Chapter 215 EPILOGUE (TALIA)

Chapter 215 EPILOGUE (TALIA)
That magnificent mansion and everything in it were mine. Even Jeff and Marina were mine. It was the craziest thing that had ever happened in my life. Cielo forced me to sign the documents transferring those assets. I'd already told him I didn't need his money, but he kept pushing. And I caved. I couldn't be forced if Cielo forced me with... Hmm... With a very satisfying climax.
Owning all of Cielo's assets wouldn't be bad either. It would be my security for life. If Cielo messed with me, I would kick him out of my life. He would be the poorest man in NYC.
No, that was too dramatic.
Cielo was too smart to be a poor man. He was poor for just one day, and the next day he was back in power with his new business, which was cleaner and less risky. He collaborated with the Minister of Finance and several other members of parliament to create a digital payment system that continues to thrive to this day. Cielo slowly abandoned all his dirty businesses and only pursued truly clean ones. In the past year, he has built six new clean businesses that have earned more than all the assets he gave me.
Crazy!
He was a brilliant workaholic. I was a very proud wife of my husband. And the fact that he was the only man who managed to win my stubborn heart was truly amazing.
Bruce was still handling some of those dirty businesses, but he had let go of some of them in the past year because he didn't think they were worth his time. He and Agnes were trying to be exclusive. They'd been together for six months, and I had a feeling they were going to get married. I knew Bruce. He liked Agnes and her fierceness, but his damn ego was preventing him from expressing his feelings to her. I was about to intervene, but Cielo stopped me. He said Bruce would come around when he was completely sure of his decision.
"Wow, he's changed so much, hasn't he?"
"He is. I didn't expect him to turn into daddy material either."
"He's hot."
"You already have Joseph."
"But I still love looking at Cielo. I hope Joseph will change like Cielo after our baby is born."
Liliane touched her six-month-old baby bump. We were gathered at her house for a baby shower and gender reveal. The event was very lively because she invited all her friends and Uncle Mike's business associates. Many children were running around in Liliane's yard, which had been transformed into a playground. Cielo was playing with Zaiden in the sandpit. They were building mini sandcastles with the other toddlers.
"No man knows how to be a father until he actually has a child. I'm sure Joseph will become daddy material once your baby is born. Especially since you're having a girl. He'll never take his eyes off his daughter."
Liliane laughed softly.
"I guess so. And what about you?"
"What's wrong with me?"
"Boy or girl?"
Liliane glanced at my belly.
"I don’t know. I still have to wait two more months until I find out the gender.”
"You just gave birth to Zaiden a year ago, and you're pregnant again? Great."
"Blame Cielo for getting me pregnant. He told me whenever I was ready, I wasn't, and then I suddenly got pregnant. I think he has super sperm. Zaiden's pregnancy was an accident, as was my second pregnancy."
“Either he has super sperm or you’re overly fertile. I think you two should have lots of kids. Your genetics are too good to waste.”
“Thanks. Honestly, the idea of ​​having lots of kids isn’t so bad. I’m just afraid I won’t be a good mother to my kids.”
“You? Can’t be a good mother? What kind of nonsense is that? Look at Z, he’s happy and smart. You’re the best mother I’ve ever known. I even want to be like you.”
“No, don’t be like me. Be yourself. That’s much better.”
“But you’re my role model right now.”
“I’m not as great as you think. I still have a lot to learn to be a good mother and a good wife. Cielo helps me a lot.”
“I believe he’s very involved in Zaiden’s development.”
“He doesn’t want to be like his father, and he’s proven that he’s better. Much better.”
“Seeing how close Cielo is to Zaiden, I believe he's always present in every aspect of your son's life.”
“He's the best.”
I waved at Zaiden as he waved back at me. Their sandcastle stood firmly in the middle of the sandpit. Cielo handed Zaiden a red flag, and he planted it on the roof of their sandcastle.
I couldn't believe that all the beautiful things I experienced started with bitter things. Life was full of surprises. Not all bad things have bad endings.
“Cupcake?”
“Oh, thank you, Uncle Mike. You're a lovely grandfather-to-be.”
“I am. Enjoy.”
I took a bite of the pink-frosted cupcake. It was delicious. Strawberry, my favorite. Liliane's mother had made the cakes for her grandchildren's baby shower. Liliane and Joseph's parents were very excited to welcome their first grandchild.
“Thank you for forgiving my father.”
Liliane suddenly whispered in my ear. Her gaze fell on her father's back as he walked toward the sandpit. He handed each child a cupcake. He also gave Zaiden a cupcake with blue frosting. Cielo took the cupcake and nodded slowly at Uncle Mike. Their relationship had improved, though it wasn't the same as before. With Cielo out of the game, he automatically stopped interfering in Uncle Mike's business. They were on their own paths, and they respected each other's decisions.
"Our friendship was too beautiful to be ruined by hatred. I love you and your family, Liliane."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know my father would do that to your father."
"I didn't expect that either. But the damage is done. It's better to bury all the bitter memories in the past and move on."
I licked my cream-stained fingers and smiled at Liliane.
"Your father must be proud to have a daughter like you, Talia."
"Of course," I shrugged and chuckled.
I looked up at the clear, blue summer sky. I imagined my father there, happy and proud that his only daughter had defeated the crime lord.