The Billionaire’s Baby Contract

“You have two choices. Either sign this or walk away, this ends today.” His words hung in the air and strengthened to crush when with its weight, her throat tightened as she stared at the white paper which was placed on the desk in front of her. A contract The texts written with the black ink on it mocked her as she looked at it. Adrian Cole sat across from her, his expression was cold. Adrian Cole, one of the most ruthless billionaires in the entire country whom she had a one night stand with and became pregnant for. He looked just as powerful as he did in the tabloids, unshakeable, intimidating and untouchable. Elana swallowed hard as the gravity of her situation pushed down on her. She had been so strong to track him down, she told him everything about the pregnancy and the humiliation she had faced because of it. She now felt weak as she was faced with the decision of signing the contract or not, she didn't know what to do. “This is… insane.” She said, voice barely above as a whisper as she could barely believe what she was seeing. “You're asking me to give up everything I've worked hard for— my life and my freedom, just to prove something to you? To prove that this baby is yours?” She asked, she tried her best to keep her voice steady but it trembled as she spoke. She lifted her gaze from the paper which stared at her and to the made behind the desk. Adrian leaned back in his chair and his jaw tightened as he spoke. “You came to me, Miss River. You brought this upon yourself when you made the claims that, that baby..” He pointed at her stomach, this made her wrap her arms around it. “Is mine. I have every right to question you, this contract is to protect us both. So you either sign it or leave and stop wasting my time.” “Protect you.” She corrected. “This doesn't protect me but only your reputation. Can't have the world finding out about your little mistake huh?” A burning fury rose within her as she spoke. “This isn't about protection, it's about control. Your need to control everything and everyone around you.” He didn't even blink at her words as his face remained indifferent. “Control is necessary when the stakes are high, like this.” He pointed at her stomach again and she dropped her gaze to the contract. She read the terms once more— she would move into one of his properties, remain under his care until the baby was born, she wasn't allowed to tell anyone about the contract or him, once the baby was born a DNA test would be done. If the child was his, they would get married and if it wasn't she would face legal consequences for defamation and fraud. “But I'm not lying,” she whispered, more to herself than to him. “That's what they all say.” Adrian heard her and replied, his tone was sharp. “You're not the first woman who has come to me claiming to be pregnant for me, they have all tried to manipulate me and have failed.” She looked up at him. “So pardon me, Miss River, for being skeptical.” Anger bubbled within her as she spoke. “Do you really think I want to be here? Do you think I want this embarrassment you're giving to me?” She locked eyes with him. “Do you think I enjoy begging for help from someone who clearly thinks I'm trash?” She watched as his lips parted but no sound came out. For a second she saw something flicker in his eyes— regret or maybe guilt, but it was gone as quickly as it came before she could decipher it. He slipped his guarded mask back on. “You have until the next of the day to decide.” He abruptly stood up. “If you're not willing to sign this contract, then this conversation is over.” Elena stood up from her seat as well, her legs were shaky but she stood her ground. “You're really pompous, you think money and power is enough reason to treat people like this? To treat me like this?” No response. She scoffed. “What? I'm just a stupid little pawn for you to play with? Is that it?” He still didn't answer, instead he turned and walked to his window. His shoulders looked tense as he stared at the city below. They were high up in his office. Seeing that he wasn't going to change his mind, she sighed. “I'll sign it.” Her voice broke the silence. He turned and stared at her, expression unreadable. “But don't you think for a second that this is for your money and power.” She said, her voice steady and firm. She placed her palms protectively on her stomach. “This is for my child and I will do whatever it takes to protect my baby, even if it means signing a contract with someone like you.” His jaw clenched at her word but he nodded. “Then we have an agreement.” Elena picked up the pen on the table and signed her name on the space provided on the contract, she couldn't shake off the sinking feeling that settled in her chest as she did. The pen felt then times heavier in her hand as she signed away her life. When she was done, she set the pen down and looked at Adrian who walked to the table and picked up the paper without a word. “What have I done?” She whispered to herself. Adrian turned and walked away, she saw a brief c***k in his facade as he turned. He looked just as lost as she felt. Her fate had been sealed. She hadn't planned for any of this to happen— not the pregnancy, not the heartbreak and certainly not the man whom she had just placed her future in his hands. If only she could go back to that night, the night when everything changed.