Claiming her baby

Monica's POV

I climbed up the stairs hurriedly that led to the room Ethan and I shared to tell him the good news. Over the past few months, I haven't been feeling well lately. I slept a lot, ate a lot, and vomited a lot but I never suspected that I was pregnant.

Coming from the hospital and finding out I was pregnant after two years of marriage was something that I wasn't expecting. The closer I got to the room, the louder I heard strange noises coming from the room.

My heart was hammering in my chest as I gathered up the courage to turn the doorknob. I finally turned the doorknob and my eyes instantly couldn't believe what I was seeing as I stood frozen.

A chill immediately ran down my spine seeing the event in front of me. "Ethan" my lips trembled as the word got out. My housekeeper just lay there on our matrimonial bed with a smirk plastered on her face. "What's going on here?" I asked as I staggered and took three steps forward into the room.

Ethan got off the bed and put on his boxers. He walked to the table, took a piece of paper with a pen, and placed it on the table by my side "Sign this" Ethan buttered coldly and he didn't even spare me a glance.

I walked slowly to the table and picked up the paper with my trembling hands. Pain, heart-wrenching pain was what my heart felt the moment I read what was written on the paper. "What's this?"

"Are you blind? Can't you read?" My eyes widened as I heard the tone in which Mia spoke to me.

Tears cling on my lashes as they crawled down my cheeks "You want a divorce?" I stammered, looking at Ethan as I grabbed onto the table by my side for support because I felt my legs beginning to shake.

"Sign it" Ethan's cold gaze pierced my heart even more. All I saw was hate and resentment. "I'm sorry about this Monica but I don't love you anymore. You bore me and I can't be with a woman who can't give me an heir. Mia here is already pregnant and I plan to marry her so please make this easy for yourself and sign the papers"

My knees finally failed me as I crashed on the floor speechless. This would have never happened if I had gotten pregnant on time. I looked at the man who was my first love. My husband and the one I cared about and all I could see in his eyes were hate and resentment.

I watched Ethan walk to the glass cup on the lamp table he took the glass cup filled with wine and took a long sip "I'm done with this marriage"

"Please no darling don't do this to me. Don't do this to us" I bellowed, my sobs getting louder as I crawled on the floor as I made my way to him. As soon as I got to where he was, I broke down in tears as I held his left leg tightly like a two-year-old child "Please don't do this Ethan. I love you so much and I know you know this. We can work things out, darling. I'll do anything you want but don't leave me, please. I can't live without you"

Ethan just looked at me coldly, shocked his left leg violently, and kicked me. I fell backward and my elbow landed hard on the floor, bruising it.

"This" Ethan shouted, gesturing to himself and me "This is over and that's final," He said furiously.

I jumped instantly and held his hand after realizing that he was leaving the room. "Darling please, don't do this. I love you" Tears clung to my cheeks as I held his big palm tightly and sobbed profusely.

"Let him go b***h" I heard mia voice behind me and before I knew it, she pushed me away from Ethan. I saw Mia walk up to Ethan and hold him gently on his wrist " Are you hurt, babe?"

My heart tugged in terror at what I was seeing. "Mia" I yelled as I raised my index finger and pointed it at her "How could you do this to me? I trusted you and shared my things with you even when I knew you were a maid. I took you in Mia. I cared for you because I thought you were my friend. How could you do such a heartless thing?" I didn't know I was yelling until I started feeling slight pain in my throat.

"Took me in? You never took me in dummy. Ethan brought me to this house and convinced you that I was good at my job. Ethan and I planned this strategically and it worked out well" Mia said with a snide smile on her face. "You see..... my lovely Monica, I and Ethan have been having an affair for a year now. He would always complain about how you weren't giving him attention but always trying to try every way possible to get pregnant"

"Affair?" I looked at Ethan and Mia interchangeably "No that's not possible. You're lying" I screamed, refusing to believe what Mia was saying. "She's lying right?" I asked as I stared sadly at Ethan, hoping that all this was a s lie or a prank.

Ethan just smirked as he held Mia by her waist from behind and kissed her passionately in front of me.

Mia broke the kiss and smiled when she saw the tears rushing down my cheeks " I've never seen you cry before but seeing you cry now makes my heart beat in happiness. I think you look prettier when you cry" Mia's words brought out all the tears that were hidden in my eyes. I couldn't even control myself or try to play hard guy. I just couldn't believe this.

"But you said you loved me?" I said, staring at Ethan with my blurred vision.

"Yes I said that and I meant it but you suddenly became uninteresting. I lost my interest in you a long time ago and I got what I was looking for in my lovely ex standing right here " Ethan said with a smile as he placed a kiss on mia forehead.

I felt my heart had been divided into two by a sharp sword. "She is your ex?" I asked as I felt weak my voice shaking.

"Yes, dummy. I'm his ex-girlfriend and soon-to-be wife. I'm pregnant with his child and there's nothing you can do about it. It was because of you that I and Ethan got separated. I don't know what he saw in you but I'm glad to have my man back to me" Mia said, flipping her hair backward as she went to sit on the bed.

"Is this true?" I asked in disbelief as I held eye contact with him, his once mesmerizing hazel eyes that I loved looking at.

"Of course it's true. I broke up with her because I thought I loved you and I wanted to marry you" Ethan uttered, agreeing to everything Mia just told me.

Loud sobs and hiccups left my mouth as I came to terms with everything I was hearing. This new piece of information did nothing but shatter my heart into unmendable pieces. My two years old marriage were a farce and the man I loved betrayed me by sleeping with my housekeeper, someone whom I called a friend.

Mia tilted my chin up to meet her gaze "Oh poor Monica. Look at how puffy your eyes are. Don't make this any harder for yourself. Just sign the damn divorce papers and leave" Mia uttered harshly.

NICHOLAS POV

THE NEXT DAY

"We aren't challenging you or trying to take your inheritance from you Nicholas. We are just saying that you should try to fulfill your father's last wish" Mr Karl, my late father's best friend and one of my board directors stated.

We just concluded our meeting and the board directors all refuse to leave the conference until they say what they have to say.

They want me to get married and have a child that will continue my father's lineage. They are afraid that I might die one day without leaving someone to take over after me.

"I need to rest and I'm sick and tired of hearing this every time I come to the office" I yelled angrily.

"Nicholas, please try to understand what we are saying. If you can't get married and have a child in two months, we will be forced to do what we have in mind." Paul, another board director, uttered.

"And what would that be?" I yelled clenching my fist as rage boiled inside me

"Listen, Nicholas, we have no intention of threatening you with your inheritance. All we want is for you to do what your late father requested before he died. Get married to any lady of your choice and produce us someone who will take over this company after you're gone. You're the chairman of this company because your father gave birth to you so do the same thing and follow in his footsteps"

"How dare you challenge me to produce an heir or lose my position as the chairman? I own this company and I inherited it from my father. It's my birthright and I'll never give it up" I insisted as I stared daggers at the five elderly men that were present in the room.

"We are not trying to challenge but we simply want that you take this issue seriously" Paul sighed as he took the pen from the table and placed it in his breast pocket as he rose to his feet "We've decided amongst ourselves that if you don't get married in a two month, then this company will no longer be yours "

"And if I don't comply with your terms, who will be in charge of my father's company?" I asked curiously.

"Greg" John replied and his words pissed me off.

"Are you joking? You can't do that. I won't allow you to give my father's company to my step brother" My jaw clenched as I stared angrily at all the men who didn't even feel threatened by my state.

"We can and we will. Your late father's instructions were clear: if you didn't have a wife within two years of overseeing the company, it would be passed to your stepbrother. He appears more suitable to take over, being married with a child, unlike you, who has chosen not to start a family. All you do is go home and have several women waiting for you on your bed" The one director who always had a way of getting on my nerves was Mr Benjamin and his words made me clenched my hands in a fist.

"I won't tolerate you insulting me Mr Ben. That's my life and not yours" I warned sternly as I looked at Mr Benjamin in the eyes unfazed.

"Hey, son," Mr. Karl said, placing his hands on my shoulders. "Look at me, son," he ordered, and out of respect, I met his gaze. "We won't have to take any action if you find a wife within two months. This was your father's wish, and I hope you honor it. I know my best friend wouldn't want to see his son break the family lineage. He'd be deeply disappointed if you surrendered the company to your stepbrother. Your name is in my father's will to inherit this company, so do the right thing and preserve his legacy." Mr. Karl's words melted my cold heart, and I found wisdom in his advice.

"But two months is too short? Where on earth will I find a lady who will marry me in two months?"

"You're the famous CEO of Sterling Group. Any woman will kill you if have you as a husband" John, another board director said

"But I can't just go into the street, pick any woman and make my wife besides I'm not ready to have a family now"

"Your call son. Lose the company or get a wife and keep it. As for me, I have a dinner date with my lovely wife and I can't keep her waiting. See you all tomorrow" Mr Karl said as he walked out of the room and left me with the other four board directors.

"I need more time. I need to find a good woman then we know each other more before we could even think of marriage. I can't do all these in two months " I said but the board of directors all seemed to find my words boring as they weren't even listening to me. "Are you even listening?"

"Look, Nicholas, we have been singing this issue to you for the past six months but you never took us seriously. Now we can't do anything but watch how everything will unfold and I hope you make the right decision Nicholas" Paul said as he rose to his feet and walked out of the conference room.

*****

I sat on a chair by the window as I waited patiently for Andrea. "You're late," I said with a serious gaze as I looked at my ex-girlfriend.

"I'm sorry about that. I was trying out my wedding gown when you called. So what's it? Why this meeting?" Andrea said and I froze when I heard her words.

"You're getting married?" I asked in disbelief. I wasn't expecting her to be getting married so soon and though I never liked her so much I was thinking she could help with the plan I had in mind.

"Yes," she replied, flaunting her diamond ring on her face. "And I'm excited about it"

I couldn't believe my ears. Andrea was a popular model in the country and my ex-girlfriend. I called her to meet me up in this restaurant for us to talk. I wanted to see if we could pretend to be together and after all this is over, we can pretend to divorce but I wasn't expecting that she would be engaged already.

"Congratulations" I faked a smile as I managed to say. It seems like the universe was not on my side.

"Thank you. So what is it you wanted to discuss? You sounded so urgent on the phone. Is anything the problem?" Andrea asked concerned.

"No not at all. I will ask James to drive you back. I'm sorry for disturbing you and congratulations once again on your upcoming wedding " I uttered as I rose to my feet and walked to the restroom, leaving Andrea alone in the VIP room

MONICA POV

IN THE AFTERNOON

" Where do they expect him to get a woman to get married to? Mr. Nicholas has always shown his distaste for commitment but forcing him to find a woman that he will get married to and have kids within two months is ridiculous" A deep male voice uttered and I became curious. I heard two men whispering, sitting on the table in front of me and curiosity made me begin to eavesdrop

"And he had a plan to escape all these but it looks like his plan wasn't going to fall in place after all"

"What do you mean?" The young man who was dressed casually said.

"Model Andrea was here in the morning and Mr Nicholas wanted to make her his bride but she was already engaged and plans to get married soon"

"He wanted to make her his bride?" I could hear the shock in the other man's voice "Does that mean he now has feelings for her?"

"Of course not. All of his plans were just to get the directors off his back" the other voice explained.

"Oh, now I understand, " the other voice responded. "Let's quickly go to him before he screams our names and leaves us like he always does when pissed" I saw them standing up and I instantly turned my face and pretended to be sipping my coffee on the table I sat on in the restaurant.

Their footsteps fade away slowly. Connecting the dots, I finally realized that this could be a chance for me. I wouldn't be able to provide a good life for this child if I eventually give birth to the child and I needed a way to do that.

★★★★★

I realized that Mr Nicholas made a VIP reservation and I waited patiently for about an hour before I saw him coming out.

I instantly rushed to stand in front of him and I wasn't even close to him when three security guards stood in front of me, obstructing my view.

Mr Nicholas just walked past me, didn't spare me a glance but walked past me with his hands in his pants pocket.

"Mr Nicholas" I yelled as all eyes turned to me but I didn't care. I didn't know what to do and I desperately needed his attention. He paused on his track and turned slowly as his cold and piercing gaze fell on me. I swallowed hard and anxiously, avoiding his eyes. "I can help you" I uttered the first thing that came to my mind.

Mr Nicholas chuckled and that chuckle instantly turned into a loud laughter and I instantly felt embarrassed. I didn't know why he was laughing or what I might have said that amused him. "You?" He said, looking at me in disgust from head to toe "Help me? Who do you think you're"

Mr Nicholas walked up to where I stood and his presence caused chills to run down my spine. I gathered courage and rushed my words without looking at him "I know you need help with keeping your company and I can help with that"

His amused and piercing look instantly turned serious and he took a quick look at me again from head to toe "Bring her in" he said as he walked back to the VIP room he earlier walked out of.

I fumbled with my fingers nervously as I walked behind Nicholas with the two gentlemen I saw discussing earlier. "Where did you hear that from?"

"I don't think that matters now. What matters now is that_" I couldn't complete my statement when he interrupted me.

"Answer me" His sharp and distant voice sounded loudly in the room.

"I....I heard it from some men" I responded.

I could feel Mr Nicholas's gaze on the two young men I heard talking earlier and I instantly felt pity for them.

"Leave us" he ordered and in less than two seconds, no one was in the room except me and him.

He rose to his feet, his back facing me as he seemed to be thinking about something. I started checking him out and I must say I was stunned. I looked at him in awe as I stared at the drop-dead gorgeous and charming young man in front of me. He was alluring with his broad shoulders and gorgeous blue eyes.

"Are you done staring" his question jolted me back to reality and I composed myself.

"I can help you," I said, not knowing what to say to hide my embarrassment.

"Help with what?" His voice asked.

" I know you need a woman and I can help you with that. We could have an agreement and nobody would know it was planned"

"I don't need a woman just so you know. What I need is someone I could fake a marriage with and have my company all to myself. Can you do that?" I nodded my head in agreement " I need words"

"Yes, I can" I responded instantly.

"And what do you want? What's your gain in all these? Surely there must be something you want from all these" He asked curious to know why this whole plan.

"Yes I want something in return," I said

"Just as I suspected," he said, raising his eyebrows as he took a seat and folded his arms on his chest, staring at. "Let's hear it?" I instantly proceeded to take the seat opposite him and had successfully achieved that when his words made me freeze on my spot " And who told you to sit?"

I was speechless as I stared at this man in shock. My back was arching and my legs hurt from standing but I just tolerated him and gently stood up from the seat. "I'm sorry about that"

"Speak," he said.

"I want a place where I and my child would be protected. I want my child to grow knowing he has a father and a mother." I started sadly as memories of everything that had happened for the last few days flooded my mind.

For a few seconds, he looked at me suspiciously. The silence was what accompanied my ears and then his gaze went to my stomach "Are you pregnant". His eyes looked at my stomach as he made this statement out of the blue.

"Yes I am" I responded quietly.

"What!" He exclaimed " And you want me to take care of your child?" My world came crashing down at his words. I felt like a failure and my face dropped.

"Yes please" I whispered sadly as tears began gathering in my eyes. "I just need to provide a good life for my child"

"Then you would have thought of that before opening your legs for any random piece of shit and allowing that bastard in your womb to come into this world"

I didn't know what came over me but the next thing I knew, my right palm came in contact with his left cheek. My eyes widened in realization as fear instantly gripped me.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to_" I uttered but he interrupted instantly.