My Boss’s Hidden Heir (Elara and Marcus) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The drive after that was silent.

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Marcus kept his eyes on the road. Both hands gripping the wheel. Driving like he had somewhere urgent to be even though

the restaurant was only a few minutes away.

Elara sat in the passenger seat watching the city as they pas it. The scene in the lobby kept replaying in her head. His father barely acknowledged her. Penelope’s condescending smile. And Marcus. The way he’d said “my mother is dead” with so much venom it could have burned the whole building down.

She wanted to ask about it. About what happened between them. But something told her now wasn’t the time.

The car picked up speed even though they were already going over the limit.

“Thanks for earlier. El.”

She turned to look at him. “El? Well, that’s new.”

“Sorry. You don’t like it?”

Elara gave him a slow look. Purposely seductive. Let her eyes linger just long enough to make it clear. “I do like it. And you’re welcome for earlier.”

His facial expression changed a bit. She saw it. The way his grip on the steering wheel changed. Like he was fighting

something.

Good.

“Italian or Chinese?” he asked after a long pause.

“Anything I’ll be able to eat, please.”

He smiled. Actually smiled. Small but real.

Marcus pulled up to a little Italian place tucked between two office buildings. Left the engine running and went inside. Came back five minutes later carrying three white takeout bags.

Elara frowned. “Who’s the third one for?”

He glanced at her. Eyes playful in a way she’d never seen before. “Our unborn kids.”

Her heart stopped.

Had he found out? Shit. How did he know? Did someone tell him? Was it that obvious? Her face felt hot. She could feel the

panic rising in her chest like water filling a sinking ship.

“Relax.” Marcus laughed. Full and genuine. “I’m joking. It’s extra just in case we’re still hungry later.”

Oh.

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19:57 Thu, 30 Apr

Chapter 25

Right.

Just a joke.

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Elara forced herself to breathe. In. Out. Normal. Like her entire world hadn’t just turned sideways for three seconds.

They got back to the penthouse and Marcus headed straight upstairs. “Start eating if you want. I need a shower.”

His door closed.

Elara stood in the kitchen staring at the takeout bags and trying to calm her racing heart.

That was too close. Way too close.

She needed a shower too. Needed to wash off the panic and the fear and the feeling of almost getting caught.

Twenty minutes later she came back downstairs wearing one of Marcus’s oversized t–shirts she’d shamelessly claimed as hers over the past week. No bra. No underwear. Just the soft cotton against her skin.

Marcus was already in the kitchen. Black shorts. Black t–shirt that fit him too well. Hair still damp from the shower.

Barefoot.

He looked different like this. Less billionaire CEO. More human.

He opened the wine fridge without asking. “Red or white?”

Elara shrugged. “Fresh juice.”

Marcus paused mid–reach. Turned to look at her. “This is the second time you’ve turned down wine.”

“I like wine. Just not tonight.”

He studied her face for a moment. Like he was trying to solve a puzzle. Then he grabbed the juice from the fridge and poured her a glass. Poured himself red wine. Set everything on the counter between them.

They ate in silence.

Elara lasted maybe three minutes before she couldn’t take it anymore. Silence made her think too much. Made her remember she was pregnant and hiding it. Made her wonder how long she could keep this up.

“Why do they always make it so dramatic?” she said. “It’s cake.”

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