In the arms of two sins

Chapter 11

Mara’s POV

I woke up with a heaviness pressing against my chest, the kind that made each breath feel too slow. After yesterday’s chaos—Elias dragging me into the restroom, David apologizing awkwardly in the hallway, Andrea appearing at the worst possible moment, I barely slept.

When I finally stepped out of my room and descended the stairs, I froze halfway down.

They were all there.

Elias.

Camille.

Andrea.

David.

All gathered around the long dining table, eating breakfast.

Wonderful.

The last thing I needed this morning was to face every single person I had unresolved tension with.

Both Elias and David looked up at me at the same time, and the weight of their stares was too much to bear. I turned away immediately and waited. Only after the dining room finally emptied did I move again.

The kitchen was quiet. Almost peaceful. I exhaled shakily and opened the fridge.

Toast. Eggs. Juice. Something simple to settle my stomach.

I was buttering bread when the soft click of heels made me tense. I turned. Camille stood there.

“Good morning,” I said, stiffly.

“You’re avoiding everyone again,” she said.

“I’m not—”

“You are.” She didn’t raise her voice, didn’t need to. “I expected you to come to me after last time and explain yourself.”

I blinked. “Explain… what?”

“Let’s talk about it,” she said.

“The abortion.”

My stomach dropped.

“You hid it,” she continued, resting a hand on the counter.

“From the doctor’s reports to the dates, you made sure no one in this house knew what you were doing. Including me.”

Her tone hardened.

“You live under my roof, Mara. That level of secrecy is unacceptable.”

“I wasn’t trying to”

“You were,” she interrupted calmly.

“Don’t insult both of us by pretending otherwise.”

Heat pricked behind my eyes, but I held it together.

“You should have told everyone you wanted an abortion. Philip had every right to know what you wanted to do with his unborn child.” Her gaze bore into mine. “Instead, you behaved like a teenager. Immature. Reckless.”

My chest tightened painfully.

“Mother, I…” I started, but she kept going.

“Mara, whether you like it or not, you’re part of this family. Decisions you make, especially ones involving a child, affect more than just you.”

My breath trembled.

“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone…”

Her expression softened slightly, but the edge remained. “I know. But intention doesn’t erase impact.”

I looked away, blinking rapidly.

She stepped closer. Just one step. “If you expect us to treat you as family, Mara… you must behave like someone who wants to be part of one.”

My chest squeezed painfully.

We stood in silence. Her words hung over me like a storm cloud.

“If the press got hold of this,” she added, voice low, “we’d be ruined. So, I believe you know what to do”

Before I could respond, footsteps approached.

David.

He paused at the entrance, scanning the tension between us instantly.

“Is everything okay?” His tone was careful, neutral.

Camille let out a dramatic sigh. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” She turned to him, sharp as ever. “I apologize you have to see our family’s mess like this.”

David glanced at me briefly. “Maybe she had her reasons. She’ll come around and explain everything.”

Camille laughed, a low, bitter sound. “Don’t tell me you’re taking sides. You must be joking.”

“I mean, we can’t judge until we hear her side,” David said. “At least it’s not as serious as… well, seeing another man.”

Her laugh was harsher this time. “Okay, fine. I get it,” she said, finally turning away.

“Aren’t you late for work? You should go now.” David asked.

I blinked. “I… I didn’t say I was—”

“Come,” he said firmly, but gently.

And I hated how my body obeyed before my mind did.

I slipped past Camille, who didn’t hide her displeasure. David held the door for me without looking back. I didn’t breathe properly again until we were outside the mansion.

The drive to the company was silent.

Inside the elevator, I stared at the glowing floor numbers.

David cleared his throat. “About yesterday—”

“David,” I muttered, “please. I’m not ready to talk about.”

“Its fine Mara. Take your time.” He reached into a nylon bag and held it out. “You didn’t eat. Take this. Before you start another busy day.”

I stared at him. Before I could even mutter a thank you, the elevator dinged and he stepped out, leaving me alone with the warm weight of the food in my hand and a knot in my chest I couldn’t untangle.

When I reached my floor and walked into my office, I saw Richard standing there, stiffly, as if he’d been waiting.

“Good morning, ma’am,” he said.

“Good morning,” I replied slowly. “Is something wrong?”

He cleared his throat. “Mr. Elias sent for you. There’s a ride outside the company. They’ll take you to the location.”

I blinked once. Then again.

Why was Elias calling me?

What could he possibly want now?

My fingers tightened around the nylon bag.

Minutes later, I stepped into the designated car, curiosity gnawing at me. I couldn’t help but wonder if we were heading to the hospital again, he had said we would continue our conversation next time.

Was it about this?

We stopped in front of a tall, sleek building. It didn't look like a hospital. A flicker of relief passed through me.

I was ushered inside, led through a lobby that gleamed with polished marble and soft lighting. Someone guided me toward a private elevator.

As we walked, I noticed Elias seated ahead, his back facing us. When I stepped into his view, his posture shifted slightly. His face was composed, calm and almost unreadable, but there was an intensity in his gaze that made my stomach tighten.

“What’s going on?” I asked, keeping my voice as steady as I could.

He looked at me briefly, his lips pressed into a firm line.

“We have a private dinner meeting to attend,” he said. “So you’re here for a fitting.”