In the end (Epilogue)

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First of all, thank you so much for your support throughout this beautiful journey.
The journey is finally at its end.

Thank you
For all those inspiring words and motivating smiles.

Lastly
This illusionary world of HNSBW is 'beautiful' just because of one reason.

And that is the love of all of you beautiful readers.

Enjoy the last chapter!
Longest of all!

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She stood at my side ,looking at a beautiful model sending me seductive signs.

To only have me grab her tiny wrist and land a punishing kiss on to her tempting lips .

"You are the purest beauty of all that stood by my side, with that beautiful smile to light up all my dark nights."

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.................................................

7 years later

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Chaos filled the canteen as everyone rushed to take in the rumoured scene.

There at the centre stood two boys with blood flowing from their lips.

While one looked badly bruised, others had only a few traces of blood on his lips.

There were people holding back the younger one, but the anger in him made even the seniors step back from him.

While the other one smirked at getting a response from him.
Cleaning his wound, he stood up to provoke him more

"What happened Mama's boy? She didn't come to save you?"

The seniors accompanying the other one laughed at his comment.

"Oh I forgot ...how can she save you when she is cr-"

The boy couldn't complete his sentence as continuous punches landed on his nasty mouth.
The little boy had just managed to bring down a boy almost double his size.

His innocent eyes looking at the senior with a coldness that no child seemed to possess at such a young age.

"One word more...one more against my mother and you won't leave this canteen alive!"

The threat in his voice didn't seem to come out from a 7-year-olds lips.
But his aura proved it all.

Only when the teachers came and literally lifted him off the ground did he stop.

The other one after suffering brutal punches laid on verge of unconsciousness.
And this gave the little boy content.

"Ethan this will never be tolerated..you are being called to the principal's office"

But the boy didn't care, his brown eyes held content seeing the boy unconscious on the canteen floor.

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"Sir Ashton I am really sorry to call you so urgently but your son's violent behaviour cannot be tolerated here"

The Principal said while adjusting his glasses and pulling out some papers.

Ashton's eyes fell on his son who sat there in silence.
A complete contrast to his behavioural temperament in the canteen a few hours ago.

"I understand Mr Mathew but Ethan doesn't behaves like this usually.
He is a well-mannered kid.
You can ask the teachers if you want to."

The Principal sighed and adjusted his seat.

"See Sir...he is your child...you will think that way but-"

"What are you trying to insinuate Mr Mathew?
I know my child well...he would never do such a thing unless that kid said something to him"

"See Sir Ashton...rules are rules...we can't modify them.
Your son caused violence inside the school premises.
It can't be tolerated."

Ashton stood up from his seat while holding Ethan's tiny wrists.

"You don't need to say anything Mr Mathews..we will take our leave.
You can send his rustication letter at my office address."

"But Sir....I don't know your address..."

Ashton stopped near the door to give his reply

"Search through your Trustee register Mr Mathews, the one with the major share is me....or was... I would say"

A look of horror came over the Principals place.
He stood up from his seat in attention.
Unaware of the power of the man or rather identity of the man that stood in front of him.

"You....you are Mr Lockwood....I am so sorry Sir.... you...please sit Sir
..I apologize...I didn't know"

But till now Ashton has turned his back on him.

"I don't wish my kid to study here nor do I wish to fund in a school that supports bullies just because of their rich parents.
We will take our leave now."

The Principal came running after him, pleading with words of apology.

But Ashton had already placed his Gucci shades on with his son's little hands intervened with his.

Starting the engine of his steel grey Maserati, they were gone thriving through the wind.
.
.

.

Silence filled inside the speeding car.
Ashton looked beside him to find Ethan looking out of the car window.

Ashton's gaze fell on his small hands that were clenched together in his lap.
Blood visible on his small knuckles.

"I hope it's not your blood?

Ashton asked making Ethan look up at him.
His serene brown eyes showing Elle's resemblance.

"No dad...only this is mine"

He said rubbing the corner of his small lips to remove all its traces.

"Does it hurt?"

Ashton had concern in his voice, after all, he was still merely 7 years old.
Too young for all this violence.

When Ethan didn't speak he thought he would not answer.
But the boy literally laid his heart open.

"Much less than the words he spoke...they hurt more..."

Ashton nodded knowing already what this was about.

"Was it that trustee's son Charlie again?"

"Yes....he again spoke about mom...I just couldn't stand there dad...I had to do something"

His innocent eyes looking up at his father for approval, to know what he did was right or no.

"I did the right thing...right dad? You are not angry with me?"

Till now they have already reached home.
The car stopped in the driveway and Ashton gave Ethan his full attention.

Placing his large hands on his silky brown hair.
He looked into those innocent orbs.

"Till you know you are doing the right thing....never...I repeat never be afraid of anyone Ethan.

Go and give him two punches but never get one.
I want you to punch him back twice if he gives you one.

I am proud of you Ethan.
Proud of you for standing up to those bullies"

His eyes shined with happiness and two dimples adored his red tainted chubby cheeks.

Within seconds he had jumped up from his seat and hugged his dad tightly.

Ashton smiled while pulling him up along with him and carrying him inside.

The arch doors opened to the giggles of Ethan echoing in the halls, as Ashton tickled him while carrying him along.

The kid protested to be kept down, with Ashton knowing his destination in advance.

"Please dad ...let me down...I need to go"

"Oh so now my Amore wants to leave me? Na...not before this subtle beard tickles these chubby cheeks"

"Noooo...no Dad, please!! Hehehe.....please dad "

Finally, Ashton sets him down, to have those tiny legs to run towards his room.

He turned around towards a smiling Maria and asked her to get a first aid kit to his room.

..................................................

His small legs ran at full speed.
Eager to see her smiling face since morning.

The big door was pushed open by his small body and he frantically searched for the eyes that resembled his.

There she sat with her back turned towards him,
The windows giving her a full view of the beautiful garden below.

"Mommy!! I am home!!"

The wheelchair turned around on hearing his little voice.
Before she could use her hands to move her wheelchair towards him.

He had already covered the distance between them.

Engulfing her in a hug, he inhaled her blossom fragrance and smiled in her arms.

She kissed his forehead to only have her eyes to drift towards the wound at the corner of his lip.

"Ethan, you are bleeding..oh my god what happened love?"
She asked cupping his face in her hands while assessing the wound with her thumb.

"Nothing maa just that Charlie again...he said ...he was going to say you are crippled...I just punched him."

Sadness covered her features as she realised the humiliation her son has to suffer because of her.

"No maa.. don't be sad...he is a bad kid!! He bullies everyone.!!"

She covered up her sadness with a wide smile.

"Violence is not a solution Ethan...you could have ignored him"

His eyes held surprise at his mother's suggestion.

"No maa if I ignore him...he will repeat it...plus I can't hear anyone say bad about you"

He clenched his tiny fists in anger and she gently took his hand and unclenched it.

She kissed his wrists and looked into those cold eyes, which were losing their childishness.

"Leave it to god my dear Ethan, he is there to take care of everything.
While you my cupcake ,just spread love and happiness"

His anger vanished in thin air, seeing her smile at him

"I love you mom."
He said kissing her cheeks to be only disturbed by Ashton's arrival.

"I am jealous mi Amore...you didn't kiss me "

His eyes land on his wife's, as he tried signalling the question to her.

"Oh come on dad..your beard tickles me...while Mama's cheeks are so softy softy..."

Both laughed at this and Ashton got ready to chase the little devil.

Both were circling around her wheelchair, to only have her scream at them to be careful.

Finally, she interrupted their tom and jerry race.
Holding Ethan from his waist, she made him sit still on her lap.

Opening the first aid box she tended to his bruised lip with him acting as a strong man all along.

While Ashton just stood there watching his heaven.
Her concerned orbs and gentle touch on his lips made him smile.

"Okay now it's done...aunt Maria is waiting for you in the kitchen..she made your favourite waffles!"

His smile widened and he ran out of the room calling for Maria.

Once gone Elle's eyes locked with the ones that were staring at her continuously.
She shifted in her seat, feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden.

"What is it?"
She managed to ask

"You are beautiful"

His words made her roll her eyes at him and turn her wheelchairs back towards him.

"Earlier I was your not so beautiful wife..now I am your crippled wife?
Isn't this what people say?"

Within seconds he stood in front of her and crouched at her level.

"Look deep into my eyes Elle....does it look like I fuc*** care about what others say?"

Her eyes refused to meet his, but he was determined to show her.

Cupping her face between his palms he made her stare at him.

"All these years I have begged you for your forgiveness, Elle...I have done everything I could to mend our bond.
But if you still think that ....I don't deserve it.... it's fine....I... won't stop you."

It took everything in him to utter those words.
He can't prison her forever.

If she wants to fly,he was no one to stop her.

He stood up, all the happiness vanishing from his eyes in a few seconds.

"Just because of Ethan you don't need to stay with me...if you are not happy...I will not force you."

Her silence and down casted
eyes were breaking him piece by piece.
Just one word from her side and he will be the happiest man alive.

He was going to let her go.
He should not be selfish for once in his life.

He moved forward to leave when a cold hand enclosed his wrists.

Surprised he looked down to see her still looking down, but the grip on his wrist in contrast to it.

"Ash....you should find someone else...I don't fit in your life...I...am a handic-"

"Shhhh"

He didn't let her complete.
His eyes looking at her with concern.

"Never Elle...never say that word."

She smiled at him, making him lost in confusion.

"See Ashton.... See this ...all this time you always asked me to be strong..you made me this strong woman today.....all you did...every harsh word you spoke... everything was meant to prepare me for this harsh word.
Everything you did...was somewhere for my protection only.
You made me survive through this immobility Ashton......when any other man would have left me to my weaknesses...you didn't.
Instead, you helped me overcome them.....
Now that I have finally managed to understand you...you ask me if I want to leave you?"

Flabbergasted he asked her for clarity.

"Everyone hates the one who scolds us for our own good.... don't we Ashton?

But does this mean we love them any less?
Their words may hurt you in the beginning but in the long run, they prepare you for worst."

Her hands found his hair, as she gently caressed them.

"I was just a rock Ashton...unless you gave me the harshest blows to carve out my hidden diamond"

"But I have hurt you Elle...I....you cried..you suffered....this situation you are in....they are all because of me"

"No Ash ... Don't blame destiny's doing on yourself.
We are mere players in this game..not the owners."

She held his hands in her and kissed them.

"These hands have done wonders Ashton...every night for 4 years they have taken care of my numb legs with just one hope...to hope something which was next to impossible.
Tell me, Ash..why you didn't leave this not so beautiful wife?
Why you tried everything to make her see her own beauty?
Why you didn't divorce this crippled wife and married some beautiful model?
Why you worked every second of these 4 years to make me stand up on my own?
Why Ashton...tell me and then I may leave you?"

Placing his own hands-on hers, he moved closer to place his head on her lap.
He couldn't believe her words.
Was this reality?

"I did it became I thought I loved you....but then I hurt you..."

"Love hurts Ashton...love hurts a lot.
But do you know what the best part is?"

He looked up this time, his eyes ready to tear up.

"It heals much faster"

He found her moving her wheelchair away from him.
He stretched his hand to stop her.

Once she was at a feet's distance from him, she closed her eyes and clenched her fists at her side.
Taking in a deep breath she again looked into his concerned orbs.

Her elbows deepened into the armrest as she lifted her upper body.

"Ell..wh-"
His words got blocked as he looked at her moving feet.

He couldn't believe his eyes.
The doctors have said that the paralysis was induced by damage to her central nervous system.

Swelling in her spinal cord have damaged her motor nerves.
But what he was seeing right now was nothing less than a miracle.

Her right foot has managed to lift up from the footrest of the chair and land on the floor.

Her face showed displayed her pains but she didn't stop.
Indeed she was a very strong woman he thought.

Next, the left leg followed and now it was her legs turn.

Her hands gripped the armrest as her shaking body struggled for stability.

His hand-stretched, ready to catch her if she was to fall.

It happened.

She stood back on her feet.
Her hands finally left the support of the chair she was tied to for 4 long years.

Her teary eyes managed to land on his happy ones as she showed him the power of love to heal.

Her legs were shaking, her arms moving.

Finally, when she managed to take one more step on her wobbling legs, she lost her balance.

But he was fast.
In response to her one step, he took two and grabbed her waist for her support.

Her face pressed on his chest as she finally showed him the power of his own love.

"It was a miracle, Elle!! You just stood up and walked!! I can't believe this....omg I am so happy Elle!!"

He kissed her face insanely.
Too happy to describe his happiness.

"It was not just a miracle Ashton...it was your miracle.
You made this possible.
All your nights hard work...all your massages and physiotherapy sessions paid off"

He was too happy to take the load of her thanks.

Lifting her up in his arms, he twirled her around in happiness.
Their screams of happiness echoing in the silent halls of their mansion.

"What happened dada?"
Same his cute little voice.
As he took in the scene in front of him.

His face smeared with Nutella and a plate of waffles in his hands.

Both their eyes landed on Ethan and Ashton placed her down on the bed.

"Your mama just walked little guy.!! "

"Really!!"
He came running towards her and literally crashed into her for a hug.
His lips landing on her cheeks in happiness.
To only have her pull him closer and place lingering kisses on him.

"Mama I love you!!!"

"Mama loves you more Ethan!!"

They were looking at each other and smiling.
To only make Ashton attack Ethan from behind and tickle him.

"Daddy...no....mama save me...."

Now Ethan laid on the bed with Ashton attacking his tiny belly with his subtle beard.
Ethan was rolling in cries of laughter as Ashton continued his attacks.

While Elle laid next to them, face balanced on her palms that were supported by her elbow.
Tears of happiness leaving her eyes as she watched love blossom between father and son.

Soon the little bundle of energy got tired and laid in between his pillars of strength.

Their eyes were interlocked with each other, as each held Ethan's either hand.

"So I guess this is a happy ending with happily ever after my dear ugly duckling?"
Ashton asked with a smile lingering on his face.

"Yes"
She replied with a blush on her face

"But before that, I want to ask you a question daddy"

Ashton balanced himself on his elbows and gave him his full attention.

"Shoot mi Amore"

"You always call mama ugly duckling dada? But she is not ugly....then...why ?"

He smiled and gave the answer to the most controversial question in Elle's mind.

She herself turned around, eager to listen to this answer all her life.

"Have you read the story ugly duckling ?"

Both moved their head in a no and Ashton nodded with a smile.

"So once upon a time, a duck gave 5 eggs.
She gave them warmth to only have 4 of them to hatch into beautiful ducks.

While the 5 th egg...it refused to crack so easily.
Thinking it to be very special...the mother duckling gave her all the warmth she could.
And finally one day it cracked poking its head into the big world.

But to everyone's surprise, it was a white ugly big one unlike its cute yellow little brothers and sisters.

The mother duckling was disappointed.
Soon the ugly duckling started getting teased by everyone.
And she looked into the river water to see an ugly white face staring at her.

Considering herself to be ugly and a disgrace, she left her family to live in the woods.

Hens bullied her, dogs ran from her and even refused to eat her.
Everyone made fun of her and her survival was getting difficult.

Months passed by and one fine day she saw a beautiful swan swimming in the river.

It was love at first sight.

But she considered herself to be too ugly to love.
Pained by her ugliness she looked down in sadness.

To only see her reflection in the river waters and be surprised.

For she was not ugly anymore

She has grown up to be a beautiful swan.

And that's when she realised that she was not ugly, she was unique.

She was different from her siblings because she was a swarm

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