As Sabrina made her way to the chapel, her anticipation was dampened by the sudden snap of her new shoe breaking. With a muttered curse, she felt frustration bubbling up inside her. She hadn't expected her newly purchased shoes to fail her so soon. The inconvenience of it all made her angry, especially considering the importance of the occasion.Despite her irritation, a practical thought crossed her mind. Remembering that Emery shared her foot size, she considered asking for a spare pair of shoes. It seemed like a reasonable solution to her predicament.Continuing on her path toward the bridal room, Sabrina's attention was drawn to a shadowy figure emerging from the darkness. A sense of unease crept over her as she realized she had stumbled upon someone trying to hide or flee. The unexpected encounter sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Gathering her courage, she cautiously approached, unsure of what she might find."Hey!" Sabrina
Roseanne asked, "Is everything okay?" She noticed his annoyed expression, but he covered it with his usual smile. She understood he wouldn't share what happened with Sabrina. Something seemed off, especially since Sabrina didn't look well either."Yes," Nicholas replied with a smile. "Everything's good. What's bothering you?"Despite his reassurance, Roseanne felt uneasy. She debated probing further but decided against it, not wanting to worsen the situation. His question triggered Roseanne's realization that things weren't right on her end either. She confessed, "Oh, it's just cafe things. I'm badly needed there. They messed up with taxes and can't handle such a normal issue."In truth, it had started as a simple matter, but due to her staff's negligence, it escalated into a serious problem. Now, she had to accompany her lawyer to the government office to prevent her cafe from being sealed under the accusation of tax evasion.Nicholas responded incredulously, "You're really going to
On the other side of the church building, Coco walked through the brightly lit corridors, her small footsteps echoing softly against the walls. As she rounded a corner, a shadow suddenly loomed over her, casting a dark silhouette across the floor. However, instead of feeling fear, Coco's face lit up with joy. "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing out in the empty hallway.A warm chuckle cut through the silence as her father emerged from the shadows, his arms outstretched to form a hug. "How did you know it was Daddy?" he asked, bending down to her level and planting a playful kiss on her nose.Coco giggled happily, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Daddy, I felt you. I knew you were comingI" she replied, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. The simple joy of being reunited with her father filled her with an unspeakable happinessHe affectionately pinched her nose once more, teasing, "Miss big words."Coco pouted in response. "Daddy, I'm not lying," she prote
As Emery was standing on the altar, holding hands with Luke, everyone in the Hart family was going through their individual struggles, waiting for their chance of happiness to come. Nikolai was bitterly looking at her happy daughter, cursing himself for failing. Ellora was worrying about all of her children, and her husband's betrayal was breaking her heart. Little Coco had turned silent as she was sitting in Nicholas' lap, her head resting against his chest while he was stroking her head. Leon was staring at Nicholas with unspeakable emotions. He was longing to be pampered by Nicholas like Coco did, but he was unable to speak it. Taking his chance, he scooted near him since their chairs touched each other and put his head on his father's arm. A sad smile played on Nicholas' lips as he experienced this moment. He controlled his emotions, and not wanting to make Leon awkward, he used his other hand to stroke the latter's hair. Since Roseanne informed the children that they were leav
The wedding ended. Emery left with her husband for their honeymoon. Only a few guests and the Hart family were left there. A car stopped outside the venue, and Mr Taylor came out. Her red heels rattled against the floor as she marched inside the church. A frown was marring her perfect face. She stopped at one point and looked at everyone in the crowd. Her eyes were trying to find Sabrina, but since she wasn't seeing her stepdaughter, her eyes kept wandering. At one point, it stopped at Roseanne, who was talking to Nicholas, and he was listening to her while Coco was trying to pull his arm. Nicholas leaned down to hear what Coco had to say, and Leon ran in the other direction while Roseanne ran after him to catch her. It was a perfect family scene, which made her eyes soft for a moment, and the next moment, they wandered again. This time, her eyes, which were hidden under sunglasses, stopped when she noticed a red light falling on the crowd. She recognised that it was a sniper hiding
After Roseanne emerged from a critical state, she slipped into a coma. The doctors were uncertain when she would awaken—five days passed with no indication of her regaining consciousness. Nicholas struggled to function for those five days. Others in the family were not in worse condition than him.The open shooting at the wedding disturbed the entire family, especially the children who were the most affected.The Hart family launched an investigation into the perpetrator of the attack. The assailant who shot Roseanne was discovered dead in an alley shortly after the incident. The individuals who eliminated the assailants belonged to a local gang and were hired by an anonymous individual via phone. They operated solely for monetary gain and were indifferent to the identity of their clients, focusing only on the price offered.In the midst of the investigation, Mrs. Taylor's active participation stood out as a fascinating element. Nicholas found himself deeply impressed by her extensive
Five more days passed, each one a painful reminder of Roseanne's unchanged condition. She remained in a deep sleep, unable to wake up. During the day, Nicholas tirelessly pursued her culprit, determined to find the person responsible for hurting Roseanne. At night, he stayed by her side like a silent guardian in the dim hospital room. Occasionally, he would find moments away to visit their home and check on the children.The impact of Roseanne's absence weighed heavily on the children, especially Leon. He retreated into himself, shutting out the world and refusing to talk. Nicholas felt sorrow every time he saw Leon's silent suffering.He was Desperate to connect with Leon and so he encouraged Leon to join him for morning runs, hoping the fresh air and exercise might help him feel better, even if just a little.Meanwhile, Coco's grief was discernible. She spent her days crying for her mother. Nicholas found comfort in the fact that Coco still expressed her emotions, even though it wa
Roseanne's sudden awakening shocked everyone in the room. With a strength that seemed to come from nowhere, she removed her oxygen mask and fixed her gaze on Nicholas."What happened to Nathan?" she demanded, her voice filled with urgency.Nicholas felt a lump form in his throat. How could he bring himself to tell her the devastating truth? He feared that the weight of the news would crush her fragile state and push her back into unconsciousness.But Roseanne saw through his hesitation. "Don't lie," she insisted, her determination unwavering. "I heard you."With a heavy heart, Nicholas took a deep breath and forced the words out. "He's gone," he whispered, his voice barely audible.Roseanne's eyes hardened as his words sank in. She remained silent, her expression betraying no emotion as she processed the devastating news. In that moment, it seemed as though she could no longer feel anything, the numbness enveloping her as the reality of Nathaniel's loss settled in.Nicholas recounted t
EpilogueThree Years Later“Dr. Hart?”Abella turned around to see a nurse hurrying toward her.“The patient in the NICU is responding to the medication,” the nurse informed her. “Could you check on her?”Without hesitation, Abella rushed to the NICU, her heart throbbing fast. That morning, the baby girl’s condition had been critical, but now, as she looked into those tiny, bright eyes, she felt a wave of relief.“Hey there, sweetheart,” Abella cooed, smiling warmly. “You’re such a fighter. You fought so hard to be here with your mom and dad.”The baby stared up at her, and Abella’s heart melted.“Yes, you’re such a strong, big girl,” she whispered, gently touching the baby’s hand.Outside the NICU, the parents expressed their gratitude; their tearful smiles reminded Abella why she had chosen this path. In moments like these, she was reminded of how beautiful it was to help save these little angels. But there were also the heartbreaking days, the ones where some angels didn’t make it.
Meanwhile, Kate and Rhys were sitting with Anne.“Why is Aunt suddenly changing colors?” Rhys asked.“Because she knows she was wrong and wants back what she lost,” Kate said matter-of-factly.Anne chuckled. “Kate, as much as I love your straightforward attitude, I’d appreciate it if you toned it down in front of Emery. She is… well, very touchy and fussy.”Kate shrugged. “MIL, I have a complaint. Coco and Sia had a girls’ day without me! Can you imagine? I’m trying to be as cool as them, but they left me out!”Rhys suppressed a chuckle. “Yes, Mom, they left my dear Kate out.”Anne played along. “That’s terrible, I’ll scold them,”“Yes, scold them well,” Kate agreed, then added mischievously, “but don’t tell them I snitched. Just say it was Rhys.”Anne smiled. “Alright, dear.” Then, she glanced at Kate. “I saw you have been spending time with Abella. How’s that going? I know you two weren’t close.”Kate sighed. “Everyone coddles her too much. She is living in disillusionment. Coco and
It was a beautiful day that was filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Anne and Nicholas’s wedding anniversary had brought the entire family together, and the house was buzzing with warmth and joy.Nicholas turned to Anne as his eyes were soft with affection. “We have been together for forty years,” he said, a gentle smile on his lips.Anne smiled back, a touch of nostalgia in her gaze. “Yes, we made it this far.”Leaning in, Nicholas pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “Thank you for giving me the chance to be your husband.”Anne’s voice was barely above a whisper as she responded, “Thank you for fighting for us.”Just then, Leon and Coco appeared out of nowhere while wrapping their arms around their parents in a tight hug. “If anyone deserves the credit, it’s us!” Leon declared with a grin. “We made sure you two ended up together.”Nicholas and Anne exchanged amused glances before nodding. “Yes,” Nicholas agreed, “and we’re very thankful for your scheming. Turns out, it w
“Did you match into your preferred branch of residency?” Madam Facci asked, excitement filling her voice.Abella swallowed. “Ma, I’m still checking the results,” she admitted. “I’m scared.”“You have nothing to be scared of, my dear. Just look,” she heard. With a deep breath, Abella entered her credentials for the residency match. Her eyes darted across the screen as the words appeared before her.“I…” Her voice caught in her throat.“What is it?” Madam Facci asked eagerly.“Pediatrics…” Abella whispered in disbelief.A joyful gasp came from the other end. “Oh my god! I am so happy for you, dear!”Abella’s chest tightened as she read the rest. “With NYU…” she murmured. “If I accept it, I will have to stay in New York.”Was she ready for this?Madam Facci’s voice was warm and reassuring. “Whatever you choose, we are proud of you. You’ve worked hard for this. Don’t overthink it, just enjoy this moment. You did it, Abella. I’m so, so proud of you.”That evening, the entire family gather
Augustus Hart was born a healthy, chubby baby with a bald head, looking absolutely perfect in every way. His arrival was so sudden that only Callum and Estelle were present at the hospital when her water broke. They barely had time to inform anyone, but Abella rushed over as soon as she found out.The moment Callum stepped out of the delivery room and saw his sister waiting outside, a wave of emotions hit him all at once. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight hug.“Congratulations, brother. I’m so proud of you,” Abella whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek.Callum let out a shaky breath, still overwhelmed. “When did you get here?”“Just now,” she said with a smile. “How’s Estelle?”“Tired,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Still cursing me.”Abella chuckled. “And the baby?”“Just perfect,” Callum said, his eyes softening. “Come inside. She is going to be so happy to see you.”When Estelle saw Abella, she let out a small gasp before pulling her into a long, tight
After her divorce, Abella didn’t leave the country. Cillian had given her a staggering sum in alimony, even going as far as naming half of his assets to her, but she refused to take a single dime. She had her own inheritance. More money than she could ever need. But what could wealth do? It couldn’t buy her happiness. It couldn’t fill the void in her heart.Cillian knew her too well; he didn’t push her to accept anything. He let her go, even when it shattered him.When her mother lived in Italy with Coco and Leon, alongside her uncle Nate, she had bought a beautiful bungalow. It had never been sold, left untouched over the years. When Abella married Cillian, Leon had given her the key to that house as a quiet token of their family’s past. There were two bungalows beside each other, one where her mother had raised her two older siblings, and the other where her father had stayed, the place where her parents had met and reunited. One had been passed down to Charlotte, the other to Leon.
Cillian stared at her, his throat tightening as he heard the finality in her voice. He had imagined this conversation a thousand different ways, but none of them had prepared him for the calm and almost serene acceptance in her eyes.“Abella…” He whispered her name like a prayer, like a plea. “Can we please rethink this?”Abella smiled. It was a soft, bittersweet smile that made his chest ache.“Cillian, there is nothing to rethink,” she said gently. “Alessandro came to see me. He told me that he was leaving the country with his mother. He said he doesn’t want to come between us, that he would be happy if you called him once in a while and only if it was okay with me.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “That’s too big of a burden for me to carry. I mean, I don’t care how you navigate your relationship with your son. But I will give you one piece of advice: don’t be a jerk. Don’t hurt one more person. You have already hurt me, you have hurt him, and you have hurt his mother. Stop making
Cillian reached for her hand, his grip firm but trembling as well. “Abella, please listen to me. I’m sorry. I made a mistake by not telling you the truth. Can you please forgive me?” His voice cracked with desperation.She looked at him, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know,” she said softly.Cillian’s breath hitched, and he tried again. “Please, I’ll change. I’ll work on myself. Just give me a chance.” His hands clenched at his sides as if willing himself not to break apart. “I don’t want to see you like this, so shattered. You mean so fucking much to me. Please.”But to Abella, his words felt like echoes in an empty room. They were hollow and weightless. Once upon a time, she had longed to hear them, had dreamed of a moment where he would look at her like this, beg for her, choose her. But now? Now, they felt unimportant. They meant nothing.She exhaled, rubbing her temple. “I heard you. But my head is splitting apart, Cillian. Can you please just go back to your house? I just w
Madam Facci looked at her son, her expression undecipherable. She had seen Cillian walk through storms without flinching, but today, he stood before her looking utterly wrecked. His usually sharp eyes were bloodshot, his arm wound had reopened, staining his sleeve with fresh blood, yet none of that seemed to matter to him or anyone at this point.“What do you want, Cillian?” she asked, her voice firm but not unkind.“I’m here to see Abella,” he said. His voice was hoarse, almost desperate.Madam Facci crossed her arms. “I’m sure you have no idea what happened last night.”“I know,” he admitted, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. “I just want to explain things to her. She is overthinking this, and there is nothing much to overthink. I just—” He exhaled sharply. “I just want to make everything okay.”A wry smile tugged at Madam Facci’s lips, but there was no amusement in her eyes. “Son,” she said, “we can never tell someone what is worth overthinking or not. For you, th