Chapter 66
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The afternoon dragged on like it was moving through molasses. Elara sat alone in the big house, the silence pressing in on her from all sides as her thoughts spiraled into a mess she couldn’t untangle. After Marcus had mentioned the date, something clicked in her mind. This was it. This was the perfect time to tell him she was pregnant. The setting would be romantic, his guard would be down, and maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t be too angry that she’d kept it from him for this long.
But how exactly was she supposed to say it?
She’d been practicing in her room for the past hour, pacing back and forth in front of the mirror, trying out different approaches that all sounded wrong the moment they left her mouth.
“Marcus, I’m pregnant.” She shook her head immediately. Too direct and too blunt. It would shock him, and not in a good way.
“Marcus, I’m having your baby.” She cringed at how that sounded. Like she was announcing it on a daytime talk show.
“Marcus, we’re going to be parents.” Eww, even worse. Too cheerful for the gravity of what she needed to
say.
She tried a few more variations, each one sounding more ridiculous than the last. Finally, after what felt like the hundredth attempt, she landed on something that felt right.
“Marcus, I’ve been hiding your heir.”
She paused, testing the words again in her head. Yes. That worked. It wouldn’t come as too much of a shock because it was phrased like a confession. He’d be confused at first, probably ask her what she meant, and then she could explain everything. The timeline, the pregnancy tests, the ultrasound, the twins. It was better than just blurting out “I’m pregnant” and watching his face shut down.
Satisfied with her decision, Elara checked the time. It was 4 PM. She had three hours to get ready, and this night could go either way. If Marcus reacted badly to the news, at least she’d look good enough to soften the blow. Maybe her face could seduce him into reducing the anger.
She picked up her phone and called a makeup artist she’d used once before for a work event. The woman agreed to come over immediately, arriving within thirty minutes with her kit of brushes and palettes.
The dress had been delivered earlier that afternoon, a large white box sitting on her bed with a note attached that simply said, “For tonight.” Elara had been tempted to open it right away, but she’d decided to wait. She wanted to see how well Marcus knew her, how well he understood her size and preferences without her having to tell him.
By 6 PM, her makeup was done. The artist had given her a soft glam look, nothing too heavy but enough to make her features pop. Her skin looked flawless, her eyes were defined with a subtle smokey effect, and her lips were painted a deep nude that made them look fuller.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Marcus.
**Marcus:** Are you preparing? I’m back home. I’m in my room getting ready too. Meet me downstairs
once it’s 7
Chapter 66
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Elara smiled at the heart emoji. When had Marcus started using heart emojis? She typed back a quick reply, then finally turned her attention to the dress.
She opened the box slowly, peeling back the tissue paper to reveal what was inside.
“Goodness gracious,” she whispered.
It was a mustard yellow dress, the color rich and warm like late afternoon sunlight. The design was stunning, a fitted bodice that would hug her curves perfectly, with a deep V-neckline that was sexy without being too revealing. The skirt flowed down in soft layers of silk that would move beautifully when she walked. It had long sleeves that were sheer and delicate, adding an elegant touch to the overall look.
She lifted it out of the box carefully, holding it up against herself in the mirror. It was absolutely perfect.
Underneath the dress were matching heels, strappy and gold, with just the right heel height to be comfortable but still make her legs look amazing. And beside the shoes was a small clutch bag, also in gold, with intricate beading that caught the light.
He was so intentional with everything. Every detail had been thought through.
Then she saw it. A tiny piece of fabric she’d almost missed, tucked into the corner of the box. She pulled it out and realized it was an eye cover, like a blindfold. Soft silk in the same mustard yellow as the dress.
What was this for?
She stared at it for a moment, confused, then decided to bring it along anyway. Marcus clearly had a plan, and she was curious to see where this night would go.
Elara slipped into the dress, and it fit her like it had been made specifically for her body. Not a single complaint. It hugged her in all the right places, accentuating her waist and hips while still being comfortable enough to move in. She stepped into the heels, grabbed the clutch and the mysterious blindfold, then went to her vanity.
She sprayed her favorite perfume, the one that smelled like vanilla and jasmine, then added a touch of body glow oil to her shoulders and collarbones. A little shimmer on her cheekbones for good measure. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she barely even recognized the woman staring back.
She looked like she belonged in Marcus’s world. Like she was actually Mrs. Thorne, not just playing the
part.
Her phone buzzed again at exactly 7 PM.
**Marcus:** I’m downstairs now.
**Elara:** Coming.
She took a deep breath, grabbed her things, and opened her bedroom door.
The walk down the hallway felt longer than usual, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor with each step. When she reached the top of the staircase, she saw him.
Marcus was standing at the bottom, waiting for her. He was wearing a suit that matched her dress perfectly, a deep brown that complemented the mustard yellow she had on. His hair was styled in those natural curls that made him look less intimidating and more approachable, softer somehow. He looked up when he
14:55 Mon, May 11
Chapter 66
heard her footsteps, and the expression that crossed his face made her heart skip.
He looked at her like she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
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Elara descended the stairs slowly, and Marcus stretched out his hand to help her down the last few steps. When she finally reached him, he pulled her into a hug, his arms wrapping around her waist.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured against her ear.
“Thank you,” she whispered back, trying to ignore the nerves building in her stomach.
He pulled back slightly to look at her, his hand still resting on her waist. “Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Marcus led her outside to where his car was parked. She noticed immediately that it was just his car, no driver waiting, no extra security. He was driving tonight, which meant he really wanted this to be private.
He opened the passenger door for her, waiting until she was settled before closing it and walking around to the driver’s side. The engine purred to life, and they pulled out of the driveway into the quiet New York evening.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Elara couldn’t hold back her curiosity any longer.
“Where are you taking me though?”
Marcus glanced over at her, a small smile playing on his lips. “Do you trust me?”
She let out a soft laugh, the sound escaping before she could stop it. “No, not really.”
Marcus burst out laughing, the sound filling the car and making her laugh too despite her nerves.
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14:55 Mon, May 11
Chapter 67
