The sound of keyboards clicking echoed sharply in the quiet immigration office.
The paperwork will be ready within two weeks,” the clerk said, handing Elara back her documents. “Please be patient.
Elara thanked her quietly and turned to leave.
Bark home, she opened her closet and began packing, piece by piece.
Each item of clothing felt like ripping open an old wound.
This shirt was what she’d given Leander for his birthday–he’d worn it when they drove to the mountains to watch the sunrise. That scarf she’d knitted through sleepless nights–he used to say wearing it made him feel close to her. In the drawer lay two expired concert tickets from the night it poured rain and they’d stayed in, listening to records until dawn.
Elara’s hands trembled slightly, but she didn’t hesitate as she threw everything into garbage bags.
As evening fell, she was dragging the last bag toward the door when familiar footsteps echoed in the hallway.
The door opened. Leander stood there supporting a heavily pregnant Marla.
“Don’t forget to come check on me later, okay?” Marla said sweetly, her eyes deliberately catching Elara’s before she waddled slowly toward the guest
room.
“Elara,” Leander stepped closer, lowering his voice, “Marla’s due any day now. The doctor says she can’t be left alone. So… I need to sleep in her room, to keep an eye on her.”
“But don’t worry,” he rushed to add, “nothing will happen between us.”
He’d prepared himself for tears, for arguments, had even rehearsed his reassurances. But to his surprise, Elara simply nodded calmly: “Do whatever you want.”
Leander paused, then visibly relaxed, even managing a relieved smile: “Just one more month to get through.”
Elara didn’t respond. She simply turned and walked toward the bedroom.
“Get through?
She was done getting through anything.
That night, Leander moved all his clothes and belongings to the guest room. Elara leaned against the doorframe, watching him shuttle back and forth, feeling as though he was slowly erasing himself from her life, piece by piece.
Late that night, a knock came at her door.
Elara opened it to find Marla standing there, belly prominent, barely concealing her smugness: “Elara, Leander forgot the stretch mark oil he bought
s going to help me apply it in a bit–I just came to get it.”
.eות
He’s
Elara’s heart clenched painfully.
Hadn’t Leander said he only saw Marla as a surrogate?
Then why was he personally tending to her stretch marks?
She turned in retrieve the battle from her drawer, her fingers trembling as she handed it over.
Mera took the but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she looked Flare up and down “Five years of marringe and you couldn’t give him a sub child, but I got pregant on the first try Doesn’t that make you feel inadequate
Clara met her gaze steadily: “You know exactly how this pregnancy happened.”
“So what?” Marla sailed dismissively. “Even if I did steal the contents of your used condoms, I’m still carrying the Everhart heir. And you? You have
nothing
She stepped closer, lowering her voice: “You know what I despise most? That superior look on your face. Every time you handed me those scholarship checks, it felt like charity. But now I’ve finally brought you down. Once this baby is born, you’ll never win against me.”
Elara had heard enough and moved to close the door, but Marla suddenly blocked it with her hand, then threw herself backward with an exaggerated
Scream
“Ahhhh
Before Elara could react. Leander came running, immediately helping the fallen Marla to her feet.
“Elara!” He looked up at her, his eyes filled with disbelief. “Didn’t you promise me this morning you’d be patient?”
“I didn’t push her,” Elara said calmly. “She threw herself down to frame me.”
“She’d risk her own child just to frame you?” Leander’s voice rose sharply. “Do you even believe that yourself?”
This was the first time he’d ever raised his voice at her.
Elara’s eyes burned, but she lifted her chin stubbornly: “I really didn’t. If you don’t believe me, let’s check the hallway security cameras.”
She reached for Marla’s arm.
“Enough!” Leander shoved her away. “Stop bullying her!”
Caught off guard, Elara stumbled backward, the back of her head striking the doorframe hard.
Sharp pain exploded through her skull as warm blood trickled down her temple.
But Leander didn’t even glance her way. He bent down to lift the still–moaning Marla: “Don’t be scared. I’ll call my private doctor right now.”
His figure disappeared completely down the hallway.
Elara slumped to the floor and began to laugh softly.
The sound seemed to claw its way up from deep in her chest–broken, trembling, mixing with her tears as it echoed through the silent corridor.
