Chapter 122
Elara’s POV
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65 vouchers.
Elara was curled up on the couch in the penthouse, half-watching some reality show on TV while scrolling through her phone. It was early evening, the sky outside turning that soft purple color that came just before
sunset.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Marcus.
Marcus: Board meeting running late. Probably won’t be home until 8 or 9. Sorry.
Elara: It’s okay. Be safe.
Marcus: I will. Love you.
Elara stared at those last two words for a long moment.
They’d been saying it more often lately, those casual “love yous” that slipped out at the end of texts or phone calls. She still wasn’t entirely sure if they meant it the way normal couples meant it, or if it was just something they said because it felt like what married people were supposed to say.
She set her phone down and pulled a blanket over her legs. The penthouse felt too big and too quiet when Marcus wasn’t here. She’d gotten used to his presence, the sound of him moving around in his office or the kitchen, the way he’d randomly come find her just to check in.
Without him here, the space felt empty.
Elara was debating whether to order food or try to cook something herself when the doorbell rang.
She frowned. They weren’t expecting anyone, and visitors usually had to be cleared by security first. She got up and walked to the door, checking the peephole.
Aurora stood on the other side, perfectly put together in a black expensive dress. Her hair was styled in loose waves, her makeup flawless, her posture confident.
Elara’s stomach immediately tightened with anxiety. What was she doing here?
She opened the door but kept it only partially open, her body blocking the entrance. “Hi.”
“Hi, Elara,” Aurora said with a bright smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Is Marcus home? I need to speak with him urgently about the Wellington deal. There’s been a development.”
“He’s not here. He’s at the office.”
“Oh.” Aurora’s smile faltered slightly. “That’s frustrating. I really need to talk to him tonight. The issue is time- sensitive.”
“You could call him.”
16:50 Mon, May 11
Chapter 122
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56 vouchers
“I tried. He’s not answering. The board meeting, probably.” Aurora shifted her weight, her expensive heels. clicking against the floor. “Would you mind if I waited for him? I know it’s an imposition, but this really can’t wait until tomorrow.”
Every instinct Elara had was screaming at her to say no. To tell Aurora to come back another time, to handle her business emergency somewhere else, to leave Elara’s home and her husband alone.
But she also knew that would make her look petty and insecure. Like she was threatened by Aurora’s presence. Like she didn’t trust Marcus.
“Sure,” Elara heard herself say, stepping aside. “Come in.”
“Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.” Aurora walked past her into the penthouse, and Elara caught a whiff of her perfume. Something expensive and floral that probably had a French name.
Elara closed the door and followed Aurora into the living room. Aurora settled gracefully onto one of the couches, crossing her legs at the ankle in that elegant way women like her always seemed to do naturally.
Elara sat on the opposite couch, pulling the blanket back over her legs. She suddenly felt very aware of her appearance. No makeup, hair in a messy bun, wearing leggings and an oversized sweater. She looked like she was having a lazy day at home.
Which she was. Because this was her home. She didn’t need to dress up in her own house.
But sitting across from Aurora, who looked like she’d just stepped out of a magazine spread, Elara felt frumpy and plain.
“Can I get you anything?” Elara asked, because that seemed like the polite thing to say. “Water, wine, coffee?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Aurora smiled again, and this time it looked almost genuine. “This is a beautiful place. Marcus always did have excellent taste.”
“Thanks.”
An uncomfortable silence settled over them. Elara picked up her phone and pretended to check something. anything to avoid making eye contact.
“So,” Aurora said after a moment, “how have you been? I feel like we haven’t really had a chance to talk properly since I moved into the guest house.”
“I’ve been fine. Busy.”
“I can imagine. Being married to Marcus must keep you on your toes. He’s always working, always thinking three steps ahead. It can be exhausting trying to keep up with him.”
Elara looked up from her phone. “I manage.”
“I’m sure you do.” Aurora tilted her head slightly, studying Elara with those sharp blue eyes. “It’s just different, you know? When you’re with someone like Marcus, someone so driven and intense, it helps to have history with them. To understand where they’re coming from.”
16:50 Mon, May 11
Chapter 122
“Tunderstand Marcus just fine”
“Of course. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” Aurora’s smile never wavered. I just meant that there’s something to be said for shared experiences. Inside jokes, memories, all those inte moments that busid up over years together
Elara felt her jaw tighten. She knew what Aurora was doing. Establishing her claim, reminding Elara that she’d been there first, that she knew Marcus in ways Elara never would.
“Marcus and I have our own memories,” Elara said quietly.
“I’m sure you do. How long have you two actually been together? It all happened so fast, the engagement and wedding. Sometimes I lose track of the timeline.”
“Long enough.”
Aurora laughed softly. “You’re being very guarded. I don’t blame you. I’d probably be the same way if my husband’s ex-girlfriend showed up and moved into the guest house.”
Then why did you move in?”
The question came out sharper than Elara intended. Aurora’s eyebrows raised slightly, but her smile remained in place.
“Because Marcus offered and I needed a place to stay. It’s temporary, remember? Just until the Wellington deal is finalized and I can go back to London.”
“Right. Temporary.”
Another silence. This one felt heavier, charged with unspoken tension.
Aurora uncrossed and recrossed her legs, the movement drawing attention to how the black dress hugged her curves. Elara tried not to notice, tried not to compare her own body hidden under a baggy sweater to Aurora’s perfect figure.
“Can I ask you something? Aurora said suddenly.
“What?”
“Did Marcus ever tell you about our first time together?”
Elara’s stomach dropped the stared at Aurora, trying to figure out if she’d really just asked that question
“Excuse me?”
“Our first time,” Aurora repeated, her voice casual like she was asking about the weather “Did he ever tell you about it?”
16:50 Mon, May 11
