Page 58 of Modern Romance September 2025 5-8

EPILOGUE

Cassandra

I WOULDN’T SAY that I’m stressed. But the gallery is coming up soon, and I’m rushing to finish up a final piece, because I’m not happy with how the collection is rounding out.

I’m finally doing an exhibition of the paintings I did of Dragos when we separated.

And more that I’ve done during our time together since.

It’s an evolution of our love. Because it was always there.

I recognize that now. In the years since, it’s clear to me that we always had it.

We had to learn how to show it, so that we could be together always.

Because marriage is long; it’s different than a fling. Different than a one-night stand.

We’ve been living that gloriously in the time since. Several gallery shows, a great many triumphs for him in his business and two children after our world could’ve fallen apart, but instead was remade into something stronger than ever.

“And how is everything coming along?” Dragos comes in with our son on his hip, and our three-year-old daughter trailing behind him.

“Good,” I say, though that’s a lie, but I don’t want to get into my hysteria now. Even though I could. Because he’s always here for my temperamental nature, my temper and my passion.

Because he’s always here for me.

And I’ve learned I can love so many things. Him, our children, my art. I contain so much more than I ever thought I could.

We contain the universe.

“Good. I think that you should take a break and eat something. You can take it in here if you like, the kids are well managed.”

“You’re very good to me. I appreciate it. And I greatly appreciate the neglect that you’re enduring while I finish this up.”

“Well, I know that you’re going to support me as I embark on my next scheme.”

“And what is that?”

“I’m aiming to give away about half a billion dollars.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But we need to choose how. And I want to do it together.”

“Why do you want to do that?”

“I hear there’s no such thing as an ethical billionaire. So as our net worth rises, I’d like to do what I can to manage it.”

I laugh. I said that to him once. I didn’t realize he took it to heart.

But then, he cares so deeply about doing all the right things now.

After a lifetime of not being allowed to care about them, watching his love not only for me, not just for his children, but for the world around him grow has been one of the most glorious things.

“I thought I was mad, but I think you might be,” I say.

“You’re still painting in the attic,” he points out.

“Maybe we’re both mad. Certainly everyone around us thinks so.”

Though my friends, my family have come around, especially since we had children. Especially since… Things between us have changed and for the better.

“Let me tell you a secret,” he says. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I only care about what you think.” He leans in and kisses me.

I begin to think that I can take a break from the painting for a little bit.

“I feel the same.”

Somehow we managed to take all that wild passion and turn it into a life.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

It isn’t the perfect, neat life I dreamed of.

It’s better. This life where I get to be fully myself. Where I get to be fully loved.

This life with Dragos Apostolis.

It was fate after all. We just had to do the work to make it last.

And we did.

Which is why I know we’ll live happily ever after.