Chapter 233: No turning back

Elena slowly shook her head. "He gave them to me because he wants to ease his guilt. Whether I accept them or not is my choice."

She paused.

"Sell the shares. And donate the money."

Elias smiled. He was pleased by her decision. "As you wish, my love."

He placed the documents on the table before pulling Elena to her feet and drawing her into his arms.

His lips hovered close to hers. "You said you would take care of me tonight. Shall we continue where we left off? And this time, I don’t want any more interruptions."

Elena smiled and dragged one finger slowly down his chest.

"Tonight... I’m all yours."

A satisfied smile appeared on Elias’s lips. He lifted her in his arms and carried her back toward the bedroom. The door slammed shut behind them.

Five years later...

Noah sat alone in his office. The television played quietly in the background while he worked through a stack of documents.

Then he heard a familiar name.

"Up next, Elena Rowan continues to make headlines following Rowan Group’s latest international expansion..."

Noah’s hand stopped. Slowly, he looked toward the screen.

Elena appeared.

She was standing beside Elias, answering questions from reporters with a confident smile.

Noah stared at her.

Five years...

He hadn’t gone back to his hometown in five years. He had kept himself away from her.

But when he saw her, all the memories rushed back.

He remembered the woman who loved him and trusted him, and the woman he had hurt.

But the Elena on the screen was different. She looked confident and bold. When she turned toward Elias, her face was soft and loving. The warmth in her eyes made something inside Noah ache.

For years, a part of him had still held on to the foolish hope that perhaps one day she would call him and tell him that she had forgiven him, that she wanted him back.

Now he finally understood.

Some mistakes could be apologized for. Some wounds could heal. But some relationships ended so completely that there was nothing left to return to.

A tear slipped down his cheek.

Noah quickly wiped it away. A faint, broken smile touched his lips.

"Be happy, Elena. You deserve it."

~~~~~~~~~~

Elias brought Elena and their children to their private island.

The sun was setting over the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of gold and orange. A gentle breeze swept across the shore, making the evening pleasantly cool.

A little boy and girl were busy building a sandcastle while Elias and Elena strolled along the shore. The waves lapped softly against their feet.

Elena looked at the setting sun, her expression peaceful. "This place is really beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here."

Elias interlaced his fingers with hers. "We can come here whenever you want."

Elena smiled gently at him.

"Mommy. Daddy. Look," Lily called excitedly. "We made a castle."

Elias and Elena turned toward the children.

"I made it," Leon announced proudly.

Lily immediately pouted. "I helped you too. You couldn’t have made it without me."

"Yes, you helped me." Leon rolled his eyes.

Elias and Elena laughed at their bickering.

But suddenly, Elena’s smile faded. She covered her mouth and turned away, retching softly.

Elias hurried to her side and gently held her shoulders.

"Elena, what happened? Are you feeling sick?"

She took a moment to steady herself.

Elias looked increasingly worried. "Should I call the doctor?"

"No." Elena quickly caught his hand. "I’m okay."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Yes. I’m fine."

Elias studied her face carefully.

Elena noticed the worry in his eyes and couldn’t help smiling. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you just scared me."

She laughed softly.

"Tell me what’s wrong."

"Nothing is wrong." She slowly placed his hand over her stomach. "I think we are going to need a bigger family car."

Elias frowned. Then his eyes widened.

"Wait... We are having another baby?"

"Yes."

Elias pulled her into his arms, laughing as he held her close. "I can’t believe it." He kissed her forehead, then her cheeks. "I’m going to be a father again."

Elena giggled.

"I’m the happiest man in the world." He lifted her off her feet and twirled. "I love you."

"I love you too," Elena whispered. She lowered her head to meet his lips.

He held her close and kissed her passionately.

"Mommy and Daddy are kissing." Lily covered her mouth with both hands.

"Don’t watch." Leon immediately covered her eyes with his little hand.

Elias and Elena pulled apart and burst into laughter.

"Come here," Elena called.

Both children ran toward them.

Elena looked at them lovingly. "You are going to have a brother or a sister."

"I want a sister," Lily said immediately.

"No. I want a brother," Leon argued.

Elena couldn’t help laughing.

"Easy." Elias crouched beside them and took both their little hands in his. "It doesn’t matter whether it’s a boy or a girl. What matters is that we welcome the new member of the Rowan family with all our love."

He pulled both children into his arms.

Elena watched them with a tender smile.

There had been a time when she had believed her life had been shattered beyond repair. She had lost people she loved. She had known betrayal, grief, and nights when she couldn’t imagine what her future could possibly look like.

Yet here she was with her loving family. As she watched them, she understood something.

Her life had not ended when everything fell apart. It had only taken a different path.

Elias looked up at her.

Their eyes met. There was so much love in his gaze that Elena’s heart skipped a beat.

He stood up and reached for her hand.

"I love you, Elena." His voice was quiet but certain. "No matter how many years pass, I’ll choose you. Every single time."

Elena’s eyes glistened. She smiled at the man she loved and squeezed his hand back.

Elias slipped his arm around her waist and drew her closer. Elena rested her head against his shoulder.

Together, they watched Lily and Leon run along the shore, their laughter carried away by the evening breeze.

The end...