Chapter 73
65 vouchers
Elara didn’t waste much time getting ready at all. She showered quickly, moisturized, and went straight to her closet to pick out something comfortable for the day ahead.
She settled on a pair of big baggy jeans that sat low on her hips and a cropped white shirt that showed just
a sliver of her stomach. February in New York was still cold, so she grabbed an oversized black puffer jacket to throw over it and slipped on her white sneakers.
She picked up her phone and sent a quick text to the group chat with Mimi and Emeka.
**Elara:** Meet me somewhere later? I need to catch up with you guys.
**Mimi:** Finally! I thought you forgot about us now that you’re Mrs. Billionaire.
**Emeka:** Girl, I’ve been waiting for the tea for like forever. When and where?
**Elara:** I’ll let you know in a bit. Going to see my mum first.
She grabbed her purse, made sure she had everything she needed, and headed downstairs. One of Marcus’s drivers was already waiting by the front door, with the car keys in hand.
When Elara stepped outside, she stopped by the front door.
This was the first time she was seeing her car in proper daylight, and it was even more beautiful than she remembered. The champagne color gleamed in the morning sun, the curves of the Mercedes is like an african woman with a thick bunda. It looked like something out of paradise honestly.
“Good morning, ma’am,” the driver said, opening the back door for her.
“Morning,” Elara replied, still staring at the car. “Can we take this one instead,” she said pointing at hers.
“Of course. Mr. Thorne said you should use whichever car you prefer.”
She climbed into the backseat, running her hand along the leather interior. Everything smelled new and expensive, some parts were still covered in nylon packaging. She could definitely get used to this.
“Where to, ma’am?”
“The hospital, please. My mother’s own.
The drive was smooth and quiet. Elara spent most of it scrolling through her phone, avoiding the gossip blogs and news sites that were probably still talking about her from last night. She didn’t need to read any more speculation about her life.
When they arrived at the hospital, Elara told the driver she’d text him when she was ready to leave. She made her way up to her mother’s floor, waving at the nurses who recognized her now from her frequent
visits.
Her mother was sitting up in bed when Elara walked in, looking better than she had in weeks. There was color in her cheeks, and she was watching some cooking show on the small TV mounted to the wall.
“Hi, Mama,” Elara said, walking over to kiss her forehead.
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Chapter 73
Her mother’s face lit up. “My baby! You’re here early today.”
“I wanted to see you before I met up with some of my friends.”
“How lovely.” Her mother patted the bed beside her. “Sit, sit. Tell me everything. Where’s your husband?” And also Mimi visited me some days ago.
Elara laughed, settling into the chair beside the bed instead. That’s very nice of her, she told me she’d
come.
”
Her mum stared at her waiting for the answers to the other obvious questions.
“Well mum, he’s fine. He’s working. He has a board meeting today.”
“That man works too much. He needs to rest.”
“I’ll tell him you said that.”
They talked for a while about nothing in particular. Her mother told her about the new nurse who was really sweet, about the food they’d served for breakfast, about the other patients on her floor. Normal, mundane things that felt comforting in their simplicity.
Then her mother’s expression shifted slightly, becoming more cautious.
“Your father came by yesterday,” she said quietly.
Elara’s entire body got weak. “What?”
“He said he was in a little bit of trouble. Asked if I could help him with some money.”
“Please don’t tell me you gave it to him.”
Her mother looked away, guilty. “I gave him some. Just a little. Out of the money you sent me for my upkeep.”
“Mum!” Elara stood up, frustration bubbling in her chest. “What’s wrong with you? You and I both know there’s no problem anywhere, that man has no problem aside from going to gamble or drinking. You know that’s where the money is going right? How many times do we have to go through this?”
“He’s still your father, Elara.”
“He’s a drunk and a gambler who steals from his own family.” Elara’s voice was sharp now, louder than she intended. “I told you already, I’m going to have to tell the security to stop letting him in. I’m sorry, Mum, but I’ll have to do that.”
Her mother didn’t argue. She just looked down at her hands, sadness settling over her features.
Elara took a breath, forcing herself to calm down. She didn’t want to spend her visit fighting about Luca. He wasn’t worth it.
“Anyway,” she said, changing the subject. “I have something to show you.”
She pulled out her phone and showed her mother the pictures she’d taken of the car last night. The setup in the trunk with the teddy bear and balloons. The big reveal.
14:56 Mon, May 11
Chapter 73
“He got this for me yesterday,” Elara said, unable to keep the smile off her face.
Her mother’s eyes went wide. “Wait, what? This whole car? For you?”
“Yes!”
“Oh my God, Elara! What a good guy he is. Look at this, look at how beautiful it is!”
“That’s not all,” Elara said, her smile growing wider.
Her mother leaned forward, curious now. “What else? Tell me!”
65 vous.
Elara paused, making sure the door to the room was closed. She lowered her voice even though they were
alone.
“Mum, I’m pregnant. We’re going to have a baby soon.”
Her mother practically jumped up in the bed, her hands flying to her mouth. The sudden movement made the IV line tug slightly, and she had to steady herself.
“Elara!” she shrieked, tears already forming in her eyes. “Are you serious? You’re pregnant?”
“Shh, Mum, keep it down!” Elara was laughing now, trying to calm her mother before she disturbed the entire floor. “We’re not telling anyone yet. I just wanted you to know since I hid the marriage from you and you weren’t happy about that.”
“Oh my baby,” her mother said, reaching out to cup Elara’s face. “I’m going to be a grandmother. Oh, this is the best news. The best news!”
They hugged for a long moment, both of them smiling through happy tears.
When they finally pulled apart, Elara checked the time on her phone. “I should get going. I promised to meet Mimi and Emeka, and if I’m late, they’ll never let me hear the end of it.”
“Okay, baby. Go see your friends. But come back soon, you hear me?”
“I will, I promise.”
Elara kissed her mother’s forehead one more time, grabbed her purse, and headed for the door. She was still smiling as she walked down the hallway toward the elevator, her mind already planning what she’d tell Mimi and Emeka about everything that had happened.
She reached the elevator and pressed the down button, waiting. The doors opened with a soft ding.
She stepped inside, but just as the doors were about to close, someone bumped into her from behind.
Hard enough to make her stumble forward slightly.
Elara turned around, ready to accept an apology or maybe give whoever it was a piece of her mind for not watching where they were going.
Then she froze.
It was Luca, her dad.
Mon, May
