My Pregnancy Contract With The Billionaire

Chapter 20

The events of the day had left her drained, but something in Andrei’s eyes as he stood by the doorway pulled her attention. His usual stoic expression was tinged with an emotion she couldn’t quite read—anticipation, perhaps mixed with relief.

"What do you mean? Am I really pregnant?"

“Cristine,” he began, his voice low but firm. He took a step closer, and she noticed the slight tremble in his hand as he ran it through his hair. “When you fainted earlier, I had you checked. The doctor ran some tests.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and her fingers gripped the edge of the bed tighter. The silence that followed seemed to stretch for an eternity, every second punctuated by the thudding of her heartbeat.

“Andrei?” she whispered, afraid to say more, afraid of what he might reveal.

A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing as he looked at her with a mixture of disbelief and joy. “Cristine, you’re pregnant.”

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Cristine’s mind raced, struggling to process the words that echoed in her ears. Pregnant. The room blurred as her vision filled with unshed tears, the weight of the realization pressing down on her chest. She had been hoping, praying for this moment—yet hearing it spoken aloud felt surreal.

“You’re... sure?” she asked, her voice breaking as a tear slid down her cheek. Andrei nodded, stepping closer and sitting beside her on the bed.

“The blood test confirmed it,” he said softly, his eyes searching hers for a reaction. “But the doctor suggested we go to the hospital for a full examination to be certain and to ensure everything is as it should be.”

Cristine didn’t need any more encouragement. She threw her arms around Andrei, the warmth of his presence grounding her in the reality of the moment. She felt his body stiffen slightly at first—old habits of restraint still present—but then he relaxed, his hands finding their way to her back, holding her tightly.

Tears of joy spilled down her face as she pulled back to look at him, a smile breaking through the overwhelming wave of emotion. “I’m... I’m so happy, Andrei. I can’t believe this is real.”

His eyes softened, and for a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in their depths, something more than relief or satisfaction. But as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by the guarded expression she had come to know. “We should get you to the hospital,” he said, standing up and offering her his hand.

---

The drive to the hospital was quiet, both lost in their thoughts. Cristine glanced at Andrei from the corner of her eye, taking in his profile illuminated by the passing streetlights. His expression was neutral, but the tight grip he had on the steering wheel told her he was more affected by this news than he let on.

When they arrived at the hospital, a nurse led them to a private room, and a doctor entered soon after, smiling warmly as she introduced herself. “I understand we have some exciting news to confirm today,” she said, glancing between Cristine and Andrei.

Cristine nodded, unable to keep the grin off her face. The doctor conducted a series of tests, including an ultrasound. The cool gel on her stomach and the soft hum of the machine filled the silence as the doctor moved the probe, her eyes focused on the monitor.

“There it is,” the doctor said after a few moments, turning the screen so Cristine and Andrei could see. “Congratulations, you’re indeed pregnant.”

Cristine’s breath caught as she looked at the small, flickering dot on the screen. A tear rolled down her cheek, and she reached for Andrei’s hand without thinking. To her surprise, he didn’t pull away. His gaze was fixed on the screen, a subtle shift in his eyes as he absorbed the reality before them.

“Everything looks healthy,” the doctor continued, “but I’ll schedule regular check-ups to ensure a smooth pregnancy.”

As the doctor left them alone for a moment, Cristine turned to Andrei, searching his face for any sign of what he was feeling. “Are you... happy?” she asked tentatively.

He looked at her, and for the first time, the walls he had built around himself seemed to crack just a little. “I am,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “More than I thought I would be.”

Cristine’s heart swelled at his words, and for the first time, she allowed herself to hope that maybe, just maybe, this was more than a business arrangement. Maybe, somewhere along the way, they had found something real amidst the chaos.

---

Back at the estate, Cristine sat in the living room, a warm cup of tea cradled in her hands as she replayed the day’s events. She felt Andrei’s presence before she saw him, the subtle shift in the air signaling that he had entered the room.

He sat down across from her, his gaze unwavering. “We need to discuss what comes next,” he said, breaking the silence.

Cristine nodded, understanding that their lives were about to change in ways they couldn’t have predicted. But for the first time, she wasn’t afraid. Together, they would face whatever came their way.

---

The soft hum of the estate at night was usually calming, but tonight, it felt charged with an energy Cristine couldn’t shake. She sat in her room, the echoes of the day playing over in her mind like a melody she couldn’t forget. The ultrasound image was still vivid in her memory, and the tiny heartbeat she’d heard earlier seemed to reverberate in her chest. She traced her fingers absentmindedly over her belly, the reality settling deeper with each breath she took—she was carrying Andrei’s child.

There was a light knock on the door, pulling her from her reverie. She stood and smoothed her hands over her dress, steadying herself before calling out, “Come in.”

Andrei stepped into the room, his expression unreadable as always. But tonight, there was something different in the way he looked at her—an intensity, as if he was seeing her in a new light.

“I wanted to make sure you’re okay,” he said, his voice softer than usual. He shifted, almost awkwardly, before leaning against the doorframe. “It’s a lot to take in.”

Cristine nodded, her eyes meeting his. “It is,” she admitted, feeling the weight of the day’s events press against her chest. “But I’m... happy, Andrei. I didn’t expect to feel this way, but I am.”

His eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite place—relief, perhaps, or maybe a hint of vulnerability. He crossed the room in a few steps and sat down in the chair by the window, close enough that she could see the faint lines of worry etched on his forehead.

“It’s not just you who’s surprised,” he said after a moment, staring out at the dark garden beyond the glass. “This was supposed to be simple. A contract, an arrangement. But now...”

Cristine’s heart quickened. She’d sensed the change between them, the moments that felt too tender for their carefully constructed boundaries. But hearing him acknowledge it, even obliquely, sent a rush of warmth through her. “Now it’s more complicated,” she finished for him, her voice barely a whisper.

Andrei turned to her, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. “Yes,” he said, the word heavy with meaning.

Silence settled between them, not awkward, but full of unspoken thoughts. Cristine looked away first, the weight of the moment too much to bear. She felt the soft brush of Andrei’s hand on hers, and she looked up, surprised.

“Cristine, I know this isn’t easy for you,” he said, his tone gentle but serious. “Being here, giving up your life for this. For me. But I want you to know that I don’t take that for granted.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “It’s not just for you,” she said, a tremor in her voice. “It’s for both of us. For the child.”

They stayed like that for a moment, caught in a delicate balance between the unyielding nature of their agreement and the tentative connection growing between them.

---

The days that followed were different. Andrei’s presence became more frequent, his workdays shorter, and his interactions with Cristine more thoughtful. He’d find small ways to show his concern—an extra blanket on chilly nights, her favorite tea waiting for her in the morning, a subtle squeeze of her hand when no one was watching.

One evening, after dinner, Cristine stood on the balcony overlooking the garden. The scent of jasmine hung in the air, and the cool breeze felt refreshing against her skin. She turned when she heard the soft thud of footsteps behind her.

“I thought I might find you here,” Andrei said, leaning casually against the railing. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing strong forearms that, for some reason, made her pulse quicken.

“It’s peaceful out here,” she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The silence between them was warm, companionable.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said after a moment, his gaze focused on the horizon. “About how we move forward. How to make this easier for you.”

Cristine’s heart ached at his consideration. It was as if, piece by piece, the fortress around him was crumbling, revealing the man beneath the façade. “Andrei, I’m not looking for easy,” she said, turning to face him fully. “I’m just trying to do what’s best for... all of us.”

His eyes met hers, and for the first time, there was no trace of the guarded businessman. Instead, he looked like a man caught between his own desires and the boundaries he’d built. Without thinking, Cristine reached out and touched his arm.

The simple gesture seemed to break whatever restraint held him. In a heartbeat, he stepped closer, the warmth of his body radiating into hers. His hand moved to cup her face, and she inhaled sharply at the unexpected contact.

“Cristine,” he murmured, his breath fanning across her skin. The world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them in the stillness of the night. His lips met hers in a kiss that was both tentative and hungry, as if he’d been waiting for this moment as long as she had.

Time lost all meaning as they stood there, the kiss deepening with each passing second. It was raw, real, and everything that had been simmering beneath the surface since they’d met.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathing heavily, eyes locked in a shared realization that whatever this was, it had grown beyond the confines of their contract.

Cristine’s hand rested on her stomach, the reminder of the life they had created between them. “What happens now?” she whispered.

Andrei brushed a thumb across her cheek, his expression softened by an emotion she hadn’t seen before. “We take it one day at a time,” he said.