Chapter 32

Elena sat on the couch, her hand resting on the gentle swell of her four-month belly. The baby kicked, a faint ripple under her palm, and she smiled, leaning back into the cushions. The apartment was quiet, sunlight filtering through the curtains, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of her return to Horizon Resort weeks ago. Derek emerged from the kitchen, a glass of water in hand, his dark eyes softening as they landed on her. “You’ve been on your feet too much,” he said, setting the glass on the coffee table. He sank beside her, his arm brushing hers. “Horizon’s running fine—you don’t need to push so hard.”