Page 107 of Arrogant and Merciless

"Of course you did. You just didn’t get the opportunity. You picked the wrong girl. The moment you decided to harm Taylor, I was never going to let you walk away unpunished."

I walk out of the room. A few minutes later, when I reach the car where the driver is waiting, I call the love of my life.

"Want to have dinner out tonight?"

"Is it a special occasion?"she asks.

I think back to the conversation I just had. The last of the bastards who hurt her has been dealt with.

"Any day by your side is special, and I’m never going to take our happiness for granted. I’ll always do whatever it takes to make sure you know how loved and protected you are."

Also known as the ‘date-rape drug,’ it renders the victim unconscious and leaves them with no memory of what happened when they wake up after the drug’s effects wear off.

Taylor

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

“Da-d . . .da-d . . .da-d!”

“Shhhh . . .Your mother can’t hear us or she’ll be disappointed, baby.”

I smile at hearing what William says to our daughter as Grandma Maryann and I enter the living room of the new house we just bought.

It’s been almost a year since Betina was born, and we’re finally getting married in a few days.

“William is head over heels for both of you,” Maryann says, turning back to look at me.

I’m pushing her wheelchair because, nowadays, it’s getting harder and harder for her to walk. She’s someone I care about deeply, and every day, the lingering resentment I still hold in my heart fades more. I’ve learned to admire her and love her, too.

She’s never again spoken her son’s name. In fact, nobody talks about him anymore, although I’m sure we all think the same thing: that he is dead.

Now, she knows the whole truth about who the man who fathered her grandson really was, including the existence of the criminal grandson she never met. They were very heavy, painful revelations, and I even feared she might slip into depression. Instead, she seemed to gain new life with my daughter’s birth.

We bought a huge house and brought her to live with us. Her health grows more fragile by the day, and we know she doesn’t have much time left.

I’ve learned that some things are more important than holding on to old hurts. Sometimes forgiveness isn’t possible, and it’s better to just forget whoever hurt us. In William’s grandmother’s case, yes, she judged me, but it was only based on the information she had.

I don’t want to stay trapped in the past in any way.

“Yes, and the opposite is also true,” I finally reply.

My husband approaches with our daughter in his arms, and once again I’m captivated by the way Betina gazes at William with such adoration. It’s like watching a replay of my own love for my father.

“I swear I tried to get her to say ‘Mommy’ first,” he says, giving me a kiss, though he can’t hide just how proud he is that our daughter said “Daddy” before “Mommy.”

“I believe you. But just like me, Betina seems unable to resist your charm.”

Maryann smiles. “My grandson is arrogant, no doubt, but he’s a charmer, too. None of us can resist him.”

Taylor

EPILOGUE ONE

WILLIAM AND TAYLOR'S WEDDING DAY

After more than a year of planning my wedding, one might expect me to want to follow every tradition—just as I once told Jackie I would.

But the moment I reach the church doors and the first chords of the wedding march begin, I realize it isn’t the ceremony itself that matters to me—it’s the people who are here.

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