20 Epilogue

"Revenge is a strong variable that could thwart our life. Once one succumbs to it, one simply leads towards one's funeral."

"There's a letter for you," my secretary-slash-lawyer says. She puts it on my table and leaves. I pivot my swivel chair to face my desk and recognize who the letter is from just by the look of it--- Marriane! I smile. After Mrs. Martin's gruesome death, Rose and Andrei finally reunite with their parents. There's a mix of joy and sadness but all that matters is they're together once more. I scheduled them for a one-year psychological therapy, which both happily go.

I moved to the castle and ran the business immediately as it should have been. There were uproars and speculations when I took over the business. Mean articles proliferated on the internet, calling me names, my favorite is "the flower snake" of block 45. People in my foundation began to doubt my intentions. I mocked their loyalty, and how easily they're persuaded by the media.

Tired of the endless calls and baseless assumptions, my ever-supportive secretary-slash-lawyer, Khelij, called for a presscon to set things straight. But before going there, I open the letter and read it slowly. I smile as soon as I read the first line.

"My darling Allondrah. How are you, sweetie?

I just want you to know that Thomas and I are accepting your offer to move overseas with our children for a new start. We can't thank you enough for everything you did. We will forever be in debted with you. May the gods always be on your side as they had always been.

Good luck with your presscon.

It's time for the world to know who you really are!"

I know Marriane will not call me, or else it will be harder for her to leave, as does Thomas. I put the letter back in the envelope and hide it in my drawer.

"Ready?" Khelij asks. I nod. She turns around.

"Wait!" She furrows her forehead in confusion.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Sit down. The presscon can wait." She sits on the sofa in front of my desk and nervously looks at me. I can see how she swallows and holds her breath. "How long do you intend to work with me?"

My question seems to be like the best joke ever cracked on her face that she laughs her ass out. Then, she suddenly stops laughing when she realizes that I am dead serious and quickly apologizes.

"As long as you need me, ma'am. As I've told you before, I am not be what I am today if not because of you," she replies.

I take a deep breath. " Don't you miss your family? It's been a long time."

She keeps silent. "Are... you... sacking me?" Her voice trembles as she speaks every word.

"No! I am just asking you a question. I understand why you hated them so much, but you can't deny how much you miss them, especially your siblings. I saw how you hid your tears when Rose and Andrei reunited with their parents. By then, it struck me how you still love them. They're your family after all."

"But..."

"Open the envelope."

"This is..."

"Yes. That's the deed of transfer you drafted four years ago when you chose me over the man you love. It's time you reap what you sow. The foundation is yours to manage. I know how you are trying to reach out to your community and there's no perfect timing than this."

She can't contain her tears and cries in disbelief. I chuckle at her ugly crying face.

"Thank you~"

"Not just yet. The honeymoon is on me."

"What?!"

"Oh c'mon. One thing I've learned from all my ordeals, I can read people's minds. I admire your boyfriend for his patience and unconditional love. Go on, marry him, and be happy. At least one of us should be lucky in love."

I ask her to wait at the conference hall with the press. They might be asking her why she's in tears but I know her. She won't give a damn.

I take my time to look at my reflection. I am smiling, a sight foreign to me. I am smiling with happiness and warmth. I think of my mother, Marriane and Thomas, Khelij, Rose, and all the women who helped me escape from the castle long ago. I can see their smiles.

After all these years, I realize one thing:

I am TORN but never BROKEN!