Chapter 262
“Mrs. Vexley, you look absolutely radiant—congratulations on the baby,” gushed a woman in pearls paired with suspiciously casual sneakers. Her smile was too bright, too practiced. “I’m Sophia Lang, Quantum Tech. We’d love to host you both at our gala next month p>
Another man slid into the circle—a startup CEO with a deliberately casual ponytail, the kind that suggested he could afford a haircut but chose rebellion instead.
“Eliana, right?” he said easily. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you. The magazines haven’t stopped talking since your wedding to Rafael—caught a lot of people off guard.” His smile widened, opportunistic but polished. “And I hear you’re studying nursing? That’s genuinely inspiring. Perhaps we could even fund a scholarship in your name p>
Eliana nodded politely, fingers curling slightly around Rafael’s hand. Her voice remained soft, sincere. “Thank you. That’s very generous,” she said. “I’m still… taking it all in p>
The words barely slowed them.
“Oh, you must tell us your secret,” someone laughed. “How did you tame the untamable Vexley?” Another voice chimed in, louder, bolder. “Pregnancy suits you—absolutely radiant. You’re glowing like a goddess p>
Eliana smiled again—gracious, composed—while inside she felt like she was being turned into a headline, a curiosity pinned under glass. Compliments piled up, admiration blurring with entitlement, and she understood with quiet clarity that in this world, even kindness came with strings.
Through his dark shades, Rafael noticed her discomfort—the subtle shift in her posture, the way her fingers tightened in his. His sharp tongue itched to lash out, but he opted for mercy. “If you’ll excuse us,” he said smoothly, his tone brooking no argument. “We’ve just arrived and haven’t even lounged in yet. My very pregnant wife needs to rest p>
Eliana shot him a silent glance of gratitude, her eyes shimmering with relief—her emotional resilience shining through, but oh, how she appreciated his protectiveness.
In front of the lingering crowd, Rafael pulled her gently into his lap, his strong arms encircling her waist with effortless command. Eliana’s face turned pure red like tomatoes, embarrassment flooding her cheeks as she perched there, her belly nestled against him. Murmurs followed—”Bold move.” “She’s blushing adorably.”—but Rafael smirked, unfazed.
James wheeled them away with practiced ease, Rafael’s men falling into casual formation around them: Oliver vanishing into the periphery, Will chuckling under his breath, Liam scanning postures, Kai shadowing silently, Viktor nodding steadily, and Jax grinning like it was all part of the show.
As they approached their assigned “tent”—a massive structure that blurred the line between canvas and castle—Eliana’s breath caught. It was supposed to be a tent, but it looked like a luxurious house: towering white walls of reinforced fabric billowing in the breeze, adorned with crystal chandeliers that dangled from the peaked ceiling. Inside, polished hardwood floors gleamed underfoot, leading to a king-sized bed draped in silk sheets and plush pillows. A marble bathroom hid behind a partition, complete with a claw-foot tub and rain shower. Fire pits crackled outside on a private deck with mountain views, and every corner screamed money—fresh flowers in crystal vases, a stocked bar with aged scotch, even a small library nook with leather-bound books.
Still seated on Rafael’s lap in the wheelchair, Eliana blinked in disbelief, her expressive eyes wide as saucers. “Rafael… this is a tent? It feels like I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole and landed in Wonderland. Is this really how rich people go camping? I mean, there’s a chandelier p>
Rafael chuckled softly, his voice laced with sarcasm but warmed by her wonder. “Princess, for us, camping means five-star wilderness. No bugs, no dirt—just the illusion of roughing it while sipping champagne p>
James paused at the entrance, his wire-rimmed glasses glinting as he adjusted a stack of documents. “You two should get some rest first. I’ll come back later with the conference itinerary—schedules, merger sessions, the works. Don’t want to overwhelm you right off the bat p>
Will grinned from behind, his muscular arms crossed. “Yeah, boss, take it easy. We’ve got the perimeter covered p>
Liam nodded, his gaze tracing their relaxed postures. “Intentions here seem clean so far, but we’ll stay sharp p>
Kai added quietly, “Rest well, Eliana. You’ve got this p>
Viktor gave a calm thumbs-up, while Oliver smirked from the shadows. “Like smoke, we’re everywhere p>
Jax clapped his hands lightly. “Orchestra’s tuned. Catch you later p>
With that, James and the men filed out, heading to their own tents nearby—smaller but still luxurious, forming a protective ring around the central one.
The moment the tent flap fell shut behind them, sealing the world outside, Eliana finally broke.
She let out a breath she’d clearly been holding for far too long, the sound trembling as her body sagged against Rafael’s chest. “Rafael,” she whispered, overwhelmed, “this is… a lot. The people, the stares, the pretending.” She huffed weakly, pressing her face into him. “I feel like I’m drowning in silk and smiles p>
Rafael didn’t hesitate.
In one smooth, unguarded motion, he rose from the wheelchair, the illusion peeling away like a discarded costume. Before she could protest—or process—he scooped her up effortlessly, bridal style, his strength unmistakable. Eliana gasped, instinctively clutching his shoulders as her curls spilled over his arm.
“Rafael—” she started, but the protest melted into a soft laugh as he carried her to the king-sized bed.
He lowered her gently onto the silk sheets, reverent rather than rushed. The dark shades were tossed aside without ceremony, forgotten. When he leaned over her, his steel-grey eyes—clear, sharp, unmasked—held hers with an intensity that quieted everything else.
His hand settled over her belly, warm and grounding, thumb tracing slow, protective circles.
“I’m here, princess,” he murmured near her ear, his voice stripped of bite and armor. “You don’t need to worry about any of this. Not the masks. Not the mergers. Not the whispers.” He paused. “I’ve got you. Always p>
Her throat tightened. Tears welled up her eyes, stubborn and honest, slipping past her lashes as her composure finally cracked. “But what if I mess up?” she whispered. “What if they see right through me—just a girl who came from nothing? What if I embarrass you p>
Rafael brushed a curl from her face, his touch achingly gentle. When he spoke, the sarcasm was gone—replaced by something raw.
“They won’t,” he said quietly. “Because you’re not from nothing. You’re from everything that matters. Strength. Loyalty. That quiet fire you don’t even realize you carry.” His mouth curved faintly. “And you could never embarrass me even if you tried, because I love every inch of you. Also, if they try to tear you apart? I’ll burn their worlds down p>
She laughed through her tears, the sound light, unguarded, real. “You’re impossible,” she said softly. “And… thank you. For seeing me p>
“Always.” He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. “Now rest. Our little one needs you steady p>
As Eliana settled into the pillows, the mountain breeze whispering gently through the tent walls, a fragile sense of peace wrapped around them. Outside, the world still wore its masks and sharpened its knives—but for now, here, they were untouchable.