PREGNANT BY THE WRONG BILLIONAIRE

EAST-WING

The armored SUV rolled to a smooth stop beneath the grand stone portico of the Vance estate. The rain hammered against the glass, turning the sprawling courtyard into a blur of dark slate and gray mist.

Before the driver could step out, Julian pushed his door open, stepping out into the downpour and holding his hand back to shield the entrance.

Evelyn stayed put on the leather seat, crossing her arms tightly. "I can walk, Julian."

"Stay under the overhang," Julian said, leaning back into the doorway. "The wind is driving the rain sideways."

"My coat is already soaked, and I'm not made of glass," Evelyn snapped, sliding across the seat and stepping past him into the air.

She marched up the stone steps, ignoring the two armed guards standing at attention by the massive double doors. Julian fell into step beside her, his long strides effortlessly keeping pace.

The heavy mahogany doors opened as they approached, revealing a towering foyer lit by a massive crystal chandelier.

"Marcus," Julian called out without stopping.

An older man in a dark charcoal suit appeared from the inner hallway. "Mr. Vance. Miss Hart. The east wing is prepared."

"Prepared how?" Evelyn stopped walking and turned toward Julian. "I didn't ask for anything except a door that locks."

"You asked for privacy, isolated security, and a direct line to a doctor," Julian said, gesturing toward a wide arched corridor on the right side of the foyer. "Marcus handled the details."

Marcus gave Evelyn a polite nod. "The wing is entirely self-contained, Miss Hart. Kitchenette, private study, and a separate bedroom suite. The double doors connecting to the central corridor deadbolt from your side."

"From *my* side?" Evelyn asked, looking between them.

"Permanently," Julian said, leading the way down the corridor. "You control access. Marcus, bring up her work files and the medical equipment delivered from the clinic."

"Right away, sir."

Evelyn followed Julian down the long hallway, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floorboards. The interior of the east wing was bright floor-to-ceiling glass looking out over the private gardens, minimalist furniture, and a roaring gas fireplace.

It was luxurious, silent, and suffocating.

"Does this suit your needs?" Julian asked, tossing his damp suit jacket over an armchair.

"It's a vault with nicer furniture, Julian," Evelyn said, setting her bag onto the glass coffee table. "You can put marble counters in a vault, but it doesn't change what it is."

"It keeps you safe," Julian replied, walking over to a sleek digital panel mounted on the wall near the double doors. He tapped a four-digit code, and a green light flashed. "This controls the perimeter shutters and the private elevator. No one enters without your clearance."

"Including you?"

"Marcus gave you the deadbolts," Julian said, turning around to face her. "If you want me out, turn the lock."

Evelyn crossed her arms. "And the security detail outside?"

"They remain on the outer perimeter line. Past the garden hedge. Their job is keeping reporters and process servers off the property."

"And when I go to my office tomorrow morning?"

"My driver takes you, along with a security detail," Julian said. "You won't have to interact with them."

"I'll know they're there, Julian."

Julian didn't answer immediately. He walked over, stopping a few feet away. The space between them felt tight, weighted by the lingering adrenaline from the clinic and the sudden reality of the twins.

"Sit down, Evelyn," Julian said, his voice quiet. "You've had a long morning."

"I don't need to sit down, I need my schedule back," Evelyn said, though the sharpness in her voice was fading. The exhaustion was finally catching up to her, making her shoulders heavy.

"Your schedule is going to adapt," Julian said flatly. "Get used to it."

Before Evelyn could reply, a sharp electronic chime rang through the room.

Julian pulled his phone from his pocket, frowned, and set it back down. It wasn't his line.

Marcus came down the hallway from the foyer, holding a security tablet in his hands. "Mr. Vance. The outer grid just flagged an entry."

Julian's posture went rigid. "Where?"

"The private service gate," Marcus said, handing over the screen. "An unauthorized vehicle bypassed the outer approach."

Evelyn's chest tightened. "Aegis? Did their lawyers follow us from the clinic?"

"No," Julian said, staring at the live camera feed on the tablet. "Aegis uses corporate town cars. This is an unmarked sedan."

Julian tapped the console on the wall, routing the live security camera feed from the front gate directly onto the large display above the fireplace.

The screen flickered, showing the rain-drenched driveway.

A sleek dark sedan sat idling across the iron gates. The driver's door swung open, and a tall man stepped out into the downpour, pulling down his hood.

Evelyn took a step back, her hands freezing against her sides.

"Daniel," she said, her voice dropping.

Julian looked at her, his jaw set tight. "How does your ex-boyfriend know where this gate is?"

"He doesn't!" Evelyn said, panic spiking in her throat. "I never gave him this address! I've never even been here before today!"

On the monitor, Daniel walked straight up to the security camera mounted on the gate post. He pulled a thick white paper envelope from inside his coat and held it up directly against the lens.

Julian hit the intercom button on the wall panel, connecting the gate microphone to the room speakers.

Daniel's voice filled the living room, rough against the sound of rain,

"Evelyn! I know you're in there with him! If you don't open this gate in thirty seconds, I'm sending the medical records I pulled from your apartment straight to every news editor in the city!"