Chapter 54
Marcus Pov
51 withere
Marcus sat on the couch last night after Elara had stormed off, thinking about what he’d done.
He didn’t actually do it with bad intentions. Didn’t go to the hospital to hurt her or rub it in her face. He genuinely thought she’d be happy that he was making an effort to get to know her family. To meet her mother properly and introduce himself like a real husband would.
Women were really different from what he understood. Their emotions and reactions are not predictable. The way they processed things is so different.
But honestly, if someone had told his mother about a secret he was keeping, he’d be pissed too. Mad actually. So he kind of understood where Elara was coming from.
He knew he was wrong. Deep down in a place he didn’t like to acknowledge, he knew he’d crossed a very big line.
But apologizing wasn’t his best skill. Never had been, never will be, he was a boss. A CEO. Someone who gave orders and expected them to be followed. Someone who made decisions and moved forward without looking back, not the other way round.
Plus, it wasn’t really a real marriage. Not in the way marriages were supposed to be. So why did he have to say the actual words? Why did he have to verbalize “I’m sorry” when his actions could show it instead?
He had decided to make something nice for her dinner. Something she’d like. She’d understand when he served it to her that he was apologizing. That he recognized he’d messed up. Words weren’t necessary. Actions spoke louder anyway.
That was the plan.
Marcus had been sitting on that couch working through this logic when the door opened.
“Marcus.”
Her voice was so loud, yet it was the coldest he’s ever heard. She sounded so pissed.
His plan went overboard immediately.
He’d never seen Elara this physically angry before. Her entire body was shaking as she walked and stood in front of him. She was actually trembling with rage. Her hands formed into fists at her sides. Her jaw was tight. Her eyes were burning with something that looked like hatred.
She spoke. So fast and loud. Words tumbling out about her mother and respect and how dare he interfere.
But Marcus couldn’t be vulnerable right now. Couldn’t let her see the soft part of him that actually felt guilty. That actually understood he’d hurt her. That part was dangerous and it made you look weak.
So instead, he said what he always said when emotions got too intense.
“Get over it.”
14:46 Mon, May 11
Chapter 54
He stood up and walked away from her toward the kitchen. Kept his eyes down to avoid looking at her face because if he did, he’d see the tears that were starting to form. And if he saw those tears, he might actually break.
He heard her when she started crying. Actually, she broke down as she was sniffing and cleaning her eyes. This was so painful to see.
He’d only seen her cry once before. That incident in her apartment with Victor, the man who’d tried to touch her. But even then, she hadn’t cried like this. She didn’t let herself fully break.
This must have really hurt her. He must have really hurt her
The thought finally hit him hard.
What if he just turned around? Walked back to her? Got on his knees and said I’m sorry like he actually meant it? Hug her then kiss her.
No. No.
He’d done that before. For his ex-girlfriend. Got down on his knees and apologized for something that wasn’t even entirely his fault. And what did she pay him back with? Cheating. Sleeping with his business partner while Marcus was out of town closing a deal.
That had been the only girl he’d ever genuinely loved and had a soft spot for.
Never again. He’ll never be that vulnerable again
Elara wasn’t even his real girlfriend. It’s just a stupid contract business arrangement. So why bother with grand gestures of apology?
Instead, he busied himself with the dinner he’d already started preparing earlier.
“I made dinner, by the way. Do you want some?”
His voice came out as normal as possible. He said it like he didn’t just hear her ball out her eyes.
She turned. He thought maybe she’d finally calmed down and just accepted the peace offering and they could both move past this.
Then she spoke.
“Take your dinner and shove it right up your ass.”
Wait. What the fuck. Was this Elara? Elara who never used cursed words for him? Who always stayed professional even when she was furious? He’d never heard her use words like that. Never heard her speak to anyone that way.
Marcus opened his mouth to respond. But the words never came.
Nothing came out.
“Go to hell, Marcus.”
She started walking away. Then stopped immediately and turned back.
Mon, May
Chapter 54
“You know what? No. Hell is too cool for you. Hell would be scared to have someone like you.”
Those words hit harder than anything else she’d said.
Immediately her bedroom door slammed, the sound echoing through the entire penthouse, Marcus sat down on the kitchen chair.
Was he that wicked? Did Elara actually hate him that much that she would speak to him that way? That she could wish him somewhere worse than hell?
He stayed there for a while just sitting and staring at the dinner he’d made that was now going cold on the
counter.
Eventually, he moved to the couch. Lay down as he stared at the ceiling.
Sleep came in fits. He was uncomfortable and restless. His brain kept replaying her words, the face she made. The way she’d looked at him like he was something disgusting.
***
He woke up at 8 AM with a stiff neck and a clearer head.
Okay. Last night’s attempt at an apology had failed. Spectacularly. But this morning could be different.
Breakfast. Everyone likes breakfast right? He’d make something really good and hard for her to refuse. And when she came downstairs and saw the effort he’d put in, she’d understand.
Marcus got up and quickly went to his room. He showered and changed into fresh clothes. Came back down to the kitchen.
He made eggs, toast, bacon and fresh fruit. Orange juice for her and Coffee for himself. Everything he could think of that she might want. Set it all up nicely on the dining table. Two plates. Like a real couple having a lovely breakfast together.
He was done before 10 AM.
But Elara hasn’t come down yet.
Marcus waited as he kept checking his watch. 10:15. 10:30. 10:45.
Still nothing. He was growing impatient.
He went upstairs. Stood outside her bedroom door as he placed his ear against it to listen.
It was dead silence. Not even a ruffle of anything.
He tried the doorknob. It didn’t budge.
. Of course. She’d locked it from the inside.
Marcus went back downstairs and sat at the dining table. He stared at the breakfast as they were getting
cold.
Regardless, she’d have to come out eventually and face him. They lived in the same house anyways so
ga
Ight
