Chapter 200 Epilogue

Chapter 200 Epilogue
Time passed quickly, and we were thrilled to see our small company continue to grow. Ray's advocates requested that he be placed under house arrest, and the court granted this request. We were all upset by this decision, as it meant Ray could remain in his large, comfortable home and still lead the Astor Corporation from there. It felt like he had managed to escape the consequences of his actions.
We discussed the situation with our advocates, who advised us to take a break but assured us they would take action in due time. 
In the meantime, Spencer and I tried to distract ourselves and enjoy life with Ellie. She spent a lot of time with her grandmother, which they both cherished. 
One evening, when Spencer invited me out for dinner at the same restaurant he had taken me to before, I couldn't hide my astonishment when the waiter brought a small box to our table instead of the bill. To my surprise, the entire restaurant watched as Spencer got down on one knee in front of me.
"Would you mind being an Astor again?" he asked, holding out a box that contained a beautiful ring. 
I covered my mouth in shock, unable to say anything for a few moments. 
Finally, I replied, "No! If I need to marry you for that, then I don’t mind." My answer made him smile widely as he slipped the ring onto my finger, and we shared a kiss. 
It wasn't until the next day that I realised I was the last to know about Spencer's plan to ask me to marry him.

"How was it?" Ethan asked us when we returned from trying on my wedding dress with Jessica and Mum. "You're not allowed to know anything about that, Spencer. You'll see when the time comes." Mum stated.
"Oh, I apologise," he said, rolling his eyes as he hugged and kissed me. Ethan still made a face when he saw us kissing, but he seemed to be getting used to it. After all, his brother was soon going to marry his step-sister.
"I am starving, Mum!" Ethan exclaimed. "When is lunch ready?" He asked, and Mum went into the house to find out when we could eat. However, we thought she had taken longer than he should have, so we followed her inside. There, we found her sitting in the living room, seemingly shocked.
"Mum? What's wrong?" The twins rushed to her side. After covering her face and taking a deep breath, she looked at us. "I just received a phone call," she began. "And?" Ethan eagerly pressed for more.
"Ray passed away after a long struggle with his lungs last night."

It took us a few days to fully comprehend what had happened. We no longer had to worry about the future or contemplate where we would go if he were to regain his freedom. 
I knew it was difficult for Spencer and Ethan, but their pain wasn't overwhelming. 
However, another shock hit us in the attorney's office when the twins learned that Ray had not taken the time to write a will, or perhaps he didn’t want to. As a result, all his wealth and the Astor Corporation now belonged to Spencer and Ethan.
Initially, we were uncertain about how to proceed with the information, but a few days later, the twins decided to hand over the company. 
After marrying Spencer, we began working together again. Our first step was to cancel all the contracts with the Hearsts, which allowed us to concentrate fully on the Astor Corporation and our own company. 
Naturally, the Hearsts were furious and proposed a different contract, but we declined. We realised we didn't need them to achieve success.
Not long after, I had some exciting news to share with Spencer: I was pregnant again!
Since then, he didn't want me to work, and I was perfectly fine with staying home to care for our children. This time, I gave birth to twins—two beautiful little boys—so I had a lot on my plate. 
Sometimes, I still recalled the hardships I faced with Ellie, but this time, everything felt different. Spencer was by my side, supporting me during the birth, and he proved to be a fantastic father to all our children. 
Not long after I gave birth, Ethan and Jess got married, too. Jess was busy with her career, but after a few years, they welcomed their firstborn son as well.
Mum dedicated herself to her family for many years, so we were all surprised when, at one family dinner, she introduced a man as her partner. He was an advocate, and it was clear that his feelings for Mum were genuine. He had always been there for her when she needed support, often taking her out for romantic dinners. They also travelled to wonderful places at least once a month. We were all happy for her, finally seeing her with a man she truly deserved.
Despite being busy with my family, I felt compelled to take action. At the time, Ellie was almost four years old, and the twins were just one. That’s when I decided to establish a foundation to support abused women and single mothers facing hardships. My foundation gained significant attention, and I was thrilled to realise that I could make a difference in the lives of many women and children who had endured similar struggles to those I once faced.

"What are you doing out here?" Spencer asked when he found me sitting on the porch one evening. 
"Just chilling. Are the kids sleeping?" I replied. 
"Yes, they're all asleep," he said as he sat down next to me, allowing me to snuggle into his arms. 
"Are you okay?" he asked, a frown crossing his face. I nodded and smiled. 
"Yes, I’m just thinking." 
"What about?" he inquired, his surprise evident. 
"I'm thinking about the life I have with you." 
"What about that?" he asked, still surprised. 
"I’m happy." 
He sighed and kissed my forehead. 
And yes, I honestly was happy. Sometimes, I reflected on our unusual relationship; other times, I wondered how my life would have turned out if I had held back and admired Spencer from a distance. Perhaps all the challenges I went through were necessary to get to this point. They became essential lessons in my life, and in the end, I felt rewarded with Ellie, the twins, and Spencer. 
I was grateful for my life. I thanked my mother for giving me a chance when she adopted me, allowing me to meet the love of my life, who held me tightly in his arms. I also felt immense gratitude for my beautiful children, for whom I would do anything in any situation. 
Above all, I was most thankful for the strength I discovered within myself—the power that enabled me to rise after I fell, to keep going when things seemed hopeless, and to know that I could do anything for my loved ones.

Dear Reader, 

Thank you so much for diving into my book! I genuinely hope you enjoyed it! If you found this story captivating, I invite you to explore my other books here: "An Ice Queen For Sale," perfect for fans of a twisting mafia romance, or "An Alpha's Duty," a thrilling romance between a werewolf alpha and a vampire. 

Your support means the world to me, and I wish you all the best! 

Warmly,  
Maria MW