Chapter 59: Ravi’s Favorite
“What do you mean, ‘something we shouldn’t see’?”
Cora blinked, startled.
Julian didn’t answer. He simply laced his fingers with hers and quickened his pace. Heat bled from his palm into hers, and the contact made her hyper-aware of the way his thumb brushed her knuckles.
He’s really committing to this ‘loving husband’ act…
“Look,” he murmured at her ear, voice low enough to skim her skin. “Told you there’d be a show.”
Cora followed his line of sight—and went cold.
Ravi was not greeting clan elders. She was alone in a back room, counting cash. Not just counting—muttering as she stacked it, griping that Cora’s mother needed to squeeze more out of Cora next time.
Shame hit like a slap. In front of Julian, of all people…
The door creaked. Ravi flinched, then relaxed when she saw Laura. She went right back to her piles.
“Gran! You promised me a condo,” Laura sang, looping an arm through Ravi’s. “When do we sign?”
“Soon, sweetheart.” Ravi patted her hand. “As soon as your aunt gets more money from Cora. I already put down the deposit and signed. We’re just waiting on the rest, then the keys are ours. When has Grandma ever lied to you?”
Laura’s smile bloomed. City address, city life, a city man… She practically glowed.
“Someone called Cora’s parents away,” she added, pouty. “When they came back, they shut me out and whispered forever. Do you think Aunt will get the money?”
“She wouldn’t dare say no,” Ravi snapped. “Cora’s got money now and still won’t lift a finger for us—no conscience at all. Not Dev blood. You can’t raise a stray to be loyal.”
“That’s why you dote on me.” Laura leaned her head against Ravi’s shoulder, syrup-sweet. “Cora’s just something the family picked up. I’m the real granddaughter.”
Ravi’s mouth thinned. “Exactly. She and that barren hen of a mother are eyesores. But it’s fine. She’s useful for now. Once we’ve squeezed enough, we’ll go live well.”
Laura hummed happily. “Mm.”
Watching them, Cora’s lungs burned. She’d always known Ravi played favorites, but hearing it spit out like this—planning to write that condo in Laura’s name with Watson money—made her stomach twist.
Julian glanced down at the way her chest rose and fell, the fury there. “Easy,” he said quietly. “They may not get that condo.” A beat. “Want payback?”
“How?” Cora whipped around—and nearly collided with him. Their noses were inches apart.
Up close, his features were disastrously perfect—carved cheekbones, the clean cut of his mouth. He hadn’t expected her to turn so fast, either. For a breath, their eyes locked. Something electric skittered under her skin.
If I lean the tiniest bit…
She froze.
Julian’s throat bobbed. He reined himself in, forced his tone flat. “I hear your uncle likes to gamble.”
Her brows knit. “And?”
A sliver of a smile cut his mouth. “You think I hand people my money without a contingency?”
Satisfaction slid through her like a cool drink. Good.
But then her mind snagged on the condo again—on Ravi’s smug promise and the deposit already paid.
“They’ve already put money down—”
“Trust me,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.”
His hand rose and ruffled the crown of her head—light, startlingly tender. The first time he’d touched her like that on his own.
Down the hall, the chef team began ferrying out plated dishes. Austin strode in, bent to murmur something against Julian’s ear. Julian’s gaze flicked to Cora, then he lifted a hand—not now—and Austin peeled away.
“Time to invite everyone to the table,” Julian said, warm again, as if the private vow between them had never happened.
Cora nodded.
Ravi swept out a moment later, smile wide as she eyed the polished spread she’d never have afforded in ten lifetimes. “Ah, all thanks to Cora today! I’ve never eaten anything so fine.”
“That’s because you’re blessed,” an elder crowed, laying it on thick. “We all knew you were. Look at your granddaughter—married into money! Your days of plenty are just starting.”
Ravi basked. Cora’s mother approached with careful steps; Ravi’s searching glance cut to her like a knife. At that look, the older woman flinched and dropped her eyes. No extra money, that flinch confessed. Not yet.
Laura drifted in next, gaze glued to Julian like he was sunlight. He didn’t even notice.
Cora and Julian welcomed everyone to sit. “Please, don’t be shy,” he said, giving Cora all the credit. “When we married, we couldn’t host everyone properly. Cora’s been sorry about that. So this time, we brought our chef and said we wouldn’t leave until the whole family ate well.”
The words landed like a series of soft, precise slaps. A few relatives coughed, suddenly fascinated by their plates. Everyone knew how Cora had actually lived here—less daughter than drudge.
Across the table, her mother’s eyes went glassy. Cora slid her fingers under the table, finding Julian’s for one quick, grateful squeeze.
He squeezed back.