Chapter 3 The offer

Elena stood frozen in Damian Lancaster's office, the chill in his voice echoed in her ears. Her breath shook continuously while her fingers trembling slightly.

‎victor Ramirez the father she hadn't spoken for nearly ten years. Not since he walked out on her and her mother, trading them for power, greed, and influence. And now, he came back to disturb their lives again-taking advantage between her and Damian-poisoning everything.

‎"I'm not him," Elena retorted, her voice shaking as she fought the urge to cry. "Whatever he did to you, it doesn't have anything to do with me!"

‎"Some things couldn't be forgotten easily," Damian cut in, his tone sharper. He leaned back against the edge of his desk, arms folded, while his eyes burned into her skin. "And you expect me to believe this wasn't planned?"

‎Her mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Planned? Are you serious?"

‎

‎"Your father's been trying to destroy me for years. And now his daughter magically shows up in my bed, disappears, and reappears... pregnant?"

‎‎She stared at him with wide eyes. "That night was a coincidence! I didn't even know your last name. I didn't know who you were, Damian!"

‎His expression didn't soften. "And yet, here we are."

‎Elena stepped forward, ignoring the fear pounding in her chest. "I'm not asking for money. I came here because you deserve to know the truth. That's it."

‎Damian didn't flinch. "And what do you plan to do?"

‎She swallowed hard. "I'm keeping the baby," she said, her voice firm. "Whether you want it or not."

‎He turned away from her and walked toward the massive windows that overlooked the city. For a long moment, silence hung in the room. He was thinking on the pros and cons deeply.

‎Then he spoke again. ‎"Move in with me."

‎Elena blinked thrice. "Excuse me?"

‎"I want you close," he said without turning his back at her. "I want to monitor the pregnancy. My child.." he paused, glancing over his shoulder, ".. shouldn't be raised in secret."

‎"That's not your decision to make!" she shot back.

‎"I will set a paternity test soon. If it's proven that i am truly the father of that baby you're carrying, you will abide by my rules." He turned to face her fully now, and the force of his presence nearly knocked the air from her lungs. "You will live with me. I'll take care of everything. In exchange, you cooperate until the baby is born."

‎It seems like something had been stuck in her throat at his statement. But she forced to swallow it and steadied herself. "So now what, I become your pet project?"

‎‎"No." His voice turned cold and his eyes glinted mysteriously. "You now become my responsibility."

‎Elena stepped back, her heartbeat thudding rapidly in her ears. "This set up is insane. Why would I ever agree to this?"

‎

‎"Because it's the safest option. For you and for the baby." His voice dropped. "You don't know what your father is capable of, Elena. But I do."

‎Her knees wobbled and she staggered a bit. Fortunately, she manage to grab on the nearest chair and held on it to steady herself. Her face was still filled with astonishment. Why would a two strangers like them should do such thing, like living together? And she should follow his rules.. She only came her to personally tell him about the baby cause she believed he also deserve to know about it. But things messed up when she entered this place. Now she regretted her decision on letting him know about her situation.

"This is insane.." she uttered weakly.

‎Damian took a step forward. "I'll have the lawyers draw up a contract."

‎"A contract?" she repeated-incredulous. Another shock and confusion washed over her. What was he meant by contract?

‎‎"I'm not taking chances. If this is my child, then I'm involved. Fully."

Elena looked at him Damian was calm, composed, a man used to control. But beneath that flawless suit and face she saw something in his eyes. Not anger. Not hatred.

Fear.

Not of her.

Of losing something.

Or someone.

She thought of the baby growing inside her. Of doing this alone doctor visits, long nights, the ache of being abandoned again.

God help her, he made sense.

"I need time," she whispered.

"You have forty-eight hours."

She narrowed her eyes. "You don't get to order me around."

He tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Then consider it a suggestion."

With one last look, Elena turned and walked out of his office, heart pounding in her chest. She didn't look back.

The next day, Elena sat across from Nina at their favorite café. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, but she barely noticed. She stirred her herbal tea gently lips pressed in a tight line.

"You're thinking about saying yes, aren't you?" Nina asked, watching her with concern.

Elena didn't answer. She couldn't.

Nina leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Elena, be serious. You barely know this man. He could be dangerous."

"He doesn't feel dangerous," Elena whispered. "Angry? Yes. Controlling? Definitely. But... I think he's scared."

Nina's brows knit together. "Of what? Being a dad?"

Elena shook her head. "Of being hurt."

Nina let out a slow breath. "Even if you move in, then what? You play house until the baby's born and then what? He cuts you loose?"

"I don't know," Elena murmured. "But I do know I can't do this alone."

****

That night, Elena sat in the dark, wrapped in a blanket on the couch, her hands gently resting over her stomach. The city lights blinked outside her window, but she didn't see them.

"I will protect you," she whispered to her unborn child. "Whatever it takes."

The next morning, Elena stood in front of the towering Lancaster penthouse, her suitcase in hand. The doorman gave her a nod before a butler opened the door.

"Mr. Lancaster is expecting you."

The space inside was breathtaking. Marble floors, sweeping windows with views of the city, modern art decorating the walls. Cold. Beautiful.

Just like Damian.

He appeared at the top of the stairs, dressed in another impossibly tailored suit.

"You're here," he said simply.

She nodded. "I'm here. For now."

He led her to the guest wing, down a hallway lined with expensive paintings. The room he opened was larger than her entire apartment. Luxurious. Sterile.

"This will be your room."

She looked at the oversized bed, the pristine sheets. "It looks like a hotel."

"It's comfortable."

"It's lovely," she murmured.

He didn't respond.

A knock sounded. A man in a gray suit stepped in, carrying a thick folder.

"The contract," he said.

Elena took it. Her eyes scanned the neatly typed clauses. Stay until the baby is born. Submit to regular medical checkups. No contact with Victor Ramirez. In exchange: full financial support, housing, protection.

She hesitated, then signed.

Her name beside Damian Lancaster's looked surreal.

That night, she lay in the enormous bed, staring at the ceiling. Somewhere down the hall, Damian was working late.

This wasn't love.

This wasn't a relationship.

This was survival.

As the wind howled against the windows, Elena pressed her hand to her stomach again.

"We'll get through this," she whispered.

She just didn't know if Damian Lancaster would become her salvation

Or her greatest mistake