CHAPTER 126: WHAT ABOUT YOUR HONEYMOON?

~LAYLA~

Axel and I walked into the lodge’s breakfast area, holding hands, with sunlight pouring in through the tall windows. The Vances and some of the resort staff were setting up tables and chairs in a semi-circle, creating an intimate setting for the morning meal.

Ellen spotted us immediately, her face lighting up. "Layla, Axel! Good morning! How’s the retreat been treating you two so far?"

I glanced at Axel, feeling the warmth of his hand in mine. After all we had shared last night, the vulnerability, the honesty, the way we’d held each other until dawn... something had truly changed between us.

"Honestly," I said, squeezing his hand, "we didn’t know we needed this until now. It’s... brought us closer in ways I didn’t expect."

Axel nodded, his thumb brushing gentle circles on my knuckles. "She’s right. This retreat has been eye-opening."

He leaned in and kissed me softly, and I melted into it. The kiss felt natural, real, not like the performance we’d been putting on for months. When we pulled apart, Ellen was practically glowing.

"That’s exactly what we love to hear!" She clasped her hands together. "You two are blossoming beautifully."

Richard Vance appeared beside us, carrying a stack of folding chairs. "Axel, mind giving me a hand with these? We need to set up the circle for breakfast."

"Of course," Axel said, releasing my hand reluctantly.

I helped Ellen arrange the cushions and place settings while the guys set up the chairs. The simple, cosy vibe of it all felt surprisingly comfortable. Other couples started showing up, everyone moving around with the laid-back energy of people on vacation.

Within twenty minutes, breakfast was in full swing.

The spread was impressive, fresh fruit arranged like art, warm pastries that smelled of butter and cinnamon, yoghurt parfaits, and steaming coffee.

Axel was sitting right next to me, our knees almost touching under the table. He had that soft smile on his face, the kind that made it clear that what we talked about last night’s heart-to-heart was still on his mind

Ellen Vance stood, clapping her hands for attention. "Okay, everyone! I have wonderful news. Due to popular demand, we’re extending the retreat one more day!"

A few couples cheered. I felt a mix of relief and nervous anticipation.

"Today’s agenda is special," Ellen continued. "We’re doing a ’bonding day out’; ladies to the natural spring swim area, gentlemen to the adventure trails. Separate activities to strengthen individual connections, then we meet back at dusk for couples’ time together."

"Divide and conquer," someone joked, drawing laughs.

After breakfast, Axel and I returned to our cabin to change. I pulled out a deep blue bikini I’d packed on a whim, pairing it with a thin, flowing cover-up in white linen.

When I emerged from the bathroom, Axel was already dressed in casual khakis and a fitted t-shirt that showed off his athletic build. He looked up from lacing his hiking boots and froze.

"Damn," he said simply, his eyes travelling slowly over me.

"Too much?" I asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Truth is, growing up, there was the luxury, but I barely had the time for any girl’s outing or fun time. I basically almost don’t have a life outside of pleasing Charles.

Well, not anymore.

"Not enough," he countered, standing and crossing to me. His hands settled on my hips, thumbs stroking the bare skin just above the bikini bottom. "You’re going to kill me, wearing that around other people."

I laughed, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "Jealous?"

"Protective," he corrected. "There’s a difference."

"I’ll be fine. It’s just swimming with a bunch of married women."

"Still." He pulled me closer, his voice dropping. "We need to talk later. About us."

"I know," I whispered. "Tonight?"

"Tonight," he agreed, sealing it with a kiss that left me breathless.

—

The women’s group hiked through a winding forest trail to reach the natural spring. It was a stunning, clear water surrounded by smooth rocks and lush greenery, creating a private paradise.

Most of us stripped down to our swimwear, the afternoon sun warm on our skin.

The conversation flowed as naturally as the water, covering everything from marriages and honeymoons to daily routines and occasional heartaches. I stepped into the cool spring, grateful for the refreshing temperature.

Victoria, a sharp-eyed brunette with a diamond ring the size of a walnut, seemed to dominate every conversation. She floated nearby on a lounger, her voice carrying over the gentle sounds of nature.

"Richard and I honeymooned in the Maldives," she announced, not for the first time that day. "Private villa, endless champagne, personal chef. We still sneak away every year for our anniversary. Just last month, we spent two weeks in Santorini."

"That sounds lovely," someone murmured politely.

Victoria’s eyes landed on me, the newest bride in the group. "Layla, what about you? Still in that honeymoon glow? Where did you and Axel go?"

I sipped my herbal tea, keeping my expression neutral. "We actually haven’t had a proper honeymoon yet. We dove straight into business; there just hasn’t been time."

Victoria’s laugh rang out too loud. "No honeymoon? Really? My goodness, how rushed was that wedding of yours? What was it, forty-eight hours after you were supposed to marry your fiance?"

The other women shifted uncomfortably, sensing the shift in tone.

"It was fast," I admitted calmly. "But when you know, you know."

"Fast is an understatement," Victoria continued, examining her perfectly manicured nails. "And wasn’t your sister pregnant for your ex right around that time? The same ex you were with for what, three years? Then boom, married to a billionaire within days. That must have been quite the rebound."

My jaw tightened, but I forced a smile. "Life moves in unexpected ways."

"Speaking of unexpected," another woman chimed in, clearly encouraged by Victoria’s boldness, "no bun in the oven yet for you? I mean, given how quickly everything happened, I thought for sure that’s why..."

She trailed off, but the implication hung in the air like poison.

"Quick vows make quick regrets," Victoria said with false sweetness. "At least, that’s what my grandmother always said."

I took a long sip of tea, using the moment to compose myself. These women didn’t know me, didn’t know my story, and definitely didn’t know Axel. Their judgement meant nothing.

"Axel and I are focusing on forever, not fanfare," I said evenly. "A honeymoon is just a trip. What matters is building a life together."

"How noble," Victoria drawled. "Though I have to ask, Layla, why are you even working? Your husband is one of the richest men in the country. You could spend your days at spas, shopping on Fifth Avenue, and getting treatments at the best salons. Instead, you’re playing businesswoman with that little cosmetics company of yours."

"Eclipse Beauty isn’t little," I corrected, my voice sounding harder now. "We hit 160,000 pre-orders in our first week."

"Still, it’s so much effort when you don’t need to work at all. I haven’t worked a day since I married Ronald, and I’m perfectly happy. Lunches with the girls, charity galas, maintaining our homes... that’s a full-time job in itself."

"Some of us find fulfilment in building something of our own," I said.

Victoria’s eyes glittered with malice. "Or some of us are trying to prove something. To whom, I wonder? The sister who stole your ex? The father who clearly favours her? Or maybe to your new husband, to show him you’re worth the investment?"

The spring went quiet. Several women looked away, embarrassed by Victoria’s cruelty.

I stood, water sluicing off my body, and met her gaze directly. "I don’t need to prove anything to anyone, Victoria. Especially not to women who define their worth by their husband’s bank accounts and their ability to spend money they didn’t earn."

Her face flushed red. "How dare you..."

"I dare because it’s true. You asked why I work. Because I can. Because I want to. Because building a business from the ground up, creating jobs, and making products that help people, that means something to me. More than any spa day or shopping spree ever could."

I grabbed my cover-up and pulled it on. "Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to enjoy the rest of this swim in peace. Feel free to continue discussing my life when I’m out of earshot... I’m sure you will anyway."

As I moved to the other side of the spring, I heard whispered conversations starting up. Some were supportive, others scandalised.

I didn’t care.

I couldn’t shake off the anger I felt whenever I thought about Victoria. The way she smiled with that smug look, her condescending tone, and her snide remarks about my marriage just made me furious, even if I tried to keep my cool.

The couples’ games later couldn’t come fast enough. I would take great pleasure in showing Victoria and her "perfect" marriage exactly what a real partnership looked like.

I floated on my back, staring up at the blue sky filtered through green leaves, and found myself wondering how Axel was faring with the men.