Chapter 66 Chapter 66

Chapter 66 Chapter 66
Darian sat alone in the dim hotel lobby, his suitcase beside him, exhaustion tugging at his eyes. Carmine had already taken the available room and he didn’t mind. He would do anything to avoid unnecessary drama.

He dialed Averie’s number with a smile on his face and she picked up almost instantly.
“Darian?” Her soft voice dissolved all the stress from his shoulders.

“We just got to the hotel,” he said, leaning back into the couch. “How’s my wife?”

“Tired… and missing you,” Averie replied, smiling through the phone. “Did you check in yet?”

“There’s a mix-up with the booking so I let Carmine take the room. I’m in the lobby for now.”

She gasped lightly. “Darian, you can’t sleep in a lobby, you’re not…”

He chuckled. “Relax. I’m checking for another hotel, I’ll be fine.”

Her voice softened even more. “I wish you were here instead.”

He closed his eyes, imagining her beside him.
“I always want to be with you, my sweetheart.”

There was a sweet silence from Averie’s side. She had never thought Darian Graham had a warm side to him. 

“Sleep soon,” he murmured. “Our baby needs you rested.”

She touched her stomach. “He or she misses you too.”

He smiled, unable to help himself. “We’ll call again tomorrow?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Goodnight, honey…” she said and bit her lips, blushing.

“Goodnight love” Darian said in a low, warm tone.

The call ended with both smiling quietly to themselves.

Darian stood and approached the hotel staff again, only to receive the same disappointing answer: all nearby hotels were fully booked.

He sighed and was about to resign himself to the lobby couch when an attendant hurried toward him.

“Sir…Mr. Graham?”

Darian straightened. “Yes?”

“We deeply apologize. It seems we didn’t recognize your full registration earlier. A small room has just opened. It’s not up to VIP standard, but you may use it until we prepare your suite tomorrow morning.”

Darian nodded gratefully. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”

They escorted him upstairs, bowing repeatedly once they realized his identity.

AT THE HOSPITAL>>
Back home, the sun hadn’t even risen fully when Averie Quinn arrived at the hospital to check on Darian’s beloved grandfather.. The old man was awake, sipping warm water with the help of a nurse.

“Ah… Averie,” he greeted with a gentle smile. “You’re up so early.”

“I wanted to check on you before work,” she said, sitting beside his bed.

They discussed the baby, her health, and Darian’s trip. The old man blessed her repeatedly and told her to take care of herself.

“Have a great day, my dear,” he said as she stood to leave.

“You too, Grandpa,” she replied warmly.

But right as she opened the door, she nearly bumped into Lauren.

The older woman looked her up and down with disdain.
“Oh... You”

Averie forced a polite smile “Good morning, ma’am.”

“Congratulations on your pregnancy,” the woman said with an exaggerated shrug. “Though… I do wonder if it’s real.”

Averie blinked slowly. “Excuse me?”

The woman folded her arms. “You might be helping Darian deceive the poor old man. I mean, after the scandal with your doctor friend, who knows? Is the baby even ours?”

Averie’s palm twitched, her blood boiling. She wanted to slap the woman into next week but she stayed composed.

With a cold, sweet smile, Averie answered:

“You should be careful with your words, ma’am. Instead of mocking someone’s family, try focusing on your own son.”

Lauren’s mouth dropped open, shocked by Averie’s comeback.

Averie stepped closer, lowering her voice, “And you should thank Darian because he spared you from the consequences of your little stunt… the one with the maid leaking the contract.”

Shock flashed across the woman’s face.

“What?”

“Yes,” Averie said sharply. “He knows but as a person with a good heart, he chose to bury it.”
Then, she paused.
“But I can tell the grandfather if you provoke me again.”

Lauren paled instantly, She swallowed hard and stepped aside in shame.
“Have a nice day,” Averie Quinn said, walking away gracefully.

THE STATES>>
Darian Graham dressed the next morning sharply and met Carmine in the lobby. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, but he only nodded politely.

They arrived at the meeting venue. The first man, the coordinator who had invited them over for a drink the other time back home welcomed them. Moments later, the young Spanish programmer walked in. He looked brilliant, charismatic, and observant.

They spent hours negotiating, discussing structure, profit splits, and intellectual rights. The Spanish guy leaned back after their session.

“I’ll think about your offer overnight,” he said. “Let’s meet again tomorrow.”

Darian shook his hand professionally. “I appreciate your consideration.” And like that, everyone dispersed.

Carmine stretched dramatically. “Well, that went great. We should relax, Darian. Explore. At least make this trip enjoyable.”

“No,” he said. “I should prepare for tomorrow.”

“Don’t be so boring. We’ll go back in two days and you’re already over-stressing yourself” she said but when Darian didn’t give her the attention she wanted, she resorted to the last plan.

“Do you know that women love surprises,” she said with a playful wink. “What if we go shopping for your wife? Buy her something special?”

Darian paused, looking away from his computer to Carmine.
“That did sound like something she would love…Fine,” he agreed and Carmine’s smile widened.

 
They visited several stores, including jewelry, accessories, and perfumes. Darian bought items he believed Averie would love.

At the last store, he paused, staring at a soft blue dress. It reminded him of Averie, the calm elegance she carried naturally.

Carmine noticed the look instantly, “That one is lovely,” she said. “Let me try it on for you to see.”

Before he could object, she grabbed the dress and rushed into the changing room.

Minutes later, she stepped out wearing the dress. She twirled dramatically. “What do you think?”

Darian’s expression dropped and without hesitation, he said, “It was meant for Averie.”

Carmine’s smile slipped but he didn’t care, he simply turned to examine another rack instead.

An attendant approached, smiling. “Your wife looks beautiful, sir. You should buy this dress for her.”

Carmine’s heart lifted. “Do we really look like a couple?”

“No. She’s not my wife.” Darian didn’t hesitate to clear the air.

Humiliation washed over Carmine as she gripped the dress tightly. Trying to recover, she forced a giggle. “Right… right. The dress would look great on Averie. You should buy it.”

NIGHT TIME>>
They returned to the hotel very late at night. And fortunately, Darian’s VIP suite was finally ready, and he moved into it.

Carmine stepped into her room, tossing her shopping bags aside when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Darian’s stepmother: Lauren.

“Any updates? Are you making progress or failing like everyone else?”

Carmine’s jaw tightened, and she squeezed her phone until her knuckles whitened.

“This is your last chance, Darian,” she muttered bitterly.
“If you don’t give in tonight… I’ll be forced to take a drastic step.”

She slipped into a tight, revealing dress, sprayed perfume, and picked up a bottle of fine wine.

Before stepping out, she shook the wine bottle gently, mixing something inside it at full
concentration.

Her eyes were dark and determined as she walked to Darian’s suite.

She held the mixed wine bottle behind her back, pressing her lips into a smile, and knocked.