Chapter 272 Chapter 272

Chapter 272 Chapter 272
Hailey's POV.

Epilogue

A Year later.

The television hanging on the wall was on a low volume, my attention fixed on the reporter. I scrolled through my phone, giggling at a few cringe pictures Benita sent me on her vacation time with Marco.

My ears suddenly perked up when I heard a familiar name from the reporter's mouth.

“.... In the latest development, notorious tycoon Anthony Morellis was taken into custody by the police yesterday evening on charges of murder, laundering, tax evasion, drug trafficking and many more. A verifiable source says several of his known allies are already fleeing the city to avoid being entangled in his case.”

“His arrest comes months after the shooting at Trisha's treat mall, which the authorities have confirmed to be his call that caused the death of his son, Luca Morellis and the fall of a major empire of his.”

I stared at the screen, lips parting in satisfaction. I knew the police were going to find him. He could only hide for as long as the city stretched.

“Thank goodness. It finally happened,” I muttered.

For the rest of the day, I could only think of Luca's death. It didn't disturb me anymore, but I never stopped thinking about it. The thought of killing someone for the ones I loved stuck in my heart like a scar, an experience I learned from. An experience I was never going to forget.

“Hailey, here you are. I've been looking all over for you,” Sophia walked in, holding Japheth with her left hand.

“There's my baby,” I spread my arm in the air and rose up to give my son a hug. “Did you miss me? Did you miss mama?”

He hugged me and I lifted him in the air.

“Mom, I had a lot of fun with Aunt Sophia,” Japheth chuckled.

“Did she feed you the ice cream island she promised you?” I glanced at her as she shook her head.

“We don't have time for this,” Sophia laughed. “Come on, everyone's at the table waiting for you,”

I followed her to the dining room which was loud and full with merry laughter. Kai walked away at the entrance, rushing to answer a call.

The smell of turkey roast and garlic filled the room. I sat between my mother and Damien. He pressed a kiss on my cheek and I smiled at him. “I thought you ran off,” he whispered with a faint smirk.

“I would not miss this for the world,” I replied, turning to face my mother. “Mom, you look stunning.

“You can say that again,” she smiled and pumped her chest. We laughed and the table went on with clinking glasses and chatters.

Before we dug in to start the dinner, Sophia leaned forward and snapped her fingers. “Before I forget, how is your foundation going?”

My eyes lit up with a smile and I dropped my spoon. “Better than I expected Sophia. It has been great so far. The non profit organization for cyber harassment and trauma has grown fast in just a few months of establishment.” I couldn't keep my smile away.

“The calls keep coming and we even require more services,” I stopped and turned to my mother. “And I really appreciate my mom for stepping up to help me. She's the reason I can catch a break from the tremendous work I have to do,”

I squeezed my mother's finger and she chuckled. “Dear, stop it. It's your idea. You made this possible, Damien too. He supports you in every way,”

“Please, I would like to be kept out of this, give my wife her credits. She's the reason for the growth,” Damien joined in. “I'm just a sponsor,”

“Damien,” I turned to him and giggled. Since our marriage months ago, he had been working on his empire, ruling with warmth, empathy and wisdom. He was no longer part of the crimes and brutal leadership. He dedicated himself to helping people, an ally to advocates of human life.

Morellis was no longer a threat to him and he took a step back from the brute nature of running a notorious syndicate.

“You are not just a sponsor. You are the walls of this foundation,” I voiced.

“Urghh, enough with the doting eyes,” Sophia huffed. “Nobody wants to take credit, you might as well say I'm the reason for the success,”

We laughed together. The laughter died down, prompting me to stare at my ring, then glance at my son. It was the best time to tell them the news.

“Actually,” I clinked my glass of wine with my fork. “I have something you should all know,”

The table went quiet instantly, eyes drawn to me.

Damien gulped and wiped his mouth clean. “What is it?” He asked.

I took a deep breath and rubbed my hands in my stomach. “I confirmed earlier that I'm two months pregnant,”

For a split second, nobody moved. Then Isabella dropped her fork and laughed to herself. My mother fixed her eyes at her, her expression unpredictable.

“That is great news.” she stated with a wide smile. “Japheth's gonna have a sibling to play with. That is great,”

“He is,” I chuckled, my eyes watering. “I think it's gonna be a girl. Japheth you are going to have a baby sister,”

“I'm gonna name her Elena,” I stared at Sophia. “I think it would suit her,”

Sophia blinked slowly and nodded with acceptance and honor. “It would suit her very well. I have no problem with it.

Damien stood up and hugged me. He kissed me and hugged me again, unable to contain his joy. “I love you,” he said. “Is this why you've been getting constant medical checkups?”

“Yeah, I wanted to be sure.”

“This is great news, this calls for a celebration.”

“I'm gonna be a two-time aunt,” Sophia laughed. “I should call Benita and tell her the news,”

“She knows already,”

“Really, does Marco know too?” Sophia asked.

“I don't think so. I told her to keep it a secret until I was ready to tell everyone.”

The rest of the dinner was a splendid shower. There was lots of laughter, celebration and discussion. Arguments about our holiday filled the air. The moment was unending until Japheth tapped Damien.

Damien fed him water and before Kai could take him away to play in his room, he asked a question that had everyone stunned.

“Dad, are you a bad person? ”

We froze and gaped at him.

“Son,” Damien stared at his mother and pressed his lips uncomfortably. “I have done questionable things in the past, but I am doing everything in my power to correct them. Not a day goes by when I don't try to be a good person to right my wrongs,”

Japheth stood up from his seat and hugged him. “Then you are a good person,”

Those words made my heart melt. It also touched Damien, his eyes watered and he hugged him back.

He ran towards Kai and we could only stare at ourselves in confusion and surprise.

“He's growing up,” Isabella said. “Pretty fast.”

Another minute of silence wrapped us. Finally, Sophia stood up faking an obvious yawn. “Okay, I am going to be heading out,” she blew a kiss at her father and hung her bag on her shoulder.

I spotted Louis waiting at the entrance for her and I smiled at her.

“Okay, enjoy your evening,” I teased.

“I sure will,” she replied and walked out with a hearty look.

One by one, they all returned to their rooms until I was left alone with Damien in the room. He took my hands and led me to the balcony, caressing my neck with soft kisses.

“I am so proud of us,” he whispered in my ears.

“I am too. You are not going to believe this, but I'd choose you all over again in another life” I turned to him, reaching for his hands.

He held my hands and placed them on his chest. “Me too. You are the reason I get to have my happily ever after, despite everything we went through. You are my fortune, Hailey and for that I will always love you.

Everything felt right in that moment with him as the evening breeze blew past us into the starry skies.