Chapter 2 The Contract

They didn't let me speak.

The moment Vincenzo Winston said, "I choose her," two men in black suits appeared at my sides. Not aggressively-but firmly, like I had no choice but to obey.

And the truth? I didn't.

I followed them out of the auction room on trembling legs, conscious of every burning stare from the girls behind me. One hissed under her breath, "She doesn't even belong here." Another said, "He must be blind."

Their words stung, but nothing hurt more than the realization that I agreed with them. I didn't belong. I wasn't glamorous or rich or mysterious. I was just Anastasia Beverly-broke, terrified, and very much out of place.

But none of that mattered anymore.

Because Vincenzo had picked me.

The guards led me through a long marble hallway that twisted deeper into the mansion. I tried to memorize the path in case I needed to run, but everything looked the same-rich and cold. Gold accents. Tall arched doors. Polished floors that reflected my pale face like a haunted ghost.

We stopped in front of a tall double door. One of the men knocked once, then pushed it open.

"In," he said simply.

I stepped inside.

It wasn't what I expected.

The room was quiet. Warm. There was a fire flickering in a hearth, and thick velvet curtains drawn shut. A large desk stood near the center with documents neatly arranged on it. And behind it...

Him.

Vincenzo Winston.

He sat casually in a leather chair, one leg crossed over the other, a crystal glass in his hand. He didn't look up immediately. Just swirled the dark amber liquid like he was thinking.

My heart beating so hard I thought I might faint.

Then, without looking, he said, "Sit."

There was only one chair in front of the desk. I obeyed.

Up close, he was even more intimidating. That sharp jaw. The cold steel in his eyes. The calmness that felt more dangerous than rage.

Finally, he looked at me. Studied me like he was trying to figure out what I was made of.

"You don't look like the others."

I swallowed. "I... didn't know there was a dress code."

One of his eyebrows twitched-amusement? Maybe. Maybe not.

"You're nineteen."

"Yes."

"No prior pregnancies?"

"No."

"Clean medical history?"

"Yes."

He nodded once, like I was a box he was checking off. Then he gestured to the papers in front of him.

"This is the contract. Read it."

My hands trembled as I picked it up. The paper was thick and smooth, the ink so rich it looked wet. The title alone made my throat close up:

"Exclusive Surrogacy and Confidential Arrangement Agreement."

I skimmed it quickly, eyes racing over the words. The terms were... terrifying.

• I would live on Winston property for the duration of the pregnancy.

• I would not be allowed contact with the media or any outside parties.

• I would submit to regular medical examinations and psychological evaluations.

• I would receive a total of five million dollars, paid in installments after each trimester and the final delivery.

• I would waive all maternal rights and agree never to contact the child.

• I would never speak about this agreement, under penalty of legal and financial retribution.

At the bottom, there was a blank space for my name. And Vincenzo's signature was already there-elegant, sharp strokes like he carved it instead of writing it.

"You will be compensated generously," he said. "But there is no room for error. You'll carry the Winston heir. Do you understand what that means?"

I nodded slowly. "You want an heir, not a scandal."

He tilted his head slightly. "Clever."

Silence stretched between us. The fire cracked. Somewhere down the hall, a clock chimed once.

Then he leaned forward, elbows on the desk. "Why did you come?"

I blinked. "What?"

"You're not like the others. You didn't come for fame. You didn't even try to catch my attention. So why are you here?"

I hesitated. My throat was dry. The lie was right there-I could say I wanted adventure, a new life, a way out. But I didn't.

"My family's broke," I said quietly. "My father's business collapsed. My mother's terrified we'll lose everything. I don't want to do this. But I have to."

He studied me again. Longer this time. Something unreadable passed behind his eyes.

Then he said, "Good."

I blinked. "Good?"

"I don't want someone desperate for my name. I want someone desperate enough to keep her mouth shut."

Charming.

He stood and walked to the bar near the window, pouring himself another drink. "You'll be moved to the Winston estate by morning. A doctor will examine you within the next twenty-four hours. If you pass the tests, the procedure begins next week."

I stared at him. "Just like that?"

"Yes."

"What if I change my mind?"

He turned, those eyes locking onto mine with deadly calm. "Then your family loses everything. And you'll face breach of contract."

I shivered.

He took a sip of his drink, like we were discussing the weather. "Do you want the money or not?"

I clenched my hands in my lap.

No. I didn't want it like this. But I needed it.

"For my family," I whispered. "Yes."

He walked past me, heading toward the door.

As he opened it, he paused. "You can leave now. Someone will bring your things to the estate tomorrow."

I stood up slowly. My knees were shaking.

The door clicked shut behind me.

That night, I couldn't sleep.

Back at our tiny apartment, my mother clung to me like I'd just returned from war. "Did you get the job? Is it real?" she asked over and over.

I lied.

Sort of.

"I did something," I told her softly. "We won't lose the house."

She cried then. Hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe. My father didn't say much-just looked at me with that broken pride in his eyes.

They didn't ask what I did. Maybe they didn't want to know.

Or maybe... they already guessed.

I stared at the ceiling for hours. My mind kept playing that moment over and over. Vincenzo choosing me. Signing the contract. The heavy silence in his eyes. The way he didn't smile. Didn't joke.

He was like other rich men.

He wasn't kind. Or warm. Or even human, sometimes.

But he had picked me.

Just long enough to bring his heir into the world.

"Would I be treated well at the Vincenzo Estate?"