Epilogue

You and I, We Belong

"You're spoiling me, Drew!" Sydney slapped me lightly on my shoulder as I showed her my gift for her sixteenth birthday. 

"No. It was just a simple gift." I smiled in response to her. 

"What simple gift? Excuse me, the size of your effort for this. Imagine, you designed my dream house! It's like I just said yesterday what my dream house is ... then look at this now! You already have it." She said excitedly as she observed the design of the house I had made. 

"Someday, I'll live you in your dream house." I smiled and told her. I was just surprised when she suddenly hugged me tightly. 

"Thank you, Drew. I was the luckiest woman on earth when you fulfilled that promise." She said tearfully. I smiled because of her great appreciation for the simple things I do for her. 

"Promise, I'll keep that promise of mine." I added before kissing her on her forehead. 

"I love you." She said sweetly. 

"I love you more." I replied and hug her tighter. 

Sydney beeing my girlfriend is priceless. In the past, I thought everything was easy for me—especially for me, because I came from a wealthy family. 

Not until her aunt ruined us! 

"You are Michael Andrew Claveria, right? The son of Helen and Alfred? Also, the future CEO of Paradise Corporation?" I was busy with the project I was working on when this lady approached me to ask personal things about me. I looked at her for a moment then I was just shaken. Maybe she's something or what. That's why I chose not to answer her question. 

"I'm busy." I answered coldly before I tried to stand up in my seat. 

"Rude! What are you and my niece? Are you her boyfriend?" It was replaced by intense nervousness that I did ignored her. I looked at her as if asking who she was referring to.

"How are you related to my niece Claire Sydney Agustin?" She repeats. 

"She's my girlfriend." I answered her last question. 

"Stay away from her." Her tone was serious and threatening. 

"Why would I do that?" My respect for her is still there. 

"Because you're marrying my daughter instead of her!" I barely laughed at what she said. She's crazy! 

"I'm sorry, but I won't do that, I love Sydney so much. She's my life, my everything and also..." I picked up her dropped handkerchief then I gently shook it before handing it to her. 

"...I promised to myself and even to your niece that she'll be the one that I wanna marry, no matter what happened!" I turned my back on her even though I did something rude. Her approach is more rude. What kind of aunt is she? 

Well, I understand her, as a mother she will prioritize the welfare of her child more than her niece. But fuck! 

This is not the first time that families have approached us to offer their daughters marriage to me. Their parents are very desperate. Just because of money they will do everything even if they step on or hurt others. 

I though that woman will get rid of me. But look who's here now. It's her again, still here in our mansion. 

"Son, come let me introduce you to the woman you will marry." Mom called me. My jaw tightened at what I heard. Even Michelle, my half-sister was shocked as well.

"Mom—" 

"Son, your mom is right. Your aunt Fely's daughter was the right for you." Even though I really wanted to answer Dad I restrained myself. I stayed calm, I just agreed with them. After a long conversation between my family and Belle's family, they said goodbye. 

"Son take them outside." Mom commands me. I nodded and obeyed her command to me. 

"I told you. My daughter is the right for you." She said smirking, as if she's telling she'd succeeded. If only I could hurt a woman, I might have punched her earlier. It is rude to be rude, but it is not appropriate to respect someone like her who does not care about the feelings of others. She's not thinking of Sydney. How did she do this to her niece? 

"If you don't want your parents to be like your girlfriend's parents—you better break my niece's heart and leave her alone. Because otherwise maybe Sydney as well I'll keep quiet forever." I clenched my fist because of what she was saying. I know it's hard to fight that woman's family based on the information I've got, and as a twenty-one year old who's still studying and not too proud, I know I can't fight her yet. 

A series of knocks on my dorm woke me up causing me to go to the door to open it. 

"S-Sydney? What are you doing here?" I asked her nervously and in shock. 

"C-can I come in? I have something important to tell you Andrew..." I didn't know what to do so I quickly blocked the door with my body. She could not go inside because the dormitory where I was staying was protected by CCTV. 

"Sydney wait," I stopped her. My parents can't see her here because by chance I will marry Belle early, and I don't want that to happen because I will only hurt Sydney more. 

"Why, is there a problem?" She asked almost in a whisper. I also feel that she is hurting, because I am not like that. I could also see her tears welling up. I wanted to tell her to calm down because she was thinking wrong, but what happened next, happened too quickly.

"Babe, who's there?" It was the voice of Michelle, my half-sister. 

"Who's that? You're with a woman here?" She insisted on getting herself through the door but I didn’t leave, I didn’t let her get inside. 

"Oh, hi?" 

"I'm sorry..." When I saw Sydney crying I immediately apologized to her. I know what’s on her mind right now. That I cheated on her and Michelle is my girl. 

"Andrew, why?" 

"We're getting married." Michelle said that again. I just remained silent. I don’t know what my sister’s plan is, and whatever it is she just make sure that it helps Sydney and me. 

"I. Hate. You!" Those words from her seemed sharp as they slowly sank into my chest. 

"I'm sorry Sydney...you can leave now!" I drove her away at the same time as I close the door. 

"Why did you do that?" I asked Michelle angrily. 

"I just wanted to help." She replied seriously. 

"By hurting her feelings and making her believe that I cheated on her?" I frustrated questioned her. 

"Because it's the only way to save her from danger! It's better like this, to hurt her with a lie than to lose her forever!" I was dumbfounded by what my sister said. She's right. Maybe I should let her go for now. Then when the time is right, I'll get her back. 

After that incident I had no news of Sydney. I don’t know where she is, how she is, and if she is still angry. 

I continued my study. Then, after two years I finally graduated. I even passed the board exam that I've been taken right after graduation. 

For me, that was the beginning to be with the woman I love so much again. The woman that will never be replaced by anyone here in my heart. 

"Brother I have good news for you!" I had just finished my meeting here abroad when Michelle suddenly called. 

"What is it?" I asked her directly. 

"I found her," Suddenly my heartbeat quickened at what she said. 

"H-her?" I clarified. 

"Yeah. She applied in Paradise Corp a week ago, and now she's taking her final interview—" 

"I want her to be my secretary." I cut off from what Michelle has to say.

"Noted, bro." 

I can't be bothered that day, because I will finally see her again. The woman that is still the flesh of my heart for the past six years. 

"What's this gimmick?" I asked Michelle a confused question because there was supposed to be a party in the office later. I just returned from the Philippines with my friend Gabriel Robles. 

"Brother, can you just go with the flow?" 

"Tsk. Where is she?" I asked her. 

"Secret!" The smiles that my sister gave me were meaningful. I just shook. 

"I'll gotta go bro. I'm just going somewhere." 

"Okay." I answered. 

"Welcome back Mr. CEO slash Engineer Claveria!" When we entered the office, we were immediately greeted by Paradise Corp employees. The crowd applauded and some shouted. I never thought that my sister had such a gimmick.

"Also, welcome back Architect Robles!" Robles immediately smiled and waved to the employees here as if he were an actor. 

"How do you feel?" I simply whispered to him. 

"Of course, it happened only once!" Robles answered. Tsk. 

"...and last but definitely not the least, Welcome to the Paradise Family Miss Claire Sydney Agustin!" 

I stared at the woman I hadn’t seen in six years. Her impact on me is still very strong, my heartbeat—nothing has changed, she still is, and she is the only one who can make it beat with such force. 

I felt my chest tightness when I saw her expressionless face. I also can't read the emotion in her eyes. 

In her eyes she didn't seem to know me. It seems like we didn’t have a relationship two before. It hurts, but it's my fault. 

After the introduction, Sydney disappeared from my sight because my employees approached me to take a picture. After I relaxed I drank three glasses of wine. When I felt a little dizzy I then again searched with my two eyes for Sydney's whereabouts.

I saw her with Robles. I took a deep breath before I  approached them. 

"Hey Robles, would you mind if I talk to my secretary privately?" Just one look at Robles and he immediately agreed with me. Maybe he knew I was already drunk. 

I grabbed Sydney by her arm and carried her to my office room. 

"Why did you bring me here, sir?" 

Fuck! 

What did she call me? Sir? Why does it hurt to listen? Oh, I remember—I am her boss now. 

"I—" I can see all kinds of emotions in her eyes now so I can't continue what I'm going to say. I saw anger and hatred on her eyes. Damn! 

"I'm sorry..." I stepped between us so we could be closer. 

"—for acting weird." I continued. 

"It's okay sir." She smiled and said, that it caused even more pain in my heart. Why did she changed a lot? How can she be like this to me? 

"Why are you like that?" Because of the pain I was feeling I couldn’t help but get angry at what she was showing me. 

"What do you mean sir?" She was light-headed. I stared at her coldly. Doesn’t she notice that I’m hurt by the way she’s treating me? I know I haven't the right to feel hurt, but fuck! Why I am feeling this pain? 

"I missed you so much." I was shocked when she suddenly pushed me hard, and because I didn’t expect her to do that so I wasn’t able to defend myself from falling on the floor. 

That night was a nightmare for me. Not because I was drunk and what I said to Sydney—but because of the various pains she caused me. But still, I know the pain she makes me feel is still lacking, the pain I caused her six years ago. 

Not because I was guilty that I cheated on her, but because I lied to her. I didn't bothered to disturb her for the past three months because we're all busy for the construction of Paradise Corp. Here we are now at the table for the four of us, because it's another gimmick of my good sister. 

We were both speechless and I knew she was already counted in the silence between us. 

"If I were you, I would sit down and just wait." I said angrily to her. Earlier, she was restless and restless. 

"Where did your wife go?" Her tone of voice was worried but I ignored it. What did she just said? My wife? What the fuck! 

"What?" I asked her in disbelief. All those years, she's really thinking that Michelle is my wife? Damn!

"Michelle, your wife, where did she go?" She was annoyed at the repetition of her question. 

"Are you out of your mind?" Damn this woman! 

"Why, aren't you concerned with her? She's been gone for half an hour!" 

"She's not my wife! Holly fucking crap!" I shouted in disbelief. Really? Do we look like husband and wife? 

"Hey, why are you shouting? She's not your wife? Why, are you still in the engaged part? God!" She looks irritated while saying those words to me. 

"Are you even aware of what you're saying Sydney?" I asked. 

"Why, is there something wrong with what I'm saying?" 

"Everything that comes out from your mouth is so wrong!" I shouted at her. 

"I'm just in front of you Drew, maybe you want to calm down 'cause you're screaming?" She glared at me with her eyes. 

"You're so impossible!" I said angrily and left her. Is this her reason why if she acts like I'm just not with her? Because she thought my wife was Michelle, that I was already married? Damn! 

After those incidents she never talked to me again. Especially when I admitted to her that Michelle was my half-sister. She's so mad at me, because of the cheating I did on her. I tried to explain myself, but she closed her mind to listen to my explanations. 

After we went back to Manila, I immediately went abroad to finish my contract there. I am angry with what she did six years ago, she aborted our child. But I know it's my fault too. Because if I had let her explain first the day she came to me, maybe she wouldn’t have come to such a decision. 

"Are you really marrying that daughter of a monster?" Michelle asked me incredulously. I’m in my room now, getting myself ready for later. 

"Of course not. I only promised one woman, and I know you know who that is." I said deeply. Michelle smiled slightly at my response, but she also immediately frowned. 

"Really? Why are you so dressed?" She asked. 

"I have something to do." I replied that she just nodded. By then my answers, Michelle already knew I had a plan.

I plan to take Sydney to her parents. 

Six years ago, I met the Agustin family, because Dad's personal doctor is Dr. Agustin. I thought back then, they just didn’t exist. Until I found out just this month that Sydney was really what they were looking for as their missing daughter. 

Sydney's aunt Fely is responsible for the loss of her parents' memory. Fortunately, it did not succeed in its plan to kill them before. Now, I'm sure I can fight for Sydney. I don't care about money and fame anymore, as long as I don't marry Belle. 

It's true that for six years I have been submissive to them, especially to her mother. I did everything I could to win her over — to overthrow her and her husband and pay for the sins that they've caused to Sydney and her parents. 

I agreed to get engaged with Belle, so that there would be no problem with the investigations I conducted with my private investigator, about her family. That's why I found out that her husband  is the leader of the Mafia, that's why his power is so strong. 

I convinced them I would marry Belle. But the truth is, I already have a plan in place. I know and I feel that I still have a place in Sydney’s heart. Even if she doesn't admit it, I feel it, so that's enough for me to make the plan to get her back. 

"D-Drew..." I stopped in shock and turned to look at the door. There, I saw her. Chances are really! I feel like the weather is really right for me now. 

"What are you doing here?" I tried to hide the overwhelming pleasure I felt now that she was here. I acted cold while asking her. But then she didn't answer my question. I still hope that she will say that she is objecting me from marrying her cousin because she still loves me. 

But oh, she's too hard to tell those lines to me. 

"C-can I borrow you for awhile?" She's pleading while saying those words and it pained my heart. I really wanted to hug her, but I was afraid that she might suddenly push me again. Her words and even her every actions brings too much pain against me. I was too vulnerable to her sharp and hurtful words. It sounds gay, but it's true.

"What?" I asked in disbelief. 

"Drew, I badly needed you. Please come with me," She then plead again. I don't want to see her crying and pleading just because of a favor that she deserve. I gave in to her even though she didn’t say her real reason. 

We're in Miracle Hospital. She was nervous so I was also nervous. Did she already know? Did her parents already found her? Why are we here at the hospital owned by her parents? 

Sydney immediately entered a room. She spent a few minutes there before she came out again to get me back. 

"Let’s go inside,” She said. I immediately followed her. A child who was fainting inside was the very first one who welcomed me. I suddenly felt a strange feeling. 

"Momma who's him?" She calls Sydney momma. Is she our daughter? She has the same voice as Sydney...and the child also bears a resemblance to me. Her hair color is just like Sydney. 

"Baby, haven't you been looking for and asking momma about your Dadda for a long time?" I swallowed three times about what I heard. Abundant tears also suddenly fell in Sydney's eyes. 

"...Sunny, baby, I'd like you to meet your Dadda." She then finally said it. My heart seemed to jump with joy at what I heard. 

"D-dadda?" Suddenly I burst into tears at what my daughter called me. All those years, I  think was that she aborted our child. I was wrong. I didn’t think Sydney wasn’t that kind of person. 

"D-Drew I'm sorry if I didn't tell you right away—" I didn't let her finish speaking. I immediately hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. 

"B-baby?" I immediately approached my daughter and kissed her hand. I also looked up to thank God for giving me this opportunity to get to know and be with my daughter. 

"D-dadda? Dadda!" She got up from lying down and greeted me with a tight hug. 

That day was one of the most memorable and I will never forget the day of my life. The day I was formed. That's why I've been feeling like I'm lacking for a long time, that's because I already have a child.

"Why did you let go, Drew?" She couldn’t believe her question to me as soon as she arrived at the hospital. 

"I'm sorry, I fell asleep." I calmly said which further frustrated her. 

"But don't worry—" 

"You said that before, but what, did you do something? Drew our daughter is sick. Sunny is sick, Drew!" She started crying again. 

I want to tell her that she has nothing to worry about because her aunt Fely didn’t really get our daughter. I want to tell her to calm down because Sunny is with her parents, but I can't. 

Because when I did that, it was like I just broke my long-held plan. I know that when I made a retreat from Belle and me, her aunt Fely had a plan in place. 

So before they could do that, I preceded them. I paid triple to their staff who they ordered to take Sunny. And I also know that Sydney's aunt Fely's staff can hear and see us now so I decided to just pretend that they actually got my daughter. 

"I'm sorry—" 

"I'm sorry, again? What can your sorry do, Drew? Has anything changed?" I know Sydney is just driven by so much fear for our daughter so this is how she behaves. And in order for everyone to agree with the plan, I decided to go along with how she felt. 

"Let's just wait for their call." I said that she got even angrier. That's it, Sydney. But don't worry, we'll just do this to catch your aunt and her husband supporting her. 

"Really, Drew? Why don't you just think they took Sunny? Why Drew, don't you love our daughter?"

I didn’t expect those words to come out of her mouth. It hurts hearing those words. I haven't been with her for six years and found out about my daughter, then she'll throw those words at me? Damn it! 

"Of course I love our daughter! So I will do everything for her! Even now that I just met her, I love her so much Sydney! So I hope you don't question my love for her!" I couldn’t stop myself from shouting at her. So when I recovered, I immediately hugged her tightly. 

"I'm sorry for shouting you, i didn't mean it." She did not say a word, but only tears flowed from her eyes. I tightened my grip on her and kissed her on the forehead to calm her down. 

That day we accomplished everything — we did it together. We caught and imprisoned her aunt Fely and her husband. 

A lot happened that day. She was reunited with her parents whom she thought were dead. We also learned that our daughter Sunny's disease is not really cancer.  

That day was very perfect, for us. I still have so many memories to look back on — but right now I don't have time to relive the bitter experience that Sydney and I went through. Enough for me to remember the wonderful things that have happened to me and us. 

"Dadda, say ah," I went back to the present because of my daughter's small voice. She wants me to open my mouth so she can swallow the chocolate cake on her fork.

"All right Dadda," Sydney agreed to our daughter's wishes. 

“All right,” I pretend to be compelled to say. I opened my mouth and she immediately poured me the chocolate cake. 

"Thank you, my princess." I smiled at her and I also gently pinched her nose because she was so cute and so sweet. 

"Thank you." I whispered to Sydney. She frowned at what I said. 

"For what?" 

"For raising our child like this. She's just like you—sweet, loving and very kind." She barely laughed at my compliments to her. 

"Gosh, my Andrew is a lot of flattery." She says laughing. 

"I'm not playing with you." I seriously promise. 

"Yes. Thank you for here, okay?" What she was referring to was our surprise for her. 

"Psh. I'm not the only one who did this. But so did your parents." I smiled and told her. She suddenly snorted at what I said. 

"No, here at home. In the dream house you gave me as a gift. I remember, it was my 16th birthday when you gave me your very first design ... done now, here it is! Thank you so much Drew, super appreciate that's it. " She said tearfully. I gently wiped her tears with my thumb. 

"You're very much welcome, Sydney. You deserve all of this, you deserve more my lady." I said and kissed her forehead.

In life, no matter how much we want something to happen, if the time is not right we cannot force it to happen. 

Just like Sydney and I fell in love. I really wanted to fight her back then, but I still didn't have the ability to do that. 

When you love, you will be really hurt. Because you don’t really love if you don’t feel pain. 

Above all, no matter how much we have been hurt, we must not forget that life will be easier if we know how to forgive those who have hurt us—in the past or in the present.

—

So, my story entitled My Ex-Boyfriend's Comeback is now over. So, I just want to thank you all! 

To my readers — you are not just readers, you are my inspiration here, you are family to me.

Thank you for your tireless support in the story of Sydney and Andrew — to all the characters in the story. 

Thank you for accompanying me from the beginning — to the end. I'm so happy — I feel so happy every time I read your comments. I love you all very much!

Hope to see y'all again on my next story. 💙

— Destiny-One ❤️