Epilogue

I t's finally opening night, and the butterflies in my back are flying around like crazy.

"Are you okay?" my husband asks.

We're in the backseat of his limousine, and Jacques has been patiently holding my hand the entire time while I work hard to conquer my nerves.

"What if I mess up?"

"You won't."

"Sierah says the number of VIPs in our audience is absolutely insane. She says Alex Winterbourne is here with his wife. Oh, and Lysander Cyprianou, that famous pianist who's also a Greek billionaire? He's here, too! Can you believe that? He's never been known to attend---" My voice breaks off when I finally notice my husband looking a little stung.

"It's my wife who's the star of the show. Do you really think my friends wouldn't come here to show their support?"

I finally get why he looked like I've offended him, and it's just too cute.

"I love you, Jacques."

A light flush stains his high-boned cheeks, and it's another adorable thing about him. How is it that someone like me can make a wonderful man like my husband blush?

"I can see you fighting back a smile, darling."

"Huh? What? No."

But yes, it's true, actually.

I'm totally trying not to smile.

"And I'll make you pay for it... later ."

"You promise?"

Exasperation glints in his eyes. "That was supposed to be a threat."

"I know, my love. And that's why I can't just wait. It will be my reward, oui? "

Sierah knocks on our window.

Time to go , she mouths.

My husband looks at me. "Ready?"

He offers his hand, and I take it. "Absolutely."

The butterflies are still fluttering like crazy in my stomach, but this time they're all flying around in excitement.

My husband loves me.

I'm doing what I love.

And I have God.

What else is there for me to be afraid of?

Nothing, obviously.

But as for something new to make me smile...

I have my answer when Jacques takes me inside the opera house through a private entrance, and it just happens to run parallel to the balcony seats...where someone awfully familiar is seated.

Eva?

I stop dead in my tracks, but when no one on the other side of the window turns my way, I realize that I'm staring at them through a two-way mirror.

"They can't see me," I realize out loud.

"They can't."

And now I can't stop staring at Eva.

"What is she doing here?"

"Coincidence."

Yeah right .

" She looks like she's being made to eat bird poop."

"That's probably how she feels, knowing that tonight is all about you."

"And you...don't feel the urge to save her or---"

My husband frowns, and I grin.

"I'm just kidding."

" Riri ..."

"You didn't have to do this," I say honestly, "but thank you. Proof of being the number one woman in your life is always appreciated."

"How I've hurt you with Eva is something I'll regret for the rest of my life. All I can do is find ways to make it up to you, and this is one of them."

My husband suddenly cups my cheeks. "I'm proud of you, Riri. Always. "

I bite my lip hard because I know I can't afford to cry.

"You're my greatest blessing, darling. Thank you for taking me back."

But even though I know I can't risk having mascara run down my cheeks---

"I love you so much!"

What I can afford to ruin and retouch is my lipstick, and that's exactly what happens when I throw myself in his arms, and my husband immediately covers my mouth with his.

"Break a leg, my love," Jacques whispers later on.

"Don't take your eyes off me, you promise?"

"You're the only one I see."

And so it is for me.

Always .

Because when I go up the stage, it's just like the first day we met.

I sing for him, and only him.

Every word.

Every gesture.

Every gentle sway of my hips.

It's all for him, and only him.

Thank you for reading His Infatuated Wife!

I hope you enjoyed the story.

My Arranged Marriage to a Billionaire is a series of steamy standalone stories, each with a Happily Ever After, that can be read in one sitting.

I think you'll enjoy Emilee and Alex's story ? —

His Naive Wife is now available!