"I heard your design won an award recently." Sara placed a velvet jewelry box on the coffee table. "A belated congratulations. I hope you don't mind."
Bella glanced at it. "They say it's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to return to poverty. You really went all out, Sister-in-law. This brand isn't cheap."
"Only the best for you," Sara replied smoothly.
The sarcasm rolled off her back. Besides, the money came from the same source—Adrian paid the bill, and she'd picked up something for herself while she was at it.
Perhaps Bonnie had warned her beforehand, because Bella knew when to quit.
Shortly after, Elijah Harding emerged from his study, and dinner officially began.
At the table, the topic of an heir finally surfaced—late, but inevitable.
The Hardings laid down the law for Adrian, who was approaching thirty: within a year, quit smoking and drinking, start preparing for a baby.
Boy or girl, it didn't matter. As long as the child was healthy. They even offered to raise it at the estate so the couple wouldn't be burdened.
Sara focused on the spare ribs on her plate, silent throughout the lecture.
*In a year?*
The contract would have long expired by then. Who knew which woman would be fulfilling this duty for him?
She certainly didn't expect that later, back in their room, Adrian—stoic all evening—would lean against the doorframe and bring it up himself.
"Do you want one?" Those dark eyes fixed on her. "If you like kids, we can have one."
Was he joking? Testing her?
His expression gave nothing away.
"Having one is fine." Sara walked over to him, gripping his tie, her breath hitching softly. "But Mr. Harding will have to add a surcharge to our original agreement."
"Name your price."
Blunt. Businesslike.
Sara curled her lips. "Unfortunately, I'm not taking orders right now."
A child wasn't a commodity. She wanted any baby of hers to be born into a loving family. Her parents had died young, leaving her to grow up in an orphanage. No one understood the hollow ache of being unwanted better than she did.
Adrian leaned in, his hot breath fanning across her cheek. "You won't take money when it's offered? Developing new clients behind my back?"
"Husband, are you jealous?"
She only used that title on specific occasions.
It was always dripping with insincerity.
Perhaps it was the atmosphere, or the way her red lips parted slightly, inviting a taste. Adrian didn't think. He acted.