Page 37 of Dark Prince

Without missing a beat, Elena switches into full-on protective mode. “Okay, that's it. We're going for the ginger tea. And how about a salad? Something light and simple,” she decides, signaling the waiter. I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt for deceiving her, even if it's for a good cause. “Ginger tea sounds perfect,” I concede, grateful for the change of subject and the reprieve it offers from the unease churning in my belly.

But as we enjoy our drinks, part of me is still plotting, still scheming. I need to see Frank Dreschel delve into the mystery of my father's will without tipping off Luk or anyone else to my plans. The thought of sneaking around behind Elena's back gnaws at me, but I remind myself it's for the greater good.

Lunch continues with an easy flow, but I feel an underlying tension, like Elena's playing detective, piecing together clues I didn’t even know I was dropping. Her next move catches me off guard, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “How about we celebrate your grand day out with some bubbly?” she suggests, her tone casual but her gaze sharp.

My stomach tenses. “Actually, I think I'll pass on the champagne,” I say, hoping my voice doesn't betray the panic setting in.

Elena leans back, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “A-ha!” she exclaims, her expression one of triumph and warmth. My gut does a nosedive. Somehow, without me saying a word, Elena's figured it out. The realization that I'm not as slick as I thought sends a jolt of anxiety through me. How did she know? What gave me away? My mind races through our conversation, trying to pinpoint the moment my secret slipped through the cracks.

But as I sit there, frozen in place, Elena's reaction is far from what I expected. There's no judgment, no interrogation. Instead, there’s a feeling of understanding, of sisterhood.

“Go on,” she says with a smile. “Admit it.”

A heavy moment hangs between us until, at last, I let out a resigned sigh, the secret already out of the bag anyway. “Okay, yes, I'm pregnant,” I confess, feeling both relief and apprehension at admitting it.

Elena's response is immediate and exuberant, a burst of joy that fills the space around us. “I knew it!” she exclaims, her excitement a living thing. “This is amazing, Maura!”

Her happiness is infectious, and despite the whirlwind of emotions I'm feeling, I can't help but crack a smile.

Without missing a beat, Elena flags down the waiter, ordering a bottle of sparkling water for me and a glass of champagne for herself. Once the drinks arrive, she raises her glass and, with a genuine smile that's equal parts happy and excited, says, “To new beginnings.”

After we clink glasses, I ask, “How did you guess?”

Elena's grin widens, and she nods, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Yes. I might have taken a peek at your hospital files after the accident,” she admits, her tone casual but apologetic.

My jaw drops, a mix of shock and amusement at her audacity. “You hacked into my medical records?” I ask, incredulous yet not surprised to hear that she went to such lengths.

Elena shrugs, and I shake my head, laughter bubbling up despite the initial shock. “Well, I guess I can't be too mad. You’d find out sooner or later,” I concede, raising my glass of sparkling water in a mock salute. “You are, after all, the baby’s auntie.”

As I sit across from Elena, my heart does somersaults. It feels like madness to drop the baby bomb on Luk now when our lives are more tangled than a season of some convoluted reality show.

Elena, picking at her salad, looks up with those knowing eyes. “So, when are you planning to tell him?”

I sigh, pushing my food around my own plate. “Elena, how can I? With everything that's going on right now, it just doesn't seem fair to pile this on him, too.”

She laughs, a light, easy sound that somehow makes it feel less like a crisis. “Maura, Luk's tough. Sure, he's got that whole brooding, Bratva boss thing down, but this? This will make him the happiest man alive.”

“But the threats, the attacks...” I try to argue, but she waves me off.

“Maura, love,” she leans in, her tone earnest. Luk's been through worse. This, you, us, is what he's protecting. What's one more reason to keep fighting, especially one of such great importance?”

I chew on my lip, considering. “I just... I need some time, Elena, to figure out how to tell him.”

She nods in understanding. “Okay, I get it, but don't wait too long. Secrets have a way of making themselves known, and usually at the worst possible times.”

I smile, grateful for her support. “Thanks, Elena. I don't know what I'd do without you.”

She grins, raising her glass. “Probably get into less trouble. But where's the fun in that?”

Our laughter fills the space between us, easing the tension. For a moment, everything feels surprisingly normal.

The last crumbs of our indulgent lunch disappear, and Elena makes a suggestion. “How about we hit a few more stores before we head back? I heard there's a sale at Saks, and I want to check it out.”

I glance at my watch, seeing that the time for my appointment is near. “Yes, that sounds great,” I reply, the words slipping out before I can think better of them. The thought of diving back into the world of retail therapy is tempting, a distraction I'm eager to lose myself in, even if just for a little while longer.

We pay the bill and head out. But as we approach the gleaming entrance of the department store, a knot forms in my stomach. I sneak another glance at my watch and realize with a jolt that my window of opportunity is closing fast. If I'm going to make my appointment with Frank, I need to leave immediately.

Elena and I step into Saks, and I can’t help but feel a major twinge of guilt for what I'm about to do. She's chatting away, excited about some exclusive collection that just arrived, but my mind is focused on something else entirely.

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