He eases out of me, wrapping me up in his arms, his embrace as warm and secure as a fortress. As I tuck my head under his chin, the reality of it all starts to truly sink in—I'm in the arms of the man I love, the father of our twins. This moment, tangled up with him, feels like the safest place on earth.
"I love you," he murmurs into my hair, each word seeping into my pores, becoming a part of me.
"I love you more," I shoot back playfully, tightening my grip around him. The gentle rhythm of his heart beating against my ear is impossibly comforting.
We share another kiss, soft and lingering, a seal on our silent promises to each other, to our future. As we settle back into the comfort of each other's embrace, I can't help but smile.
Life is unpredictable, but with Enzo, every challenge feels like just another adventure we're set to conquer together.
Epilogue I
Enzo
Seven months later …
In the opulent conference room of Acumen Investments, I stand poised at the head of the gleaming mahogany table.
My audience includes some of the most influential figures in the real estate sector: Jonathan Hales, CEO of Hales Development, and Angela Torres, director of urban renewal for the city.
The centerpiece of our discussion is the proposed Atrium Towers, a high-rise luxury apartment complex poised to dramatically reshape the city skyline.
Holding their gaze, I extend my hand toward the large screen displaying the project's blueprints. "As you can see, Atrium Towers integrates energy-efficient systems, extensive green spaces, and state-of-the-art smart-home technology to set a new standard in urban living."
Jonathan leans forward, his interest piqued. "Your plans are ambitious, Mr. Martelli," he observes, scanning the details. "Thesustainable features are particularly impressive. They could serve as a benchmark for future developments."
Angela nods in agreement. "The impact on urban renewal could be significant," she adds. "This project could catalyze further investments in the area. Can we delve deeper into these environmental technologies tomorrow? I believe there's substantial potential here."
"Absolutely," I respond. "I look forward to expanding on how these innovations can benefit our city. Shall we reconvene here at nine in the morning?"
"Perfect," Jonathan confirms with a satisfied smile, extending his hand for a shake, which I accept with a confident grip. Angela offers a nod of approval, and they both rise to leave.
As the door closes behind them, the hum of the city seeps in from the large windows lining one wall of the room. I take a moment to reflect on the journey of Acumen Investments.
From its gritty beginnings to its rise as a pillar of legitimate business, each step has been a calculated move toward distancing myself from my past toward something lasting and impactful.
Leaning against the window, I soak up a few moments of quiet, looking out over the busy city.
But the peace doesn't last long. Sean, now my executive assistant, busts in with news that flips my mood instantly—Mandy’s here.
I can't help but smile as I leave the conference room to find her. Walking through the bustling office, I'm reminded of how fast things are moving with Acumen Investments. We've just hita hundred employees, and I'm already scheming about adding more floors or maybe even constructing a building just for us.
But all that fades to the back of my mind when I see my woman.
There she is in the lobby, looking gorgeous and very pregnant with our twins. She's got a glow and energy about her that knocks me off my feet every time I see her. We meet halfway, and her kiss pulls me right out of the business mode and into something a lot more personal.
She lifts a bag of sandwiches, giving me a cheeky look.
"I brought food since I know you'd starve without a reminder," she says, and I laugh, taking the bag. "You always know what I need," I tell her, and it’s the truth.
"Let’s go sit down," I suggest, guiding her to the quiet corner where my office is located. It feels like stepping into another world where it’s just the two of us.
As we head to my office, the hustle of the main floor fades as soon as we step into my personal space. Mandy whistles appreciatively, her eyes sweeping the expansive space. “This place never gets old, does it?” she says with a grin, making herself comfortable in a plush chair as I hand her a sandwich.
“How’s the fitness class going?” I ask, curious about her new routine.
“It’s surprisingly fun,” she laughs, unwrapping her sandwich. “Who knew guiding workouts for a bunch of super pregnant ladies could be so energizing?”
I can’t help but watch the way she handles herself with such ease, even heavily pregnant with twins.