Chapter 430
Sophia Laurent bid farewell to Dr. Preston Quincy and drove alone back to Westmount Villa.
Since the media exposed her pregnancy, she and Alexander Valdemar had agreed to maintain a facade of marriage.
Though they hadn't known each other long, their daily interactions had unexpectedly grown harmonious.
This arrangement was primarily for the sake of their unborn child.
After personally settling her in, Alexander flew to Europe to handle a cross-border acquisition.
By her calculations, today marked his return.
Tonight was Patriarch Valdemar's seventieth birthday celebration.
The old man had specifically requested their joint attendance at the family banquet.
After lunch prepared by her nutritionist, Sophia retired to her room for a nap.
She awoke to a sky painted in sunset hues.
Descending the stairs, she found Alexander in the living room, engrossed in documents.
His tall frame was bathed in golden light, his chiseled profile perfection itself.
Focused on the screen, his slender fingers danced across the keyboard.
The scene was tranquil, beautiful.
Sophia instinctively softened her footsteps.
Alexander sensed her presence, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
Those typically icy eyes held a rare warmth.
"Rest well?"
His crisp voice snapped her back to reality.
"Yes."
She nodded sheepishly. "Did I oversleep?"
"Perfect timing."
He closed his laptop, standing to reveal impeccably tailored trousers accentuating his long legs.
"Let's go."
Sophia changed into a beige knit dress, its loose cut discreetly concealing her slight baby bump.
They moved toward separate cars before realizing their mistake.
Pausing awkwardly, Sophia tentatively suggested, "Should we... go separately?"
Alexander stilled.
Slowly closing his car door, he approached her.
The setting sun gilded his silhouette.
"Sophia."
His deep voice brooked no argument. "We're legally married."
Her heart skipped a beat.
Even knowing this was merely transactional, his words sent a thrill through her.
"Would my wife do me the honor," he murmured, bowing slightly with outstretched hand, "of allowing me to fulfill my husbandly duties?"
As if enchanted, she placed her hand in his.
"The honor is mine."