My Boss's Hidden Heir (Elara and Marcus) novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33

The voice was feminine. Soft and familiar in a way that made Marcus’s entire face change.

Genuine joy lit up his expression. He turned around and the woman threw her arms around him. Marcus hugged her back without hesitation. Very tight, it was like an ex–girlfriend that you break up with on an amicable ground.

Clara stood there feeling like an idiot.

The woman was beautiful. Beautiful was an understatement, she’s literally a goddess, her skin glowed, it was as if she used he most expensive skincare in the entire world, literally glass skin actually. Long blonde hair that fell in perfect waves A red Iress that hugged her body and showed her hourglass shape. Around the same age as Elara based on her face. Mid to late wenties maybe.

But she looked like she belonged here. Like she’d been born into this world of champagne and diamond and charity galas

nd billionaires.

She looked like Marcus’s type. More than Elara ever would.

Clara’s stomach turned. Insecurity and low self esteem crept in fast. Unwanted. Unwelcome.

he cleared her throat.

Marcus finally turned to face her. Still smiling. Still holding the woman’s hand.

Elara, this is Aurora. Aurora, this is Elara. My girlfriend.”

Wait, your girlfriend?” Aurora looked genuinely shocked. Her eyes went wide. “Since when do you have girlfriends, Marcus? You’ve always been so anti–relationship.”

she turned to Elara with a bright smile. “It’s so nice to meet you. He’s mentioned you a few times.”

Big lie. Huge lie. Did she think Elara was stupid?

Before Marcus could respond, Aurora spotted Dante standing a few feet away.

Dante! Oh my God, it’s been forever!”

She hugged him too. Just as tight. It was as if they were all family and Elara is the only outcast.

Dante hugged her back. “Aurora. Looking good as always.”

You too. We need to catch up properly.”

Elara stood there watching. Feeling more and more like an outsider. Like she’d crashed a high school reunion she wasn’t invited to.

Nobody had yet told her who this woman was. Just that it was evident enough that Marcus cared about her That Dante knew her well. That she belonged in their world in a way Elara didn’t.

Marcus and Dante both looked uncomfortable suddenly. Tense. Like they were caught doing something they shouldn’t be

Marcus gave Dante a look. The normal bro codes. A signal Elara caught immediately.

Dante nodded. “Aurora, come with me. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

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“Oh Okay” Aurora smiled at Elara again. “We’ll talk more later. I want to hear everything about how you two met

Dante pulled her away into the crowd.

Elara opened her mouth to ask Marcus who the hell that was, but before she could get a word out, two people appeared beside them

Penelope. And Marcus’s father.

“Wait.” Penelope’s voice was sharp. Condescending. “Your girlfriend? Her? Your assistant?”

Marcus’s father looked equally confused. “We saw you three days ago. You didn’t mention anything about a girlfriend.”

Marcus’s jaw tightened. “Well, I wonder why that is.”

“Stop this nonsense,” his father said.

Penelope stepped closer. Her smile was cruel. “This isn’t because of the clause in your grandfather’s will, is it? Because if we find out this relationship is fake, you’ll lose everything. You know that, right?”

Marcus ignored her completely. Took Elara’s hand and walked away without responding.

They moved through the crowd.

“You okay?” Elara asked quietly.

“I’m calm.”

“If you want to talk about…”

A man appeared in front of them. He seems stressed.

“Mr. Thorne, you need to attend to this. It’s urgent. It’s a board member issue.”

Marcus’s expression changed immediately. Back to business mode.

He turned to Elara. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Then he was gone. Pulled away by the man into another part of the hall.”

Elara stood there alone. Again. Surrounded by people she didn’t know. In a dress that made her feel like she was playing dress–up. Pretending to be someone she wasn’t.

She didn’t want to just stand there looking lost. Looking pathetic.

She spotted French doors leading to a balcony. Walked over. Pushed them open.

The night air hit her immediately. It was so cold and kinda comforting. A relief after the stuffiness of the hall.

She stepped outside and closed the doors behind her. The noise from the party was now muttled and came in the distance

The balcony overlooked the city. Lights everywhere. Buildings and rooftops stretched into the darkness. Beautiful in a way

Elara leaned against the railing and just breathed.

She was lost in thought when she heard footsteps behind her.

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hapter AR

You always slip away”

Marcus’s voice Warm. Amused.

he turned. He was standing in the doorway. Jacket unbuttoned. Tie loosened slightly. Looking at her like she was the only erson in the world.

But thank God this time it wasn’t a fire exit,” he added. Smiling.

lara felt herself smile back. Shy a little bit.

hey stood there for a moment. Just looking at each other. The city lights reflecting in his eyes. The cold air making her skin eel alive.

hen he stepped closer. Held her face in his hands.

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