Second Vows Adored by the Billionaire novel Chapter 16

"I called because I was worried you'd do something reckless. Hearing you talk like this, I can breathe again. When are you coming back to Chicago? I'll pick you up myself."

"About two weeks," Eloise said.

"So long?" Lucas sounded genuinely disappointed. "Then you'll miss my birthday yacht party. What a pity."

Eloise did the math quickly. His birthday was coming in about a week.

It was the day before Victor's.

For the first time in years, she wouldn't have to exhaust herself arranging a grand surprise for Victor.

"I'm coming," Eloise said decisively. "I love yacht parties. Count on me, and I'll bring you a real gift."

"Seriously?" Lucas sounded surprised.

"You can murder me if I break my promise," Eloise joked.

"I'm not a killer, and you know it," Lucas said with a laugh. "Forget the gift. How about you run naked on the deck and paint me?"

Eloise rolled her eyes so hard she nearly saw the back of her skull. "If you dare, I'll kick you off the yacht and feed you to the sharks."

Lucas laughed again, satisfied.

The call ended on that same old rhythm that belonged to a time before Eloise shrank her world down to one man.

When she hung up, she realized something else, too. The tightness that had lived in her chest for years felt lighter, as though air had finally been allowed back into her lungs.

Victor pushed the bedroom door open while the remnants of her smile were still on her lips.

He walked closer, studying her. "Who were you talking to? You look so happy."

"My first love," Eloise said lightly as she stood and headed toward the bathroom.

Before anyone answered, Beatrice skipped in, spinning in excitement. "Look at my new dress. Daddy bought it."

She twirled in a Disney limited-edition Snow White dress, the skirt floating around her like a costume.

So they had not moved out at all. They had simply gone out to enjoy themselves.

Eloise blinked once, surprised by how easily she had assumed they were gone.

"It's ugly," she said without softness. "It makes you look darker, wider, and shorter."

In the doorway, Anita's face darkened immediately.

Beatrice's mouth trembled, and she looked to Victor with instant grievance. "Daddy..."

To Anita's shock, Victor agreed. "Your godmother is right. This dress doesn't suit you."