THEIR HAPPY EVER AFTER.

Epilogue.

The Day His World Shifted

The moment Ignazio’s phone rang, he knew.

Before he even answered, a gut-wrenching feeling seized his chest, an instinct so primal it overrode everything else. The boardroom around him blurred—the mahogany table, the men in crisp suits, the foreign investors who had flown in just for this meeting. The deal he had spent months preparing for, one that would add another mountain of wealth to his empire, suddenly meant nothing.

Johnson’s voice came through the speaker like a bullet to the heart.

“It’s Bella. She’s in labor. We’re on our way to the hospital.”

For a split second, the world stopped spinning.

And then—chaos.

Ignazio shoved back his chair so violently that it scraped against the marble floor. He yanked his suit jacket from the chair, already moving. The stunned silence in the room was deafening. His secretary blinked at him, eyes wide in disbelief.

“Cancel the meeting,” he ordered, his voice edged with finality.

Her mouth fell open. “But, sir, this deal—”

Ignazio’s head snapped toward her, his sharp, dagger-like gaze shutting down any argument before it even left her lips.

“Nothing comes before my wife.”

Without another word, he stormed out, the heavy doors slamming shut behind him.

Ignazio’s foot crushed the accelerator. The world outside blurred into meaningless streaks of color, his mind singularly focused on one thing: getting to Isabella.

His hands gripped the wheel like a lifeline, his knuckles turning white. How had he been so careless? How had he let himself get so caught up in business that he wasn’t there when she needed him?

Isabella had been a handful throughout her pregnancy—petty, dramatic, and endlessly demanding, yet the most adorable version of herself. He had loved every moment of it, loved the way she pouted when she craved midnight ice cream, the way she stole all the pillows and made him sleep on the edge of the bed, the way she would whisper “You better still find me sexy” every time she noticed a new pregnancy change.

And he did—he found her breathtaking, worshipped every inch of her.

And now, she was in pain. Alone.

Ignazio’s chest tightened. He pushed the car harder, roaring through red lights, his pulse thundering with every passing second.

“Hold on, princess. I’m coming.”

*****

The hospital air was thick with sterile scents, but all Ignazio smelled was fear.

He changed into the hospital attire within seconds, barely listening to the nurse’s instructions. As he turned down the hallway, he saw Johnson standing outside the labor room, his expression unreadable.

Johnson. The one man Ignazio trusted with his wife.

Ignazio had always been a man who carried the weight of his world alone, trusting no one, but when it came to Isabella—his Isabella—he had needed someone to protect her when he couldn’t. And Johnson was the only one who had earned that trust.

“She’s strong,” Johnson said, meeting Ignazio’s eyes. “But she’s in pain.”

That was all it took.

Ignazio pushed past him, shoving the doors open, but the moment he stepped inside, he nearly collapsed at the sight before him.

Isabella was struggling.

Her head thrashed against the pillow, her damp burgundy hair sticking to her skin. Sweat glistened across her forehead, and her hands clawed desperately at the sheets. Her face twisted in unbearable pain, her lips trembling as she gasped for breath.

A sharp cry tore from her throat. “It hurts!”

His heart shredded.

“Isabella…” His voice broke.

Her eyes fluttered open, and when they landed on him, she let out a choked sob.

Ignazio rushed to her side, dropping to his knees. He took her trembling hand in his, pressing fevered kisses against her knuckles, his other hand smoothing her hair back.

“I’m here, princess,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve been here sooner.”

She clutched onto him with every bit of strength she had left.

The doctor’s voice cut through the tension. “The baby might delay. She needs to push harder.”

Ignazio’s eyes snapped up, raw desperation flashing in them. “She’s exhausted! Can’t we do something else?”

The doctor gave him a reassuring glance. “This is the safest at the moment. She just needs one last push.”

His chest constricted. “And if something goes wrong?”

The doctor didn’t answer right away, but Ignazio’s hands tightened around Isabella’s. His voice came out hoarse, broken.

“If anything happens… save my wife first.”

The doctor’s nod was firm, but Ignazio didn’t miss the flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

Turning back to Isabella, he whispered, “You can do this, Amore. You’re the strongest person I know. One last push, and I promise, it’ll all be worth it.”

Isabella sobbed against him, but his words anchored her. With one final, agonizing scream, she gave it everything she had left.

And then—

A cry. A high-pitched, tiny wail filled the room.

The sound of life. The sound of Joy.

Ignazio’s chest caved in, and his vision blurred. His arms tightened around Isabella as her body slumped back against the bed, relief washing over her.

“You did it, princess,” he whispered against her temple. “You did it.”

Isabella let out a weak, teary laugh.

The doctor turned toward them, holding the small, squirming bundle in his hands. “Congratulations. It’s a boy.”

A boy.

Ignazio let out a breathless chuckle, one that came straight from the soul. He had wanted a girl, and Isabella had wanted a boy. She won.

He scooted down, lifting the tiny baby so Isabella could see. Her exhausted face broke into the softest, most beautiful smile as she reached out to touch his cheek.

Her son. Their son.

Ignazio placed an arm around her, curling them both into his embrace, his lips pressing reverently against her hair. They were his world now. His wife. His child. And he would kill anyone who dared threaten them.

Five Years Later.

For five years, they remained a family of three. Not once did Ignazio pressure her for another child, and not once did he complain. He was there always—for every milestone, for every late-night fever, for every scraped knee and sleepy cuddle.

And when Isabella finally decided she was ready again, he respected her choice.

This time, it was a girl.

And she looked exactly like Isabella.

Ignazio never changed. Through every moment, every pregnancy, every sleepless night, he was there. He stayed. He watched her body change, saw her stretch marks form, kissed every single one, and whispered, “You are the most beautiful woman in the world.”

And he meant it.

Now, five years into their marriage, Isabella lay in bed, staring into space, overwhelmed with happiness.

She had won.

Not just a man, but the one who knew love in its purest, deepest form. A man who filled all the space in her heart, filled all the void, leaving no room for her to ever desire the need of her parent or remember that she was an orphan who didn't have a single relative who walked the planet again.

Marriage was sweet, of course, it was. It was the most beautiful thing one could ever experience.

For the last five years, they have had heated arguments, they have gotten mad at each other and they have fought, but all of that never lasted for more than a day.

Ignazio turned to her, his eyes still holding the same fire they had on the day they met.

“You’re staring, princess.” His lips curved into a teasing smirk. “Falling in love with me all over again?”

A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips at the same time as the warmth that spread across her body.

“Every day, Ignazio. Every single day.”

Ignazio adjusted into the bed, pulling her closer and capturing her lips into his. As he kissed her—soft, deep, and full of devotion—she knew, with absolute certainty, that this was her happily ever after.

Oh besties!!!!!🥹❤️

We have come to the end of this book and I am deeply overwhelmed with emotions. I am taking this moment to say thank you so much to you all for your love and endless support. You all were there, cheering me up, and even when I was tired and almost gave up on the book, I was always in the comment section, reading you all’s encouraging comments.

I made sure this book was a happy ending to make up for the way I had neglected the book and how long I had left you all hanging. My initial plan was to end it at the wedding venue but a reader said she wanted to know what child Isabella would deliver so I had to push past limits.

Ignazio and Isabella’s love story is impacting and I think the one thing I held dearly to my heart among the many lessons I learned while writing the last few chapters is that. A man could love you, but will that love remain on the day you are no longer the you he met before? I will urge everyone to always choose a kind partner and go for a man who genuinely loves you more than you love him because ups and downs will always arise and his love will be there to sustain the marriage.

Remember, you both also have to meet at some point, but let the energy and the zeal be heavier on his path.

I hope I didn't fail you in this book and yes, this epilogue will be free. It Is a token of my appreciation to you all.

If you enjoy the ride down here then I will recommend my new book to you all. “His Deadly Obsession.”

Guys!!! Drystan and Rosealba are slowly becoming my favorite book couples. Trust me when I say Drystan is so obsessed and I can barely go a day without going back to read some chapter and giggle at every scene.

I am saying a very big thank you, once again.

Bye!!!