Chapter 227 EPILOGUE

Chapter 227 EPILOGUE


Few months later,I sat on the wooden steps of our beach house, one hand on my small baby bump. Another life was growing inside me. Another beginning.

Below, Chard was playing with the kids by the water. Lisa laughed as she ran from the waves, her dark hair flying. The twins were building a sandcastle nearby, arguing about who would put the last shell on top. The sun was setting, coloring the sky in soft orange and pink.

I closed my eyes for a moment and took it all in. 

We had been through so much. The lies. The threats. The sleepless nights filled with fear. The days I wondered if we would ever feel safe again. Victor. Elena. Miranda. Julian. All of it.

And yet, here we were.

Chard looked up and saw me watching him. He smiled that warm smile that still made my heart skip and waved. I smiled back.

Forever, I thought.

But getting to this peace was a tough journey. Just a few months ago, when the video went viral and we learned that Julian was the father of Miranda’s baby and the arrests of Victor’s men that followed it felt like we were thrown back into chaos.

I turned to Chard that day, my heart racing.

“Chard, I can’t believe this! Julian is Miranda’s baby’s father? After he lied about knowing who attacked me? After the video that led to the arrests? It’s too much!”

Chard’s jaw tightened. His eyes darkened with that familiar protective fire.

“I know, Lora. When the DNA results came in, I was so angry I could barely think. He’s my brother, but this… it’s a betrayal on top of betrayal. The shares, the silence about the attack it all came crashing down again.”

I felt old anger rise in my chest.

“Betrayal doesn’t even cover it! He knew Chris was coming for me and did nothing! He bought shares behind your back! And now this child? I feel so angry and heartbroken. How could he do this to our family after everything we’ve been through? After the darkness Victor brought, after the arrests, it feels like another shadow trying to pull us back into the pain we fought so hard to escape.”

Chard ran a hand through his hair, his voice low but tense.

“I don’t know what to think. Part of me wants to cut him off for good. But he’s family. And he’s trying now paying the bills, visiting the baby. Maybe we can give him one more chance.”

I crossed my arms, the tension thick between us.

“One more chance? After the lies, the threats, the arrests? I don’t know if I can. But for the kids, for peace… okay. But if he messes up again, that’s it.”

Chard nodded slowly, the fire in his eyes softening a little.

“Agreed. One step at a time. For the family. The darkness is never far away, Lora. But we choose to walk in the light. For us, for the kids, for this family we built from the ashes.”

I let out a shaky breath, the anger easing into something heavier but softer.

“You’re right. We can’t let the darkness win. One step at a time.”

And he has been trying. The dinner was awkward at first. The tension was thick. I was quiet, but by the end, I shook his hand and said, “One step at a time.” He said, “One step.” It was a start. He’s rebuilding his life, his reputation, his relationship with us. It’s slow and painful, but it’s something to hold unto.

Chard nodded.

“Yeah, it was hard. But we’re trying.”

I told him about other updates too, the ones that made the climb back up feel real.

“I took Lisa to see Elena the other day. It was emotional. Lisa didn’t recognize her and didn’t want to get too close because she looked different. But I told her that her real mom loved her enough to let her be safe. Elena said, ‘Take care of her,’ and I promised I would. We visit sometimes now. Elena seems at peace with it, even if she’s empty inside.”

Chard’s voice was gentle.

“That’s good. It takes strength to forgive like that. She’s lost everything, but at least she’s not holding on to hate.”

“Chris is out on bail now,” I continued. “He visits Lisa. He can’t take her full time because he doesn’t have the money to care for her, but he’s trying. It’s good for her to know him.”

Chard smiled a little.

“As long as he stays on the right path, it’s fine. He’s trying in his own way.”

“Miranda sent me a message the other day,” I said, pulling out my phone to show him. “‘Thank you for giving me a second chance.’ I told her, ‘Don’t waste it.’ She said she won’t. Her business is doing well, her son is healthy. She’s not the woman she used to be anymore. She’s changed for the better.”

Chard’s eyes softened.

“Good for her. Second chances are powerful when people actually work for them.”

And now, here we are. With this new life growing inside me, the children playing in the sand, and this peace we fought so hard for.

Chard placed his hands gently on my belly, feeling the bump. His touch was warm against the cool breeze.

“Will you be my wife again?” he asked, his voice low and teasing, but his eyes were full of love.

I laughed and leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his body against mine.

“Yes,” I said. “Over and over again.”

He grinned and pulled me closer, his hands warm on the bump.

“Even with this?” he teased, patting it gently.

“Stay away from me,” I joked, placing my hand on his chest. “I don’t want another baby.”

Chard laughed, the sound warm and full, and from the sand, we could hear the children laughing too, even though they didn’t know why.

I turned and took a few playful steps down the sand, the grains shifting warm between my toes as the breeze tugged at my dress.

“Catch me if you can!” I called over my shoulder, laughing.

Chard’s eyes lit up. “Oh, you’re on!”

He chased after me, his feet sinking into the sand with soft thuds, the sound mixing with the waves and the kids’ distant giggles. He caught me gently around the waist, careful of the bump, and lifted me up in one smooth motion, spinning me once before settling me against his chest.

“Got you,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear, the steady beat of his heart matching the rhythm of the ocean.

I laughed harder, wrapping my arms around his neck as he carried me back toward the steps, the cool air brushing our faces and the laughter of our children echoing behind us like music.

“This is forever,” he whispered again, his voice thick with everything we had fought through.

I smiled against his shoulder, the warmth of his arms and the solid feel of him carrying me making everything feel right.

“Yes,” I whispered back. “This is forever.”

THE END