The Daughter Extraction

Epilogue

•LUNA•

Life has its own twists and turns, but you've got to choose your battles when you suddenly hit an obstacle. A year and eight months ago, I thought my life was literally over.

I got kidnapped twice, yet I still managed to survive both times. At this point, they should make a Hollywood action movie based on my life. Despite the chaos that came with every battle I had to fight through, I was glad to have one person by my side who helped me get through it all in one piece.

I was forever grateful that Alec had come into my life; otherwise, I wouldn't know where I would be now without him. I probably wouldn't have survived the first kidnapping situation I went through.

He was my lifeline, my protector, and the best boyfriend I could ever ask for.

The fact that we've been through the same ordeal together and still made it to this day has really strengthened our bond and our connection. It's safe to say that I could never imagine a future without Alec by my side.

He was my hero

I parked the car beside his without taking my eyes off him. He was standing outside, his back facing me as he looked toward the open sea below the cliff.

I stepped out of the car to join him. The harsh cold breeze whipped at my face, and I pulled my coat closer to my body. I had no idea why he wanted to meet me here.

But something about this place brings solace, and I'm starting to understand why he has been spending so much time here after what happened two months ago.

Juan's return had really messed us up, both emotionally and physically. While I had been receiving a lot of medical attention for the physical part, Alec needed some space to deal with the emotional turmoil that Juan had caused us both.

So, this was where he'd be alone for hours. For a while, he actually kept me in the dark, but I understood why he wanted to be left alone because I would have requested the same thing if he hadn't implied it first.

Then, just a couple of weeks ago, he brought me here to show me this spot. Now would be the second time I'm revisiting this place with him.

I walked up to him and stood by his side, admiring the scenery in front of us. The weather was a little dark and gloomy, but nevertheless, it brought this place to life and everything felt so perfect.

"One day I'd like to propose to you here," Alec suddenly said, and my heart almost stopped.

His words took me by surprise, and I ended up frozen. I could see him glancing at me from my peripheral view, and he suddenly chuckled, making me turn to face him.

"Any day in the future," he added with a smile, and I slowly started to relax.

"Why did you ask to meet up here?"

He looked at me, his eyes softening as they settled on my face while he slipped both hands inside the pockets of his leather jacket.

"I wanted to give you something," he replied, and my eyebrow quirked up in curiosity as I watched him pull one hand out of his pocket.

He opened his hand, and my lips parted in surprise when I saw the silver band resting on his palm.

I looked up at him and noticed how his gaze had suddenly turned more serious.

"It's encrypted with a tracking device," he said while reaching for my hand and turning my palm over. "I had it specifically made to look like any normal ring on the outside."

My breath hitched as he slipped the band on my right ring finger.

"But more importantly," he continued before looking up and meeting my eyes, "I want you to see it as a promise ring. One that will always remind you that wherever you are, I will always be there for you. If you find yourself in danger again, I promise that I will be there to find you and to protect you. This is what invisibly connects me to you other than my love for you, Luna. I won't let anything happen to you again as long as you keep wearing this ring around your finger."

Tears started to pool in my eyes as I looked at him. His words melted my heart, and I believed every single one of them. He stepped closer and cupped my face with both hands, our emotions reflecting off each other's eyes.

"I love you," he whispered soothingly before capturing my lips in a gentle kiss.

I pulled away and rested my forehead against his, soaking in the moment.

"I love you too," I answered softly, and he wrapped his arms around me in a hug.

I draped my arms around him as well and turned my head to the side, my eyes zeroing in on the few rays of sunlight shooting from the grey stormy clouds in the sky and onto the ocean, making the water look shimmery.

This right here was all I ever asked for—to be loved, to be cared for, and most importantly, to be protected. Alec had sworn to be the provider of all three when he slipped this promise ring around my finger.

I lifted my hand up to admire the ring, a smile spreading across my face the longer I stared at it. He was right; this was a nice spot to be proposed to.

And I hope someday in the future he will do so and replace this ring with a more lasting one that will bind us for life.

~THE END~