry for love. He gave me everything he had left, even though his heart was broken. My mom had no room in hers for me, and once she left, there was no emotional connection between us anymore, only occasional money transfers that helped us make ends meet some months.
So, my life now feels like I tumbled straight into a fairy tale. Here I am, in a house by the sea, in the arms of a loving man with a heart as warm as the sun, who just wants to see me happy.
Gabriel’s arm wraps around me, pulling me close as we sit on a sandy hill. Below, the waves crash against the shore in a mesmerizing rhythm. Duke, the ball of fluff I found abandoned, chases after a tennis ball with boundless energy. Six months old and already a walking hurricane! After Vargas kidnapped me, Gabe created a temporary den for Duke in the bathroom. One of his guys then took him to the vet—it turns out he just needed a little TLC and a forever home, which he definitely found with us.
Sunrise strolls with my favorite goofballs. That’s our new normal. We started this on the first day after Anita and Vargas’s case was handed over to the authorities. First, playful wake-up calls from Gabriel, those kisses urging me out of bed for a walk on the beach before breakfast. Even Duke knows the drill now, that furry alarm clock launching himself onto the bed every morning. Coffee’s next, and it’s a hilarious battle between Gabriel balancing a steaming mug and Duke’s happy attacks. Training that lovable hurricane is next on our list.
I might be the slowest one to get moving these days, but Gabe and that furry tornado of a dog won’t let me stay under the covers. Gabriel swears the sun, the sea air, and a lot of love are just what I need to blossom again. He’s not wrong. Turns out, I’m healing with the help of the best doctor I could find.
Coming here was supposed to be temporary—a few nights to hide from danger, appeasing a boss who insisted I needed protection. A week to let Gabriel find the creeps who were threatening me. Three months later, I’m still here. Not just safe under his roof, but safe in his arms every night.
“I’m going back to university. And I’ll start looking for a better-paying job, too,” I tell Gabriel, slipping my arm under his. Lena pulled some strings and got me a temp job as a research assistant after I left Grain Inc. I used to help her out with her documentation for articles, anyway. Now I’m getting paid for it. It’s not much, but it gives me purpose and keeps me focused. Gabriel set up a spot in his living room for me to work from home and lets me use his office when I need to .
“That’s great. I always thought you should go back to school, get a scholarship, and have a career in science or research. You can do so many amazing things with your skills.”
Seeing Gabriel beam about my future makes my heart skip a beat. He pulls me in, his strong legs wrapping around me. The sun glints off his tanned skin, peeking through the ripped knees of his jeans. Today’s a lazy Sunday. We slept in, packed some sandwiches and coffee, and, of course, treats for Duke. We’re sprawled out on the beach, just us, sunshine, and pure love.
For the past few months, Gabriel’s been by my side like glue. He hasn’t been away for a single night, so I guess he hasn’t taken on any new clients, especially not the VIPs or special jobs.
“I’ve decided to change my major. I want a job where I can work with people and put my skills to use. Two days ago, I applied to have my first year of math count toward my first year of financial studies. I’m pretty confident I can catch up in just a few weeks. Maybe I’ll even get a scholarship.”
“Yeah, so you can still use your number skills, just in a different way. That’s great. You’re going to love it. But why bother with the scholarship? You’re rich now. The money should come in soon,” Gabriel whispers in a lazy voice.
“Rich? I don’t think so. My dad has other plans with that money. And I wanted it for him, anyway.”
“You can work with us, the Protectors. We could use your skills. Just think about it.”
“Thanks, but it would look like you’re doing me a favor by hooking me up with a job. I want to be independent and build a career with my skills. I have a dream of my own, you know.”
It’s true. I’ve always wanted to start my company, and now I finally can. After Anita and Vargas were handed over to the cops, Damien helped my dad and me navigate the whole aftermath. Dad didn’t go to the hearing or file a formal complaint; he just left a statement about the accident. He understands why I want to get even, but prefers to put this mess behind him and not spend another day dwelling on it.
After we found and handed over the car, the authorities dove in, and the charges started piling up: causing the accident, fleeing the scene, shooting Gabriel, kidnapping Lucas and me, and attempting to cover their tracks. The investigation into Vargas revealed he was deeply involved in stolen luxury goods and had ties to criminal groups. As for Anita, initially, obstruction of justice for disappearing after the accident was all they could pin on her. Both she and Vargas claimed to have been driving, turning it into a he-said-she-said mess. But one thing was clear—they were both in that car, and their night of chaos was finally catching up with them.
The court ruled in favor of my father and me as victims and ordered a payment of two million dollars for moral damages. I promised myself this would be the last time anyone calls me a victim. Peter paid on behalf of Anita. The state seized Vargas’s estate and will use it to make the moral damages payment to my dad’s account.
My dad said the money was tainted with our pain, and he didn’t want to keep it for himself. Instead, he suggested we use it to help others and asked me to start a non-profit for people who need prosthetics after accidents.
Just as I explain to Gabriel where the money is going, his phone starts buzzing.
“What is it?” I ask as Duke pricks his ears and joins us on the sand, looking tired and dirty.
“It’s the alarm at the front door. There’s someone there.”
No one ever comes here. I tense up and grab Duke’s leash, then Gabriel’s arm .
“Don’t worry. I think it’s the contractor. I forgot he said he was coming by today,” he reassures me.
“Contractor? What for?”
“The land around this house belongs to me. I wanted privacy, but now I want to build another house next door.”
“You mean to extend this one?”
“No. I want to build a separate one.”
“Who is it for?”
“Well, I haven’t had time to talk to you about it yet, but since you’re going to be studying here in the city, I was wondering if you’d like to continue living with me.”
“So, you’re building a house next door for that?”
“No, of course not. You belong here,” Gabriel murmurs, his arms tightening around me. “With me, in my arms, in this house. It’s our home. The other one is for your father—a house by the sea, just as you wanted. That way, you’ll always have him close, and you’ll always be here beside me. Happy. Safe. Loved.”
Tears well up, spilling over my hands as I cover my mouth. Duke launches himself onto my shoulder, showering my face with frantic licks, clueless about what’s going on. A shaky laugh escapes me as I pat his head. “It’s alright, buddy. It’s just happy tears.”
Gabriel’s phone buzzes again. He squints at the screen, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Let’s head back to the house. We’re expected.”
“The contractor?”
“Even better!” he says, getting up, brushing off the sand, and pulling me up with him.
Duke runs around like crazy in front of us, dragging me along. He’s already thirty pounds and promises to get even bigger and stronger. Gabriel takes the leash from my hand, and we quicken our pace .
As soon as we open the door, a wall of sound crashes over us—laughter, cheers, and a booming “Surprise!” Faces swim into focus—Dominic, Lena, Alice, all beaming and brandishing a cake, walking toward us, shouting Happy Birthday . Ah, shit, it must be Gabriel’s birthday, and I didn’t know. They could’ve clued me in.
“Incoming!” I shriek, diving back as Duke torpedoes past us, heading straight for the cake. Visions of frosting carnage dance in my head. But then, like a knight in shining armor (well, maybe more like a guy in khaki pants), Damien appears. With a sly grin on his face, he snags Duke’s leash just in the nick of time and scoops up the overzealous pup, hauling him away from the sugary battlefield. Duke, tail tucked between his legs, offers Damien a remorseful lick before shooting us a sheepish grin. Disaster averted.
“Happy birthday,” I say, turning to Gabriel to give him a hug and a soft kiss on the lips. “I didn’t know,” I whisper.
“They’re not here for me,” he smiles and kisses me back. “It’s your party.”
“But my birthday is in February. You guys got it wrong.”
“Happy Birthday, baby,” Gabriel chuckles, his lips brushing my ear as I look around, confused. He wraps his arms around me and lifts me in a whirlwind of cheers and claps.
“Happy Birthday, Green Eyes,” Dominic says, engulfing me in a rib-crushing bear hug. Damien, ever the gentleman, manages a quick peck on the cheek and mumbles, “Happy Birthday, Lexi,” before Duke stages a daring escape from his arms, heading straight for me. I scoop him up as Alice throws her arms around me for a hug.
Finally, I make my way to Lena, the mastermind behind this surprise attack. “What’s with all this? You could’ve told me. ”
Lena hugs me, whispering, “I just carried it out; Gabriel’s the mastermind. And, you know, we were all really excited to be here today. No one needed convincing.”
“We’d better eat that cake before Duke ruins it,” Damien says, laughing, and they all sit around the countertop while Dominic and Alice look for plates and cutlery.
“Have you got any champagne or decent wine around here, my boy? Ours is warm from the road. I just put it in the fridge,” Dominic asks Gabriel.
Gabriel points to the fridge, then grabs my hand and pulls me in for a tight hug. “Don’t worry, they’ll manage. You come and get your birthday wishes and kisses.”
“But it’s not my birthday, Gabriel. I don’t mind a good party, but my actual birthday isn’t for months!”
“No, baby. Your birthday is every month now, starting today. I’ll keep throwing you parties and showering you with love until we make up for all those years when nobody said Happy Birthday to you. Your birthday is not just another day on the calendar. It’s a reminder of the amazing woman you are. Never doubt how special and important you are. Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl.”
Strong emotions often find release in tears, but I don’t want to cry anymore. I just want to savor this amazing, kind-hearted, selfless man who’s always there for others. He came into my life by chance, and I never imagined the profound impact he’d have on me. Gabriel has been the answer to every silent prayer for peace. No matter how much I pushed him away, he wouldn’t let me fall; he wouldn’t let me lose myself.
Nothing I’ve wanted in the past few years, neither the desire for revenge nor the need to escape sad memories, can even come close to how alive this man makes me feel. I don’t need to erase the sad memories; I just need to create countless happy ones with Gabriel. Love, not revenge, is the answer. My love for Gabriel.