Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Lila
Morning light filtered through the curtains, painting soft patterns across the sheets. I lay against Elias's chest, listening to his steady breathing, one arm draped protectively across my waist. The warmth of his body had become familiar in a way that still sometimes caught me off guard—how quickly this man had become my anchor.
My hand drifted to my stomach, fingers splaying across the flat plane beneath my sleep shirt. A week had passed since Elias asked me to have his child, and the request had lodged itself somewhere deep in my chest. I'd thought I would need time to consider it, but the truth was simpler than I'd expected—I wanted it. I wanted to carry his child, to give Sofia a sibling.
But there was a thread of anxiety growing steadily over the past week. We'd been intimate multiple times since our first night, never using protection. I knew it was far too early to expect any signs of conception, but my mind couldn't help but wander. What if my years of malnutrition in foster care had left some invisible mark?
The rational part of my mind whispered that these things took time, but a quieter voice asked what if something was wrong? The thought of disappointing Elias made my chest tighten.
Once my ankle healed completely, I'd schedule a comprehensive check-up. Better to know for certain than let worry fester.
"If we could have a baby together," I whispered against his chest, "that would be perfect."
Elias stirred, his arm tightening as he pulled me closer. A soft sound rumbled in his chest, and his lips brushed my hair. Whatever challenges we might face, we'd face them together.
I pressed a kiss to his collarbone and let my eyes drift closed, pushing the worries away.
---
The bedroom door burst open, Sofia's voice filling the room with characteristic enthusiasm as she yanked open the curtains.
"Rise and shine, lovebirds! We have a very important day ahead of us, and Lila needs to look absolutely devastating."
Elias groaned, shielding his eyes. "Sofia, it's seven in the morning. On a weekday. Why aren't you at school?"
"Because today is much more important than my classes." She turned to face us, hands on her hips. "Today is the day that Victoria Ashford and her little minion publicly grovel for forgiveness, and I'll be damned if I let Lila show up looking anything less than perfect."
I pushed myself up. "I thought the apology was supposed to be small and private—just a formality."
Sofia's grin widened. "Oh, Lila. Sweet, naive Lila. When has anything involving the Ashford family ever been small or private?" She moved to the bed. "Dad, tell her."
Elias sat up, running a hand through his hair. "The apology will be public. Held at the St. Regis, with media present. They begged to change it from a private home visit to a public event. The Ashford family insisted on making it to demonstrate their commitment to preserving their alliance with the Whitmore family."
"Media?" I stared at him. "As in, reporters and cameras?"
"As in, 'Manhattan Insider' will be covering it live," Sofia said gleefully. "Dad really did a number on the Whitmores with that stock crash—now the Ashfords are desperate to show they respect the Voss family."
The implications were staggering. What I'd imagined as a brief, uncomfortable meeting had transformed into a public spectacle designed to humiliate my former tormentors while reinforcing power dynamics between families.
"Elias, isn't this excessive? Turning this into a media circus—"
"They made it a circus when they assaulted you at a public event," he interrupted, his voice hardening. "They humiliated you in public, endangered you, and showed no remorse until I forced their hand. This isn't excessive. This is proportional."
Sofia nodded vigorously. "Besides, you deserve to see them squirm. You deserve to sit there looking stunning and watch them choke on their false sincerity." She took my hand. "Please, Lila. Let me help you get ready. Let me make sure you walk into that hotel looking like the queen you are."
"Okay," I said finally. "Help me get ready."
---
Sofia transformed my preparation into a military operation, complete with schedule and checklist. She'd enlisted Eileen's help in setting up a makeshift salon in the guest bedroom, with professional lighting and a full-length mirror.
"Sit." She pointed to the vanity chair. "We're starting with skincare, then hair, then makeup. I want you glowing. I want you so radiant that Victoria takes one look and realizes exactly how far beneath you she really is."
She worked with surprising skill, fingers gentle as she applied serums and moisturizers, explaining each product's purpose.
"You don't have to do all this," I said as she began on my hair. "I could have just worn something simple."
Sofia met my eyes in the mirror. "Lila, this isn't about the dress or makeup. This is about you understanding your worth." She set down the brush, hands on my shoulders. "For too long, you've let people like Victoria and Leo make you feel like you had to apologize for existing. But you're not less than anyone. You're brilliant, kind, strong, and you're married to my father—which makes you part of one of the most powerful families in New York."
When Sofia finally declared me ready, I barely recognized my reflection. She'd styled my hair in loose waves over one shoulder. My makeup was subtle but flawless. And the dress...
"Is this the dress from the boutique? The one I was wearing when Victoria—"
"Exactly." Sofia's smile was sharp. "The same dress she mocked you for trying on. I thought it would be poetic for you to accept her apology while wearing the very thing she tried to use to humiliate you."