My Pregnancy Contract With The Billionaire

Chapter 17

The morning light slipped through the gaps in the curtains as Andrei stirred awake, blinking against the early sun filtering into his room. For a moment, he lay there in the stillness, feeling the warmth left by Cristine’s presence beside him. The previous night came rushing back to him—a night that had been an unexpected shift in their relationship. He hadn’t anticipated feeling so connected to her, so at ease. It wasn’t just the closeness of their embrace or the intimacy that they shared. It was the unspoken comfort, the genuine sense of closeness that had developed naturally, perhaps even unavoidably, in their journey together.

Turning over to her side of the bed, he was surprised to find it empty. Usually, he was the one to wake early and begin his day with business calls, but today he felt an odd pang of disappointment at her absence. He’d grown accustomed to the comforting warmth of her beside him, and after the tenderness they’d shared, he couldn’t help but feel the subtle pull of something deeper.

A faint aroma wafted in from down the hall, tugging at his curiosity. Getting up, he dressed quickly and made his way downstairs. The rich scent of coffee mixed with the gentle, inviting aroma of something cooking. He followed it to the kitchen and paused at the entrance, finding Cristine standing by the stove, a soft glow surrounding her as she worked on preparing breakfast.

She hadn’t noticed him yet, her focus on the pan in front of her as she carefully flipped something golden brown. The sight of her there, sleeves rolled up, hair loose, and expression focused, struck him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. She looked serene, completely at ease, and there was something so naturally comforting about the image that he found himself lingering in the doorway, reluctant to interrupt.

After a moment, she looked up, her eyes widening in surprise before a warm smile touched her lips. “Oh, you’re awake! I didn’t hear you come down.”

“I suppose I’m not used to waking up to the smell of breakfast,” he said, moving forward and taking a seat at the counter. “This is a… pleasant surprise.”

Cristine chuckled, setting a plate in front of him filled with a neatly arranged breakfast—scrambled eggs, toast, and some freshly sliced fruit. “I thought it’d be nice to have a change. You’re always the first one up, and I wanted to do something different for us.”

As he picked up his fork, Andrei felt an unusual lightness settle over him, a welcome break from his otherwise structured routine. The ease between them, which had grown since they started following the doctor’s advice, felt natural, as though they’d always known how to exist in each other’s company like this.

They ate quietly for a few moments, the comfortable silence broken only by the occasional clink of silverware. Andrei glanced over at Cristine, noticing the way she seemed lost in thought, her gaze focused on her plate. He cleared his throat gently.

“Last night…” he began, hesitating. “It was… different, wasn’t it?”

Cristine’s eyes met his, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she gave a small nod. “Yes, it was. I didn’t expect it to feel… like that.” She took a deep breath, her expression softening. “Honestly, I was nervous about all of this at first, but I’m glad we’re getting to know each other beyond the arrangement.”

Andrei set down his fork, looking at her with an intensity that took even him by surprise. “I never expected things to unfold this way either. But I can’t deny that it’s brought us closer.” He paused, his voice growing softer. “I find myself… wanting to know more about you, beyond just what’s on paper.”

Cristine’s smile deepened, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other, a quiet understanding passing between them. It was as though the barriers they’d kept around themselves had started to dissolve, leaving only the genuine connection they were both slowly building.

After breakfast, they spent the day together, wandering the estate grounds, where they shared more stories from their pasts. Cristine talked about her grandmother, how she’d been the one constant in her life, and how deeply she cared about her. Andrei listened with genuine interest, offering small insights into his own family life—rare glimpses into his otherwise reserved world.

As the afternoon slipped into evening, Andrei found himself surprised at how naturally they’d begun to rely on each other’s company. In the days that followed, this new rhythm between them settled, an unspoken warmth growing. Every morning, Cristine would make them breakfast, and they’d share coffee over light conversations. Even Andrei’s staff had noticed the change, glancing curiously at the small moments of laughter or quiet smiles the two shared.

One evening, after a quiet dinner, Andrei suggested they watch a movie in the library. The room was cozy, its warm lighting casting soft shadows over the bookshelves as they settled onto the plush couch. The choice of film was lighthearted, a comedy that had them both laughing despite their best efforts to maintain a sense of decorum.

Halfway through, Cristine shifted, leaning comfortably against his shoulder. Andrei felt his heartbeat quicken at her touch, and he instinctively wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. As the movie played on, he found himself focusing less on the screen and more on the quiet rise and fall of her breathing, the warmth of her against him.

By the time the credits rolled, neither of them made a move to get up. They sat in the silence, letting the moment stretch between them, each feeling the weight of words left unspoken.

“Cristine,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the same quiet longing he felt.

But instead of saying anything more, he leaned down, his lips brushing hers in a gentle, lingering kiss. This time, it wasn’t about the arrangement, the contract, or any obligations. It was simply them—two people drawn together, finding solace in each other’s presence.

When they finally pulled away, she gave him a soft smile, one that held a hint of vulnerability. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For letting me be here like this.”

He nodded, unable to find the right words to express what he was feeling. Instead, he kept her close, letting the silence between them speak.

As days turned into weeks, this unspoken connection between them deepened. They found themselves naturally drawn to one another, seeking each other out in quiet moments, sharing looks that spoke of understanding, of a bond that had grown beyond their initial intentions. The line between their arrangement and something more had blurred, and while neither of them spoke about it directly, both felt its undeniable presence.

One morning, Cristine returned from a walk around the grounds, her cheeks flushed from the fresh air, her eyes bright as she entered the kitchen. She found Andrei already there, sipping his coffee, a soft smile touching his lips as he watched her.

“I was thinking,” he began, setting his cup down, “maybe we could go into the city today. There’s an art gallery that just opened, and I thought you might enjoy it.”

Cristine’s face lit up with surprise and delight. “That sounds wonderful. I’d love to go with you.”

The day trip to the city was refreshing, a change of pace that allowed them to experience each other’s company outside the quiet confines of the estate. They wandered the gallery, discussing the art with genuine interest, sharing quiet laughs and moments of reflection. Andrei found himself drawn to her perspective, the way she saw beauty in the smallest details, something he’d often overlooked in his own life.

After the gallery, they stopped at a small café nearby, savoring warm drinks and pastries as they watched people pass by. For the first time, Andrei felt as though he was experiencing life without the usual demands and pressures. Cristine’s presence grounded him, reminding him of simpler joys he’d forgotten.

That evening, as they returned home, a comfortable silence settled between them. Andrei held her hand as they walked up the steps, a small gesture that felt natural, a silent promise of the bond they’d come to cherish. And as they stepped inside, Andrei felt a sense of peace that was entirely new to him—a feeling of contentment he’d never expected to find in this arrangement.

Over the next few days, they resumed their usual routines, yet everything felt different. Andrei’s barriers had softened, and Cristine’s warmth and openness seemed to fill the spaces between them, making their shared life feel genuine, complete.

One evening, as they sat together in the garden, Cristine looked at him, her expression thoughtful. “Andrei, I never thought this arrangement would turn into something like this… something I’d actually look forward to.”

He reached out, taking her hand in his. “Neither did I,” he admitted, his voice laced with honesty. “But I’m grateful it has. Whatever this is, it’s become important to me.”

They stayed there, holding hands in the quiet of the garden, both feeling the weight of unspoken words between them. Andrei knew there would be challenges ahead, that their agreement was still in place, but for now, he was content to let the connection between them grow, to see where it might lead.

For the first time in his life, he felt as though he was exactly where he was meant to be—with Cristine, in this shared moment that was more than just an arrangement; it was the beginning of something real.