My marriage to Zeno started off as a sham, yet now we were in love and I was pregnant with our first child.
I surrendered to the cards I was dealt and the universe rewarded me with so much happiness, it spilled down my cheeks in tears. “I’m so happy, Ella.”
The worry melted off her face and she wrapped her arms around me. We hugged each other and Ella squealed into my hair. “Congratulations, darling!”
“TheEmpress signifies marriage and fertility—It seems as though thisis a period of high fertility for you. Do notbe surprised if you find yourself bearing a bundle ofjoy in the near future.”
The fortune teller’s words ricocheted in my mind.
I broke the generational curse plaguing the Hill women forevermore.
I was happy, in love, and pregnant.
Ella pulled back and wiped my tears. “I need to tell you something too.”
“What?” I smiled.
“I’m four weeks along.” Her blue-brown gaze was alight with emotions. “We’re going to be pregnant besties and our kids are going to be besties too.”
“Oh my God. Ella, I can’t believe it.” I covered my mouth on a gasp. “This is huge. Congratulations, sweetheart!”
Ella started crying too and we hugged it out the way we always did.
Like two women celebrating their wins.
“Zeno, where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise,bella.”
After I finished getting ready for our date, my husband said we had to make a quick stop before the restaurant. Now he led me deep into the west wing, blindfolded, walking backwards and holding my hands.
I felt us entering a room and heard a switch flipping on. Zeno came to stand behind me. “I know your birthday is in August, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
The blindfold came off.
I gasped.
Then I whirled around, speechless.
“Do you like it?” Zeno asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Tonight, it was a three-piece grey suit with a gold pin clipped over his black tie. The engravedDIHglimmered proudly under the light of the extravagant crystal chandelier hanging above us.
“Do I like it?” I sputtered and clutched the pearls around my neck. “Zeno, Iloveit.”
“It’s yours. I had it made for you.”
My husband gifted me my very own library.
Just like I always dreamed.
Dark wooden bookshelves ran from floor to ceiling, stacked with colourful spines ranging from classics to contemporary. Gold décor and stunning paintings decorated every inch of the room.
And there was one particular bookshelf that was dedicated solely to my works.
Overcome by this man’s love for me, I swayed towards him. “When did you do this?”
He sensed the thickness in my tone and looped his arms around my waist, tugging me into him. “After we watchedBeauty and the Beastwith Éva a few months ago. You mentioned wanting your own personal library.”
“Oh.” So far back. When love had barely blossomed between us. “You’re so thoughtful, Zeno. Thank you so much. This place…It’s perfect.”