The Billionaire's Reluctant Wife

ChapterThree

Star’s POV

“I still don’t understand how you just went home with a stranger, Star! I looked for you everywhere.”

Phoebe’s voice was loud enough to make a few people in the café turn their heads.

I quickly lowered mine, feeling embarrassed.

“I didn’t plan it,” I said softly, stirring my tea even though I wasn’t drinking it. “It just… happened.”

Phoebe leaned forward across the table, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Just happened? Star, this is New York, not a romance movie!”

“I know,” I muttered. “I know it sounds crazy.”

It was crazy.

But it was my reality.

She exhaled sharply and crossed her arms. “Okay. Start from the beginning. Slowly. Don’t skip anything.”

I hesitated.

Then I did it.

I told her everything.

Rodriguez dumped me like I meant nothing, which she knew about.

The party we both went to.

The alcohol.

The pain that felt like it was choking me.

And then… him.

The stranger.

Tall, calm, dangerous in a quiet way. The way he looked at me was like I wasn’t invisible.

Phoebe listened without interrupting this time, but her eyes kept widening as I spoke.

“And he took you to his house?” she asked when I finished.

I nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“And you… slept there?”

“I slept there,” I confirmed quickly. “Something happened between us. He didn't just help me.”

Phoebe stared at me for a few seconds, mouth wide open. “ You mean you had s*x with a stranger?"

Then she sighed.

“Okay… describe him.”

I frowned slightly. “Why?”

“Just do it,” she insisted. “Maybe I can figure out who he is.”

I hesitated again.

Then I started.

“He is tall… very tall. Around 6’2, maybe. Light skin. Very calm face. He doesn’t talk too much, but when he does, it feels like he’s used to people listening to him.”

Phoebe’s expression slowly changed.

She stopped chewing her gum.

“Go on,” she said, more serious now.

“He has this… strong presence,” I continued. “Like he doesn’t need to try to be powerful. It just comes naturally. And his eyes…” I paused. “They’re very sharp. Like he sees through people.”

Phoebe suddenly sat up straighter.

“Wait.”

“What?” I asked.

“Did you say tall, light-skinned, sharp eyes… calm expression… and a very rich vibe?”

I frowned. “Rich vibe?”

She ignored me and pulled out her phone quickly.

“Star, I think I know who you’re talking about.”

My heart tightened.

“Phoebe, don’t start.”

She was already typing.

“New York's youngest billionaire… CEO… what’s his company again…” she muttered.

I watched her nervously.

“What are you doing?”

“Just wait,” she said quickly.

A few seconds later, she turned her phone toward me.

A picture filled the screen.

My breath stopped.

It was him, the same face and eyes.

But now… in expensive suits. At events. Standing like he owned the world.

Phoebe looked at me carefully.

“Is this him?”

I couldn’t speak at first.

My throat went dry.

Then I whispered, “Yes.”

Phoebe’s eyes widened. “Star… do you know who this is?”

I shook my head slightly.

“No…”

She turned the phone back to herself and read slowly.

“Rick Hernando,” she said. “Youngest billionaire in New York. CEO of Salespush Textile Ltd.”

The name hit me like a shock wave.

Rick Hernando.

I repeated it silently in my mind.

Rick.

So that was his name.

Phoebe looked at me like I had just stepped into serious trouble.

“Star,” she said slowly, “you didn’t just sleep at a stranger’s house…”

I swallowed hard.

“You slept at his house, had s*x with him, on his bed.”

My chest tightened.

The room suddenly felt smaller.

The air is heavier.

Because now I know one thing for sure.

This wasn’t just some random man.

This was someone powerful.

Someone dangerous.

And somehow…

I had already crossed a line I could never take back.

For one full week after that day, I tried to act normal.

I went to work, I smiled when I had to, I answered Phoebe’s calls. But inside me, something felt off.

My body was not behaving like before, I was always tired. I felt weak in the mornings.

And food… food started making me feel sick.

At first, I ignored it.

Maybe it was stress or maybe heartbreak.

Maybe everything I went through with Rodriguez and Rick was just affecting me.

But on the seventh day, I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

I was in my small apartment bathroom, holding the sink tightly.

My stomach turned violently.

And I threw up again.

I wiped my mouth slowly and was breathing hard.

Something is wrong.

That was the only thought in my head.

The next morning, I went to the hospital.

I sat alone in the waiting room, tapping my fingers nervously.

My heart was not calm.

Something inside me was telling me… this is not ordinary sickness.

“Miss Star?” the nurse called.

I stood up quickly.

My legs felt heavy as I followed her inside.

The doctor asked me a few questions.

Then they took my blood.

Then I waited.

Those minutes felt like hours.

Finally, the doctor came back with a file.

And the words that came out of his mouth changed my life forever.

“Congratulations… you are pregnant.”

Everything stopped.

I blinked.

“What?” I whispered.

The doctor repeated it again, slowly, like I was not understanding.

“You are pregnant.”

My hands went cold, my ears were ringing.

I couldn’t hear anything clearly anymore.

Pregnant.

That word kept repeating in my head.

No…

No, this cannot be happening.

I got home that day like a zombie and sat on my bed, staring at nothing.

My phone was ringing, but I didn’t pick it up.

Phoebe came later.

She saw my face and immediately knew something was wrong.

“Star… what happened?” she asked softly.

I looked at her.

My voice came out weak.

“I’m pregnant.”

Phoebe froze.

For a moment, she didn’t even move, and then she sat down beside me slowly.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

I nodded.

The room went silent.

Then I said it.

“I can’t keep it.”

Phoebe’s head snapped toward me.

“What?”

“I said I can’t keep it,” I repeated, crying now. “My life is already broken. I cannot bring a child into this confusion.”

Phoebe grabbed my hand.

“No, Star. You cannot do that.”

I pulled my hand away.

“You don’t understand,” I said. “I don’t even know what I’m doing with my life. I’m alone. The father is someone I barely know. I'm sure he wouldn't want it.”

Phoebe shook her head strongly.

“No. That child is not the problem. You are just scared.”

I looked away.

Tears kept falling.

“I don’t want this,” I whispered.

Phoebe stood up.

“If you remove this baby, you will regret it forever,” she said firmly.

But I didn’t answer.

I just cried.

That same day my mother found out.

I don’t even know how.

She just showed up at my apartment door.

Her face was serious.

“Star,” she said immediately, “is it true?”

I froze.

“… What?” I asked quietly.

She stepped closer.

“Don’t lie to me. I heard you are pregnant.”

My heart dropped.

I didn’t even know what to say.

She already knew.

My silence confirmed everything.

My mother took a deep breath.

“Who is the man?”

I looked down.

“Rick Hernando,” I said slowly.

Her eyes widened a little.

She had heard the name before, she knew him.

Silence filled the room, then her face changed.

From shock… to anger… to determination.

She turned and picked up her bag.

“I am going to see him,” she said.

“Mom, wait! He doesn't even know that I'm pregnant for him,” I called, standing up quickly. “What are you going to do?”

She stopped at the door.

Her voice was cold.

“If he thinks he can deny this pregnancy, he is wrong.”

I swallowed hard.

She opened the door.

“One way or another,” she said, “he will accept responsibility.”

And then she left.

Rick’s POV

I was in my office that afternoon when Charlotte knocked.

“Sir… there is a woman here to see you,” she said.

I didn’t look up from my papers.

“I don’t have time for visitors.”

“She says it is urgent,” Charlotte replied carefully.

I sighed.

“Send her in.”

The door opened.

A woman walked in.

Older, with a strong face and angry eyes.

She didn’t sit, she just looked at me like I had already done something wrong.

“I am Star’s mother,” she said.

That made me pause.

I finally looked at her properly.

“And?” I asked calmly.

Her voice rose slightly.

“My daughter is pregnant with your child.”

The room went silent.

She stepped closer.

“You will take responsibility,” she said firmly. "Or I will make sure the whole world knows what kind of man you are."

My eyes narrowed slightly.

She wasn’t asking, she was threatening.

And at that moment, I knew my life had just taken another turn I could not control.

I don't even know who Star is.