My Pregnancy Contract With The Billionaire

Chapter 18

Cristine stood by the window, staring out at the morning sun filtering through the delicate lace curtains. The warmth of the light brushed her face, but inside, she felt a swirl of confusion. Each night with Andrei had been different. It wasn't just an encounter dictated by the terms of their surrogacy agreement—it was something else, something that left a soft, aching feeling in her chest. The touch of his hand, the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention, it all added layers of complexity to their already strange arrangement.

Is this right? she wondered. The question had been circling in her mind ever since their relationship started to take on an unexpected depth. What began as a contractual obligation had become a blur between obligation and genuine affection, and Cristine couldn't help but feel like she was on a precipice, about to fall into an unknown abyss.

The sound of footsteps in the hallway snapped her out of her reverie. Andrei walked by, catching her eye as he passed the open doorway to the sitting room. He paused, his expression softening as he took her in.

"Good morning," he said, his voice warm but guarded.

"Good morning," she replied, forcing a smile. The unspoken tension between them was palpable, even in these small exchanges. There was so much she wanted to say but didn't know how to put into words.

“I was thinking of visiting my grandmother today,” Cristine continued after a moment, breaking the silence. She needed time away from the estate, a chance to clear her head and find her footing.

Andrei’s brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded. “Take Marian with you. And if there’s anything you need, let me know.”

“Actually,” she ventured cautiously, “I was wondering if I could meet with Vanessa afterward. I’d like to talk to her.”

The briefest flicker of emotion crossed his face—surprise, perhaps, or something deeper—but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. “Of course,” he said, a hint of reluctance in his tone. “But remember what we agreed on—”

“Don’t worry,” Cristine interrupted gently. “I won’t forget.”

---

Later that afternoon, Cristine stood outside the modest home care facility where her grandmother had been staying. She had spent the past hour with the older woman, sharing stories and holding her hand as they exchanged smiles. The visit left her with a bittersweet sense of peace, and she felt the heaviness in her heart begin to lift as she said goodbye, promising to return soon.

She checked her phone for the directions to Vanessa’s office, which was only a short drive away. The cool air inside the building was a welcome reprieve from the midday sun. Vanessa was waiting for her, a warm but curious expression on her face as Cristine entered.

“Cristine, it’s good to see you,” Vanessa said, motioning for her to sit. “What brings you here?”

Cristine took a deep breath, suddenly unsure of where to start. “I just... needed to talk,” she said. “About everything.”

Vanessa’s eyes softened with understanding. “I had a feeling this might happen,” she admitted. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

Cristine hesitated for a moment before speaking. “When you did surrogacy, did you ever feel... conflicted? Like you were getting too attached?”

Vanessa shook her head, a small smile forming. “No. It was always professional for me. The couples I worked with were just that—couples. I knew the baby wasn’t mine; I was just the vessel helping them fulfill their dream. There was no room for anything more than that.”

Cristine’s heart sank slightly at Vanessa’s response. She knew it would be different, but hearing it said aloud made her doubts even sharper.

“But you,” Vanessa continued, a note of concern in her voice, “your situation is unique. You’re not just dealing with a couple. Andrei is... different. And the fact that you’re having intimacy in the process—it complicates everything.”

Cristine felt her cheeks flush. “I know,” she whispered. “And that’s what I’m worried about. I’m starting to feel things, things that I shouldn’t be feeling. But it’s hard to separate the contract from... whatever this is.”

Vanessa leaned forward, her expression serious but kind. “Cristine, you need to be careful. I can see how this could get confusing fast, but you need to protect yourself. This is a business arrangement at its core, and you can’t let your emotions get in the way. If you start thinking of this as more than what it is, you’re putting yourself at risk.”

Cristine nodded, swallowing hard against the tightness in her throat. “I know. I just don’t know how to stop feeling this way.”

“Remind yourself of why you’re doing this,” Vanessa said, reaching out to touch her hand. “Think of your grandmother, your future. Stick to the terms of the contract, and try not to get too involved emotionally. It’s the only way to get through this without getting hurt.”

The room fell silent, the weight of Vanessa’s words settling heavily over them. Cristine nodded again, this time with a bit more resolve. She knew Vanessa was right, even if it wasn’t what she wanted to hear. If she was going to get through this, she needed to guard her heart, no matter how difficult it was.

---

That night, as Cristine returned to the estate, she replayed the conversation with Vanessa in her mind. She felt Andrei’s presence even before she saw him, standing in the hallway with his hands in his pockets. He turned as she approached, and for a moment, their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.

"How was your visit?" Andrei asked, his voice steady but with a hint of something deeper, something only she could sense.

"It was... helpful," she replied, giving him a small smile.

“Good,” he said. “I’m glad.”

They stood there in the quiet hallway, the space between them filled with unspoken words and a connection that felt fragile and uncertain. Cristine’s resolve from earlier trembled but held firm as she reminded herself of what Vanessa had said.

This is just a contract, she thought, trying to convince herself. I need to keep it that way.

But as Andrei’s gaze lingered on hers, searching for something she couldn’t quite name, she wondered if holding on to that belief would be as simple as she hoped.