Sham Marriage Quit Real Heiress Strikes Back novel Chapter 68

Even the way he ate looked effortlessly refined.

A strange feeling crept over her, unfamiliar and oddly intimate, as if she and Alexander were actually a normal married couple.

"Keep staring and I'm going to start charging you," Alexander said without looking up.

Elena snapped out of it.

Her face heated up. She lowered her head and continued eating. "I wasn't staring. Don't flatter yourself. I was thinking."

"About what?"

Alexander pressed his lips together, holding back a smile.

"The wedding is in a week, and I still haven't met your family. Is everything okay on your mom's side?"

She still remembered how unfriendly his mother had been last time.

"If you want to meet them, we will. If you don't, we won't."

His tone was casual.

Elena was at a loss. "We can't just never meet them, right? We'll have to see them at the wedding. I don't even know anyone besides you and Sophia. I don't even know their names. That would be so awkward."

Alexander set his utensils down.

"Leave it to me."

It was such a simple sentence, but something in Elena's chest shifted.

Especially when he looked at her like that. Her ears warmed again.

That chaotic night flashed through her mind, and her throat suddenly felt dry.

"I'm done eating. I'll do the dishes."

Since she had eaten his food, the least she could do was help. She grabbed the bowls and hurried into the kitchen.

After cleaning everything up, she stepped back out.

Alexander was on the couch, working on his laptop. With his glasses on, he looked restrained and dangerously attractive. She glanced at him a couple more times before quietly heading for the door.

"Wait."

His voice came from behind her.

Elena stopped, thinking he had something to say as he walked toward her.

"What is it—"

Before she could finish, his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. His lips, slightly cool, brushed against hers.

Elena's eyes widened.

It happened too suddenly. She snapped back to her senses and pushed against him. "Don't."

Is this really appropriate?

Lydia happened to be standing by Luna's desk. When she saw Elena, her expression turned cold. "You did well yesterday, but the last thing we tolerate here is getting ahead of yourself. How many days have you been here, and you're already cutting it this close?"

Elena nodded. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"Oh come on, Lydia, don't be mad," Luna said sweetly. "You look amazing today. Don't let stress ruin that makeup."

Only then did Elena notice that Lydia had clearly put effort into her look today. A deep V red satin blouse paired with a black fitted skirt gave her a bold, striking presence, especially with her sharp short haircut.

A diamond necklace rested at her collarbone, catching the light.

"You always know what to say," Lydia said, pretending to glare at Luna.

Then she looked back at Elena. "Alright, get to work."

Elena returned to her desk. Just as she sat down, Sophia slid over, clearly ready to gossip about Lydia. But her eyes suddenly landed somewhere, and she gasped.

People nearby turned to look. Sophia quickly covered her mouth, then leaned in closer to Elena with a grin. "Wow, looks like last night got pretty intense, huh?"

Elena frowned slightly. Sophia handed her a compact mirror.

That was when Elena noticed the mark on her neck. A clear hickey, partially hidden under her collar but visible when she sat down.

She adjusted her collar awkwardly. "Focus on work."

Sophia nodded rapidly, trying not to laugh.

Elena's article from yesterday had already brought a wave of positive attention to Velmora Media. Combined with her existing small fanbase, many people who followed her had unfollowed Swiftline and started following Velmora instead.