Chapter 262

The honeymoon ended a week later. It was the height of summer when Alice Sterling and Edward Hawthorne returned to the Capital. As soon as they stepped into the villa, Alice collapsed onto the couch, lazily hugging Penny, while Edward started unpacking the souvenirs they’d brought home. "Charles said he knows we’re back today. He’ll swing by to grab his and James’s gifts." Edward sat beside her, gently letting Alice rest her head on his lap, his voice soft and low. Alice nodded, “That works, saves us the trouble of delivering them.” Right then, the doorbell rang. Edward got up to answer it, and Alice was about to stand when she heard Charles Bennett’s voice cheerfully calling from the entryway. “You two made it back already? I thought Edward would whisk Secretary Sterling off for a year-long tour around the world.” “She’s pregnant, travel’s not exactly doctor-approved.” “Wait—pregnant?!” Charles froze as he walked into the living room, staring in shock at Alice’s still-flat belly. They