All Chapters of WRONG ROOM : Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Raymond looked at her without moving. Marilyn could feel his hand around hers, but his fingers had gone still. She watched his face as the surprise slowly became something she couldn't yet read. “You're pregnant?” She nodded. “Yes.” His gaze dropped to her stomach, then returned to her face. “You've seen a doctor?” “Yes. I went back for a follow-up yesterday.” “And you're all right?” “I'm all right, Raymond.” He let out a breath and looked down at their hands. Marilyn waited, frightened by how much depended on the next few words. When he looked at her again, there was wonder in his expression, and it almost made her cry. “We're having a baby.” Her mouth trembled into a smile. “We are.” He began to smile too, then gave a short, disbelieving laugh. Marilyn had seen him pleased with a deal and amused by something she said. This was different. He looked at her as if she had brought him something he couldn't possibly have known how to ask for, and her own happiness rose to meet h

Raymond reached the investigator's office the following morning with copies of the messages and a signed account of what he had authorized Isabella to do. It was a short statement. She had been invited to a legal appointment. She had never been asked to review his company's proposal. He put the papers on the desk and sat down. The investigator checked the statement before placing it beside Claire's account of sending the appendix. The email making the money demand lay on top of the folder. “Has there been another message?” he asked. “No. The deadline is still this afternoon.” Raymond glanced at his watch. He hadn't forgotten it on the drive, or while answering Marilyn's morning message. He had told her where he was going and promised to call when he could. For once, being unable to solve a problem immediately hadn't made him shut her out of the rest of his life. The investigator turned a page toward him. “The officers have obtained records for the email account she used to contac

Raymond stopped in the hallway after leaving the interview room. For a moment, he rested his hand against the wall and let himself breathe. He had imagined receiving proof that Isabella was alive. He hadn't known what it would feel like to hear her admit how long she let him believe otherwise. The investigator waited a few steps away. When Raymond straightened, the man asked whether he wanted somewhere to sit. “In a moment. I need to make sure her account is checked.” “It will be. The officers are recording the details separately from her earlier statement.” Raymond nodded. He didn't want her tears to become the last explanation anyone accepted. He gave his account of the conversation, then waited while the officers continued their work. The examination of the secured devices and messages connected the demand account to Richard. The money request was present in his sent messages, with the same attachment Raymond received. His exchanges with Isabella discussed obtaining further ma

Raymond kissed her again, and Marilyn tightened her arms around his shoulders. There was nothing hurried about the way he held her. His hand rested against her back, drawing her close while she rose a little onto her toes to meet him. She had missed being able to want him without first wondering whether she should hide it. When they finally drew apart, she kept her forehead against his chest. Raymond brushed his lips over her hair. “Would you like to sit down?” She nodded, though she didn't release him immediately. He smiled and took her hand, leading her to the sofa beside the window. Marilyn settled against him with her legs tucked to one side. His arm came around her, and for a while they watched the lights outside without trying to fill the silence. “This is better than eating dinner alone,” he said. “You could have ordered more interesting company.” “I ordered dinner. You were the interesting company.” She laughed and lifted her face. He kissed her before she could answer,

Two weeks later, Marilyn sat beside the Ashford team with her hands folded tightly in her lap. At the front of the room, the representatives of the government and the International Tourist Board were preparing to announce the five-year tourism contract. She knew how much work sat behind the folders on the table. During the final preparations, her manager asked her to review the guest-experience promises against what the resorts could actually deliver. She questioned two assumptions, helped revise the wording, and stayed to check the changes with the team. It was a small part of a much larger proposal, but it was hers. Across the room, Raymond was speaking to Madison. He looked up before taking his seat, found Marilyn watching him, and gave her a brief smile. She smiled back, then faced the front. “You can breathe,” Victor murmured beside her. “I'm trying.” “You look as if you're waiting for an examination result.” “It feels worse. Other people worked on this one.” His smile fa