Page 120 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

Because no woman in the world was happier than she.

EPILOGUE

‘YOU KNOW HOWto throw a wonderful party, Stella.’

She paused in crossing the terrace, turning to the tall man who approached.

She grinned. ‘Thank you, kind sir. I take that as a great compliment. I know you attend lots of glamorous parties.’

‘None are this much fun.’

They surveyed the crowd spreading from the terrace, across the lawn to the water’s edge. The sun was sinking and the garden was exquisite with lights threaded through the foliage and decorative lanterns spilling coloured light.

The guests were spectacular in tailored evening suits, sumptuous gowns and breathtaking jewellery. Wait staff served them with loaded trays of food and fine wines.

But there were children too. Some played hide and seek in the shrubbery but most gathered on cushions around a storyteller. He sat cross-legged on the ground, his words holding them spellbound. Stella’s smile softened as she took in the scene. Across the hum of adult conversation and music supplied by a string quartet came laughter and excited gasps from the children.

Her companion regarded her closely. ‘You really are happy, aren’t you, Stella?’

‘Stupendously happy. I never knew life could be so good.’

‘Then it’s as well we didn’t marry.’ Eduardo grinned. ‘What a mistake that would have been. You wouldn’t have Gio and the kids and I wouldn’t have Ginevra and little Nico.’

He shuddered dramatically, his gaze straying to the woman in blue silk talking to one of Europe’s most prominent industrialists. As if sensing his regard she met his gaze then nodded at the toddler asleep in her arms.

‘I’d better go, Stella. It’s time to hit the road.’

‘At least you don’t have to go far.’ Eduardo and Ginevra had bought a villa a few minutes away. ‘I’ll come and say goodnight.’

‘Tell me one thing,’ Eduardo whispered as they crossed the terrace. ‘What are Enzo and his wife doing here? I thought you didn’t get on with your brothers.’

Stella glanced towards her brother and sister-in-law, part of a convivial group on the lawn. ‘We’ve been mending fences. It turns out he hated working for my father and they’d both been unhappy in Sicily. When I broke away they realised it was possible to escape too. Enzo’s thrilled with his job as a financial officer in the motor racing industry. That’s his passion but he didn’t dare pursue it. They’re both more likeable now they don’t have to deal with my father.’

Stella had thought she was the only one suffering under her father’s regime. Seeing her brother and sister-in-law flourish, she hoped she and Gio could forge a happier relationship with them.

She doubted she’d see her other brother again. With their father’s illness, Rocco seemed content cementing his role as heir. Stella had tried to contact her father after his heart attack, but had been told he never wanted to talk to her again. She’d felt regret but not hurt because there was so much positivity and love in her life now. She refused to give one unforgiving man power over her.

Stella was wishing Ginevra goodnight when there was a surge of movement and voices. ‘Mamma. Mamma!’

Arms wound around her legs and she looked into two pairs of grey eyes. Joy filled her heart and the warm rush of love that was so familiar now she could barely remember a time when it had been missing from her life.

‘Hello, my darlings.’ She smoothed their silky hair and stroked their cheeks. ‘But Rosalba, Pietro, where’s your papà? You didn’t leave him behind after he spent so long telling you all a story?’

The children shook their heads, smiling gleefully as warm arms wrapped around her from behind, pulling her up against a familiar, hard body. Stella let her head fall back against Gio’s shoulder, blood fizzing with delight.

This was happiness.

Her children, her beloved husband and her friends. She even had the job she wanted, managing a beautiful hotel further down the lake. It had been a wedding gift from Gio and she’d taken her time renovating and developing it. For now though, she worked part time and had a full-time manager while the children were small.

‘I’m so lucky,’ she whispered.

The children were saying goodbye to their friends and the adults were corralling overtired kids and didn’t hear.

Only one person heard. The man who shared her life and made her dreams come true. He kissed the side of her neck, holding her close, his deep voice resonating through her.

‘Not as lucky as I am, my heart. You’ve given me life and hope, sunshine and happiness. I love you, Stella. I always will.’

She turned. ‘And I’ll always love you.’

Pure joy lit those silvery eyes as she pressed her lips to his.