My Pregnancy Contract With The Billionaire

Chapter 21

The days after Cristine’s pregnancy was confirmed transformed the atmosphere in the grand estate. Where there once had been an air of detachment and formality, there now lingered a quiet warmth. Andrei’s presence became a constant in her life, not just in the physical sense but in the smallest, most unexpected gestures that seemed to reach into the corners of Cristine’s guarded heart.

She woke one morning to find a delicate vase on the small table beside her bed, filled with fresh peonies—their soft pink and white petals exuding a subtle, calming fragrance. A handwritten note was tucked beside them, the ink bold and precise: *For the mornings that need a touch of beauty.*

Cristine felt a smile spread across her face as she traced the words with her fingers. Andrei had always been meticulous, exacting in every detail of his life and business, but seeing that quality extended to her, especially in such tender ways, was new and disarming.

The rest of the morning passed with Cristine preparing to face the day. Marian, ever attentive, ensured she had everything she needed, from warm herbal tea to a selection of comfortable maternity clothes that Andrei had personally arranged for. Cristine felt a sense of comfort she hadn’t realized she was missing; this wasn’t just the life she had been thrust into by necessity—it was beginning to feel like something more.

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By afternoon, the estate hummed with a quiet rhythm. Cristine found herself wandering into the garden, drawn by the sun’s golden embrace and the gentle sway of lavender and roses. She sat on a stone bench, watching bees flit from one bloom to the next, when she heard the faint rustle of footsteps behind her.

“Cristine.”

She turned at the sound of Andrei’s voice, his silhouette outlined by the bright light. His dark hair was windswept, and his usual sharp suit was replaced by a more relaxed button-down shirt and slacks, hinting at an afternoon free of the usual business meetings. He approached and settled beside her, the scent of cedar and citrus familiar and grounding.

“I thought I might find you here,” he said, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“It’s peaceful,” Cristine replied, glancing at him sideways. “I come here when I need to clear my mind.”

Andrei nodded, his gaze following hers to the flowers in bloom. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of their unspoken thoughts resting between them like an invisible thread.

“How are you feeling today?” he finally asked, his voice softer.

Cristine took a deep breath, letting the clean air fill her lungs. “Better,” she admitted. “I think the reality is finally settling in.”

He turned to face her, his eyes studying her with an intensity that was almost overwhelming. “Good. You deserve to feel that way.”

The sincerity in his tone caught her off guard, and she felt a sudden surge of emotion. She wanted to thank him for everything—the subtle gestures, the effort he put into making her feel safe, wanted even. But the words tangled in her throat, so she simply reached out and placed her hand on his. Andrei’s gaze fell to their hands, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he clasped her fingers gently.

“Cristine,” he said, breaking the quiet. “I know this started as an arrangement, but I want you to know that your well-being—and the baby’s—is more important to me than any contract.”

The air between them grew heavier, and Cristine felt her heart thudding against her ribs. She wanted to believe him, wanted to let herself hope that this connection they were forming could mean more than just an obligation. But doubt still lingered, shadowed by the echoes of her father’s debts and the deal that had brought them here.

Before she could respond, Andrei’s phone buzzed, breaking the moment. He looked down, a hint of irritation crossing his features as he checked the message. “I’m sorry,” he said, standing up reluctantly. “I have to take this. Work never seems to pause.”

Cristine nodded, trying to mask her disappointment. “Of course.”

He hesitated before leaving, as if torn between his obligations and wanting to stay. Finally, with a last, lingering look, he walked back into the house.

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The following days were filled with a gentle kind of routine that Cristine found comforting. Andrei made a conscious effort to be home earlier, sharing dinners with her that often turned into long conversations by the fireplace. They talked about everything—books they’d read, places they’d traveled, even childhood memories that seemed distant and softened by time.

One evening, Cristine mentioned her favorite story from when she was a child, a simple tale her grandmother used to tell her about a brave fox and a wise owl. Andrei’s eyes lit up with rare amusement. “A fox and an owl?” he echoed. “Sounds like quite the duo.”

“It is,” Cristine said with a laugh, her hand resting protectively over her stomach. “It always made me feel brave when I was young. Like I could take on anything.”

The smile that tugged at Andrei’s mouth was more genuine than she’d ever seen. He reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers in a way that felt more significant than she could comprehend. “You are brave, Cristine,” he said quietly. “More than you know.”

The room fell silent, the crackle of the fireplace the only sound. They sat there, eyes locked, as if trying to decode what was hidden in each other’s gaze. It was Andrei who finally broke the tension by clearing his throat and leaning back, though his expression was still soft.

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A week later, Cristine woke to find that the estate was quieter than usual. She dressed and headed downstairs, surprised to find a small note in Andrei’s neat handwriting on the kitchen counter: *Had to leave early. I’ll be back in time for dinner.*

She traced the letters with her fingertips, a strange ache settling in her chest. She had become used to his presence, to the way his eyes lingered on her longer than necessary or how he’d offer a small smile when she least expected it. It was unsettling how deeply she was beginning to care.

Marian appeared with a warm smile, breaking Cristine’s thoughts. “Would you like some breakfast, Mrs. Alaric?”

Cristine blinked, still not used to the formal address. “Yes, please. But nothing too heavy. I think I’ll spend some time in the garden today.”

“Of course. I’ll have everything prepared shortly,” Marian said, bustling about the kitchen.

Cristine moved to the garden a little while later, the morning sunlight casting a soft glow over the dewy flowers. She sank onto her favorite bench, feeling the warmth seep into her skin and contemplating the path her life had taken in such a short time.

Despite everything—the rushed nature of their agreement, the intimidating grandeur of Andrei’s world—Cristine felt an unexpected surge of contentment. The tiny life inside her was a reminder that something beautiful could come from even the most unlikely circumstances.

A shadow fell across the garden, and she looked up to see Andrei standing there, back earlier than expected. He wore an expression that was softer, relieved. Without a word, he walked over and sat next to her, taking her hand in his and pressing it lightly.

“I couldn’t wait until dinner,” he said, his voice low but steady. “I wanted to be here.”

Cristine smiled, a rush of emotion overwhelming her. The lines between duty and desire, contract and connection, blurred more with each passing day, and she realized, perhaps for the first time, that she didn’t mind.