Chapter 96: TOO LATE TO REGRET
Xender's POV
“Wait a minute, you want Elara on your company billboard?” Emily asked, a sharp wave of shock cutting through her voice as she stared at me. She sat directly across from my desk, her legs crossed and her arms wrapped tightly over her chest.
“Yes. It's supposed to be a family package—something for couples, too,” I explained, trying to sound as convincing as possible. “Starting from picnic outwear to resort trips, beach apparel, and travel gear. I just need her to anchor the family outfits.”
A knowing smirk immediately pulled up on her face, tearing down my professional front.
“Is that the absolute best you can do?” she teased, pointing a finger at me like a petulant child. “How come Elara gets ice cream and cupcakes, and I get absolutely nothing?”
“Because she's the one who's going to be doing the actual hard work, not you,” I replied plainly, a sense of relief washing over me as I realized I was going to get a positive response from her. “And of course, we’ll discuss exactly how much she’s going to be paid.”
“Fine. You know I'm going to agree to this anyway,” she said, her expression softening into the familiar warmth she always had for me. “It's not like I ever really say no to you.”
I glared at her playfully, leaning back against my chair as the weight of our childhood memories hit me. “Right. Like I ever got to touch a single thing that belonged to you while we were growing up.”
“Oh wow, would you look at the time!” she deflected immediately, letting out a nervous laugh as she grabbed her handbag. “I better get Elara to Mom's while I still have the chance.”
“Hey, we're not done discussing this yet!” I called out as she hurried toward the door.
“Let's finish it over the phone! Also, Mom wants you to bring Kate for dinner this weekend!” she yelled back, slipping out into the hallway before I could even open my mouth.
I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand over my face. I hadn't even gotten the chance to tell her who our female model was going to be.
Suddenly, the office door clicked open again. Emily stepped back inside, this time with Elara standing close by her side.
“One more thing... can I borrow Charles for a few minutes?” Emily asked.
I walked over to them and picked up Elara, who instantly ran into my arms with a bright smile.
“Hey, honey,” I greeted her softly, feeling the tension in my shoulders melt slightly as her tiny arms wrapped around my neck.
“Hi,” she murmured, her small fingers immediately reaching out to play with the buttons on my suit jacket.
“You said something about Charles?” I asked, turning my attention back to Emily.
“Yes. I really need him to drop Elara and me off at home, if that's fine with you,” she said. She reached out, taking Elara from my arms and setting her down on her feet.
Right on cue, the door to Charles's adjoining office opened. He stepped out, already holding his car keys in his hand. I looked from him to Emily, who instantly flashed me a thoroughly guilty smile.
“I wonder why you even bother coming to ask for permission when you clearly already have him doing exactly as you wish,” I muttered, my energy completely drained by their antics.
“Right,” Emily chirped, utterly unbothered by my sarcasm.
Charles quickly scooped Elara up into his arms and headed straight toward the elevator.
“Bye!” Elara called out, waving her little hand at me.
“Bye, honey,” I replied, waving back with a genuine smile.
“We love you!” Emily added, blowing me a dramatic kiss that had me shaking my head in pure amusement. Within seconds, they disappeared down the hallway.
Left in the quiet of my office, the gravity of the day settled back over me. I walked back to my desk, picked up the phone, and dialed Rosa.
“Send the model in,” I ordered.
Anna's POV
“Hey, Mom,” I greeted, forcing a hollow, artificial energy into my voice that I didn't feel at all.
“Anna! You scared me half to death!” her voice erupted through the receiver, thick with panic and anger. “Why weren't you taking your calls all throughout yesterday?! You had me worried sick!”
The sharp scolding triggered a rush of raw emotion, and tears immediately clouded my vision. I choked back a sob, fighting desperately to keep my voice steady.
“I was working, Mom. Remember I told you we had a massive project coming up?” I lied, wiping the hot tears running down my cheeks.
“That's okay, sweetie. I just wanted to make sure you're alright,” she said, her tone instantly softening into a deep, maternal worry that made my chest ache. “Don't stress yourself out too much. You sound so down.”
I swallowed the heavy, suffocating lump forming at the back of my throat, feeling entirely isolated in my agony. “I'm fine, Mom. I just have a lot of files I need to sort through. I'll come visit you soon. Tell Christabel I'm sorry I won't be around for a while.”
“That's alright. Don't go too hard on yourself, okay? Eat well, dress warm, and get some rest.”
The line went silent as the call ended. The moment the connection cut, the crushing pain squeezing my heart completely boiled over. I collapsed against the pillows, sobbing violently as I let go of all the grief I had been stifling.
Why does it hurt so much? I had gotten exactly what I wanted, but the price had broken me. After the terrifying, massive bleeding yesterday afternoon, I had officially lost the baby.
Desperate for a breath of fresh air because the walls of the hospital room felt like they were actively suffocating me, I tried to pull myself off the bed. But the moment my bare feet touched the cold floor, a violent wave of dizziness washed over my vision. My knees buckled, and I fell heavily back onto the mattress, my hands gripping the metal IV pole with white knuckles just to stay upright.
The door to my ward swung open, and a nurse walked in carrying a tray. The second she saw me struggling, she set it down and dashed to my side.
“Miss! I thought I explicitly told you not to try getting up on your own! You could fall and severely injure yourself!” she scolded.
But her voice faded into a distant whisper as my eyes locked onto the figure standing silently by the door.
Seth.