Chapter 161: THE END

The last few months had been a test of patience, resilience, and love. Alex did everything he could to mend the broken bridges between him and my family, yet my parents remained cold. They didn't want to accept him, and I couldn't blame them. He had hurt us, taken everything, but he had also given it all back. He had changed.

The last few months had been exhausting.

Not because of my pregnancy, not because of the nightmares that still haunted me from everything that had happened, but because of Alex-trying, relentlessly, to make things right with my family.

I didn't make it easy for him.

Neither did they.

My parents refused to even look at him in the beginning. Every time he showed up at their doorstep, my father would shut the door in his face. My mother ignored him completely, refusing to acknowledge his presence even when we met by chance.

But Alex never stopped coming.

Every single day, he tried.

He would help around their company, he would fix little things in the house when no one was looking, and he never once lost his temper when my father tossed insults his way.

I could see it.

The change.

The sincerity in his eyes.

And though my heart still carried scars, I knew one thing-Alex meant it.

He wasn't the same man who had once stood against my family. He was the man who had protected me, who had chosen me over revenge, who had given up everything to save me.

And, slowly, my parents began to see it too.

It started with my mother.

One evening, I found her standing outside, watching Alex fix the broken gate. She didn't say anything, but she also didn't tell him to stop.

The next day, she asked him to help her carry some things.

After that, she let him stay for dinner.

My father was more difficult. He would barely acknowledge Alex's presence, and when he did, it was only with a scowl.

But he stopped telling him to leave.

And that was progress.

Still, Ryan was the hardest.

He refused to accept Alex, refused to even be in the same room with him.

And I understood why.

Ryan had been there when everything had gone wrong. He had been the one to fight for our family when Alex took everything from us. He had been the one who suffered the most, next to me.

So, when he finally agreed to meet Alex, I knew it wasn't going to be easy.

I stood outside the office, my hands clasped tightly as I listened to their conversation.

"You think you can just waltz back into our lives and everything will be fine?" Ryan's voice was sharp, laced with years of betrayal. "You ruined us, Alex. You destroyed everything our family built. You think a few apologies will fix that?"

"I don't expect you to forgive me, Ryan," Alex said calmly. "I know what I did. I know how much I hurt you-your family. And I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I'll spend the rest of my life making things right, whether you accept it or not."

Silence.

I peeked through the small gap in the door.

Ryan was glaring at Alex, his jaw clenched. Alex, on the other hand, looked tired-but resolute.

Ryan scoffed. "Why are you even trying?"

"Because I love her," Alex answered without hesitation. "And because she loves her family. If I want to be in her life, I need to fix what I broke."

Ryan laughed bitterly. "Love? After everything?"

"Yes."

There was no hesitation in Alex's voice. No doubt.

And for the first time, I saw Ryan's expression falter.

"You really love her?" he asked, quieter this time.

Alex nodded. "With everything I have."

Ryan exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. I knew that look. He wanted to fight it, wanted to hold on to his anger, but something in Alex's words had shaken him.

Still, he wasn't ready to let go.

"You're lucky she sees something in you," Ryan muttered. "Because I still don't."

With that, he walked out of the room, brushing past me without another word.

I let out a breath, stepping inside.

Alex sat there, his head hanging low.

I walked up to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. "He'll come around."

"I don't deserve it."

I squeezed his shoulder gently. "Maybe not. But you're trying. That counts for something."

"You hurt her once," Ryan told Alex, his arms crossed as he glared at him. "You do it again, and I don't care what she says. I'll come for you."

"I won't," Alex said firmly, his eyes locked onto mine. "I swear it."

Ryan gave him a hard look before sighing and shaking his head. "Damn it, I still don't like you." But then, he smirked and pulled Alex in for a rough hug. "Welcome back, idiot."

It was a turning point. My family finally accepted him, and for the first time, Alex found the love he had been denied since childhood. He became a part of our family, not just by marriage but by bond.

Three years later, we decided to redo our wedding. This time, bigger, grander, and filled with people we loved. It wasn't about erasing the past but about creating a new beginning.

As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the lace of my gown, I felt a rush of emotions. My gown was breathtaking-intricate lace, a fitted bodice that flared into a delicate train, and soft, sheer sleeves that added an ethereal touch. I ran my hands over my stomach, remembering how far we had come.

The door creaked open, and I met Alex's gaze in the mirror. He leaned against the frame, a slow smirk spreading across his face as his eyes darkened with something sinful.

"This time, you look even more beautiful," he murmured, stepping closer, his hands sliding around my waist. "And hot. Damn, Scarlet, I don't think I can wait until after the wedding."

A chuckle escaped me as I leaned into him. "Then don't wait."

His grip tightened, his breath hot against my neck. "You're teasing me."

I turned in his arms, pressing my palms against his chest. "And what if I am?"

His eyes flickered with desire, and before I could say another word, his lips crashed against mine. The kiss was searing, deep, filled with hunger and years of love wrapped into one moment. My body melted against him as he turned me back towards the mirror, his hands skimming down my waist, lifting the soft layers of my gown.

"Scarlet," he groaned against my ear. "You're going to kill me."

"Then die happy," I whispered, meeting his gaze in the mirror.

His hands gripped my thighs, pulling me flush against him, and just as I let out a gasp, there was a loud knock on the door.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

We froze, breathless, before Alex let out a frustrated growl and dropped his forehead against my shoulder. I laughed, pressing a kiss to his cheek before fixing my gown.

Our twin toddlers, Kyla and Jasper, burst into the room, Kyla pouting as she stomped over to me.

"Mommy! Jasper won't let me sit with Max!"

Alex straightened, his expression immediately shifting. "Good son. Our girls are not allowed to talk to other boys."

"Alex!" I scolded, rolling my eyes before kneeling beside my daughter. "Jasper, sweetie, you have to share. Max is her friend."

Jasper crossed his arms, glaring up at Alex as if looking for support. "But Daddy said-"

Alex smirked, ruffling his hair. "That's my boy."

I sighed, shaking my head as Kyla stomped her foot, clearly unimpressed with her father's influence. "You two are impossible."

Alex wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing the side of my head. "And yet, you love us."

I sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately."

Kyla huffed, crossing her arms. Jasper stuck his tongue out at her. I let out a breath before laughing, pulling both of them into a hug. Alex followed suit, and for a moment, our family was wrapped in warmth, laughter, and love.

This was happiness. This was forever.

And we lived happily ever after.