Chapter 5

Months later, Elyna hit her due date. Cedric barely left her side.

The day she went into labor, he was pacing the hallway like a total wreck.

They say giving birth is like brushing past death, and all he could do was stand there, silently begging the universe to keep them both alive.

But he wasn't alone.

Gaspard showed up, because of course he did.

Cedric's jaw tightened. That guy had the worst timing—always showing up when he was least wanted.

Cedric never saw Gaspard as real competition. Elyna and Gaspard went way back, but she was never the type to swoon over sweet talk. A face might turn heads, but keeping hers? That took serious cash and clout.

She had her own career. She respected strength. That's why Cedric kept his feelings under wraps until he had something to show for it. No way she'd fall for some smooth talker with zero game outside flattery.

That belief made it easier to stomach Gaspard popping in now and then—even if it drove him crazy.

An hour later, the doors s