Page 13 of Beloved Beauty

The door opens behind us.

Leilani strides in, sharp in a tailored suit that says she runs the show—because now, she does. Arms crossed, chin high, looking like karma in heels, she fixes Courtney with a cool smile. “Hi, Courtney. I’m the new CEO of Sebring Hotels. As for a severance?” A casual shrug. “Yeah… that’s not happening.”

Courtney turns to me one last time, eyes wild with disbelief. But I’m already done looking at her.

I nod once toward the door. “Security will escort you out.”

She hesitates—one beat too long—before storming past Leilani and disappearing down the corridor.

One down.

Two more to go.

Tyson McRae. Celeste Worthington.

Their reckoning’s coming.

Chapter 5

Magnolia Steel

The moment we step inside, I’m wrapped in warmth—spiced air rich with ginger, cardamom, and something buttery and slow-cooked. Soft sitar music hums in the background, blending with the low clink of copper dishes.

Alex squeezes my hand. “Krishna picked this restaurant. Says the place reminds her of home.”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve found my new favorite place to eat.”

We’re barely through the restaurant’s entrance when we spot them. Krishna waves us over from a cozy corner booth, grinning as though we’re already old friends.

Warm-toned skin, espresso-dark eyes, and a crown of glossy waves tucked behind one ear give her a quiet elegance. No flash, no fuss. Simply the unmistakable radiance of a pregnant woman.

She pushes back from the table and moves toward us with grace.

“You must be Magnolia,” she says, wrapping me in a hug. “I’m Krishna—Kye’s better half.”

“Definitely the better half,” Kye adds, rising with a grin. “Nice to meet you, Magnolia. I’ve been dying to meet the woman who managed to tame this guy.”

Alex slides his hand across my lower back. “The truth? I never had a shot at not falling for this one.”

“I’m glad to have another woman around. It’s all testosterone, all the time, when your husband is in this business.”

Kye chuckles. “Excuse you, lovie. It’s been all pregnancy hormones around here, and I’m just trying to survive.”

Krishna places her hand on top of her small bump. “All thanks to this one. Not even here yet and already running the show.”

I smile, watching the way her hand lingers, protective and proud. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to grow a life inside you. To know every kick, every flutter is yours to protect. To love someone you haven’t even met yet with your whole heart.

Pregnancy looks terrifying, and beautiful, and… maybe a little magical.

We settle into the booth, and ditching all formality, Kye leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. “So, Magnolia—how was the big move? Settling in all right?”

“It’s been a big change, but I love being here,” I say, turning to Alex with a smile. “The best part is I get to be with this guy.”

Kye smirks. “He’s an all right kind of bloke, I suppose. What about the wedding? Set a date yet?”

“No official date yet, but we’re looking.”

“We’ve talked about six months,” Alex says, his hand settling warm and steady on my thigh beneath the table. “But I’m hoping for sooner.”

---