Epilogue 1

Ashley Deluca's pov: (Two years later) "Tell me, love. What happened?" the little girl seemed so scared. This was her third day with me and still, she was not opening up with anyone.

The psychiatrist had advised me to keep trying daily with all the love and gentleness as the girl seemed to like me a lot.

"Hey, Sana." I held the hand of sixteen years old who had a pale face and used to shiver when anyone around her used to speak loudly. She easily used to get scared of rain and thunderstorms.

"I promise. Whatever you would tell me, it won’t go out of my office," I felt her grip tightening around my hand.

This was encouraging.

And then a miracle started happening. Her lips shook and she blinked her eyes a few times. The tears started dropping down her cheeks, "He ... he might come back."

She stuttered. Her eyes were glued to the door.

"No one is coming here, Sana. You are safe here, child." I left my seat and crouched down on the floor, "That man will never come back. He is in jail. Doctors are trying to talk to you. We all are here to take you out of your misery, my love."

She was crying silently, "I am scared. I... I am ... what if they would get here? Last time they... they easily tore my clothes... L...Leaving me nak3d..." "No! No, my love!" I held her face between my palms, "No one. I swear, love ... No one will ever touch you again." I kissed her forehead.

I will make her so much strong that no one will ever dare to touch her and scar her again. I promised myself silently.

The kid was now weeping silently in my arms. And I was sure she would heal. She would heal just like others did and then would move on like the rest of them.

That was my motto in life. That was my purpose in life.

After sending her away, I was completing my paperwork when someone entered my office.

"Mrs. Deluca?" The female senior lawyer who used to represent our NGO entered with a big smile on her face.

"Deena!" I rose to my feet for a handshake but was dead in my tracks when ignoring my hand, she hugged me tightly.

"Mrs. Deluca. We have won the case. The men who rap*ed her will stay behind bars for a long time!" She surprised me with the good news.

"Are you serious? We won?" I held her shoulder in disbelief.

‘Yes! We won!" she nodded her head at me.

"Oh my God, Deena. I am so proud of you." "I did nothing. You were there beside me, behind me... at every step. This is YOUR hard work, Mrs. Deluca."

We both were adamant about giving the credit to each other. This was a pro bono case, and we were fighting it since last year.

When I went outside, I was grinning ear to ear. This facility was built right after Grandpa announced that I would get a good monthly profit chunk.

I didn't need that money. So, I came up with the idea to build an NGO that used to work for ra*pe victims. I had a team of psychiatrists and lawyers. We used to provide counseling to the victims. As a result, if they used to get pregnant then their consent was taken if they wanted to go with the pregnancy or put up the babies for adoption.

There were cases where we had to fight the culprits. Thanks to the best team of lawyers, we had gotten. Standing in the vast plush green gardens, I ran my gaze where a few patients were taking a stroll with their individual caretakers.

Every caretaker was handpicked after a thorough background check. I made sure that they had love and empathy for the patients and their profession.

services,

always made it a point to not only credit my due share but also additional money for the facility. Along with Justin, he fell in love with the idea of

in building the facility. The facility was inaugurated by

A few of them waved to me excitedly. After waving them back, I inhaled a deep breath and turned to face the building that had a big signboard in blue,

you need a hug,

get the aid that she deserved. We could never catch those

tried to blink back the tears that welled up in

you!" I said and closed my eyes trying to feel her presence. Wondering

me, and my lips curved up automatically in a grin.

single day went by when he didn’t express his love for me. I didn't open my eyes and

presence. In an odd way, I think it was

you. But I have sent Justin to keep you safe and loved." "Thank you. Mom!" I muttered and a lone tear escaped my eye. Before I could lift my hand

was worry in his voice. Without asking anything further, I was pulled

if you want to." He was offering me his chest, his

odd! Right?" My voice muffled in his chest. 1 "I know, love. I know how you feel. And I am here for you. Believe me, she is so proud of you. In these two years' time, see what you have achieved. There are so many women. So many Leighs are there now who have

hands and wrapped them around his neck. My forehead was still touching his chest. His body and his scent could manage to do all those alien

love you so much, Justin. I don't know what I had

gift to me from my mom." I, at last, looked up at his face

his head in disbelief, "Are you trying to make me cry,

Leigh Walters asked Marwick to find me and take care of me. So that, in the future, whenever I would

was an illegitimate child. She actually tried to pull

then I yelped with surprise when I felt his arms circling around me under my armpits. He clutched me, and lifted

think you are doing, Justin?" I asked him, clutching

my face towards the sky and squeezed my eyes shut. I trusted him. I knew he would keep me safe and would carry

I was

***

the car, we were holding hands when my phone's ringtone disturbed

with my wife!" my husband complained, and I had to pull my hand from

It was Sarah.

say more, she

are getting fu*cking late for the wedding, or have you forgotten?" Oh my God! My sister would skin me alive. Though it was a very intimate family event, I needed

took so much of my time in the facility! I..." "Don't worry Mrs. Deluca. Your dress is delivered to the salon. Eve is waiting for you to do your hair and add some more magic to your face. Go and get ready!" "Oh, Justin!" Without giving a damn that we were on a busy road I lunged at him from my passenger seat and took him in a tight hug, "Thank you. You are the best. I love you!" "I love you too, honey. Hey, careful!" Justin waved his hand to a passerby driver as

at the salon he didn't forget to kiss me hard on my lips, "I am letting you go now but we need to

***

Justin Deluca pov

but the bride needed my company due to panic attacks. Every family member was inside waiting for us to join them so that we could

could never have a proper wedding and I

thing was to stay together through thick

glued to the familiar vehicle that stopped and the door was opened by the valet boy. My breath hitched in my chest when I saw my

steps towards it. But when my gaze fell

smoothing her dress and

curves perfectly. It was covered with small gems sprinkled on her front and

into my eyes and a knowing smile graced her plump lips. I swallowed hard and tried to control

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