Chapter Four: Marked
1319 Words
Lara’s POV
“Oh my gosh! You look stunning! Your dress is beautiful!”
I couldn’t stop smiling at the charity gala. “Oh, thank you,” I grinned from ear to ear. Never in my life had I received so many compliments. It was a deep wine red gown, hugging every curve like it was designed with my body in mind. The fabric was soft but structured, dipping low at my back, clinging just enough at my hips. To think I didn’t want to wear this dress.
“It’s too much,” I had said, standing in front of the mirror while two stylists hovered like I was some kind of project.
“It’s appropriate,” Dante replied from behind me. I turned, wondering what he was doing there. I wore it after so much back and forth.
Now, standing in the middle of the gala, I hate that he was right. I took a deep breath as I tried to take in the whole place. It was so overwhelming. There were not many people.
Crystal chandeliers dripping from the ceiling like frozen rain. Soft music curling through the air. People dressed in wealth are so obvious they don’t even try to hide themselves.
Politicians. CEOs. Socialites. Even more than my dad's caliber, names I’ve seen in magazines. People I only saw on TV.
And somehow, all of them were looking at me.
“You look stunning.”
I turned slightly. A woman in diamonds smiles at me, her gaze warm but curious.
“Thank you,” I said, still not entirely used to the attention. Another person passed
“Beautiful dress.”
“Exquisite.”
“Dante has excellent taste.”
“No wonder he married her.”
That last one lingered. Was that also a compliment? It hurt knowing why I married him had nothing to do with love or any other thing.
I didn’t know whether to be flattered… or irritated. I sighed and looked down. The dress was indeed beautiful. I admit. It made me feel seen even though I wanted to hide.
A warm hand settled on the small of my back and I froze. I didn’t have to turn. I knew who it was.
“You’ve been receiving compliments all night. “His voice was low, close to my ear.
I swallowed and turned. “I noticed.”
He nodded. He looked me straight in the eye. I looked away as my cheeks heated up. Dante stepped beside me fully now. And just like that, the room shifts.
People are no longer locked at me. They were looking at us.
You didn’t want to wear it,” he said.
I glanced up at him. Damn, he was handsome. Eye candy.
“You forced me.” I managed.
“I insisted.”
“Same thing.” I looked away, wrapping my arms around myself. What’s with the cold?
A corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “Not quite.” He grabbed my hand. “ Come with me,” he moved me to another table. I blinked.
“Why?”
“I want to”
I shook my head and looked away. I couldn’t start a fight here. I noticed I wasn’t feeling cold any more. Was this his…I looked up, and my heart began to race.
His gaze moved over me. Slow. He’s staring at me and it’s unnerving. And suddenly I’m hyper-aware of everything.
The way the dress fits and hovers over my boobs, butt and hips.
The way my skin feels.
The way his eyes linger.
“It suits you,” he rasped.
Simple words. But there was something about the way he said it. His eyes grew dark. My heart began an unending race. I looked away. What was going on here?
Then music came on. I felt a hand on my waist. His hand pressed more firmly against my back.
Guiding. Not asking.
“Dance with me.”
I should say no. I want to say no. But my body moved before my pride caught up. His hand found mine. The other settled at my waist. Pulling me closer. Not too close. Just enough. I froze. His hands on my body were doing wonders.
You’re nervous,” he murmured.
“I’m surrounded by people who could buy my entire life without blinking,” I replied. “Of course I’m nervous.”
His thumb brushed lightly against my back. “They’re not looking at you like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re beneath them.”
And then I look. I really do and it’s true. In fact, they are looking at me with admiration in their eyes. It’s like…it’s like they want to be me.
“I told you,” Dante muttered. My eyes snapped up. He reads minds too. And so we danced and when the music ended, Dante let go of my hand like it was made of hot coal. Suddenly it felt like all this was just a dream.
We got into the car and, just like I expected, the car ride was silent. Not awkward but silent. Devoid of a soul.
I sat beside him, watching the city lights flash past the window. My fingers rested in my lap, still remembering the way his hand felt. And I hated that. He built my hopes up only to dash it away. So that was acting. I sighed and stole a glance at him
He didn’t look at me. Neither does he speak. Gosh. It’s really like he didn’t hold me or look at me all night. That night I couldn’t sleep as I kept tossing and turning. I felt stupid for thinking Dante Moretti was a man with feelings.
*********************************
The next day came quickly. He asked one of the staff to come prepare me for the hospital appointment, so I could join him in the next 30 minutes in the car. He was already waiting for me in the garage.
The ride to the hospital was silent. Just like that of yesterday. But thank goodness I leveled up to his coldness.
The scan was fast, and it was time to interpret the result. The young doctor put on his glasses and began to review the results.
“She’s healthy,” he says. “Fertile. There should be no long-term issues.”
My stomach tightened. Thank goodness. I recalled Dante’s words and shuddered.
“We can proceed with the surrogacy process,” the doctor continues. I let out a breath. Finally, some good news. Suddenly, the doctor hesitated.
“There is… just one complication.”
The air shifted. What?
“What kind of complication?” Dante asked.
The doctor cleared his throat. “She’s not in the optimal window for implantation right now.”
I blinked. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” the doctor explained carefully, “we would need to wait before proceeding with artificial methods.”
Wait. Dante didn't react immediately, but I saw the slight tightening of his jaw.
“How long?” he asked.
“A few months, ideally.”
“That doesn’t work,” Dante said flatly. My heart began to race.
“The contract requires an heir within the year,” he continues. “We don’t delay.”
The doctor hesitates again. More obvious now. “There is… another option.”
Something about the way he said it made my stomach drop.
“What option?” Dante asked.
The doctor glanced at me, then back at Dante.
“If you want to proceed immediately…” he paused. “The only viable method would be natural conception…I mean sex.”
What?
“No!” I blurted. “ I can’t do that?” I snapped my eyes at Dante. He didn't outright rejects it. Or dismiss it. I waited for something. Anything.
But his expression didn’t change. And that.. That terrified the hell out of me.
- Writer
