Chapter 128

128 Epiphany Stacy.

I spent three months missing Aesop. It was hard. Sometimes I wished I didn’t leave, but I needed time

alone. All my life, I had been in someone’s shadow. First, it was my parents, then Regan and then

Aesop. I never had the time to discover myself and learn my weaknesses and strengths. I never had the

time to love myself. I never had the time to stop and smell the roses. I was always on edge. I was always

trying to keep things together. My marriage, my reputation, my secrets; name it. I was always trying to

keep things, hoping they didn’t fall apart. I was humiliated and abused for it. My mother abused me

mentally, emotionally and verbally. Regan abused me physically, mentally, sexually, emotionally, verbally

and financially. Then Aesop came into my life and abused me emotionally.

My life was filled with abuse, and soon it became a routine, a norm that shouldn’t have been. Deep

down, I believe that was what love was about. Hurt and abuse until Tia and Luke. Watching the two

made me realise my life was twisted, and I was unlucky. I know Aesop loves me, but after all that had

happened, I was finally free and wanted to explore being my own woman. I loved it. I could go places

and get things done. I realised I did not need a man to complete or make me feel good. I discovered I did

not need a man to make things happen. Although I longed for companionship, love, affection and care, I

realised I could survive without it, a new strength I had discovered.

I longed for Aesop, and sometimes I wanted to pick up my phone and call him. One day I threw away my

cell phone, so I would no longer have his contact or anyone that could reach him, which was virtually

every contact on my phone. It was vital for me to go on the journey I wanted. He was right when he said I

might leave the country. I wanted to do so, but I couldn’t. I loved him too much to move away from where

he was. I honestly thought I was replaceable in his life. With how he treated me, I thought he was with

me out of pity; after all, I had tricked him into conceiving Caleb, which was why he married me. I wouldn’t

have been his wife if I did not get him drunk and sleep with him. When I walked away, I thought he would

move on and find someone else. When I returned to Woodclaw city, I wanted to go home, but I was

scared to see that he had moved on, so I decided to stay away. Seeing Tia at my door lifted my heart

because it meant I was important in their lives. When everyone visited Tia in the hospital, I wanted to slip

away. Still, I was shocked to see how much they missed me, especially my son, who cried for me for the

first time. Our time apart made us realise how important we were to each other.

As much as I want to return to Aesop, I do not wish to experience abuse again. I will rather be alone than

go through that whole experience again. I was torn between daring it and walking away with a broken

heart.

Tia’s twins were beautiful. I suspected she would have twins, judging by how she and Luke could not

keep their hands off each other. I knew it would definitely have a double effect. I had brought them

together out of greed, but that was the only thing I was glad I did because I had never seen a love as

strong as theirs. I prayed to the goddess that I would experience that love one day. When everyone

kicked against me, leaving, I decided to sit down, knowing that Aesop was

definitely on his way. I wasn’t stupid. The only reason they were acting the way they were, was to buy

time for Aesop to arrive. I did not know what to say or do when I saw him. As short as three months was,

it felt like an eternity, and if he could cut my heart open, he would know that he occupied every part of it. I

had just recently managed to carve a space for myself. It had always been just him. I never stopped

loving him, and I never will.

Finally, Aesop walked into the room and seeing him made me cry. I could not look at him a second time,

so I bowed my head. He was a shadow of himself. Even when he lost Chloe, he did not look this bad. I

felt him walk toward me, and I could not lift my head up because my heart was already breaking.

“Stacy..” he managed with his deep voice., but it sounded weak and defeated. I looked up gradually, and

his eyes were filled with tears.

“I am sorry, Stacy. I was mean to you. I should have made more effort. I should have loved you harder. I

take all the blame,” he said, and I shook my head and stood up. I had my fair share of shortcomings too.

“I didn’t make it easy. Forcing you into marriage by getting pregnant isn’t a great way to start a

relationship,” I said, and he tried to smile. “Luke and Tia are doing fine, and so are Kimberly and Caleb.

Why can’t we try?” He asked me, and I knew there was no point holding back on him.

“Come back to me, darling. I promise to do all you want. I will give you my world everything you want,” he

said, and I shook my head.

“You still don’t get it, Aesop. I do not want material things. I never have. I did all I did so I could survive.

Now I am free. All I want is love, real love. A love that can weather storms and stand the test of time.” I

said. He touched my hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed it and breathed me in.

“Please come back to me, and I will love you unconditionally,” he said, and I knew he meant his words. I

looked past him to the rest of the room, and everyone had their eyes on us, urging us to make up. Today

was a beautiful day. Luke and Tia welcomed two beautiful Alphas into our lives. It was only natural that

we keep the spirit up. I knew I would get back with him anyway, so I looked at him and smiled,

remembering what Tia told me and choosing to try my luck

“I have terms and conditions,” I said, sounding like the old me and everyone began to laugh. Aesop

pulled me into a bear hug and bent to kiss his mark on my neck “Anything you want, darling. I will do it. I

will do anything to make it up to you and prove my love.” he said, and I wrapped my arms around and

leaned against him. There was no point holding back anymore. It was time to go back to my man.

Aesop sat next to me on the couch in Tia’s hospital room. Mike and Tasha were the first to leave,

followed by Caleb, Kimberly and Emma. Paul remained in the room with his parents and siblings. Aesop

and I sat on the couch. He couldn’t keep his hands off me. It was as if he felt I could leave again. I got

curious about the twins and decided to ask

“Have you two thought of a name?” I finally asked, and they looked at each other then Luke modded at

Tia and chalooled at me

“We are thinking of naming our daughter Chloe Stacy Moon and our son James Aesop Moon,” She said,

and I was so shocked that I began to cry. I could not believe anyone in the Moon household would name

their child after me. Thinking of my crimes against them, it takes a lot of love and forgiveness for them to

do this. I was more than honoured. Aesop hugged me while I sobbed.

“Thank you. Thank you so much for deeming my name worthy. I am truly sorry for all I did to both of you.

There is no time that I do not regret it.” I said, voicing out my truth.

“It is all in the past now,” Tia said, and Luke nodded. Unlike his father, Luke had always been a man of

few words, even as a little boy. It was terrific how Tia got the best out of him.

We stayed with them for two more hours and decided to leave. Aesop followed me to my apartment

because I told him I needed to get some of my things from there. The moment we stepped into the living

room. He pulled me close and began to kiss me. His kiss was fierce, filled with love and passion. I

wanted him too, and I responded with passion and love too,

“Where is your room?” he asked me in his deep masculine voice. I was too eager to think straight. It had

been a while since he touched me, and my body craved it. I managed to point in the direction of the

bedroom, and he lifted me bridal style and took me into my room. I was wet and ready. Knowing how

much time we had spent apart, I knew it would be a long evening.