My Pregnancy Contract With The Billionaire

Chapter 10

Cristine woke up to an empty bed, the faint scent of Andrei still lingering in the sheets beside her. She blinked at the light filtering through the heavy curtains, her mind hazy as memories from the previous night crept back into her consciousness. She hadn’t expected her first night with Andrei to unfold the way it had; instead of feeling cold and transactional, it had been surprisingly tender. For a man as guarded and stoic as Andrei, there had been an unexpected gentleness in his touch, a warmth she couldn’t have anticipated.

The memory caused a flush of color to rise to her cheeks, and she was almost embarrassed by her own reaction. She’d entered into this agreement with a practical mindset, prepared to keep her feelings out of it entirely. But the sincerity in Andrei’s eyes last night, the way he’d taken his time, had touched her in ways she hadn’t prepared for.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, and she quickly pulled the blanket up around herself, instinctively feeling the need for modesty. “Yes?” she called out, her voice still thick with sleep.

The door creaked open, and Marian, the maid Andrei had assigned to look after her, stepped into the room with a tray of food in her hands. She was a petite woman with soft, caring eyes, dressed in the simple, elegant uniform of Andrei’s household staff. She greeted Cristine with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Miss Cristine. I’ve brought breakfast for you,” she said, setting the tray down gently on the small table near the window. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the room, making Cristine’s stomach grumble.

Cristine sat up, pulling the covers around her as Marian laid out the tray with care. “Thank you, Marian,” she said, her voice still soft from sleep.

Marian returned her smile, nodding. “It’s my pleasure. I’ve also drawn a bath for you in the adjoining bathroom. I thought it might help you relax before starting your day.”

Cristine glanced toward the bathroom, noticing the soft plumes of steam drifting out. A bath sounded wonderful, a chance to soothe her still-tingling nerves and process everything that had happened.

As Marian tidied up a few things around the room, Cristine couldn’t help but think back to the warmth of Andrei’s touch, the way he’d made her feel respected and cherished, even within the strange confines of their arrangement. She knew she couldn’t afford to get attached; her role here was temporary, and she had to remember that. But last night had left her feeling less like a surrogate and more like a partner, even if only for a fleeting moment.

Marian caught Cristine’s gaze, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she glanced between Cristine and the untouched breakfast. “I’ll give you some privacy now, Miss Cristine. Take your time with breakfast, and if you need anything, just let me know.”

Cristine nodded, her smile grateful. “Thank you, Marian. I appreciate it.”

Once Marian left, Cristine allowed herself a moment to relax. She slid out of bed, stretching slightly before padding over to the breakfast tray. She took a small sip of coffee, savoring its warmth before nibbling on a slice of toast. Despite the lavish surroundings, she felt grounded, her mind caught between the surreal experience of last night and the steady morning routine Marian had prepared for her.

After breakfast, Cristine made her way into the bathroom. The bath Marian had drawn was exquisite, the water perfumed with a delicate scent that wafted through the room, inviting her to sink in and unwind. She slowly undressed, stepping into the warm water and letting out a sigh as it embraced her. She leaned back, closing her eyes, allowing her mind to drift.

Last night’s events replayed in her mind, and she was surprised by the depth of emotion they stirred in her. Andrei, who she’d assumed to be distant and detached, had revealed a side of himself she hadn’t expected. She knew he was still a man of boundaries, and yet, for one night, those walls had come down. She could almost feel his gentle touch, the way he’d looked into her eyes as if she were someone who mattered.

As she soaked in the warmth of the bath, she tried to reconcile her emotions. She had to remind herself that her purpose here was to bring a child into the world for Andrei. This wasn’t a love story, and it wasn’t her place to expect anything more. And yet, the tenderness of the previous night left a lingering feeling that she couldn’t easily shake.

After her bath, Cristine dressed in a comfortable robe Marian had left out for her. She felt refreshed, the warmth of the bath seeming to cleanse more than just her body. She felt lighter, albeit a bit pensive.

Just as she finished dressing, Marian re-entered, holding a small notebook. “Mr. Andrei has asked me to ensure you have everything you need for today, Miss Cristine. He’ll be attending to business matters this morning, but he’ll be back this afternoon to check in on you.”

Cristine managed a small smile. “Thank you, Marian. Everything’s perfect.”

“Good to hear,” Marian replied, giving a small nod. “He asked me to make sure you have all the essentials. I’ll leave this here in case there’s anything specific you’d like added to your room or if you have any special requests for meals.”

Cristine took the notebook, though she had little to add. The household already had everything she could need, but she appreciated the gesture. She thanked Marian again, and after she left, Cristine was left alone with her thoughts once more.

She moved to the large window overlooking the estate’s gardens, the lush greenery soothing to her eyes. She watched the gentle sway of the trees in the morning breeze, feeling a strange mixture of serenity and longing. The arrangement she had entered with Andrei was unconventional, and yet it felt strangely natural. But she reminded herself that these feelings were temporary, that she couldn’t let herself be drawn into the illusion of romance.