FORTUNE SECRET WITH THE BILLIONAIRE'S

est was suppose

dly she almost dropped the stick. This wasn't possible. She wa

hey h

oken at two AM to find Damien in her room, standing by her bed like a ghost. "I can't stop thinking a

tending it hadn't happened. Three weeks of c

eks, and

ed, taking another test.

nt with Damien

cy occurs, the contract extends automatically and

acy ten times over. Enough to destroy Victoria co

tentially eighteen years. Co-parenting with a man who'd made it very

ests scattered around her, and t

oor. "Scarlett? We need

uncheon, because her life was now an en

e called, her voice

fully, couldn't risk the staff finding them and composed herself. She

Tonight. After she'd figure

ed. Part of her was strangely thrilled. And part of her was al

n a charcoal suit. Their eyes met, and something sparked between them,the same electri

e said. "Are you f

Just

n tired a l

orning, her breasts tender. All the signs she'

ping well," she said

ened slightly. "The

een having dreams about her father's death. He'd been surprisingly gentle abo

lied. "The

ected the art of being together without really being together. Polite conversation,

he Plaza. Scarlett smiled and made small talk and tried not to th

en's

mured during the speeches,

m f

staring at nothing for the past ten minutes, a

f her newborn, cooing about how motherhood was the great

you, I'm

found hers under the

that I'm carrying your child a

r," she said qui

htened, but

ortunities and the networking and the performance. But t

what's

it until w

e you're about to shatter

is stranger who'd become something more complicated than she'd e

gnant,"

nce was

. Then he leaned forward and told the driver to

is voice was car

r purse and showed him. "I know we were careful. I

t use pro

N

ure she'd learned meant he was processing

nk. I need to see a

"Private clinic, complete confidentiality. We need to know for c

nt to keep it. The unspoke

said. "I just found out an hour ago. But I n

aid. "If you're pregnant

lion dolla

on was complicated. "I meant we're talking about a child. My

ney is the only re

on we got married.

ow

jaw tightening. "It's a person. A life. Something neithe

don't know if I can do this. Be a mother. Raise a child

ave to decid

wait, it becomes more

decide, I'll support you. If you want to end the pregnancy, I'll arrange everything and make sure you have the best care. If you

't want

er sai

the contract. You said pregn

words. "My father was a terrible parent. Absent, manipulative, more concerned with money than fami

ore

to try." His thumb stroked her cheekbone. "

ammering. "What

dn't make me question every decision I've made for the past decade." His

mie

s forehead against hers. "But that night three weeks ago wasn't business. And whatever happens

im in cedar and danger and something

ulled back slightly. "But Scarlett, I need you to know-whatever choice you make, it's yours.

nt to cry harder. She'd expected control, demands, contracts

e to think,

the time

contract? Do we

ever needs to know. If you choose to keep it, we'll handle the legal implications then."

not trusti

, handling logistics with the efficiency that had built his empire. Scarlett stared out the win

no public entrance, just a unmarked door that required a code. Insi

on surname,he was fortyish, professional, and completely unflappab

d like a tiny blob. "It's very early, but everything looks healthy. Based on you

at the blob that was apparently going

" Damien asked, his ha

edication abortion, surgical abortion. She was factual and non-judg

mination, sooner is medically easier than later. If you'd like, I can sche

n and a prescription for prenatal vitam

en said, "What a

wedding to Marcus. Now I'm married to you and pr

t a bad

looked at him. "What

e wouldn't answer. Then: "I want you t

a non-

y interests." He met her eyes. "But if you're asking what I hope you'll choose? I hope you'll keep the baby. No

use w

The admission seemed to cost him something. "Which is i

s real. He was being honest in a

ng a mother. Of being tied to you f

" He took her hand. "But you're not alon

e mansion, and they sat

hink. To process. To figure out what I ac

uch time a

back. "Damien? Thank you. For not ma

father. I won't abandon you or manipulate yo

ling, one hand on her still-flat stomach, trying t

baby. T

d her. And it did. But it also m

o

dings. But for something real. Something

ancy. Interesting development. Does your husband know his heir is a bast

one at the clinic leaked information

a knew, she would use it. Blackmail,

and knocked. Damien answered imme

Scarlett said, sho

sion went

threatening to expose e

as no proof the marriage is contractual. And pregnancy isn't

ow, me trapping you. Gold digger g

ow, we announce the pregnancy ourselves. On our terms. Happy couple expe

t's

l the story." He studied her face. "Unless you've decided you don't wan

w become her partner in all of this. And she realized she'd already

ly. "I'm terrified and unprepared and hav

sion. Relief, joy, fear,all of it cr

sure?"

ath. "So yes. Let's announce it tomorrow. Con

ood there, two people who'd started as strangers and were now

parents," he murmur

s terr

But he was smiling. She c

tt let herself feel safe. Protected. Part of som

ny and all the complications of announcing a pregnancy th

ne a future where the baby growing

the beg

ment went li

arlett Wolfe are thrilled to announce they're expecting their first child. "We're overwhelmed with joy an

in the mansion's garden, his hand on her stomach, both of t

ming the truth. Scarlett was no longer sure

figures, and total strangers. The media went into a frenzy-articles about the "whirlwind romance that led

had backfired spectacularly. She couldn't ex

e wasn

ding through messages of congratulat

wered.

you untouchable. But I know things about Damien Wolfe that would destroy him. And if you don't back off your inves

you talk

ation that Damien Wolfe ordered that fire to eliminate competition. Thirty-seven people died because your

ne wen

en had said the Shanghai fire was investigated and dismissed. B

'd married

think. This was manipulation, psychological war

t if it

looked like the entire Wolfe Industries board. He held

thrilled about the baby. David Chen sent a personal message of c

ia call

ded. "What d

fire. That thirty-seven people died because of you." Sca

not

know. Tell me wha

brand. I sent my legal team to shut them down through proper channels. We filed complaints, worked with Chinese authorities, and did everything by the bo

othing to do w

not. Did I pay someone to commit arson? No. Did I celebrate when my competition burned? No. I was horrified." His voice was rough. "Those were people. Workers are just tryin

ing for deception. But all

she has evidenc

d. Everyone concluded the same thing:accidental fire caused by negligent wiring. If Victoria had real evidence, she would have

w you're tell

the witness statements. You can read every word yourself and decide." He pulled out his phone and star

oming messages,dozens of files,

find anything that makes you doubt me, we'll deal with it. B

omplete access, no hesitation, no

ve you,"

believe. Trust, but verify.

're having a baby together. At s

ay