My Pregnancy Contract With The Billionaire

Chapter 14

Cristine sat in her room, the early morning light casting soft shadows across the floor as she wrapped herself in a warm blanket, her mind circling through a whirl of thoughts. She was still processing the previous night’s attempt, how intimate and vulnerable it had felt, even though she’d told herself over and over that it was strictly professional, just another part of the arrangement. But there was something about Andrei, something beyond the formality of their deal that unsettled her emotions.

This whole arrangement had initially seemed cut and dry—a professional agreement, a business contract. Yet now, after experiencing the closeness with him, she found herself entangled in feelings she’d never expected. The lines between duty and desire were blurring, and she felt lost. Part of her felt foolish for letting herself care, knowing that Andrei’s heart was closed off. And still, her heart rebelled against that knowledge, whispering for more every time she saw him.

Her thoughts drifted to her grandmother. Guilt washed over her as she imagined her staying in the home care facility longer than necessary, all because Cristine hadn’t fulfilled her side of the agreement yet. The sooner she conceived, the sooner she could fulfill her end of the bargain, give Andrei what he wanted, and move on with her life. But this was easier said than done. Her body wasn’t following any sort of schedule, and she was left with the constant reminder that nature could be unpredictably slow.

She picked up her phone, scrolling through some pregnancy forums she had bookmarked. It seemed like women everywhere shared her feelings of impatience, the waiting game of “is this the month?” endlessly drawn out. She felt a small wave of comfort knowing she wasn’t alone, but then she recalled the terms of her contract—terms meant to keep everything clean and simple. There was to be no bond with Andrei, no attachment to the baby after it was born, and no continued connection with either of them.

But her heart was rebelling against this. Each time she and Andrei were together, she found herself craving more than just the physical closeness; she wanted to know him, to understand the emotions hidden behind his distant eyes. It surprised her how her own body and mind seemed to betray her original intent. The thought of leaving him once the deal was fulfilled made her heart ache—a feeling she was trying hard to ignore.

With a heavy sigh, she tried to focus on the purpose behind her actions. It wasn’t supposed to be about her; it was supposed to be for her grandmother, for her future. She needed this arrangement to work, needed the funds it promised to stabilize her life. But no matter how hard she tried to remind herself of that, the growing attraction she felt toward Andrei lingered.

Later that day, Andrei knocked on her door, his face holding the same cool, unreadable expression. Despite his formal demeanor, she felt her pulse quicken at the sight of him. She tried to remind herself to stay professional, to avoid letting her growing emotions slip through. Still, her heart betrayed her with a flutter, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

“Cristine,” he began, his voice calm as always, “I wanted to discuss our next steps. Since we didn’t achieve success with our previous attempt, I’ve arranged for a specialist to come tomorrow. They’ll give you a full check-up and ensure everything is in optimal condition.”

She nodded, keeping her gaze lowered, feeling both gratitude and frustration at his clinical tone. “I appreciate that,” she said softly, forcing a small smile.

His gaze softened momentarily as he looked at her, but then he quickly averted his eyes. “I know you want this to happen soon,” he continued, his voice low. “It’s understandable that you would feel… impatient.”

Cristine took a deep breath, steadying herself. “It’s just that… well, I need this arrangement to work out, for both our sakes. And,” she hesitated, the weight of her feelings suddenly pressing down on her, “I know that it’s a business transaction, but it’s been… different than I expected.”

He glanced at her, eyebrows raised in surprise, but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

She searched for the right words, struggling against the conflicting emotions churning within her. “I just… I didn’t expect it to feel so complicated,” she admitted finally.

Andrei’s expression remained impassive, though she thought she saw a flicker of something behind his gaze. “Complicated in what way?” he asked carefully.

Cristine hesitated. How could she admit that she was feeling things for him she wasn’t supposed to? That she craved more than the cold, formal exchanges they shared? But then again, wasn’t honesty a part of this arrangement? She took a breath, her heart racing as she spoke.

“I know I shouldn’t feel this way,” she said slowly, “but being with you, even if it’s just for this purpose, has started to mean more than I thought it would.”

For a moment, silence hung heavily between them. Andrei’s expression wavered, his carefully guarded mask slipping. She could see a glimpse of vulnerability there, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

“I understand, Cristine,” he replied, his tone softer than usual. “This situation is… unique. And feelings can become… blurred.”

She bit her lip, feeling a swell of hope that he might feel the same. But then he took a step back, his face hardening again.

“However,” he continued, “it’s essential that we maintain the boundaries we agreed upon. Emotions can complicate things in ways we both don’t want.”

Cristine’s heart sank. She forced herself to nod, suppressing the sting of disappointment. “Of course. You’re right. I just… needed to say it.”

Andrei gave her a nod, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than necessary before he turned to leave. As he walked away, Cristine felt a mix of relief and heartache. Perhaps it was for the best to keep things professional, to keep the walls up around her heart. And yet, part of her wished she could shatter those walls, to let him in despite the risks.

That night, as she lay in bed, she couldn’t shake the lingering ache in her chest. Her rational mind told her that keeping her distance was the only sensible course of action, but her heart longed for more. She replayed their conversations, analyzing each word, each glance, hoping to find some hint of warmth behind his icy exterior. But her thoughts only served to deepen her confusion.

The next morning, she woke with a renewed sense of determination. Today was a new day, a new attempt, and she reminded herself of the reasons she had entered this arrangement in the first place. For her grandmother, for her future. She had to stay focused.

When Andrei appeared at her door that evening, ready for their next attempt, she steeled herself, determined to keep her emotions in check. Yet, as they shared another night of intimacy, she felt the walls around her heart tremble, threatening to crumble under the weight of her unspoken feelings. And when it was over, Andrei gave her a soft, lingering look before retreating to his own room.

Left alone, Cristine found herself yearning for his presence, the ache in her heart growing stronger. She knew she couldn’t continue like this, torn between her duty and her feelings. But for now, she could only hope that time would bring clarity, and that her heart would learn to accept the boundaries she’d tried so hard to set.