Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Elara excused herself to the bathroom the moment the crowd dispersed.
She needed space. A second to think without Marcus standing next to her looking like that.
5 vouchers
The bathroom was empty. All marble and gold fixtures. The kind of bathroom where you see your reflections like a mirror.
Elara took a deep breath, leaned closer to the mirror to fix her smudged lipstick from that steamy kiss earlier.
She stood facing the mirror. Staring at herself. At the woman in the gold dress with kiss-swollen lips and flushed cheeks.
That kiss had been passionate. Real. What? it was sexy and hot, she felt like having sex that moment.
You know what they say about pregnant women libido right? Yeah.
But Marcus had done it without any passion. Just for the performance and for the cameras and the crowd watching.
Get a grip, Elara. What the hell
She gripped the edge of the sink. Gave herself a mental pep talk.
Remember this is just a contract. Don’t think too deep. You’re not in love. Get hold of yourself.
But her body wasn’t listening. She could still feel the heat between her legs. The way her pulse had jumped when his hands touched her waist. The way she’d wanted more. Wanted him to push her against that balcony railing and forget about the party entirely.
Of course she was getting wet from just a kiss. Of course.
She started regretting everything. If she’d known this was how it would be, she would have had sex before signing the god damn contract. Just to get it out of her system. Just to scratch the itch so it wouldn’t consume her like this.
It dawned on her then. This was what she’d have to endure for two years. Living with him. Touching him for show. Kissing him in public. All while pretending it didn’t affect her.
She’d have to go home tonight and use her vibrator. Because Marcus had just set her on fire and there was no other way to put it out.
Elara turned on the tap. Washed her hands. Splashed cold water on her wrists.
The bathroom door opened behind her.
“So how much did he offer you?”
Elara turned off the tap. Turned around.
12:08 Fri, May 8 N
Chapter 34
Penelope stood there. Arms crossed. That cruel smile on her face.
“Excuse me?” Elara grabbed a tissue to dry her hands. “What do you mean?”
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“Don’t play stupid.” Penelope moved forward. In a very fast pace she shot her hand out and grabbed Elara’s arm. Her nails dug deep into Elars’s skin deep enough to bruise. “You whore.”
Pain shot up Elara’s arm but she didn’t pull away. Didn’t want to give Penelope that satisfaction.
“Did you sleep your way into this?” Penelope’s voice was venom. Pure hatred. “A month ago you were a pathetic assistant. Now you’re his wife? You think I don’t know this is arranged? You think anybody will believe this sudden whirlwind romance? His thirtieth birthday is in a few months and boom, he’s in love? Pathetic.”
Elara yanked her arm free. “Let me go.”
“How much is it?” Penelope stepped closer. Invading her space. “Tell me. I’ll double it.”
Elara lifted her chin and looked at her, really staring deep into her soul. This woman who thought she could buy everything. Who thought she could control every situation and everyone had a price.
“One hundred million.”
Penelope’s face went blank. “Are you insane?”
Elara burst out laughing. Very loud, sarcastic mostly.
“Oh, you don’t have that? Brokie? I thought you were rich, Penelope.”
Penelope’s face was filled with rage now.
“You didn’t expect him to fall in love, did you?” Elara took a step forward now. Gaining ground. “Oh no. That must hurt.
Well, Marcus and I are so much in love. To your
can bully?”
She moved even closer. Close enough to see the
- You think I’m one of those trust fund princesses you
fury
ng in Penelope’s eyes.
“Now listen to me. I’m all for respecting elders. Mostly the ones that respect themselves. But you?” Elara “Now listen to me. I’m
all for respecting elders. Mos
smiled. Sweet. Deadly. “The next time you ever lay a finger on me, I’ll remove my heels. Remove yours too so you don’t get a broken spine from falling. And I’ll make sure I beat you blue and black. Understand?”
“You’re nobody,” Penelope hissed,
“Then why are you so scared of this marriage?”
Penelope’s face changed. Pure fury now. No mask. No pretense. Just raw anger.
She raised her hand to slap Elara.
The bathroom door burst open.
12:08 Fri, May 8 N
Chapter 34
Marcus stepped between them. Very fast blocking Penelope’s hand mid-swing.
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“Oh, the witch.” His voice was ice. “Now you have nothing better to do than bully my girlfriend? Touch her again and I swear to God, Penelope. I will make your life hell.”
He turned to face Elara. His expression softened immediately. “Are you okay?”
Ohh I’m great, I was just saying hi to my Step mother in law, She said..
His hand went to her lower waist, almost resting on her as. He leaned close to her ear. Close enough that only she could hear.
“That was hot and sexy.” He said in a low baritone kissing her ear.
Heat flooded through her again.
Elara turned and gave him a smile. Trying to act normal. Trying to pretend his words hadn’t just made everything worse.
“Let’s go,” Marcus said. He took her hand. Started leading her toward the door.
He paused at the threshold. Looked back at Penelope one more time.
“Next time you have a problem, confront me instead.”
They walked out together.
Elara couldn’t help it. A slow smirk spread across her face as they left Penelope standing alone in that bathroom looking like she’d just lost a war.
She knew Penelope would be so scared of bothering her ever again.
She was enjoying this drama way too much.
12:09 Fri, May 8 N
