HIS

Epilogue

6 Years Later............

Death and loss—inevitable truths we all face sooner or later. I stand here, staring at rows of graves, each marking a loved one who once lived, now surrendered to eternal sleep.

Acceptance and letting go take time. Some never truly accept—they die inside with their loved ones, even while still breathing. As for me, I've faced the weight of death and loss. I've chosen to live each day to the fullest, to cherish and love those who are still here.

I looked down and gently placed the white roses I'd been clutching for the past thirty minutes onto my mother's grave. I had stood there just as long, taking in the quiet of the surroundings. As I straightened, I felt a hand rest on my back—a silent gesture of comfort.

Today would have been her birthday. Every year, I brought her flowers—a tribute to the strong woman she was and to the one she raised. She was one of the fortunate ones who found peace, while the rest of us are left to navigate this cruel world.

I've come a long way in the last few years. I've lost people I've loved but the will within me compel me to remain standing.

"Are you ready?" I glance over my shoulder at the love of my life and nod. He slipped his hand into mine, and together we walk toward the car in silence.

Driving home, my mind replayed the events that happened after I got shot.

I woke after two months in a coma, Domenico at my side ensuring I had the best care possible. That was the day I learned the truth—I was paralyzed from the neck down, the result of two bullets lodged in my back. Thankfully, it was only temporary; my body just needed time to heal.

It took another year after waking to fully recover—I had to relearn how to walk and do everything on my own. But healing my heart took far longer. The day I was shot was the day I lost my little nugget.

Some say not meeting your child makes it easier—but that's a lie. The grief is just as real, and you process the loss the same way you would for anyone you've loved and lost.

The paralysis, coupled with the loss, plunged me into a deep depression. I blamed myself—for putting my child's life at risk, for not protecting the little one I carried. Yet, on the other hand, if I hadn't acted, so many others would have died. So, my baby didn't die in vain. Her life saved many.

Healing takes time—and a strong support system. Domenico stood by me through everything, wrestling with his own regret for failing to protect us, for not seeing the danger coming. Now, he trusts no one but me. He rebuilt his Mafia from the ground up, replacing almost everyone. It wasn't easy, but it had to be done because the rot ran too deep.

He grew even more relentless, ensuring the entire Mafia world recognized his name. In doing so, he regained the respect of many. Though he coped with the loss of our child in his own way, he never abandoned me—and for that, I'm deeply grateful.

The night I was shot was the same night Luca and all his men were wiped out. Max arrived with a handful of trusted allies as backup, joining forces with Demetri's men. It's a stark reminder that jealousy, when left unchecked, becomes the architect of one's own ruin. Domenico was stunned when he heard that the man he considered a brother could sink so low—all because of greed..

He even went so far as to kill his own girlfriend—my best friend, a woman with the kindest heart. I had always wondered what happened to Rodger and Kai after we were kidnapped, only to discover that nearly fifty people were imprisoned in the cells beneath the base, and they were among them. Their girlfriends were there too. Thankfully, when the men finally reached them, they were still alive.

After everything that happened, we chose to relocate to Domenico's parents' estate. We built a sprawling home a short distance from the main house, secured with more than enough guards. His parents were overjoyed by the news, and the bond between all of us grew stronger than ever. After a 20-minute drive, we finally arrived home.

The moment we stepped out, we were greeted by the ecstatic screams of our two-year-old son—"Mamma! Pappa!"

I laughed softly as I bent down to scoop up my little ray of sunshine. "Hey, baby! Were you good for Aunty and Grandma?" I asked, glancing up to see Reece—Domenico's sister—standing in the doorway with a warm smile.

Three and a half years after everything, I found out I was pregnant again. That's when this little man came into our lives—and now he's two years old, with another baby on the way. I'm in my final trimester and could give birth any day now. This time, it's a girl.

"Come here, little guy. Momma can't hold you for too long," Domenico said as he gently lifted Giovanni from my arms and carried him inside with us.

Everyone was gathered out back, relaxing by the pool. Mia and Max had joined us with their two little ones, aged four and two. They tied the knot as soon as they learned Mia was expecting. Having her by my side during pregnancy made the journey so much easier—and far less lonely.

Rodger and Kai arrived with their spouses—and it's still hard to believe they all have kids now. We've all stepped into parenthood. As for Marco, he and his wife are off exploring the world, yet he never fails to check in with us every single day.

Domenico's sister now has a boyfriend who works for him, and after the hostage ordeal, she completely reevaluated her life and changed her ways. We actually grew close after everything that happened. She absolutely adores Giovanni and spoils him every chance she gets.

As we lounged by the pool, soaking up the sun after a harsh winter, I felt a strange tingling in my lower abdomen. At first, I assumed it was just from overexerting myself earlier, but I brushed it off and continued to relax.

The tingling soon turned into mild cramps, growing so uncomfortable that I had to shift in my seat. Then, suddenly, I felt a warm gush of liquid streaming down my legs. My heart raced as I glanced around, searching for Domenico near the grill, while everyone else remained lost in their own worlds, basking in the sun.

"Domenico!" I shouted. His head snapped toward me instantly, though his body remained angled toward the grill. Silence fell as everyone turned to look at me—then their eyes dropped to the spreading wet spot on the concrete beneath my feet.

I looked at him again and said, "We need to get to the hospital." The moment the words left my mouth, he completely panicked—just like he did when Gio was born. Thankfully, we always keep our bags packed in the car and never leave home without them.

Just an hour later, our little princess arrived—Giana Aurora Mancini, a perfect reflection of her daddy. My heart felt complete, especially because she was born on Mom's birthday.

After all the heartache came the joy, and I remained "HIS". He taught me what it truly means to be wanted, what family really is, and—above all—the beauty of experiencing selfless love.

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