PREGNANT FOR THE WRONG MORETTI

CHAPTER SIX: THE BLONDE DEVIL

Sweat already dripping down Din’s face, he searched Jessie's face, but she remained unflinched.

His tummy knotted, it was going to be an ugly sight to be seen with his bride's sister, on their engagement night, and for some reason he couldn't place, he didn't want to hurt Marie, at least not so soon.

He was sure whoever came in could tell something was off, he stared at Jessie's face again, her red lipstick smudged, her eyes darting everywhere.

Then the footsteps got closer to the door. Their eyes snapped to the handle.

It turned.

Their eyes widened like teenagers caught stealing. Jessie smoothed her dress down in carefree moves. Din wiped his lips with the back of his hand, heart slamming against his ribs.

The door glided open, a subtle push from the other side of the door.

Elena Moretti stood there, one perfect eyebrow arched. Her gaze slid over them: Jessie’s smudged lipstick and darting eyes, Din’s crooked tie, the faint red stain on his collar, and the obvious guilt in his eyes that she was familiar with.

Elena’s lips thinned. She knew. Mothers always know.

But she only said, cool and calm, “Photographer’s here. Family pictures. Now.”

Din exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for years. “Coming, right away.”

Elena gave Jessie one last sharp look, turned on her heel, and walked away, heels clicking like warnings.

Din adjusted his tie in the mirror, fingers shaking just enough to rat him out. That was close. Too close. He glanced at Jessie’s reflection.

He wondered what kind of stuff the blonde devil was made of.

She stared back, eyes glittering. A slow, wicked smile spread across her face.

“Payback time,” she whispered to the mirror, voice dripping venom and victory. She tugged her dress hem a little higher, exposing more thigh, then fluffed her hair.

Din didn’t wait, Jessie was unpredictable. He slipped out after his mother, shoulders tight. Batting eyelids to hide his dull eyes.

Down the hall, Marie had escaped to her bedroom. She shut the door softly, leaned against it for a second, then crossed to the huge gilded mirror above her dressing table.

The woman looking back didn’t look like a scandal waiting to happen. Black wavy hair loose and shining, green silk dress hugging her body just right, lips still full from biting them all night. She looked… beautiful. Effortless. She hated it.

Because every time she blinked, she saw Din’s eyes on her across the dinner table. The way his suit jacket stretched across his shoulders when he reached for his glass. The low, quiet way he said her name like it tasted good, his warm hand when he took hers in a shake,

Her stomach flipped again, tight and hot.

What if he’s kind? And what if he's not?

What if he touches me as he means it?

“No, Marie, you shouldn't let him touch you. He sure looked like a player,” she said under her breath.

What if he finds out about the baby and looks at me like trash? Or cancels the whole disaster of a marriage?

That would be even more shattering, but her mother, Claret Valenti, never goes wrong in any plan! She shut her eyes, tilting her head backwards.

She wasn't particularly sure why a young, charming man like Din Moretti would agree to father another man’s child, her mind blowing hot with uncertainty.

She pressed both hands to her belly, still flat enough to hide the secret. Eight weeks. A heartbeat she’d heard today that wasn’t his, a secret she can't share with him either.

She swallowed hard, her life was taking a drastic turn, too fast, something she couldn't control.

Angelo’s face flashed again, laughing, promising forever, then gone. Taking Nathan. Leaving her empty.

Her chest ripped open, one tear slipped free, slid down her cheek, hung on her jaw.

The door creaked open.

Marie spun, swiping the tear away fast, no one should see her weakness.

Julie, the maid who’d become Marie's nanny a few months after she was given birth to, stood there holding a silver tray under her left arm. Her hair in a neat bun with a few grey strands, kind eyes that saw too much, too much that even the kids didn't know existed in that mansion.

“Miss, your mother sent me, Photographers are ready downstairs. Everyone’s waiting.”

Marie forced a smile that felt like glass. “Thanks, Julie. I’m coming.”

Julie hesitated, then stepped inside and set the tray down. “You all right, child?”

Marie’s throat closed. She nodded too fast. “Fine. Just… tired.”

Julie didn’t push. She never did, but she could read Marie's face. Just squeezed Marie’s hand once, warm and quick, then left.

Marie looked back at the mirror. Fixed the smudged eyeliner with a fingertip. Straightened her shoulders.

“You can do this, Marie”

Smile. Pose. Lie. And make catchy headlines by morning.

“Six weeks until the rest of your life starts fully,” she muttered.

She walked out, raising two sides of her mermaid dress with both hands.

Downstairs, the salon buzzed. Claret directed the photographers like a general. Elena stood beside her, both women laughing too loudly.

Din waited near the fireplace, hands in pockets, eyes scanning the door.

The second Marie appeared, his gaze locked on her. Something soft flashed across his face, he was able to cover the guilt, he squared his shoulders, dragging a little on his tie.

Jessie lounged against the grand piano, dress riding high, watching them both like a cat with a bird.

Claret clapped. “There she is! Come, darling. Stand next to your fiancé.” Her eyes glistened with pure pleasure.

Marie walked down the stairs, her smile bright enough to convince Claret.

Din offered his arm without thinking. She took it. His sleeve was warm under her fingers.

Flash. Flash. Flash.

The camera caught them: beautiful couple, perfect future, every lie frozen in light.

Jessie’s smile behind them looked sharp enough to cut, she smiled at how perfect her plans were becoming. Everyone would feel her wrath when she's finally ready, her eyes hid so much bitterness.

Marie felt Din’s thumb brush her wrist. Her heart cracked open a little more.

Minutes ticked into hours, Din seemed to be enjoying every body contact he made with Marie, with the shutterbug and videographers' directions never ending.

Jessie burned with each pose, Din avoided her eyes for the rest of the night, then she slipped out of the buzzing arena, everyone too busy to notice her absence, perfect enough to carry out her plans.

The door creaked open the moment her fingers landed on them, she darted her eyes around, she needed to be sure no one had followed her.

Marie's room was dimly lit, and her phone lay on the sheets, too easy to be seen. The gadget beeped with a notification the moment Jessie stepped in, she took it up, lips parted in a hearty smile.

“Perfect! This is enough to ruin everything,” she giggled, her face buried into the phone, her face shone from the gadget's glow.