76

**GABRIEL**
*RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE, EDWARD HOPKINS WAS ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF GEORGINA ROSSI AND SAMUEL HOPKINS.
HOPKINS TRIED TO FLEE THE COUNTRY WITH HIS ADOPTED DAUGHTER AUDREY HOPKINS AND THE FIANCÉE OF THE BUSINESSMAN GABRIEL STARK.
CHARLES SCOTT TAKES CONTROL OF THE $500M TRUST AND $30M INHERITANCE. YOUNG GERMAN-AMERICAN CEO SENT HIS UNCLE KENNEDY SCOTT TO PRISON FOR STEALING FROM THE SCOTT COMPANY.
EDWARD HOPKINS AND KENNEDY SCOTT WERE ARRESTED FOR MURDER, PROSTITUTION, AND CHILD TRAFFICKING.
$50 million worth of drugs and prostitution house, namely The Onyx Monkey. BUSTED!*
Today was the first time the news headline hadn’t made me question the journalists who write them. The story had been discussed all over the state. We were receiving endless calls for an interview, but I was done caring about what they wanted to publish about us. I just wanted Audrey to have peace of mind already.
Fortunately, she only sprained her foot when she fell from the helicopter ladder, but there was no other internal damage. In a matter of days, she could step foot again, but I asked her to stay in the penthouse for an extra week because I was paranoid that something might happen again. We have much greater days ahead.
However, two weeks after the incident, she was now sitting on my couch eating her Indonesian fried noodles. It was her sixth bowl in the last four days.
I switched the TV to Netflix after seeing Edward’s name on the news. Her father and his accomplice were now starting to spend the rest of their lives in prison.
She picked up the remote control and opened a 3D-animated film.
“I heard this is a great movie,” she said, her eyes on the screen. “Can you get me ice cream? I want ice cream.”
I crossed my arms, shaking my head. “My angel, you’ve been like this for days now.”
She glared at me. “What? Afraid I might get fat?”
I sighed, sat next to her, and took the bowl away from her hands. “You’re still going to be beautiful in my eyes no matter what your body shape is, but this isn’t healthy.”
She pouted. “I’m not eating everything, believe me,” she convinced me. “It’s our baby eating.”
“And you’re feeding our baby ice cream all the time and Indonesian noodles. I should have known by that time.” I laughed, then placed my hand on her exposed thigh, stroking her.
I blinked. “I didn’t know at that time either.”
“Fine. But I just don’t want you to feel bad about yourself later. And it’s your wedding gown fitting tomorrow. That too.”
She stopped chewing her food, and her mouth dropped. “Oh my. You’re right. Then my baby won’t be able to breathe if it’s too tight.”
“Yes, you got it.” I laughed. She’s becoming more and more lovely every day. “Now, I want you to go to bed because it’s freaking midnight.”
“But I forgot I was supposed to call Chelsea about the time and place for her date with Charles tomorrow. Aren’t they cute? Charles? Chelsea? Even their names fit together. Don’t you think so?”
I brought her into my arms. “You’ve been a good friend to both of them.” I cupped her face with my hands and stared deep into her sapphire eyes. “By the way, before we go to bed, I want to show you something.”
“Really? Is that good?”
I chuckled. “It is good. Come.”
I ushered her to my study and showed her the brand-new painting hanging on my wall. Audrey’s eyes gleamed as she looked up, and I could already tell she was in awe.
“Oh my God, Gabriel.”
“I guess I forgot to tell you. Your portrait came today. You were so busy in front of the TV. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
She couldn’t take her eyes off the painting. Her lovely face, her perfect body, her flushed skin exposed on the very wall, its beauty couldn’t compare to the original, but then France created a pair of white wings on her delicate back. I’d never admired an artwork so much, even those I’d seen before. I was right. She’d look so remarkable next to the fallen angel. I’ve finally gotten my redemption.
Lei è sempre stata la mia redenzione. She had always been my redemption.
“I’m beautiful…” she murmured.
“Si, sei tu. Il mio bellissimo anglo,” I whispered in her ear. “My beautiful angel.”
She gazed up at me and took me in her arms. “Thank you, Gabriel.”
“I should be the one to thank you, love.”
After being fascinated by her portrait, I took her to my bedroom — our bedroom now — and it was only another couple of weeks before I could finally proclaim that she was mine. There’s no point prolonging the days. Before she lay next to me, she phoned her best friend about the date and then called Scott to bring something for the date as if she were some kind of matchmaker.
Finally, she slipped under the sheets next to me.
“Gabriel?”
“Hmm?”
“If it’s a boy… would you mind if I call him Liam?” she whispered as she curled her arms around my waist. I kissed her lips.
“Of course, love. After all, Liam is whom you first met, and he loved no one but you from the very start.” I claimed her mouth again, more passionately this time.


AUDREY
One month later…
“Gabriel?” Anton said from behind Gabriel and me as I picked up a glass of champagne. The occasion turned out perfectly, and I was sure I had enchanted my husband with the wedding gown I was wearing. My belly was still slight, so I could breathe, opposite to what I was worried about. His fashion designer did a great job. However, he was more exceptional in his white and black designer tux, which made me want to eat him immediately when we could finally be alone.
The wedding ceremony was held in my mother’s mansion. There was no other place I wanted but here for our special day.
Gabriel turned around and clinked glasses with my brother. “Anton.”
“Congratulations to both of you,” he greeted.
“Oh, Anton.” I hugged him immediately. I was still so glad I had a family, even if it was only him, but his presence meant so much to me. Unfortunately, his wife couldn’t attend because of their newborn baby girl.
“Audrey barraged me from not calling you—you know—because she wanted the name for my nephew,” my brother smiled. “I never thought this day would come, sis. You look so gorgeous today. And Gabriel, I hope we put everything behind us. I’m sorry for everything that has happened.”
Gabriel patted Anton’s shoulder. “We’re all family now.” Both men shook hands.
“Speaking of family, have you heard of anything about your grandfather?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Now is not a good time to talk about them, but I’ve already erased them from my world, Anton. If they cared for me, they’d be here. I tried to send April, I mean my cousin, a message. She’s the daughter of my mother’s sister and the only relative I could find on social media. I told her about the wedding, but nada. She ignored me, so I stopped caring about them.”
“That’s fine. I’m sorry if I have to ask about it,” Anton apologized. “If that’s for the better, I’m here for you.” He held my hand.
I smiled. “Thank you.”
“By the way, Audrey, I saw some old friends. I’ll see you again later, okay?” Anton said.
“Of course.”
He hugged me again and then approached some people from our neighborhood. “Glad you invited some… old friends. Like, Mrs. Clifford. She wanted me to meet his son before,” I said.
“Are you supposed to tell me that?” He raised an eyebrow.
I laughed at him. “Oh, come on. It’s just me talking casually.”
I looked over my shoulder and spotted Maya and Coulson with some relatives. Elazar and Helen were laughing about something with some relatives I saw for the first time today. Nonetheless, I thought I could finally have my husband alone for a dance.
Gabriel and I walked to the dance floor beside Charles and Chelsea, getting much cozier. They didn’t seem to see us with their eyes locked on each other. She was gorgeous in her royal blue dress.
Gabriel turned me around slowly and brought me into his arms. How everyone and the place looked so beautiful. They were like gold and silver sparkling in my eyes.
“Mrs. Stark.” Gabriel smiled with delight while our hips swung with the music’s rhythm. “You’re exceptionally stunning tonight.”
“Mr. Stark, you are the sweetest and most handsome groom tonight. The girls think I’m the luckiest woman in the world.” I hooked my arms around his neck.
“I can say the same about the guys around here.”
“Wow. We’re such a perfect couple.” I giggle.
“You’re perfect.”
I cupped his face. “Where do you think we’ll go from here?” I asked, beaming. “I mean, aside from our honeymoon.”
“Don’t you think it’s too late for having cold feet?” he teased.
I laughed. “It’s not that. I just thought we’re starting a new chapter in our lives.”
He pressed me tight against him. “You asked where I think we’ll go from here?”
I nodded.
He rolled me beneath him, supporting my weight on my waist with his arm, and now I was leaning with my back. “I told you, right? Whatever it is, if we do something, we do it together….” He claimed mouth, and we ignored everything else around us, whispering that I was finally his forever.