My Boss's Hidden Heir (Elara and Marcus) novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Can I come stay at your house for just two weeks

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It kept echoing in Elara’s head, “for just two weeks”, like it was her father’s house. The word sounded like a bomb and at the same time like a joke to Elara’s ears.

Is this bitch fucking joking?

She kept herself from saying anything out loud, biting down on her tongue hard enough to hurt as she gave Marcus a dead stare. But her body gave it all away. Her shoulders tensed, her hands clenched into fists. at her sides, her jaw set so tight it was starting to ache.

Marcus’s voice finally cut through the stunned silence, because even he seemed shocked by what Aurora had just asked.

“What do you mean come stay at my house?”

Aurora’s expression shifted into something softer, more vulnerable. The transformation was seamless, like flipping a switch. “I mean I need your help, and I hate to ask. Really, Marcus, I don’t know how to explain it in a way you’ll understand, but you’ve always been there for me when I was in need. You helped me without asking questions before.”

Elara rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might get stuck. “Here we go with the fucking emotional blackmail,” she muttered under her breath.

“Sorry, what did you say?” Aurora turned to look at her, her eyes wide and innocent.

Elara just rolled her eyes again, not bothering to repeat herself.

Marcus continued, his brow furrowing with confusion. “You have to tell me what’s going on, Aurora. Because I know you’re not stranded. I mean, it was your father who just threw this entire event. Last I checked, your home and entire estate are very big. Why can’t you stay there?”

That’s when the waterworks started.

Aurora’s eyes filled with tears, real actual tears that started rolling down her cheeks. Her voice broke when she spoke, trembling with emotion.

How could someone act this good, like tears rolled down her eyes in less than three seconds, she really deserved an Oscar.

“Marcus, you know I just lost my mum like six months ago.”

Marcus’s expression softened immediately. “I know. I’m sorry about that, I didn’t mean….”

“I’ve been in England since it happened,” Aurora continued, her voice getting shakier. “I only came back for this event because my dad forced me to. Said I needed to get out of the house, stop hiding from the world.” She wiped at her eyes with perfectly manicured fingers. “I’ve been staying in a hotel ever since I back to New York.”

“Why not stay at your father’s house?” Marcus asked gently.

got

Mon, May

Chapter 88

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“Because that’s where it happened.” Aurora’s voice cracked completely now, her shoulders shaking with sobs. “That’s where I lost her, Marcus. Staying in that house, walking through those rooms where she used to be, it’s just traumatic for me right now. I can’t do it.”

Elara watched this performance with something close to awe. Aurora was good. Really good. The tears looked genuine, the pain in her voice sounded real. If Elara hadn’t heard what Aurora whispered to her earlier, she might have actually felt sorry for her.

“I’m in New York for two weeks,” Aurora continued, wiping at her eyes again. “Just until we finalize the deal between Wellington Group and Thorne Dynamics. Then I’ll go back to England and you’ll never have to deal with me again.”

She took a shaky breath, looking up at Marcus with those tear-filled eyes. “But it’s fine if you can’t help. I understand. I’ll just go back to paying for hotels. It’s expensive, but I’ll manage somehow.”

The manipulation was so blatant it made Elara want to scream. Playing the dead mother card. Making herself seem helpless and alone. Putting Marcus in a position where saying no would make him look like a heartless bastard. Ohhh brilliant.

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