Epilogue-Happy Endings

Epilogue

The grand ballroom of the Richards’ estate was a spectacle to behold. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a golden glow, and the polished marble floors reflected the elegance of the night. The who’s who of high society mingled beneath the high ceilings, all waiting for the grand announcement of the Richards heir.

I stood at the edge of the room, feeling an odd mix of pride and nervousness. Tonight wasn’t just about Hardin; it was about us. My eyes scanned the crowd, finding Hardin near the center of the room. He looked breathtaking in his tailored black suit, the sharp cut of the fabric highlighting the confident, powerful man he had become.

Beside him were his friends—Ronny, Mark, Jess, and Vera. They were beaming with pride, toasting his newfound position in life. They’d been through everything together, and seeing their joy warmed my heart.

I felt a familiar arm wrap around my waist, and I turned to see Hardin grinning at me.

“Enjoying yourself?” he asked, his voice low and intimate.

I tilted my head, pretending to consider it. “Well, I suppose it’s not every day I attend a ball to introduce my assistant as the heir to one of the wealthiest families in the country.”

He laughed, the sound deep and genuine. “I think I’ve upgraded from being your assistant, don’t you?”

I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “Oh, have you now? Because from where I’m standing, you still have a lot of work to do.”

Hardin leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “Well, I’m happy to assist you… in the bedroom.”

I smacked his chest lightly, trying to suppress a laugh. “Hardin Richards, you are impossible.”

“And yet, you love me for it.”

I couldn’t argue with that. My smile softened as I looked at him, the man who had gone from being my employee to my partner in every sense of the word. “Yes, I do,” I admitted. “I love you, Hardin.”

The moment was interrupted by the sound of a champagne flute being tapped, drawing everyone’s attention to the stage. Hardin’s father stood at the podium, his commanding presence silencing the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice echoing across the ballroom, “tonight, we celebrate not just the return of our son but the rightful heir to the Richards legacy. Please join me in welcoming Hardin Richards.”

The room erupted into applause as Hardin made his way to the stage. He looked at ease, though I knew him well enough to see the flicker of nerves in his eyes. But as he spoke, his voice steady and confident, I couldn’t have been prouder.

When the applause finally died down, Hardin returned to my side, his hand finding mine. “That wasn’t so bad,” he said, his tone light.

“You were perfect,” I told him, squeezing his hand.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of congratulations and small talk. Everyone wanted a moment with the new heir, but Hardin managed to steal me away for a moment of quiet.

We found a secluded balcony overlooking the sprawling estate. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the warmth of the ballroom, and the stars above sparkled like diamonds.

“This feels surreal,” Hardin said, leaning against the railing.

“It suits you,” I replied, standing beside him. “The suit, the title, the respect. You were born for this.”

He turned to me, his expression soft. “I wouldn’t be here without you, Ariana. You believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself.”

I smiled, my heart swelling with love. “You’ve always had it in you, Hardin. I just gave you a little push.”

“A push, huh?” he teased, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “You gave me hell, Ariana. Do you remember how you used to boss me around?”

I laughed, leaning into him. “You were my assistant! It was my job to boss you around.”

“Assistant, huh?” He smirked, his lips brushing against my ear. “Well, how about I assist you in retrieving this?”

Before I could respond, he brought out a velvet box from behind him. My breath caught as he opened it to reveal the Emerald Eye—a stunning piece of jewelry that had been stolen from my company months ago.

“Hardin,” I whispered, my eyes wide with shock. “How did you—?”

He grinned, clearly enjoying my reaction. “I have my ways,” he said cryptically.

“But Scar—”

“Scar doesn’t have it anymore,” he interrupted. “Let’s just say he had a sudden change of heart.”

I stared at the emerald, its vibrant green catching the light. This wasn’t just a piece of jewelry; it was a symbol of everything we had fought for.

“You’re unbelievable,” I said, shaking my head in amazement.

“And you’re welcome,” he replied, his grin widening.

I reached for the box, my fingers brushing against his. “Thank you, Hardin. This means more to me than you know.”

“You mean more to me than anything,” he said, his voice serious now. “I love you, Ariana. And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Instead, I leaned in and kissed him, pouring every ounce of love and gratitude I felt into the moment.

The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us under the starlit sky. When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his, a smile playing on my lips.

“Here’s to better days,” I said softly.

“Better days,” he echoed, his arms tightening around me.

Together, we turned back toward the ballroom, ready to face whatever the future held—because no matter what, we had each other. And that was all we needed.
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