Elena’s POV
The weeks after Lila’s arrest felt like a slow, grateful exhale. The constant fear that had clung to me finally began to lift. Lila was behind bars, and the evidence against her was overwhelming. Victor remained alive, though deeply shaken by the betrayal. The inheritance was secure for now. But the real healing wasn’t in courtrooms or bank statements.
Marcus came by almost every day. At first, I was wary, watching him from the couch with my growing belly. He never pushed. He brought groceries, helped with repairs, and left without expecting praise or forgiveness. It was his consistency that started to chip away at my defenses.
One sunny afternoon, he knocked softly on the door. Sofia let him in. He carried a large bag of fresh fruit, all neatly arranged.
“I thought you mig
