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.

for our services,

my due share but also additional money for the facility. Along with Justin, he fell in love with the

he did help me in building the facility. The facility was inaugurated

patients and smiled to myself. 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

need a hug, come to

the aid that she deserved. We could never catch those

that welled up in my

silently, "This is for you!" I said and closed my eyes trying to

me, and my lips curved up automatically in a grin. This man could never cease

single day went by when he didn’t express

my mom's presence. In an odd way, I think it was my mom's silent message to

"Thank you. Mom!" I muttered and a lone tear escaped my eye. Before I

Deluca!" There was worry in his voice. Without asking anything further, I was pulled into a hard chest for a

for you, Ashley. Cry if you want to." He was offering

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,

forehead was still touching his chest. His body and his scent could manage to do all those alien things to my core. My

you so much, Justin. I don't know what I had done without

at last, looked up at his face and

disbelief, "Are you trying to make me cry,

me and take care of

I was an illegitimate child. She actually tried to

yelped with surprise when I felt his arms circling around me

do you think you are doing,

wife to the car!" He remarked. Laughingly I turned up my face towards the sky and squeezed my eyes shut. I trusted him. I knew he would keep me safe and would carry me like I was made

I was too

***

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

husband complained, and I had

It was Sarah.

I could say more, she started showering me with

forgotten?" Oh my God! My sister would skin me alive. Though it was a very intimate family event, I needed to be there for

magic to your face. Go and get ready!" "Oh, Justin!" Without giving a damn

my lips, "I am letting you go now but we need to finish it tonight in bed." He

***

Justin Deluca pov

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

never have a proper wedding and I wanted to

thing was to stay together through thick and thin. We were soul mates and

by the valet boy. My breath hitched in my chest when I saw my girl getting

But when my gaze

smoothing her dress

It was covered with small gems sprinkled on

knowing smile graced her plump lips. I swallowed hard and tried to control

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255