Chapter 8: Morning After
223 Words
I woke up in Aiden’s arms.
For a second I forgot everything. The contract. Vanessa. The check.
His chest was warm against my back and his arm was locked around my waist like he was afraid I’d disappear.
“Morning,” he murmured, voice rough from sleep.
“Did you sleep?”
“Barely,” I whispered. “Did you mean it last night? When you said ‘I choose us’?”
Aiden went still. Then he turned me to face him. Those cold CEO eyes were soft. Too soft.
“Every word, Zuri. I meant every word.”
My heart hurt. Because I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to.
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Unknown number.
Message: “48 hours. Take the 8 million or I leak the contract + your pregnancy to the press. Choose wisely. - V”
Vanessa.
Aiden saw it over my shoulder. His jaw clenched. The warmth in his eyes vanished and the billionaire was back.
“Let her try,” he said quietly. “You’re not alone in this anymore. Not with me.”
He pulled me closer.
“Whatever happens, we face it together. Contract or not.”
And for the first time since signing those papers, I wasn’t scared.
I was his. And maybe… he was mine.
- Writer
