I DO

Chapter 1

Claire

The girl in the mirror smiles back at me.

With a contented sigh, I carefully put away the expensive makeup I’ve just applied. I study my reflection one last time. I know I look like a million dollars.

Receiving designer outfits, jewellery and makeup is just one of the perks of being a successful model. Not that I need any of it. Everything about me screams old money. Being an heiress to the Miller-House billions means I don’t have to work a day in my life.

But I want to. I want to earn my own money, make my own decisions and build a life that belongs to me. More importantly, I want to escape the future my father has planned for me.

Marrying Eric House simply to keep two family legacies intertwined was never my idea of happily ever after. So, I moved to the States, determined to stand on my own two feet and, hopefully, find my own Mr Right. And I did.

I look down at my perfectly manicured hands, knowing that by sunset, I’ll be wearing a diamond ring worth a small fortune.

Because that is how Alec Martini does things.

There is nothing simple or mediocre about him. He only knows big and bold. Only the most expensive will do, so naturally, he wouldn’t get down on one knee with anything less than the best.

My eyes drift towards the pregnancy test sitting on the dresser.

The smile on my lips reaches my eyes, lighting little fires in them.

Pregnant 3+.

The words on the small display make my heart skip.

Without thinking, my hand moves to my stomach. It is still perfectly flat and toned, but that doesn’t stop me from imagining the little bump that will soon begin to show.

I’m pregnant.

Alec doesn’t know yet. I wanted to tell him when we were finally alone. The paparazzi have been buzzing for weeks about the Formula One driver who is supposedly about to pop the question.

What if the paparazzi is wrong about the alleged proposal?

I try not to give in to the feelings of doubt. They claimed to have had a reliable source.

He asked me to accompany him on a sunset cocktail cruise aboard his yacht tonight.

This must be it.

And the best part is that the proposal will take place far enough away from camera lenses and curious bystanders for us to actually enjoy the moment.

Until now, I’ve kept my personal life private. That hasn’t stopped the tabloids from publishing endless rumours about me, of course. It’s all part of the glitz and glamour, and although I’ve learned to live with it, I’ve always kept my cards close to my chest.

Dating the reigning Formula One World Champion has, naturally, put me even further into the spotlight.

My phone buzzes.

I reach for it and slide my finger across the screen, only to find a notification from a social media app.

Melanie Martini.

Once again making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Sometimes I genuinely don’t understand how Alec and his twin sister can be so different.

Melanie can be quite catty, while Alec is kind, patient and caring. She’s a social butterfly, constantly moving from one wealthy bachelor to the next. I know she’ll be there tonight. Alec did say close friends and family.

I stare at her name for a moment before locking my phone.

That’s okay.

I take a breath.

I’ll make it work. I’ll find some common ground with Melanie—for Alec’s sake.

A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts.

“Come in.”

The door opens and Gerard appears.

My butler has accompanied me here from West London at my mother’s request. I didn’t argue too much. He was a familiar face in a new country, and, if I’m being honest, he has always been more of a father figure to me than my own father ever was.

“Your limo is ready, Miss Miller.”

His old-fashioned voice cuts through the cool, air-conditioned room.

He remains respectfully in the doorway as I rise from the dresser. A look of approval flashes across his face as he takes in my outfit.

Modest, but elegant.

My gold sequined dress falls to mid-thigh, accentuating my toned, tanned legs. Long golden locks fall effortlessly over my shoulders and down my back.

My tropical-ocean-blue eyes, framed by thick black lashes, complete the look.

I look like a goddess.

And I know it.

“This is it, Gerard!”

His smile widens at my excitement.

For a fleeting moment, his eyes settle on my dresser.

On the pregnancy test.

If he notices it, he gives no indication.

Gerard has spent several decades working for the Miller family. He knows better than most that sealed lips are often the order of the day.

Besides, he is genuinely fond of me.

I have always treated him well.

I dab perfume onto my wrists and behind my ears, pick up my purse and make my way across the penthouse towards the embellished elevator doors.

“Don’t wait up for me, Gerard. I might not come home tonight.”

I give him a playful little wave.

He nods politely.

“Very well, Miss. Enjoy your evening.”

The elevator doors slide closed.

Within seconds, I reach the ground floor, where a security guard is waiting to escort me through a private entrance to the limo.

The guard gives the address to the driver, and soon we’re heading towards the marina.

Sunset is less than an hour away.

Knowing what might be waiting for me makes my heart pound erratically.

“Just act calm, Claire,” I whisper to myself.

All his closest friends and family will be there.

This is what I’ve wanted.

To marry the man of my dreams.

Alec is probably the most attractive man I’ve ever dated. Honey-blond hair. Steely blue eyes. A smile capable of making almost any woman weak at the knees.

And somehow, I’m the lucky one.

The lucky one who gets to marry him.

The lucky one carrying his child.

“I absolutely cannot wait to tell your daddy the good news,” I whisper, lovingly placing my hand over my lower abdomen.

My smile widens.

Our lives are about to change forever.

The city lights blur into a fuzzy kaleidoscope as we travel down the busy street. A wave of nostalgia settles over me, and my thoughts drift towards my mother.

I wish she could be here.

And if only my father loved me for who I really am, I would have wanted him here too.

The thought leaves a dull ache in my chest.

I push it aside.

Tonight is about Alec.

About us.

About our future.

My pensive thoughts end abruptly when the limo comes to a stop.

I look through the tinted window.

We’ve arrived at the marina.

The sun is already dipping lower on the horizon, bathing everything in a warm golden glow. The beautiful midsummer weather should give us plenty of daylight for some amazing photographs.

“Thank you, James.”

I accept the limo driver’s gloved hand and carefully swing both feet out of the vehicle.

My crystal-encrusted heels touch the uneven ground, and I steady myself before straightening my dress.

A steward is waiting to escort me towards the floating dock.

Lanterns cast a soft, romantic glow along the wooden walkway. The gentle hum of the marina has a strangely soothing effect on me.

I close my eyes for a moment and breathe in the salty sea air.

Then I open them.

And there it is.

The yacht.

Majestic.

Impossibly beautiful.

Music spills onto the dock, mingling with the sound of laughter and conversation. Guests move across the deck, champagne glasses glittering in their hands.

My heart begins to race.

I pull my shoulders back, straighten my spine and make my way towards the yacht, searching the crowd for a familiar pair of steely blue eyes.

Alec isn’t the tallest man, so finding him in a crowd isn’t always easy.

“Claire!”

The overly enthusiastic voice makes me cringe for half a second.

I turn.

Melanie.

“I’m so delighted that you could join us!”

She leans in, kissing each of my cheeks as is customary in the Martini family.

“Thank you so much for having me, Melanie.”

And I mean it.

Even if she does make me feel a certain kind of way.

I just can’t put my finger on it.

Melanie hooks her arm through mine and begins steering me towards the bar.

“My mother and father are over there, but Alec…”

She draws out his name as her eyes scan the deck.

The music seems louder now, and waiters weave effortlessly through the crowd, balancing trays of champagne and cocktails in one hand.

A young waitress approaches us.

“Would you like something to drink, Miss?”

“Sparkling water, please.”

I smile politely.

Alcohol is out of the question tonight. I don’t want anyone suspecting anything before I get the chance to tell Alec.

Melanie barely seems to notice.

“Hmm… he was here just a second ago.”

She glances around again.

“Don’t you worry. Go say hello to Mom and Dad. I’ll find that man for you.”

Before I can respond, she disappears into the crowd.

I watch her go for a moment.

Then I turn towards Alec’s parents.

They haven’t noticed me yet.

I take a breath and smooth my hands over my dress.

Tonight is going to be perfect.

At least, that’s what I believe.

For now.