EPILOGUE

Infant Anthony rested peacefully in his crib, his innocent face reminding her so much of her husband.

The strong resemblance caught her attention as she looked at herself in the mirror, carefully combing her long hair.

Suddenly, she felt a firm touch from behind—it was Richard.

A warm, genuine smile spread across her face."One of the first things I fell in love with when I first saw you was your hair," he whispered softly into her ear.

She chuckled and turned to face him. "Tell me more about it."

He laughed. "Happy anniversary, my wife. And congratulations on your new job as the Saint High counselor. Did you see how excited your friend was?"

"Yes. She was so happy about my decision. And the pay is great too."

"Since you're already enrolled in your online counseling course, you can accomplish two things at once."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "Thank you for paying for the course."

He rolled his eyes. "Why are you thanking your husband for taking care of his wife?"

She cupped his cheek in her hands. "I remember what my mother told me when I was unsure about marrying you because I felt obligated to Fred."

"What did she say?"

"She said, 'Every woman should marry a man who helps her discover herself. That's the first sign of love.' Fred helped me get a government job and earn good money, but nothing I did made me feel like I was truly making a difference. When I learned about Stephen's story, I realized that if there were more counselors and therapists, many people wouldn't make so many mistakes. Rough childhoods and tough situations can make us lose ourselves, but counseling helps us discover our true worth."

"At first, I hated the idea of you going to Saint High. But after our daughter's second disappearance, I saw a change in you. I was glad you finally discovered yourself."

She kissed him on the forehead. "When Fred told me that you liked me, I suddenly became very interested in you. I didn't know why, but I felt a love that I couldn't fully understand."

"I couldn't love anyone else and I didn't fight it. I watched you laugh and cry from a distance. I told myself that someday, I would be the only man Anna would laugh and cry with. I waited for the right moment to be alone with you because I knew the time would come."

"You even built a house already when you proposed . You were so confident that I will marry you"

"A real man knows what he wants when he sees it and never gives up on it—especially a real man of God. I love you so much, Anna, and I pray that even a hundred years from now, our love will be renewed every day."

"Happy wedding anniversary to us," they said together.

Anna's mother stood at the door, holding Jessica's hand, watching her daughter and son-in-law's deep love.

It was a love so deep.