THE BILLIONAIRE’S SECRET BABY

Chapter 4: The Contract

Ethan didn't sleep all night. The photo of the little boy with his eyes haunted him.

He had a son. A three-year-old son he never knew about.

The next morning, Ava was called to the top floor. The CEO's office.

She was terrified. She thought she would be fired.

"Close the door," Ethan said, his voice cold. He was standing by the window, looking like a king.

"Mr. Blackwood, I can explain--"

"DNA test," he cut her off. He placed a paper on the desk. "I want a DNA test."

Ava's hands shook. "No! You can't take my son!"

"I'm not trying to take him. I'm trying to prove he is mine," Ethan said, stepping closer. "If he is mine, he is a Blackwood. He deserves everything. Not a tiny apartment and a sick mother."

"He has everything he needs! Love!" Ava shouted, tears in her eyes.

"Love doesn't pay hospital bills," Ethan said sharply. "I checked. Your mother is sick. You owe $2000. Your son needs surgery for his asthma next month. How will you pay?"

Ava went silent. He knew everything.

Ethan softened his voice a little. "I have a proposal. A contract."

He pushed a document toward her. "Marry me. Contract marriage for one year. Live in my mansion with Leo. I will pay all your mother's bills, give Leo the best doctors, give you $50,000 a month. In return, Leo gets my name and lives as my heir."

Ava stared at the paper. "Marry you? Are you crazy? You have a fiancee!"

"I will break up with her. She is for business, not love," Ethan said. "This is business too. My grandfather is dying. He wants to see a great-grandson. If I bring Leo, he will give me the whole company."

"So you want to use my son?" Ava was angry.

"I want to give my son a life!" Ethan shouted. Then he took a breath. "Please, Ava. One year. After that, you are free. With money to start a new life. Your son will be safe."

Ava looked at the contract. $50,000 a month. Her mother could get treatment. Leo could breathe.

She had no choice. She was a poor cleaner. He was a billionaire. If she said no, he could take Leo with lawyers.

With tears falling, she picked up the pen.

"Where do I sign?" she whispered.

Ethan watched her sign, his heart beating fast for the first time in years. He had his heir. But why did he feel guilty looking at her tears?

He was getting a wife and a son. But he was losing something else. Her trust.