EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE
The afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting golden lines across my desk. Papers were stacked neatly beside a steaming cup of coffee. I had promised myself this week belonged to Isabella and our daughter no meetings, no calls, no business. Just family.

I was signing off the last few files when the office door creaked open.

“Boss.”

I looked up. Richard stood at the doorway, his usual composure replaced with something heavier. His eyes were red-rimmed, his shoulders tense. Then, before I could say a word, he dropped to his knees.

“Boss, please,” he said, his voice trembling. “I know you’re kind and fair. Please… let me take the punishment meant for my brother. Let Diego live.”

I set my pen down slowly, studying him. “And why would I do that, Richard?”

He swallowed hard. “He was deceived, sir. Matteo told him lies made him believe our parents were still alive. He lost his way. But now, he’s seen the truth. Please… forgive him.”

For a moment, silence filled the room, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock behind me.

Richard had been with me from the start loyal, disciplined, unwavering. I’d seen him bleed for this organization. How could I deny the one thing he’d ever asked for?

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. He was trembling, his head still bowed low to the floor.

“Richard,” I said quietly, “you’ve always stood by me even when others didn’t.”

He lifted his gaze, hope flickering in his eyes.

“Free him,” I said. “But he must never come into my presence again. You have two days to spend with him. Then I expect you back here.”

For a heartbeat, he didn’t move as if he needed to be sure he heard me right. Then relief broke across his face.

“Thank you, boss,” he said, voice cracking as he rose to his feet. He pressed a hand to his chest, nodded once, and turned toward the door.

I watched him go, the sound of his footsteps fading down the hall.

A faint smile touched my lips. Loyalty like his was rare and I’d never taken it for granted.

My phone buzzed on the desk, Isabella’s name glowing on the screen. The photo beside it her and our little girl, laughing in the garden made something inside me soften.

I picked up the phone, already imagining their faces when I walked through the door.

Still, my thoughts drifted to the past to Vincent. It had been too long since we’d spoken as brothers, not enemies. Maybe it was time.

I turned toward the window, the city lights just beginning to bloom in the distance.

“Yes,” I murmured to myself. “It’s time to bring everyone together again.”

For old times’ sake.



Author’s Note 💛

My beautiful and handsome readers,

Thank you so much for following this story to the very end. Your love, comments, and support mean more to me than words can express. Every chapter, every moment, and every emotion came to life because of you.

I’m deeply grateful for each reader who laughed, cried, and stayed with these characters until the final page. You’ve truly made this journey special.