My Boss’s Hidden Heir (Elara and Marcus) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

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Elara woke up at 7 AM to sunlight streaming through her bedroom window and the box still sitting on her coffee table.

She’d stared at it for twenty minutes last night before finally opening it. Inside was a dress that probably cost more than three months of rent. Emerald green silk that caught the light when she moved it. Cut low enough to be sexy but not scandalous. The kind of thing she’d only ever seen in magazine spreads.

But it wasn’t just the dress.

There were heels. Gold. Strappy. Delicate.

A clutch to match.

And tucked inside the tissue paper, a small card in clean handwriting.

Dinner tomorrow. 8 PM. Be ready. That means it’s tonight.

No signature. Like he assumed she’d know who it was from.

Elara held the dress up now in the morning light. The fabric was cool against her palms. Expensive. Real.

She checked the tag. Size six. Perfect.

The shoes were a seven. Also perfect.

How did he know her size?

She thought back to yesterday. The driver who’d taken her to the salon. Who’d waited outside the hospital. Who’d watched

her climb the stairs to her apartment building.

He must have told Marcus the address. But the measurements? That was different.

Marcus had spent three years barely looking at her. How would he know what size she wore?

Unless he’d been paying more attention than she thought.

Her phone rang. Emeka’s name flashed across the screen.

She answered. “Hey.”

“Girl, don’t ‘hey‘ me.” His voice was loud. Dramatic. “You promised details yesterday and then ghosted me. I’ve been dying

here.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“So spill. How long have you been secretly dating the devil?”

Elara sat on the edge of her bed, the dress still in her other hand. “A while. We kept it quiet. You know how office romances

are.

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“A white?” Emeka’s laugh was sharp. “Babe, you called him the devil on Monday. Four days ago. You said he made your life.

hell

Shit.

“That was just to throw people off,” Elara said quickly. “We had to be careful.”

“Mmhmm. Sure.” He didn’t sound convinced. “So when did this grand romance actually start?”

“Can we talk about this over lunch? I’ll explain everything then.”

“Fine. But you’re buying.” There was a pause. “Also, you’re late for work. It’s almost eight. You’re usually here by now.”

Elara looked at the time. He was right. She’d normally be panicking. Racing through her morning routine. Skipping breakfast to catch the subway.

But she didn’t work there anymore.

“I guess being the CEO’s girlfriend has perks,” Emeka continued. “Not like he’s gonna fire you for being late.”

He doesn’t know I resigned, Elara thought. Or that I’m pregnant.

She hadn’t told anyone. Not Emeka. Not her mother. Not even Mimi.

Two secrets. Both ticking time bombs.

“Yeah,” she said. “Running behind today. I’ll see you at lunch?”

“One PM. Don’t bail on me again.”

“I won’t. Promise.”

She ended the call and walked to the bathroom.

Her reflection still surprised her. The new hair falling in soft waves. The lashes that made her eyes look bigger. She looked like someone else. Someone who belonged in Marcus Thorne’s world.

She showered and dressed in jeans and an old sweater. The last day she’d get to wear her own clothes before the wardrobe consultation transformed her closet too.

Her phone buzzed.

**Dante:** *Car arrives in 30 minutes. Be ready.*

Thirty minutes until her life changed again.

Elara made coffee and stared at the emerald dress hanging on her bedroom door. Tomorrow night she’d wear it. Sit across from Marcus at some expensive restaurant. Pretend they were in love while photographers captured every moment.

Her phone rang again. Unknown number.

“Hello?”

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Chapter 15

“Miss Vance? This is Andrea from Dante’s office. Confirming your wardrobe consultation at ten AM.”

Yes. I’ll be there.”

“Perfect. The car should arrive shortly.”

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