Six months later, Riya and Justin had finally married. It was a small, intimate ceremony held in the garden of Justin's family home, surrounded by their closest friends and family. The quiet, understated affair reflected their journey—nothing extravagant, just two people choosing to build something real, together.
Justin had reinstated his father's company, throwing himself into the work he once resented. It was a fresh start, a way to reclaim the legacy and restore what had been lost. After months of hard work, long hours, and a commitment to making things right, the company was back to normal. The clients had returned, the deals had been made, and the business was thriving once more.
And now, everything felt different. Better.
Today, Justin was in his office, a rare moment of calm as he sat at his desk, watching over their son, Robby. The little boy was sitting on the floor, playing with his toys, his small giggles filling the room. Robby had grown so much in these past six months. Justin couldn't help but feel a surge of pride every time he looked at him—his son, his world, his new beginning.
The door to the office opened, and Riya stepped inside, a smile spreading across her face when she saw her two boys. She'd just returned to work that morning after a few months of maternity leave, and it felt strange, yet comforting, to be back in the rhythm of it all. Still, seeing her family together made her heart swell.
"How's my little man?" Riya asked, walking over to Robby, who looked up at her with a grin before crawling into her arms.
"He's been good," Justin replied, looking up from his papers. "He's been keeping me busy. Got a lot of work done while he was napping, though."
Riya raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "You? Working while taking care of a baby? That's a miracle in itself."
Justin grinned, standing up and walking over to her. "Miracle worker. That's me," he said, giving her a wink.
Riya laughed, her heart light. "Well, I see someone's settled into fatherhood pretty well," she teased, gently kissing Robby's forehead before passing him back to Justin. "And you're looking pretty comfortable in this office, too."
Justin looked around the office, which had become his own—his father's legacy, but now his. It was quiet, efficient, and full of purpose. "Yeah, I guess so. It's all coming together now," he said, his tone serious but with a hint of pride.
Riya walked over to his desk, her eyes scanning the room. Everything was just as it should be—calm, grounded, secure. Just like their life now.
She paused for a moment, meeting his gaze. "You know, I'm really proud of you, Justin. You've come so far—rebuilding the company, being a great dad. You've really made it work."
He smiled at her, his heart full of love and gratitude. "I had a lot of help," he said, reaching for her hand. "Couldn't have done it without you."
Riya shook her head, smiling. "No, you did it. You just needed the right reasons. And now, we've got a future."
The moment was peaceful, filled with the quiet certainty that had eluded them for so long. The future was finally looking bright—there was no more running, no more chaos. Just them, together, with their son, building the life they'd always dreamed of.
As they stood there, holding hands, Riya felt a sense of calm wash over her. This was it—the life she had wanted. The family she had built. The love they had fought for.
And in that moment, she realized they were exactly where they were meant to be.
Justin glanced down at Robby, then back at Riya. "What do you say we finish our day here and go out for a celebration dinner? It's been a good six months... We deserve it."
Riya smiled, her heart warming. "I think that's a great idea."
As she leaned in to kiss him, their little family, complete and whole, look.
That evening, the three of them went out for dinner at a quiet restaurant just outside the city—nothing fancy, just a small Italian place with soft lighting, old jazz drifting from hidden speakers, and a few tables scattered with couples and families.
Justin had picked the place himself. He'd called ahead and asked for a booth near the window, one with enough space for a highchair. The hostess had smiled when they walked in, already recognizing them from the last time they'd been there—just after Robby had been born. That night, they'd sat in the same booth, overwhelmed but happy, still figuring everything out.
Tonight was different. They were relaxed. Riya had changed into a soft blue dress that brought out the brightness in her eyes, and Justin wore a charcoal-grey button-up with the sleeves rolled just past his elbows, casual but neat, like he was finally growing into the role of "husband," not just trying it on for size.
Robby babbled in his highchair, slapping his hands on the tray, cheeks flushed with excitement from all the attention he was getting from the staff.
"You'd think he was running the company the way they're treating him," Riya said with a grin, sipping her sparkling water.
Justin chuckled, cutting a piece of bread. "Give it time. He'll be bossing everyone around soon enough. Kid's got attitude."
"Wonder where he gets that from," she teased, arching an eyebrow.
He smirked, glancing sideways. "I could ask the same."
They shared a look—soft, knowing—and everything else around them seemed to blur for a moment. Just the two of them, like they used to be, but somehow more.
Dinner was easy. Robby eventually drifted off in his stroller, pacifier bobbing gently with every breath, and the restaurant slowly emptied out, leaving just a few late diners and the hum of the night outside.
When they got home, Riya took Robby upstairs, changing him into his pajamas and tucking him in with one of his stuffed animals—an old plush lion Justin had bought on a whim at a gas station, claiming it looked "tough." The lion had become Robby's favorite. It made Riya smile every time she saw it clutched in his little hands.
Downstairs, Justin had opened a bottle of wine. Just one glass each. He was waiting on the back porch, the cool night air brushing his skin as he looked out over the fields behind the house. Fireflies blinked in the distance, and somewhere, a dog barked at the moon.
Riya stepped outside and joined him, wrapping her arms around herself.
"You cold?" he asked, already shrugging off his jacket.
She nodded, and he draped it over her shoulders, pulling her close.
"It's nice out," she murmured.
"Yeah," he agreed. "Feels... quiet."
"I like the quiet," she whispered.
They sipped their wine in silence for a moment before she glanced up at him. "You ever think about what comes next?"
He tilted his head. "Next, like...?"
"Like beyond this. Beyond the company, the day-to-day. What we want next for us."
Justin considered that for a while. He looked out at the horizon, the faint lights of neighboring farms in the distance, and thought about all the things he used to want. Fast cars. Power. Revenge. Answers.
But now?
"Honestly?" he said slowly. "I think I just want to keep waking up next to you. Keep watching Robby grow. Maybe... maybe have another one."
Riya's eyes widened. "Another what?"
He grinned. "Baby."
She laughed, pressing a hand to her chest. "You're joking."
"I'm serious."
"You want to go through the sleepless nights and the crying and the diapers again?"
"Well... you made it look kind of magical."
She rolled her eyes, laughing, but her heart fluttered at the idea. Another baby. A bigger family. A louder home.
Maybe.
"We'll see," she said softly, smiling up at him.
They stayed on the porch until the wine was gone, the stars twinkling above them, the world feeling small and safe for a while.
Over the next few weeks, life settled into a rhythm.
Riya returned to her teaching job part-time, easing back into lesson plans and morning routines. Her students welcomed her warmly, and her coworkers often stopped by to coo over the latest pictures of Robby she kept pinned to her desk.
Justin juggled the company with fatherhood like a man determined to make up for lost time. He hired a full-time assistant, delegated more than he ever used to, and made it a point to be home for dinner. He kept Robby with him at the office more often than not, even turning a spare room into a mini nursery with a fold-out crib, toy bin, and blackout curtains for nap time.
Their house was filled with laughter—sometimes Robby's, sometimes theirs. There were hard days, of course—teething fevers, client emergencies, exhaustion that clung like fog—but those moments were fleeting, dulled by the comfort of knowing they weren't alone anymore.
One Sunday morning, as sunlight streamed through the windows and the scent of pancakes wafted through the kitchen, Justin caught Riya watching him.
He turned, flipping a pancake. "What?"
"You're happy," she said, her voice quiet but sure.
He paused, spatula in hand. "Yeah," he said with a smile. "I really am."
She nodded, stepping closer to him. "Me too."
It was a Thursday afternoon when something shifted again.
Riya had left work early to surprise Justin. She'd stopped by a small bookstore on the way home and picked up a hardcover she knew he'd been eyeing for weeks. She was planning on dropping by his office—maybe taking him to lunch.
But when she walked into the building, she saw him through the glass walls of his office.
He wasn't alone.
A woman—tall, poised, dressed in a navy-blue blazer—was sitting across from him, her expression unreadable. Her hand rested lightly on the arm of his chair, her body leaning toward him with familiarity.
Riya's heart skipped. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but something in the woman's posture made her stomach twist.
She turned to leave, but as she reached the elevator, she heard Justin's voice call out behind her.
"Riya?"
She stopped.
When she turned, he was already at the door, the woman watching from inside.
"Hey," he said, stepping out, his brow furrowed. "What are you doing here?"
"I was going to take you to lunch," she said, holding up the book. "But... looks like you're busy."
Justin glanced back at the woman, then quickly stepped closer to Riya. "No, no. That was just... business. Nothing serious. She's from one of the partner firms."
Riya nodded, but something in her face gave her away.
Justin reached for her hand. "Hey. Don't do that. Don't pull away."
"I'm not," she said, but her voice was thin.
He sighed, lowering his voice. "Come on. You know me."
She hesitated. "I thought I did."
Justin paused, then stepped even closer. "You do. Look at me."
She did. His eyes—steady, clear, full of the same sincerity he'd shown on their wedding day.
"She's just a client. And you're the only woman who's ever been this important to me. Ever."
The tension in her shoulders eased, and after a moment, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I just... I've been scared lately. Everything feels too good. Like it could slip away."
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "It won't. I promise."
They stood there for a long moment, the rest of the world fading away.