My Secret Helper

After me

Elera sat stiffly in the chair as the makeup artist dusted a finishing powder over her face. The whole morning had been all about hair, makeup and endless pictures. Now, as she looked at herself in the mirror, she barely recognized the woman staring back. She looked expensive and elegant like she belonged to the Scliair family.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Dante stepped into the room. He was dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, looking every bit the billionaire groom. He smirked as he leaned against the doorway.

“You clean up well" he said.

Elera scoffed. “Is that your way of saying I look nice?”

Dante chuckled. “You look breathtaking”

Before she could respond, a knock at the door signaled it was time. The wedding ceremony was grand, filled with the wealthiest guests she had ever seen. Each step down the aisle felt like she was stepping deeper into a life that wasn’t truly hers.

When they reached the altar, Dante took her hand, squeezing it slightly.

The vows were exchanged and they slipped the rings onto their fingers.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride" The officiant said.

Dante leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a kiss that was neither rushed nor forced. It was the perfect balance…convincing yet detached.

Afterward, the reception was even more intense. Guests swarmed them, offering congratulations laced with curiosity.

“So, how did you two meet?” an older woman with diamond earrings asked.

Dante smiled smoothly. “At a bar. She threw a drink at me"

Elera arched a brow but played along. “You deserved it"

Laughter erupted, and the conversations continued. Elara barely had time to breathe before she was pulled into yet another group of women, all dressed in the kind of designer gowns that probably cost more than her entire rent for a year.

They were circling her like sharks.

“So" a sultry brunette with striking green eyes began, swirling her champagne as she eyed Elara like a puzzle waiting to be solved. “Dante Scliair, a married man. Who would have thought?”

Elara smiled, careful to keep it poised. “Life is full of surprises" she replied smoothly.

The blonde beside her, leaned in, smirking. “Surprises indeed. But let’s be real, darling, Dante has never, ever been the settling-down type. And yet here you are. Married and Pregnant" Her gaze flickered to Elara’s stomach with obvious interest. “So tell us, what’s your secret?”

Elara chuckled lightly, though her fingers tightened around the delicate stem of her glass. “Timing" she said. “And a little fate, I suppose"

The blonde scoffed. “Oh, fate, please. We all know men like Dante don’t get married for fate. There has to be something more"

A third woman, with dark curls smirked. “Oh, I know exactly what it is. You’ve tamed him in bed, haven’t you?” Her voice was meant to tease her “You’re glowing, darling. And let’s be honest, Dante isn’t exactly the type to keep his hands to himself once he’s claimed something"

The group laughed, their eyes sparkled with scandalous amusement.

Elara exhaled a slow, deliberate sigh, letting her lashes lower just enough to give the impression of a woman reminiscing about very good nights. Then she looked up and smirked. “Let’s just say" she whispered to them “if I could still walk properly after our first few nights, I wouldn’t be five months pregnant now, would I?”

The women gasped, then erupted into laughter, some whispering among themselves, others fanning their faces.

“Oh my God, Elara" the brunette giggled. “I knew he had it in him"

“I always wondered what he’d be like" another sighed dramatically. “That man is sin wrapped in a suit. You have to tell us, is he as intense in bed as he is in business?”

Elara let out a breathy chuckle, tilting her head playfully. “Intense?” she mused. “That’s one word for it"

The women exchanged glances as their curiosity deepened. The blonde narrowed her eyes slightly, as if searching for cracks In her act “But you know, it’s so strange. Dante has never been with anyone before"

Elara smiled. “Never been married before, you mean?”

The blonde smirked. “No, darling. I mean what I said. Never been with anyone before"

Elara felt a cold shiver rush through her spine, but she forced herself to laugh lightly. “I think you underestimate your dear Dante" she said “Because trust me, he knows exactly what he’s doing"

The women exchanged another round of shocked glances before laughing again. “Well, then" the brunette purred, sipping her champagne, “I suppose the mystery of Dante Scliair has finally been solved"

Elara turned slightly, her heart pounding. Across the room, Dante stood watching her, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of whiskey. It was obvious he had heard their conversations but he pretended not too.

One of Dante’s uncles, a man with graying hair, clapped him on the back. “I assume you two will be retiring to the honeymoon suite soon?”

Dante hesitated for the first time that evening. He hadn’t been prepared for this part of the plan.

Elera’s pulse quickened. She knew they had separate rooms. That had been the agreement. But now, with eyes on them, Dante had no choice.

He forced a smile looking at Elera “Of course"

Elera swallowed hard, nodding in agreement and they excused themselves and headed upstairs.

Inside the room, she stood frozen while Dante locked the door behind them. She turned to him, her voice low. “This wasn’t part of the deal"

Dante sighed, removing his tie. “I know. But they’re watching"

Elera crossed her arms. “So what do we do?”

Dante loosened his shirt buttons. “We sleep here but on opposite sides of the bed"

Elera exhaled in relief. “Good"

Dante smirked. “Did you think I was actually going to…”

“No!” she cut in quickly, then scowled. “Just making sure"

With that settled, she took a deep breath and stepped into the bathroom. The weight of the day had been exhausting. Stripping out of the wedding gown, she turned on the shower, letting the hot water soothe her nerves.

Once she was clean, she wrapped herself in a robe and stepped out. Dante had turned down the lights and he lay on the far side of the bed, his back turned.

Elera climbed into the opposite side, careful to keep as much distance as possible.

“Goodnight, Mrs. Scliair" Dante murmured.

She hesitated before responding. “Goodnight, Mr. Scliair"