Epilogue

Epilogue
\# SIX YEARS LATER #

KIMBERLY'S POINT OF VIEW 

"Don't you dare, Adams! I mean it—don't you even think about it!" I exclaimed, my voice rising as I snatched my phone away from my six-year-old son. His innocent eyes looked up at me, betraying a combination of surprise and that unmistakable pout that often made it difficult for me to stay mad at him.

"But mummy, I promise I won’t break it again," he pleaded, his voice soft and hopeful, but my resolve was unwavering. I shook my head firmly, determined not to give in this time.

"No, young man. I can't take that risk. This is exactly what you said the last time I trusted you with my phone, and look what happened then," I replied, my voice tinged with frustration. As if on cue, the moment my words hit the air, his little face crumpled, and he burst into tears, his wails echoing through the room.

It's become a pattern that I’ve tried so hard to break. Whenever he feels overwhelmed or upset, he seems to have an instinct to grab any phone within reach and hurl it to the ground in a fit of rage. Just this past month alone, I've had to replace at least five different phones because of his outbursts. Not to mention, his own phone has met a similar fate more times than I can remember, which truly leaves me at a loss for what to do next.

And then there's Donovan. No matter how many times I express my concerns about buying him another device, he always seems to sidestep the issue. It's as if he hears me but chooses to overlook my worries completely. Just the other day, right after I had firmly told him that we should refrain from purchasing another phone for Adams, he walked in the very next evening, a brand-new phone in hand, completely ignoring my previous plea. It’s this endless cycle that I just can’t seem to escape from, and honestly, I’m starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.

"But... but you gave Diana your phone not too long ago," he mumbled, his voice trembling and his eyes glistening with unshed tears, hovering on the brink of crying. 

"That's true," I replied gently,

"but it's because she doesn't get mad and break my phone like you do! Seriously, you should be like your sister." With that comment, he exhaled dramatically and rolled his eyes, making it clear he wasn't in the mood for a lecture.

"Fine," he replied, crossing his arms defiantly, 

"if that's how it is, I'm going to go see Dad. I'm sure he won't hesitate to give me his phone!" He turned to head upstairs, but just before he could take another step, we both heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps descending the stairs. We quickly turned our heads in unison to see Donovan gliding down gracefully, holding hands with our adorable three-year-old daughter, Diana.

It's almost comical how obsessed he is with her. I mean, don't get me wrong, he's equally fond of both of our kids, but there's something special about the way he dotes on Diana. 

He spoils these little cuties with gifts that I could only dream of receiving when I was her age. In fact, he's gone so far as to build a shopping mall and a sprawling estate in Adam's name, and he even constructed a massive supermarket specifically for Diana.
   Just last week, he proudly opened an expansive school in both Adam and Diana's names. He truly goes above and beyond to ensure that they have every opportunity possible.

He affectionately refers to her as "princeps meus," which is Latin for "my princess." Honestly, there are moments when I can't help but feel an overwhelming wave of jealousy toward her. It happens sometimes that he won't even allow me the chance to carry her; it's evident that she has developed quite a special bond with her daddy, and she seems to adore him even more.

I can't help but to wonder how time has flown. Just two months after Donovan proposed to me, we made the beautiful decision to get married. our wedding was an unforgettable celebration! We had an extravagant gathering filled with so many affluent guests, including a few celebrities who added an extra touch of glamour to the occasion. You’d never guess that I discovered I was pregnant before the wedding. The joy on Donovan's face was absolutely priceless; he nearly bubbled over with happiness at the news!

In a significant turn of events, his father decided to pass down the family business to Donovan, and I couldn't be more thrilled to witness his success as CEO. The company has consistently made headlines, recognized as one of the best organizations out there. I honestly burst with pride whenever I think about all that Donovan has accomplished.

His parents do visit us from time to time, but more often than not, we find ourselves at their grand mansion. After we tied the knot, Donovan and I moved into one of his impressive mansions, and I must confess, in the beginning, I often found myself wandering around, completely disoriented and lost in such a vast space.

I made my way back to the hospital, resuming my role as a psychiatric doctor, and I couldn’t be happier about it, Although Donovan wasn't too happy about it, he said that he doesn't want me to work under anyone.....right now he's building a hospital for me and I just can't wait .
  I am now free from the unkind words and uncomfortable encounters with Anita, which has made a world of difference. In fact, my hard work has been recognized—I was awarded the title of the Most Hardworking Doctor of the Year. In truth, this marks my fifth consecutive year receiving that honor, and I take great pride in it.

Today is Saturday, a day typically reserved for relaxation and family time, and here we are, all gathered at home. There are times I find myself wishing Saturday was a school day, primarily because of the kids. Adams sometimes makes it the most stressful day ever with his little tantrum.

“I've been searching everywhere for you, Amica Mea,” he said with an infectious smile as he approached me and gently pecked my lips. 

I looked at him, curiosity piquing my interest, and responded,

“Oh really? What’s the occasion? Did something happen? You seem to be in such a good mood today!” I watched as he nodded, a sparkle in his eyes betraying the exciting news he was about to share.

“Yes, my love, I truly am in a great mood… Giovan just called to let me know that Zoey has given birth to a beautiful baby girl!” He said and i gasped loudly immediately. 

Upon hearing this, I could hardly contain my excitement and joy, letting out a delighted shriek. 

“Oh my gosh! That’s such wonderful news! I’m absolutely thrilled!” I exclaimed, my heart brimming with happiness. 

He chuckled at my enthusiasm and replied, “You should have heard his voice, Amica Mea. He was absolutely over the moon with joy!” And as he spoke, I felt my own cheeks stretch into a wide smile, feeling that warmth of shared happiness that comes from such beautiful news.

Absolutely, he certainly should be excited! After all, he's been mentioning this child for what feels like an eternity. I can't express how thrilled I am that it's a girl; he's always dreamed of having a little princess to spoil and pamper. 

You might be curious about which Giovan I’m referring to, and yes, it's none other than Donovan's twin brother. It's been quite a journey for him. Donovan went out of his way to bring Giovan to one of the most respected therapists in the world, Donovan really didn't give up on his brother and I’m pleased to share that he’s doing remarkably well now. He has sincerely apologized to Donovan for the difficulties and pain he had previously caused him, and he also took the time to say sorry to me as well. 

Things are really on the mend between us, and it’s comforting to know that we are on good terms again. Giovan often visits us alongside his lovely wife, Zaya. It’s heartwarming to see how much progress he's made! In fact, Donovan was kind enough to give him a branch of the family business in Asia, and I’m happy to report that Giovan is thriving in that position too.

"This is such wonderful news, I can hardly wait to meet the little princess!" I exclaimed, and he simply nodded in agreement. 

"You don’t need to worry about that; you’ll get your chance to see her next week at Sophie and Royce's wedding," he assured me with a smile, and I returned the gesture with enthusiasm. The upcoming wedding is set for next month, and I can barely contain my excitement. After all, Royce has been gushing about this event for what feels like forever!

Last year marked a significant milestone for both of them, as they successfully completed their college education. Royce, in particular, has taken his academic achievements to the next level by securing a position at the company as one of its managers. It's noteworthy to mention that he graduated with an impressive first-class degree, a testament to his intelligence and dedication.

So many amazing things have transpired lately, and for all of it, I can only thank God. Henry has gotten engaged to a male colleague of his who also works as a nurse, and I couldn’t be happier for him. I recently came across a photo of Nathan in Belgium, and it seems he is doing well, although I still find myself mulling over what exactly happened with those kidnappers that led him to leave his job. As for Anita... well, I can't honestly say she's faring well. She remains incarcerated, but I did hear that her father is diligently working on securing her release.

Regarding my father, it's a complicated situation. We truly severed all connections with him after everything that happened. After my mother passed away, Royce really struggled to cope with the loss, which ultimately led us to leave our home. Not long after we abandoned the house, I found out that my father sold it. Just two weeks ago, I ran into one of his friends while I was at the mall, and he mentioned that my dad is now experiencing financial ruin. 

It appears that his girlfriend took off with his money and some important documents, disappearing to who knows where. To be perfectly honest, I don't feel sorry for him at all—he has definitely brought this upon himself. After all, it was his actions that contributed to the loss of my mother, and I can't bring myself to empathize with him. The thought of seeing his face again is something I truly dread.

At that moment, my thoughts were interrupted by Adams, who let out an exasperated huff.

"When is Shirley going to arrive? Why is it taking them so long to get here?" he exclaimed, clearly a bit anxious about her arrival.

I quickly reassured him, "Her mom called just a little while ago, Adams. So you don’t need to worry; your crush will be here soon!" As I said this, I couldn't help but notice the way his face flushed a deep crimson color. 

“Oh please, Mom, she’s not my crush!” he protested, his eyes twitching in an endearing way that made both Donovan and me burst into fits of laughter. 

With a playful grin, Donovan chimed in,

“You like her, son! Just look at your face—it’s practically glowing red!” In a teasing manner, he bent his head and then playfully ran away, which only amplified our laughter.

"He's such a drama king," Donovan remarked, clearly entertained. I nodded in agreement, watching the way Adams scampered cutely up the stairs, clearly still flustered. The whole scene was just too amusing, adding a delightful twist to our day.

Shirley is Samantha's daughter, and I still remember the day we were all taken aback by her unexpected visit a few years ago. She arrived with a child.....Shirley was just 2 years old and her apology left us all in shock.

During that conversation, she revealed something quite surprising: she had initially believed that her child was conceived with Giovan. However, as time went on, she discovered that the reality was quite different—the child was actually the result of a one-night stand she had with someone else. It caught me off guard, honestly.

I mean, who would have ever thought that there was something deeper between Shirley and Giovan? It was astonishing! Nevertheless, I’m grateful to say that we’ve managed to mend fences and are on good terms now. Furthermore, Shirley and Adams have developed a strong friendship, which in turn has brought us closer together as families.

“You’re not coming to Mommy?” as I attempted to scoop Diana up in my arms. However, she immediately shook her head and clung tightly to her dad, which made me feel a sting of jealousy. 

"I’m your mom, you know," I remarked playfully. Donovan, chuckled softly and planted a gentle kiss on her adorable little lips.

\# EVENING #

As Donovan stepped into the room later that evening, I immediately inquired, 

“Have they fallen asleep?” He nodded in response, a hint of exhaustion in his voice. 

“Yeah, but it wasn’t easy. Diana was making it quite a challenge for me; she really didn’t want me to leave her side,” he explained. He then sank onto the bed with a loud thud, clearly relieved to be done with the bedtime routine.

"You ought to feel a sense of relief that she finally managed to fall asleep—have you completely forgotten about her antics last Tuesday?" I remarked, prompting Donovan to burst into hearty laughter. Little Diana had been utterly relentless, as if she had consumed some magical potion specifically designed to keep her wide awake. I had been on the verge of tears due to the sheer exhaustion of trying to get her to settle down.

"I'm really happy to hear that they had such an enjoyable time," I continued, and he nodded in agreement, clearly in a good mood as well. 

"Um... Baby," I called out, and he swiftly turned to face me, his attention immediately captured. 

"Yes, Amica Mea? Is something bothering you?" he inquired, his expression shifting slightly, filled with concern as he stared at me . I hastily shook my head to reassure him.

"No, darling, it's not that. There’s something important I think you ought to know," I replied, adopting a somber expression in an effort to convey the gravity of what I was about to say. I could see worry flicker across his face.

"You're making me anxious, Amica Mea. Please, just tell me what’s wrong," he pleaded, his brows furrowing in concern as I gradually lifted my eyes to meet his.

"It's... it's just that... I'm pregnant!" I exclaimed with excitement, and I noticed as he froze in place, his mouth slightly agape in disbelief.

"I really got you there, huh? You looked genuinely scared for a moment," I teased him, but he remained silent, his gaze glued to me as he processed the news. 

"You... you're pregnant?" he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur, and I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation of his reaction.

"Yes, my love, I’m carrying our third child," I revealed, and the moment the words left my lips, he enveloped me in a tight embrace, almost as if he wanted to never let go.

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much, Amica Mea," he exclaimed with pure delight. 

"For a second there, you truly had me worried. I thought something terrible had happened to you!” With that, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, his affection washing over me like a warm wave.

"This is incredible news, Amica Mea! I can hardly believe we’re going to have another baby!" he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. However, as I looked at him, I saw something unexpected: his voice had started to tremble, as if he was holding back a flood of emotions.

“Baby? Are you... are you crying?" I asked softly, pulling back slightly so I could see his face clearly. To my surprise, I discovered that he was indeed shedding tears, genuine and heartfelt.

"I'm just... I'm simply so grateful to you, Amica Mea,” he managed to say between sobs.

“Ever since you came into my life, it’s been like a dream come true. You've shown me what true love feels like, and you’ve made me feel cherished in ways I never imagined possible. You’ve done so many wonderful things for me, but what I appreciate the most is that you’ve given me these beautiful little angels we've created together. I truly can’t thank you enough, Amica Mea. I always will cherish the day you walked into the mansion as my personal doctor,” he spoke through his tears, and in that moment, a rush of emotions surged within me. I quickly reached up to wipe away his tears, wanting him to know how much he meant to me too.

"No, Novan, I should be the one expressing my deepest gratitude to you," I said, my heart swelling with emotion. 

"You have truly opened my eyes to what love really is and what it feels like to be cherished. Beyond that, you took it upon yourself to ensure that Royce, had the opportunity to attend the best college around, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the wonderful things you’ve done for us. Thank you so much, Novan. I am eternally grateful... and I love you." As I spoke, I could see a bright, genuine smile break across his face.

"I love you too, Amica Mea," he replied, his voice filled with warmth.

"My love for you goes far beyond what words can express, and I will love you for all of eternity." With that, he pulled me close and captured my lips with his in a passionate kiss.

In that moment, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me for the serendipity that led me to meet Donovan. I couldn't help but reflect on how different my life might have been without him, and I couldn't suppress the smile that spread across my face as I deepened the kiss.