Page 365 of In Love with a Cruel Billionaire

Epilogue

God Only Knows by Kina Grannis & Imaginary Future

"PAPA?"

Matthijs opened his eyes at the feel of his daughter's hands on his face.

"You're crying."

"Am I?" His voice was rough with emotion, the memories still too damn vivid.

"Uh huh."

He cleared his throat. "Where...where was I again?"

"You were telling me about the day Grandma went to Heaven first."

"Ah, yes. It was a very sad day. For all of us."

"I remember," his little girl said in a small voice.

So she did.

And so did he.

He remembered how, after making sure that the estate was in order, his father had approached him, saying gruffly,I think it's time for me to go, too.

And Matthijs had snarled,What the fuck do you think you're saying?

You know I love you with all of my heart, but you also know...you don't need me. And you know...I need her.

Looking back at his daughter, he said slowly, "Because Grandpa was the loneliest of us all on that day, God sent the angels for him. When Grandpa fell asleep, the angels took him and flew him to Heaven. And when he woke up...she was there, the girl he loved."

And so it was.

****

SHE WAS AS BEAUTIFULas the first day he saw her, the same dark-haired, doe-eyed saint that he had fallen in love with.

But as much as he loved her—-

"You goddamn broke your promise to me again," Matthijs gritted out.

She threw herself at him with a laugh, and he caught her, just like before.

Pulling away, she said in protest, "I didn't leave you. I just came here first, that's all—-" A rueful look flickered in her eyes. "But you didn't have to hurry. I would have waited—-"

He stopped her with a kiss, saying gruffly, "If I had known you were leaving, I'd have hitched a ride with you."

Tears burned in her eyes.

"You're my life, Diana." His voice was faintly exasperated. "We've been married for over eight decades, and you still don't believe me?"

A giggle escaped her. "Eight decades." She shook her head in wonder. "I can't believe we've been married that long..." She wriggled to make him put her down, but as soon as her feet touched the clouds under her, she snuggled close to her husband, loving the familiar hardness of his chest against her chest.

"We had a good life, didn't we?"

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