CHAPTER 63

Four months later, Margaret was nestled in the modern reading room of their bedroom in the Alfred mansion. Natural light streamed through large windows, casting a warm glow over the sleek furniture and minimalist design. She was engrossed in her notebook, fervently jotting down ideas for a business she was eager to launch. Her thoughts flowed as she mapped out her vision, determined to have everything in place before she presented it to Alexander.

As she worked, her focus shifted unexpectedly from business plans to an intense craving for something specific—saffron-infused foie gras with a touch of gold leaf, a luxurious dish she had only glimpsed on a menu at a five-star restaurant in Philadelphia. It was a craving so vivid that she could almost taste it as if the scent of the dish had materialized in the room.

Margaret picked up her phone and texted Alexander a quick message.

"Hey babe," she typed, her fingers moving quickly over the screen. "That was so sweet of you. I saw your note on the table this morning, and it made my day. Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you. You’re always on my mind. Miss you and can't wait for you to be home." Margaret hit send.

Alexander's reply was almost immediate:

"Hey beautiful, glad my note made you smile. What have you been up to today?"

Margaret smiled at the screen and began typing: "Oh, I'm just working on a little surprise for you! I’ve been in the study all morning."

Noticing that Alexander was still typing, she added, "But now I’m heading downstairs to the kitchen because I'm hungry. Since you asked, I’ll give you a little hint: it’s something special I’ve been planning. I hope you’ll love it."I'm craving saffron-infused foie gras with a touch of gold leaf. I haven't even tried it, but suddenly, I want to eat it. I only saw it in a Philadelphia restaurant I visited with Sandra."

Alexander's reply was swift: "I can't wait to get back home so I can see what you're planning."

Margaret grinned and replied, " Talk to you later."

With that, Margaret put her phone away and went to the kitchen. She smiled at the delicious aroma filling the room. Chef Lorenzo was already busy at work, his hands moving as he prepared the final touches on a dish.

Margaret quickly snapped a picture and sent it to Alexander with a message: "See what Chef Lorenzo made for me!"

She sat at the kitchen island, and Chef Lorenzo placed a beautifully plated appetizer in front of her. "This is our new creation, the Truffle-Infused Quail Egg Crostini," he said proudly.

As Margaret savored the Truffle-Infused Quail Egg Crostini, her phone buzzed with a message from Alexander.

"What was the name of the restaurant you went to with Sandra in Philadelphia?" he asked.

Margaret raised an eyebrow and typed back, "Why?"

Alexander's reply was quick, "To get it for you."

Margaret chuckled, shaking her head as she typed back, "But it's not in New York. The restaurant is in Philadelphia."

"Don't worry," he texted back.

Alexander set his phone down at Alexandra Tech and dialed Theodore's number privately. As soon as Theodore picked up, Alexander got straight to the point. "I need you to make arrangements to go to Philadelphia. Margaret has a craving for a specific dish from a restaurant there."

Theodore couldn't help but smile at the request. "I will get to it now. " Theodore responded.

"Take the private helicopter to make it fast and send it to the house," Alexander said before cutting the call.

Within minutes, Theodore arranged for Alexander’s private helicopter to be ready for the trip. He ensured he had all the details of the restaurant and the specific dish Margaret was craving. As he boarded the helicopter, he couldn't help but smile at the lengths Alexander was willing to go to make Margaret happy.

Within an hour, Theodore was airborne, the skyline of New York City quickly giving way to the rolling landscapes of Pennsylvania.

Flying over the city, Theodore reviewed the plan. He would land in Philadelphia, go to the restaurant, and return to Margaret. He quickly called the restaurant to ensure they could prepare the dish on short notice.

Landing smoothly in Philadelphia, Theodore wasted no time. He headed directly to the restaurant, where the staff, having been informed of his VIP status, were already preparing the dish. Theodore supervised the packaging, ensuring everything was perfect for Margaret.

Theodore returned to the helicopter and took off back to New York. As they soared over the skyline, he texted Alexander: "On my way back with Margaret’s food."

Alexander smiled at the message, eager to see Margaret’s expression when she received her special treat.

Margaret was in the middle of jotting down a few more ideas when the doorbell rang. She got up and walked to the door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Theodore holding a carefully packaged meal.

"Theodore! What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Theodore smiled warmly. "I brought you something special from Philadelphia," he said, stepping inside and handing her the package.

Margaret’s face lit up with a mix of astonishment and delight. She blushed and smiled as she took the package from Theodore. "You went all the way to Philadelphia for this?" she asked, incredulous.

Theodore nodded. "Alexander wanted to make sure you got exactly what you were craving." Then he left for Alexandra Tech.

When she returned to the living room, Chef Lorenzo appeared just then. "I'll set the dinner table," he said, taking the package from Margaret.

Margaret watched eagerly as Chef Lorenzo set the table and prepared the saffron-infused foie gras with a touch of gold leaf for her.

Once the table was perfectly set, Margaret couldn't contain her excitement. She quickly picked up her phone and called Alexander. As soon as he answered, she turned on the video, showing him the beautifully arranged dish.

"Alexander, you are incredible! Look at this," she said, her voice brimming with gratitude and excitement. "Thank you so much. This is beyond amazing."

Alexander’s face lit up on the screen. "I'm glad you like it.."

As they ended the call, Margaret sat at the table, ready to savor the luxurious dish, her heart whole of appreciation for Alexander’s thoughtful gesture. She took a deep breath, inhaling the

aroma before taking her first bite. The flavors were exquisite, just as she had imagined, but a sudden wave of nausea hit her as she chewed.

Margaret’s hand flew to her mouth, and she quickly stood up. She rushed to the bathroom, barely making it in time. Leaning over the sink, she splashed cold water on her face, trying to steady her breathing.

As she stood there, her mind raced. She had been feeling nauseous for a long time. At first, she thought it was because of the trauma she had been through, but now she realized something else. When was the last time she saw her period? Frowning, she realized it had been longer than usual.

Her hands trembling slightly, Margaret grabbed her phone and opened the calendar app. She quickly scrolled through the dates, her heart pounding. Could it be? she thought.