Billionaire’s

I opened the door to my apartment, placing my bag g on the corner table before sinking onto the couch.

“Wow…” I muttered, holding my breath for a few seconds.

Abigail entered with an unusual quietness. I could hear the weight of her sigh.

“Sorry, Lil, for not telling you the whole reason why I wanted you to come to the bar,” she said, her tone filled with guilt. However, it didn’t ease my feelings or make me feel any better.

1 ran my tongue over my upper teeth and glanced at her, silently conveying that I wasn’t quick to forgive her for lying to me.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” My voice rose in volume, the frustration evident in my tone. She immediately moved to sit beside me.

“Because Davin was supposed to explain it to you. Did he explain? Did you agree? Her expression was hopeful, as if she desperately wanted me to

be on board.

1 scoffed and grimaced. “Am I supposed to be like a dog, eagerly jumping for a bone? Wagging my tail and saying, “Yes, please? All while looking adorably cute!”

Her head snapped back and forth in rapid motion. “Davin can help you secure your father’s release. It’s an opportunity, Lil. It can make your long- standing dreams come true.”

Davin, the name of the man who offered me an impossible bargain. I narrowed my eyes, fixating them with an intense can deliver. And are you out of your mind! No one in their right frame of mind would agree to such a proposal”

gaze. “Oh I highly doubt he

“There are plenty who have, and I went to great lengths to convince him to choose you. You see, he needs a child to meet his father’s demands, or else he’ll be forced into an arranged marriage, Abigail explained. “I saw an opportunity there. Your father would be set free, his name cleared, and you would give him one child. No strings attached”

“Am I just some kind of baby–making machine in your eyes?” I asked incredulously.

your father’s case may amount to

“No, and ultimately, it’s your decision. It’s an easy way out or doing things your own way, with the possibility that yo nothing. I’m just being practical here,” Abigail shrugged. “If you don’t want to do it, then fine.”

She had a point, and I needed more money to make it possible. However, the chances of my father getting out of jail were uncertain at best. Unconsciously. I tapped my middle finger against my check as I pondered.

“That’s quite a hilarious situation, you know, I remarked, and Abigail’s lips curled into a smile, revealing her perfectly aligned teeth thanks to the braces she had worn in the past.

“I don’t see it that way. You need this, Lil. It’s the only way I can help. If only I were as wealthy as my cousin, I would assist you. But I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth,” Abigail muttered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear

Abigail worked as a teacher in a public school and lived independently. Her family owned vast hectares of land for farming rice, vegetables, and com. She was the only daughter in her family.

We had been friends for almost nine years since high school.

I ran my tongue over my teeth and stood up. I didn’t want to become a baby–making machine, and I believed there we father’s freedom

t

“What will be your decision, Lil? It’s a once–in–a–lifetime opportunity,” Abigail insisted. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

were other ways to secure my

I stepped away from her, making my way to the mini kitchen. A once–in–a–lifetime opportunity? Biting my lip, I opened the fridge and grabbed a battle of water, taking a sip.

Abigail sat on the sofa, engrossed in her phone. I glanced at her, noticing the worry etched on her face. The hollow look in my mother’s eyes weighed heavily on my heart. What if she decided to take her own life again!

My father and I were everything to my

by mother, and losing my father was like losing half of her life.

I made a promise to her that I would do everything in my power to free my father from jail. That promise had taken three years, and the monry L had saved up wasn’t enough. I had already paid a substantial amount, at least it felt substantial to me, but the lawyer couldn’t make any progress.

If only I had enough money, I could hire the best lawyer to reopen my f

father’s case.

Lost in my thoughts, I realized I was gripping the w

water bottle too tightly. I threw it into the trashcan, pressing my lips toseetheni

I walked back to Abigail, who was still engrossed in her phone. She glanced up at me. “My cousin texted me that looking for someone else.”

My hand clenched into a fist, and I took a deep breath before sitting down next to her.

“I’ve changed my mind. Can he guarantee that he can get my father out of jail?”

you

ou weren’t interested. He’ll be

“I thought you had no plans?” Abigail asked, surprise evident in her reaction.

“My mind has changed; I explained, staring down at my feet. “As long as my father is freed and my mother returns to her old self, I will agree to it

She smiled faintly. “I also thought about Auntie Sydney, which is why I persuaded my cousin to reconsider and see you as a prospect. I miss the sparkle in her eyes and her laughter.”

For three years, I had seen nothing but sadness and pain in my mother’s eyes. Even the simplest smiles were a struggle for her.

Tve texted my cousin that you agree. There’s no turning back now, Lil It’s final.”

I clenched my fist and forced a smile. Although I wanted to take back my decision, I couldn’t. I would do it for the sake of my family.

Im sure of it. I replied, leaning my tired body back into the seat.

Abigail glanced at her phone. “Are you available next week! He wants to talk to you about the matter and also have you sign an agreement.” “Why next week? Isn’t it this week?” I asked, wanting to avoid overthinking my decision for several more days.

She winced slightly and answered, “He’s currently in London on a business trip and will be back on Tuesday. He’s a busy man with a hectic schedule. Originally, he planned for next month, but I insisted on next week”

Next week was better than next month. I couldn’t wait that long, and there was a chance I might change my mind

“Okay,” I simply said and sighed. She lowered her phone with a smile on her lips. “I need to sign the agreement.

“Yes, and I don’t quite understand why he requires an agreement. But, well, I suppose that’s how it works,” Abigail remarked, shrugging her shoulders.

“Once I’ve given birth to his heir, will I never see the child again?” I asked, feeling a pang of hurt at the thought that the child I carried for nine months would be taken away from me.

“Davin is not a terrible man. He wouldn’t deprive you of seeing the child you’ve given birth to. It’s just that he despises marriage and doesn’t want to be tied down by it, Abigail said, her voice trailing off.

“Why does he hate it?” I inquired. “Tm sure he had plenty of girlfriends before.

“No, he hasn’t had a single one. Uncle Gregory believes his son is, well, you know,” Abigail said, looking at me meaningfully.

My eyebrows raised in understanding, and I couldn’t help but feel relieved that we weren’t conceiving the child in a completely natural manner. “Well,

then it’s not that bad after all, I said, managing a smile.