Shonee's POV

The next few weeks passed by in a blur.

After a full recovery from the gunshot wound, my dad was finally discharged from the hospital and I made arrangements for him to come live with us in the Beckham Mansion.

Obviously, he complained a lot. But I didn't even listen. With Dr. Singh stressing on his need for immediate and effective treatment for his condition to improve, I was not about to let him out of my sight.

The weeks turned into months and with it came more drama, starting with Nancy's trial. It was broadcast live on every news channel in New York, sparking an intense media frenzy and increased viewership which wasn't surprising. Everyone wanted to know the story behind the billionaire wife-turned-psychopath who went on a killing spree to get what she wanted.

As the trial went on, it was revealed that Nancy had killed a total of twenty-three people including Michael and Ruben just to keep her past hidden. Those she didn't kill, she threatened to, and a clear example was the old lady Jordin, James and I had met on the farm at Lynnfield. She was present at the court, giving her testimony about how Nancy had sent armed men to her house to kill her. The only reason she managed to escape was because she was quite familiar with her land and used that to flee the coop.

First-degree murder, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and identity fraud, were just a few of the charges listed against Nancy. Prosecution didn't hold back. They wanted her to rot in her cell for years to come but Nancy was unfazed. Sitting there in the courtroom, chained to her chair, she didn't even look remorseful. Ust stared at everyone with a smug smile. And I think that angered the judge because when the verdict finally came, it was massive life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Nancy Beckham was going to be incarcerated for the rest of her life and the news took a heavy toll on her mother's life. Mrs. Denver attempted to commit suicide on two different occasions and was thankfully caught in the nick of time. After that, Vincent had her checked into one of the best mental facilities in New York, saying it was the least he could do to help ease her pain.

Another thing he did, which I admired him for, was officially adopting Ben. Nancy's trial hadn't even begun when he started the process. I remember vividly what he said when we last spoke about it: "Ben might not be my biological son, but he's still Mirasol's brother and I can't take away her only sibling."

So with that, Benjamin Stewart became Benjamin Beckham, just like his mother wanted.

After the trial, things quieted down. Aside from the insistent media/paparazzi interference for anything that would make a headline, everything was pretty much back to normal. Vincent focused on work and spent his weekend with me and the kids.

Two months later, we threw a party at the Beckham Mansion to celebrate Beckham Incorporated's latest achievement in its quest to improve the hospitality industry across the globe, but mostly to remind ourselves that life could still be good. In my opinion, it was long overdue. After everything we'd been through, we needed an evening to laugh, dance and enjoy our new beginning, and this was it.

I moved through the crowd, greeting a few people as I searched for my best friends.

"There's the lady of the house." The sound of James' voice had me turning in his direction.

He approached, smartly dressed in a tux with an equally stunning Jordin on his arm.

"Hey guys," I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.

"Wow, you look amazing in that dress," Jordin complimented.

"Why thank you." I gave them a twirl, letting the emerald green outfit, float around my legs. The dress was ong with a daring thigh sit adding a touch of allure. It was simple but chic, hugging my curves in all the right places with thin straps that rested on my shoulders. My hair was swept to one side, flowing down in loose curls, and I'd kept my makeup subtle, just enough to feel pretty.

"Honestly, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to Vincent," James remarked and I laughed.

"I think it's going to take a lot more than a dress to kill him."

"But it's good to see you're doing fine, Shonee." Jordin patted my shoulder. "You and everyone else in the family."

"Thanks, Jordin," I said with a smile. "I'm not gonna lie, it's been a stressful couple of months with the whole Nancy debacle. But I'm glad everything is finally back to normal."

"Really?" James questioned in surprise. "You're taking care of two hyperactive kids now. If anything, your life should be a rollercoaster."

"I know, but the Shonee who signed up for this job last year is completely different for the Shonee now. I love Mirasol and Ben like they were my own kids, and although they can be a handful ninety per cent of the time, I wouldn't trade them for anything else in the world." As I spoke, my eyes drifted off the kids who sat with their grandparents on the other side of the room. "They're like family now, and I can't imagine life without them. Especially Mirasol."

"Wow." James gazed at me in awe. "You really care about them. And I'm not saying that to tease you, it's just admirable."

"Yeah, I'm so happy for you Shon." Jordin's lips broke into a smile and she pulled away from James' side to give me a nice, warm hug. "You're finally getting the happily ever after you deserve and it couldn't have come at a better time."

I chuckled lightly and pulled out of her embrace. "Thank you so much, Jordin."

James draped an arm around my shoulders. "You have a big heart, Shonee. Those kids are lucky to have you."

I was about to respond when the soft clink of metal against glass echoed across the hall, stealing our attention.

Vincent stood a few meters away, next to the string quartet, holding a wine glass and a butter knife. "If everyone would be kind enough to give me a minute, I have an announcement to make."

As the chatter died down, all eyes turned to him.

"Thank you." He set the glass and knife down on a nearby table before clearing his throat. "Thank you all for coming, for being a part of this special celebration. Honestly, these past few months...." Vincent paused to draw in a deep breath. "To say the least, has been a challenge. My family went through a chaotic storm that for some time had me doubting if it would even clear up. But it did, thankfully. And it had a lot to do with one person who stood by my side through thick and thin."

He remained focused on the crowd. "She brought light into my darkest days, gave me strength when I felt weak, and most importantly, she loves and cares for my kids as if they were her own. I, sincerely, don't know how we would've made it through without her."

His gaze met mine, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Shonee, you showed me what it truly means to be a family. You taught me how to love again, how to hope again. You entered my life as a nanny, and in the process, made me a better man."

Vincent moved in my direction and all of a sudden, I grew aware of every eye on me. I had no idea what he was about to do, and the suspense kept my eyes locked on him as he approached.

"I can't imagine my life without you," he said in a voice heavy with emotion. "And I honestly don't want to."

When he dropped on one knee, my breath caught in my throat. "Vincent, what are you..."

He pushed a hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box, earning a collective gasp from the people surrounding us.

"Shonee Coleman..." Vincent's unwavering gaze remained on my face, "will you do me the honour of accepting this ring," he opened the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled under the chandelier lights. "...and becoming my wife?"

"Vincent..." I clamped a hand over my mouth, trying so hard to keep the tears of joy at bay but it was a useless effort. "Yes!" I nodded eagerly before my tears could ruin my make-up. "Yes, I will marry you!"

A round of cheers and applause ensued as Vincent gently took my hand to slip on the lovely engagement ring.

But before he could even bring it to my fingertip, a wrinkly and veiny hand grasped mine and pulled it back.

"Wha—" My eyes flew to the side. "Dad, what are you doing?"

He didn't even look at me let alone answer my question. "I'm sorry Vincent, but I can't let you marry my daughter."

"What?" Vincent stood up, eyebrows pulling into a frown. "Why?"

"Because she's betrothed."

To be continued.

******

A/n

Yes, there is a book threeeeee!

I'm super excited to be announcing this because it's the finale of all finales! The climax of all climaxes! And the end of my first ever trilogy! (I still can't believe I actually wrote a trilogy, lol) Anyway, I can't wait for you all to meet Marcel, the antagonist for book 3. If you thought Nancy was a nuisance, think again because Marcel Ventura is on a whole different level!

Book 3 is currently in the works. I now have four pre-written chapters and I'm hoping to write at least twenty before I begin posting. I already have a release date in mind, but before I move on to that, there's an issue I'd like us to address. So while Book 2 was ongoing, a few readers expressed a concern about the weekly double updates taking too long (Which I found surprising cuz for the entirety of Book 2, I don't think I ever ghosted with updates. I even quadrupled them anytime my reads increased by a thousand, but that's just by the way.)

For book 3, I'd like you, my dear readers, to help me solve this. Tell me what you want. Do you want double updates on Wednesdays? One update on Monday and another on Friday? Or you're fine with the usual double updates on Friday? If you have a completely different update schedule in mind, kindly comment that. I will list the options in the comment section beside this paragraph. All you have to do is hit the like button on the one you'd prefer. By the time book 3 is ready, I will check. The option with the highest number of likes will become the new update schedule. Please note: If I don't receive any responses or feedback, I will stick to the old update schedule (Double updates on Fridays.)

On that note, I'd like to announce that Book 3 will be released on FRIDAY, 4TH APRIL, 2025. Until then, here's a sneak peek:

"You weren't a complete stranger, Shonee. I knew you. You weren't that hard to miss with all the Nancy Beckham drama going on." Marcel drawled. "To be honest, I forgot all about you, until the whole press conference to announce her return was aired, then I heard a familiar name: Shonee Coleman. A few digs through our archives and I found this." He slapped a yellow file in front of me and slowly I opened it.

Lying inside was a contract. A contract with my father's name: Ian Coleman. And Marcel's father's name: Enzo Ventura, with a bunch of other words and sentences that my brain couldn't comprehend because my eyes were locked on the date: 2nd October, 1998.

October, 1998

My father signed away my future a whole month before I was born?

How could he do this to me?

Angry, I grabbed the contract, ripped it to shreds and dumped it on Marcel's desk.

"Hm." He sat in his swivel chair unperturbed, leaning against the armrest with one hand under his chin. "That was a copy, you moron. Did you actually think I'd give you the original?"

My blood boiled at the insult and so did Vincent's because in the next minute, he was by my side, pointing a stern finger at Marcel. "Don't you dare call my wife a moron!"

Marcel just rolled his eyes. "She's not your wife, Vincent. Your wife is rotting away in a jail cell after you turned her into a walking psychopath."

Rage clouded Vincent's expression and he angrily leaned over the desk, grabbing Marcel by his shirt. But it wasn't before he pulled out a gun, aiming it at Vincent's chest.

"Marcel!" I jumped up in fright at the sight of the weapon. "Marcel, put the gun down."

He didn't. Instead, he pushed it closer.

"Marcel!"

"Tell your idiot boyfriend to let go of my shirt before I lodge this bullet in his heart!" He snarled.

On cue, my heart started pounding in its cage. "Vincent..."

"He's bluffing."

The next thing we heard was a clicking sound and Marcel's threat. "Try me."