The Rose He Showed Off Is Putting Down Roots in a Garden of Her Own novel Chapter 3

Once the winter holidays officially concluded, the endless string of banquets tapered off, and life returned to its usual rhythm. Elara resumed her meticulous oversight of the estate's kitchen, ensuring every meal met the family's strict dietary needs.

Her father-in-law, Nathaniel, required low-sugar meals, while her mother-in-law, Sienna Carter, needed easily digestible food after a recent surgery. Meanwhile, Julian demanded heavy proteins and seafood. Balancing it all was a daily high-wire act.-

That evening at the dinner table, Sienna set her silverware down and looked at them. "Julian, it's been years, and you and Elara still haven't given us a grandchild. You need to make time to visit the fertility specialists this year."

Elara kept her eyes on her plate. She didn't dare mention that their last intimate encounter had been months ago, at the start of winter. Julian had been in an exceptionally good mood that night because he had successfully poached a massive development deal from the Grant Group. It was a project overseen by the governor, and Elara had played a crucial role in securing it through her connections with Mrs. Lowery. Rewarded by her usefulness, Julian hadn't claimed to be 'too tired' that night.

Elara glanced across the table at her husband.

Julian gave a noncommittal grunt. "I'll look into it when I have time."

Sensing his apathy, Sienna pressed harder. "You're both in your thirties. If you drag this out much longer, Elara will be considered a high-risk pregnancy. Take this seriously, Julian."

A lump formed in Elara's throat. Her biological clock was indeed ticking, and the prolonged struggle to conceive had left her burdened with a quiet, gnawing anxiety.

A few days later, desperate for a reprieve, Elara found time to visit her own family. In a world built on transactions, a mother's love was the only unconditional harbor.

Eleanor Barnes immediately sensed her daughter's despondency regarding a baby and offered gentle but firm advice.

"You need to keep your hopes up, Elara, but more importantly, you need to be proactive. Even if Julian is acting indifferent, you can't afford to be."

"Although struggling to conceive is emotionally draining, you cannot just give up on the process."

Eleanor kept her tone delicate, leaving the harsher truths unspoken. Her daughter wasn't getting any younger, and the city was full of beautiful, ambitious women waiting in the wings. With the Vance Group collapsing, producing an heir for the Sterlings was the only guaranteed way to secure her future. Even if her family's empire fell, a baby would cement her position.

Elara simply nodded, entirely unable to explain the humiliating reality of her marriage.

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