The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 74

Gabriella muttered in her sleep as Regina kissed her forehead and tucked her covers around her. Savannah was still sound asleep so she made a hasty exit. They had stayed at the party later than she thought they would but it had been fun to unwind with the others and hear their own struggles to replace love.

Surprisingly she and Ava shared the most similar background despite the latter's family tree. Like Regina Ava raised her children while working as a waitress before her path crossed with Silas again. In fact she and Regina could have been neighbors. And now Silas doted on her like a queen. It was actually very touching. Could she have that same level of happiness and devotion from Marcus? She still wasn't sure.

"You're thinking again," Marcus warned coming up behind her and holding her close.

"There is nothing wrong with thinking."

"There is when you make that face. What are you thinking about?"

"...Just things," Regina hesitated. "Anyway, do you think your grandfather would mind watching the kids this weekend? Renata has a large catering job and I promised to help."

"What are you talking about?" Marcus asked. "What do you mean help?"

"Well, it's a big job and she's a bit short-staffed."

"You are not going to work like a servant."

"Why not?"

"What do you mean why not? You saw those people tonight. You're not going to be serving them hors 'devours."

"Ava owns a restaurant."

"Yes. Owns it. She's not a waitress. I'm not going to let them look down on you. You're not doing that job anymore."

"You can't stop me!" Regina glared at him. "I'm not a doll you can dress up and take out and play with. I've been working all my life and if that's not good enough for you then...go back to Elizabeth or whoever else you want to screw."

Regina spun around storming off. Reaching their bedroom door she slammed it closed before he could follow. She expected him to come through a second later to continue but he didn't. Regina stared at it but there wasn't even a sound from the other side. Her hands trembled as seconds ticked by and still there wasn't even a knock. Did he really just leave? Was he off to replace Elizabeth even now? Did she really just...What did she just do?

Regina sank onto the edge of the bed. Her thoughts were racing and her breath came heavy as she neared a panic attack. Was he going to kick them out? Was he never going to speak to her again? Would he take her to court for custody of the kids and leave her alone?

She messed up. It was as simple as that. All her irrational fears, inadequacies and insecurities came true because she couldn't let them go. And now he was with someone else, someone confident and poised and it was her fault. She would have to leave. There was no other choice now. They would pack for Texas tomorrow. Would the kids hate her too?

Mechanically she removed the jewelry he gave her and carefully laid them out on the dresser. She would take nothing that way he couldn't be angry. Leaving the dress out for the maid to clean she disappeared into the bathroom to wash the makeup from her face before she dug out a pair of faded, flannel pajamas. She would only take what she brought with her. Numbly she lay down. Tears leaked from the corner of her eyes though she swore she didn't feel anything.

When she woke up tomorrow the dream would be over. But it didn't matter, she never believed in this dream anyway. Why then did it hurt so much? Tears quickly wetted her pillow. She was just another fool.

The sound of a door opening and closing stirred her from restless slumber. She listened quietly to the sounds of him going to the bathroom and showering. Regina didn't dare move as he returned and settled on his side of the bed. Marcus sighed seemingly getting comfortable but a wall remained between them.

Regina closed her eyes trying to ignore the emptiness gnawing at her. It was her own fault for ever thinking this would work. He was as far from her as he could be even though they lay side-by-side. Regina sniffled quietly. So this was what her last night would be like.

Marcus muttered under his breath and the bed shifted again. She thought he was going to leave and was surprised when he suddenly wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. His warmth seeped into her as his body molded itself to fit hers. Regina trembled wanting to move away but his embrace tightened.

"Shh," Marcus sighed. "Don't cry, Regina. I'm here. I'll always be here. I'll never leave you."

Regina bit her lip as her body continued to tremble. She was shaking like a leaf but she couldn't stop and she didn't know why.

"Hey, easy. Shh. Shh. It's okay," Marcus whispered. "If you want to work...work. I won't stop you. If you and your sister want to open a restaurant like Ava, do that. But be the owners not the servers. Don't limit yourself. Dream big. Reach for the stars. If you fall I'll be there to catch you. But you won't. You are going to soar. And they will be in awe of you. Just like I am."

Slowly Regina's trembling ceased and she let out an uneasy breath as she finally began to relax. He kissed her shoulder snuggling her closer. The numbness she felt earlier was gone and the painful hollowness she feared no longer hurt.

"I love you, Regina," Marcus said. "Nothing will change that. Not even a little argument. I'll always be by your side. Always. So don't cry."

Regina leaned against him. Marcus welcomed her nearness. He kissed her neck and shoulder.

"I have to go to the hospital tomorrow," Marcus sighed. "Gaby's appointment is at eleven, right?"

"Yes."

"I'll be sure to wrap everything up before then. Then we can have a late lunch. All right?"

"Okay."

"And I'm taking you out to dinner, just the two of us. Le Bernardin, Good Eats, a taco truck, whatever you want. Okay?" "All right."

"Now got to sleep. Big day tomorrow."

***

Regina stirred lazily. Her body ached but oddly enough she felt relaxed. Memories of the previous night flitted through her mind: the argument, her helplessness, Marcus holding her throughout the night, his promises. She sat up to see she was alone in bed. With a sigh she reached for her phone to check the time and spotted a paper tucked under it. Her phone said it was only eight o'clock and she relaxed. At least she hadn't slept too late. Picking up the paper she unfolded it to read the hasty scrawl. Good Morning Beautiful,

You looked so comfortable I couldn't wake you. I told Abraham to let you sleep. See you soon. And remember I'm always on your side.

Marcus

Regina felt almost giddy reading the words a second time. She felt lighter, like a weight had suddenly been removed. Shaking her head she retreated to the bathroom and hopped in the shower. Her mind replayed his words from the previous night. They had a lot to discuss but he promised to always be with her. She could trust him, couldn't she?

Stepping out of the shower she dressed casually. Though Marcus took her shopping and her side of the closet was bursting she still felt most comfortable in her usual clothes. With her hair in a ponytail she stepped into the hallway and headed to the kitchen. By now she had a fair idea of the layout of the mansion and didn't fear getting lost.

The maids she passed bowed low to her making her pause and address them, "You don't have to do that."

"But you are the future lady of the house," the elder of the pair answered.

"But I'm...it's just..."

"I see," the maid smiled seeing Regina's discomfort. "Then how about we do this? How's that?"

She demonstrated with a shallow nod of acknowledgment. It wasn't quite what Regina had in mind but it was better than a bow. Smiling gratitude she continued on her way. Turning the corner she came to a sudden stop, almost falling backwards. In front of her stood Cybil, the woman she had been avoiding for a week.

The severe matriarch pressed her lips in a thin line, "Regina, I think we should talk. First of all, I know you have been avoiding me. And just so you know the hallways have good acoustics, sound tends to echo especially words said in anger." Regina clenched her hands. She blushed wondering if the whole household heard their argument.

"I've always been tough on Marcus. The world is not forgiving and I wanted him to be strong but I never gave him the one thing he needed...love. So he went looking for it with someone else. All those women...but they couldn't fill the void inside him. I thought he needed a strong woman to keep him in check. That's why I chose Elizabeth. But I was wrong. I see that now," Cybil looked at her with the smallest of grins. "I've never seen Marcus so happy. He's smiled more this last week than his entire life. And it's because of you. You and the kids fill that void. You complete each other. So what I'm trying to say is...stay."

Regina stared at the older woman in shock. She didn't know how to respond. Cybil studied her a moment longer before nodding and turning away. Suddenly the older woman paused.

"Oh, one more thing...this mansion is quite large. It has a lot of rooms. Plenty of space for more grandchildren."

Without another word Cybil continued on her way leaving Regina rooted to the floor. That...was not what she expected.