Chapter 432 A Huge Surprise

Chapter 432 A Huge Surprise
Hope Elara stood in front of the mirror, unable to look away.

She turned from one side to the other.

She still couldn't believe how small her baby bump was for this stage of her pregnancy.

If she had worn the loose outfit she had picked earlier, no one would have guessed she was pregnant.

Maybe she was still comparing it to when she had carried twins.

“You look so cute,” Maria said as she placed a few shopping bags on the bench beside her.

She let out a happy squeal and gently rested both hands on Hope Elara's bare belly.

“You didn't want to wear the dress?”

“It's too hot,” Hope Elara said with a smile. “This outfit breathes better, and I think Valduz will like it even more.

“Besides, I'm matching Ansley. She chose my dark purple design.”

“Okay.”

Maria kept smiling, but Hope Elara could tell she felt something every time Ansley was mentioned.

“You know you can still talk to me, right?” Hope Elara said softly.

“My relationship with her doesn't change the fact that you're still my mother-in-law, and I think you're amazing.

“I'm friends with your mate.

“The famous Rogue King, Arvin Valduz.”

“There's really nothing to say,” Maria replied with a small smile.

“You forgave him because, underneath all that madness, he's a good man.

“But I left her.

“I left her alone with him.

“That was wrong.

“I have to live with that.”

“Why did you leave her?”

Hope Elara gently placed Maria's hand where Iris was kicking.

Maria looked down before answering.

“I spent years learning about the work Arvin did.

“He worked with vampires and Lycans.

“When twins are born into some of those bloodlines, they're raised together...

“Then they're forced to kill each other after their first shift.

“The survivor becomes stronger because of the bond they shared.”

Hope Elara stared at her in silence.

“I believed Arvin would protect Ansley only because Nathan would one day need something from her.

“So I made my choice.

“And I still stand by it.

“Even before they were born, Ansley and Nathan fought each other.

“They cracked ribs and left bruises while they were still in the womb.

“Nathan was always stronger.

“I may not have been the mother she deserved...

“But she's alive.

“And that's all that matters to me.”

“You really believed he would do something like that?”

“I did.”

Maria gave a quiet laugh.

“Back then, I truly believed he was capable of it.

“Now...

“He's just happy.”

She looked back at Hope Elara.

“I never thanked you.”

“For what?” Hope Elara asked with a laugh.

“For healing my family.

“Not just my son.

“All of us owe you more than you know.”

“You don't owe me anything.”

Hope Elara smiled warmly.

“I have a real family now.

“Let's call it even.”

“Are we ready?” Ansley called from outside the room.

“I'll wait downstairs.”

Maria nodded.

“I'll leave these here.

“They're maternity gifts from the women at the ranch.

“We'd love for you to visit us sometime.”

She slipped out before Hope Elara could thank her.

Hope Elara hated riding in cars now.

Any car.

She never felt comfortable anymore.

And Iris seemed to wiggle even more whenever they were on the road.

“We'll get to the venue as quickly as we can,” Ansley promised.

Hope Elara nodded but kept thinking about her conversation with Maria.

“You really shouldn't let her wander around the pack so freely.”

“We let your father wander around the pack,” Hope Elara reminded her.

“And he scares everyone.

“Maria is a respected Luna.

“People actually like her.”

She carefully avoided saying your mother.

The last time she had said those words, Ansley refused to speak to her for an entire week.

Ansley stayed silent.

Valduz had already told his fans he could no longer tour now that he was the Rogue King.

He promised he would still perform at special events and keep making music.

The band had started live-streaming their practice sessions instead.

Each member had a social media team.

Valduz's account was managed by their five-year-old twins.

They loved the attention.

And they loved helping their dad.

When they arrived at the venue, Valduz's security team immediately surrounded them.

Ansley took Hope Elara's hand and gently pulled her closer, shielding her belly with her own body.

The crowd was louder than ever.

Everyone wanted pictures of Hope Elara and Ansley together.

Being here reminded Hope Elara of where it had all begun.

That was the day her life changed forever.

She never could have imagined it would lead here.

It had been a wild journey.

But she wouldn't change any of it.

“Mommy!” the twins shouted the moment they saw her.

“Ansley, you came!” Zoey said, beaming.

“Of course I did,” Ansley laughed as she lifted Zoey into her arms.

“You're here.”

Zoey's smile grew even wider.

Then he looked at Hope Elara, as if making sure she had heard it too.

Security escorted them backstage, where Valduz and the others were waiting.

The moment Valduz saw Hope Elara, his face lit up.

Everyone was there.

Perry.

Violetta.

Baby.

Roman.

Marlon.

And Mister Valduz.

“Holy... there's actually a baby bump now,” Baby blurted out.

“Aren't you due in about two months?”

“Yes,” Hope Elara said with a laugh.

“That's unbelievable,” Baby said. “Your bump is still so small. I can still see your abs. Can I touch it?”

“Move,” Valduz said with a grin, gently nudging Baby aside.

“Hey,” Hope Elara said as she looked him over.

Her eyes lit up.

“Oh, my goodness. The outfits are even better than I imagined.”

The moment his hand touched her, she let out a soft laugh.

Iris immediately became restless, kicking happily as if she knew her father was there.

Valduz laughed and waved everyone over.

“Come here. Look at this.”

“She starts flipping around the second I touch her.”

“Oh, my moon,” Baby cooed.

“She wiggles so much.”

Then Baby looked Hope Elara straight in the eyes.

“There's really a tiny person growing inside you.”

She shook her head in amazement.

“That's so weird.”

“We grew up in there too,” Zenep said proudly.

“I almost ate Icy.”

“Yeah,” Zoey said, rolling his eyes. “Until I kicked her in the face.”

“We're live,” Violetta said through laughter as she pointed at the camera crew behind them.

The cameramen were trying their hardest not to laugh.

“We go on in ten minutes, my King,” Remart, the director, called before disappearing behind the curtain.

“How are you feeling?” Valduz asked.

He looked her over before smiling.

“What happened to the dress?”

“It's ninety-eight degrees out here,” Hope Elara replied. “There was no way I was wearing it. I would've melted.”

She smiled.

“And besides... this outfit is much cuter.”

“I agree,” Ansley said.

“Then make me vote number three,” Valduz replied.

He leaned in and kissed her gently.

“You ready?”

“For what?” Hope Elara asked.

Ansley stepped forward as the wardrobe team clipped a microphone onto her.

The equipment manager handed her a bass guitar.

Hope Elara stared at her in surprise.

Ansley smiled.

Then she leaned over and kissed Hope Elara on the cheek.

“You always make that same face,” she whispered with a teasing grin before stepping away.

Hope Elara quickly covered her mouth as everyone turned to look at them.

“Your microphone is still on, genius,” Valduz said, laughing.

Hope Elara felt her face burn with embarrassment.

“I hope someone got a picture of that,” Ansley said without a hint of shame. “It deserves a spot in the card collection.”

Valduz laughed and wrapped an arm around Hope Elara so she could hide against him.

As soon as he stepped back, Zoey looked up with innocent curiosity.

“What was she talking about?”

Hope Elara shot Ansley a look.

“We're on!” Remart shouted.

“I'll see you later, Sweetness,” Ansley called with a mischievous grin.

“When I get home from work,” Hope Elara said quickly as she took Valduz's hand.

“She was only teasing.

“Ansley is just a huge goofball.”