Suddenly Living with a Billionaire

*Esdras Hawthorne*

Pregnant?

I observed the woman seated in front of me. There wasn't even a noticeable bump on her belly, which meant she was in the early stages of pregnancy.

"And who guarantees that she's telling the truth? Eros is no longer with us to confirm that," Sarah, my secretary, remarked.

Like me, she was also intrigued by the sudden appearance of this woman, who claimed to be pregnant with my brother's child.

"Do you think I would come here, waste my time, if it weren't true?" the green-eyed blonde retorted to my secretary.

"I do!" the redhead beside me crossed her arms, looking sternly at the young, still unknown woman. "If you don't know, or pretend not to know, many women would do anything to get their hands on the Hawthorne fortune. And you might be one of them!"

Sarah's words were sharp. I knew she cared about me and my family, but there was no need to speak in such a manner. However, despite Sarah's rudeness, the young woman in front of us didn't seem fazed by my secretary's words; instead, the blonde let out a small ironic laugh.

"Should I see you as my competitor then?" she replied sarcastically, earning a nearly lethal glare from Sarah.

Undoubtedly, if Sarah had enough authority, she would have expelled the young woman from my office right then.

But before the conversation took a different turn, I decided to speak up.

"I think you should know that my brother passed away less than two months ago."

The blonde's intense green eyes shifted to me.

"I know, Mr. Esdras Hawthorne, and accept my condolences. I know that your pain of losing a brother is a thousand times worse than the pain I feel for losing a friend and lover," her words made Sarah roll her eyes, but the blonde ignored her. "I came here not because of money. I came here because the baby forming in my womb deserves to know his father's family. I don't think it's fair for this child to grow up without knowing who his father was. Or who the man his mother loved the most was."

At that moment, I felt truth in her eyes, which were now moist with tears as she spoke about my brother.

"If you two were a couple, why didn't we know about you? He never mentioned any girlfriend," Sarah returned with her questioning.

Wiping away with the back of her right hand the only tear that slid down one of her cheeks, the blonde looked at Sarah.

"I didn't know what kind of relationship he had with the family. If they were close enough for him to confide his feelings. But I know he planned to introduce me to them. But... The accident took him before that."

Now her beautiful green eyes were flooded with tears, which she tried to contain.

She didn't seem to be lying. For some reason, her words had stirred something within me. However, the same couldn't be said for my secretary, who remained skeptical.

"Okay... So, let's suppose this is true... That you are really pregnant with Eros's child. Do you only want the family's knowledge about the pregnancy, or do you expect something in return?" Sarah said.

With my elbow resting on the arm of the chair, I scratched my beard as I analyzed the situation, waiting for her assertive response, one that would make me not think that I had easily been deceived by a few tears and words.

"And what could I possibly want in return?" she looked outraged at Sarah. "I don't need your damn money to take care of this child. I can work. I can give a decent life to this baby. I don't need your help," her gaze alternated between Sarah and me. "In fact, I've finished what I came here to do." She stood up from the chair. "You're now aware of my pregnancy, Mr. Esdras Hawthorne. Now, it's up to you to tell your family... Because I refuse to go through another onslaught of questions that humiliate and doubt my words." The blonde gave my secretary a deadly look. "With your permission, I'll take my leave."

The young woman walked towards the exit of my office, leaving with a gentle tap on the door.

I remained with my fingers on my beard, scratching it as I thought about what had happened.

Sarah was right when she mentioned that my brother hadn't even mentioned a girlfriend. But the blonde was also right when she said she didn't know if Eros had a good relationship with the family to the point of openly talking about his feelings.

And on that, she is absolutely right.

My brother always had difficulty expressing what he felt, getting close to his own family. He preferred to seek refuge away from us than to tell us what he was facing, even though we were all open-minded and willing to help him.

And thinking about it, makes me believe that maybe there are many things about him that even we don't know.

"What are you going to do about this?" Sarah's voice brought me out of my reverie.

"What she wants: To tell my family."

"Without even being sure who she's pregnant with?"

"That's why we'll do a DNA test first."

"Do you really think she'll agree to a DNA test?" she raised her eyebrows. "You saw how arrogant and rude she was. She'll think you're doubting her words."

"She herself said she wants us to know about her pregnancy. If she's lying, she'll refuse to take the test. But if it's true, she won't hesitate, even if she doesn't want anything from my family."

"And do you think she was sincere? Surely she'll want some amount to support the child."

I turned my face and stared coldly at Sarah, with my forehead wrinkled and incredulous at her words.

"Do you really think that if this baby really is my brother's child, I won't provide the necessary support?" I raised my eyebrows equally.

Seeing the seriousness on my face, Sarah lowered her gaze, feeling intimidated.

"I know you will, Mr. Hawthorne. I know you won't leave this child unsupported. That's why I acted the way I did. After her, many other women may come forward claiming to be pregnant with your brother's child."

"And we'll test them all until we find one who tells the truth," I said. "Now, go after her and bring her back to the office; we'll do the DNA test as soon as possible." I issued my ultimatum.

*Liv Westberg*

"You know sooner or later you'll have to tell the Hawthornes that you're expecting Eros's child," said my best friend as she finished wiping down the kitchen counter.

I let out a long sigh. I leaned my right elbow on the counter and my head in my hand, while with the other hand, I held a fork to play with the crumbs left from the pancake on my plate.

"And why should I tell them?" I almost grumbled, which made my best friend look indignant at me.

"Because your child, the baby forming in your womb, deserves to know about the father!"

"But he or she will know. I'll tell them that he died in a car accident."

"Liv!" she scolded me. "You know what I'm talking about! He'll need to know that he's the heir to a multimillion-dollar fortune."

I instantly scoffed at the mention of the Hawthorne fortune. I lifted my head from my hand and crossed my arms, looking seriously at Harper.

"If it depends on me, this child will never touch the Hawthorne fortune. I want nothing from that family."

"But your child's father did," she said with a mischievous smile, and I could only roll my eyes.

"It's different."

"Different how?" she leaned over the counter, resting her elbows and keeping a playful smile on her lips. "Don't be hypocritical to say that there's nothing good about that family because you liked to sleep with Eros. And you liked it so much that you didn't just sleep with him once or twice... but many times."

I felt my cheeks warm up. Of course, I liked sleeping with Eros, in fact, I loved it. He knew how to pleasure a woman while being loving and wild at the same time.

"Of course, I liked it! But Eros has nothing to do with his family. All the Hawthornes are selfish, egocentric, and only think about money. They don't care about anyone, besides the fortune they have."

Harper sighed and pushed off from the counter.

"But whether you like it or not, your child will be a Hawthorne. You can only give him your last name or even find another father for him, but he'll still be a Hawthorne. Eros's child!"

Although in complete disagreement, I tried to visualize in my head what could happen if I went to the Hawthornes to tell them about my pregnancy.

"Okay, then... Suppose I go to their company, what do you expect to happen? That they'll hug me and say they'll support me? Or that they'll give all the necessary support for my pregnancy?" I furrowed my brow, and Harper rolled her eyes.

"What could happen is they'll ask for a DNA test!"

"Could you mention another type of humiliation for me, please?"

"Liv..." She sighed. "Of course, it's humiliating to have to prove who the father of the baby you're carrying is when you're sure of who it is. But other people don't think like that. Especially when they're important people in society, like the Hawthornes. They won't believe you. But you can prove that this baby is Eros's."

"I find it much easier not to tell them and just go on with my life and my child's life peacefully."

"But you won't do that for you. You'll do it for your baby. He has the right to know. And... believe me, it will be better for him to find out while he's still young, and for you, because if he finds out, already an adult, that he's related to the Hawthornes through others, he might end up hating you."

I reflected on Harper's words. Even though my child hadn't even come into the world, I didn't like to imagine him hating me for a lie. I don't want that. I don't want him to hate me.

"Friend... You don't need to build bonds with them. You just need to let them know about the existence of this child. And what they decide, whether they want to have contact with this child or not, is their problem. But at least you will have done your part."

I let the more rational part of my being ponder Harper's words. In a way, she was right. As much as I didn't want to have contact with the Hawthornes, that wouldn't make my child's blood any less Hawthorne. Especially if he's born looking like Eros. I would have a daily reminder of someone from that family.

And when I stop to think that this child could be born just like his father, I feel my heart breaking. Thinking that everything could be different, that Eros would be happy to know he would be a father if that accident hadn't happened.

Now, as I think about it, maybe I was also being selfish with Eros himself, in wanting to hide his only heir from everyone. He deserves to have his lineage continued.

"Okay..." I take a deep breath. "I'll talk to the Hawthornes. But I'll warn you beforehand, I have no expectations that they'll believe me." I get up from the chair. "But as you said yourself, at least I'll have done my part." My words greatly cheer up my friend, who now looks at me with a grin from ear to ear.

"You're doing the right thing, Liv."

"I hope so," I say not so confidently, but determined to prioritize my child.

*Liv Westberg*

Just as I imagined, it had been a waste of time coming to the Hawthornes' company. They didn't believe me, just as I expected.

But I confess that, although I already expected them not to believe in my pregnancy, I felt a little upset about it happening.

I don't know the exact reason for such annoyance, I just know it's unpleasant.

Perhaps it was linked to the fact that they doubted my words and I'm not a liar! Or that they disbelieved that I could have had a relationship with Eros.

Or yet, I might have been more upset about how that dull redhead treated me.

Who does she think I am? A damn gold digger? When in fact, she seems to desire the Hawthorne fortune herself.

Indignant, I call the elevator to the floor to leave that place as quickly as possible.

"Wait!"

A distant voice catches my attention, but imagining it had nothing to do with me, I remained with my back turned, waiting for the elevator to arrive.

"Wait!" the voice said again, which I ignored once more. "Don't get on that damn elevator!" The voice became closer. Elevator? I turned around to check if that voice was referring to me.

In hurried and desperate steps, I saw the 'dull redhead' coming towards me.

But what the hell is she doing?

In a few seconds, the woman stops in front of me, putting her hands on her knees to catch her breath.

"Excuse me...?" I observed her with furrowed brows.

"Please..." she sighs, glancing sideways at me.

"Pardon?" I say, not understanding. A few moments ago, I was in her boss's office, and they didn't seem interested in what I had to say.

Regaining the imposing posture she carried, the redhead adjusted the black blazer over her white shirt.

"Mr. Esdras Hawthorne wishes to see you again in his office." Her words shock me, and I can't hide the smile of irony.

"Could you repeat that? I think I didn't understand properly..." It's not possible that they've changed their minds.

Seeming uncomfortable with the smile on my lips, the redhead gave me a deathly look.

"That's exactly what you heard."

"But I just left there." I crossed my arms, like a petulant child.

To be honest, I was hardly in the mood to spend any more time in this company. If it weren't for Harper, I wouldn't have even stepped foot here.

Maybe my son would understand in the future the reason why his mother denied her relationship with the Hawthornes.

"Mr. Esdras Hawthorne reconsidered the matter and decided to take into account what you said."

"Oh, really?" I say without much conviction.

"Therefore, if you could follow me, we can come to a solution as quickly as possible."

"The only solution to my pregnancy is to have my baby. Anything other than that is not in my interest."

I saw the secretary move her lips to say something, probably exactly what she was thinking at that moment, but as she couldn't lose the refined pose she carried with her, she just forced a smile.

"Of course, whatever is best for you. Please, follow me."

The redhead turns and walks through the hall. I follow her, and soon we're back in the office.

Once again, I'm facing Mr. Esdras Hawthorne, and the secretary is beside him.

"What can I call you?" he asked. His intense brown eyes were very attentive to me... more than before.

"Liv. Liv Westberg."

"Well, Liv..." He rests his elbows on the desk. "I thought about what you said, and if you're truly expecting a child from my brother, I can't pretend that he doesn't exist. The Hawthornes value our legacy and the continuation of our family."

"Mr. Hawthorne, I don't intend for my child to get involved with your family. I want to raise him away from all this." I look around, referring to the business empire they had built. I wouldn't want my child destined to such a hectic life, where everything he did would be known by the media and news outlets. "My purpose in coming here is solely to let you know that Eros left behind a child, because I don't want my child to think that I lied to him about who his father is."

Mr. Hawthorne narrows his eyes, seeming to disagree with my words.

"Miss Westberg, even if you don't want it, your child will be a Hawthorne. My blood, my family's blood, will run through his veins. Besides... He'll be the only living reminder we'll have of Eros." His last words hit my chest like an arrow. "Therefore, I can't accept you making light of our feelings. Speaking as this child's uncle, I can't let you prevent me from seeing my own nephew! Or my parents from seeing their grandson. Or the rest of our family. Furthermore, regarding the family business," he looks at me seriously, "it's not up to you to decide that. When this child comes of age, he himself will decide whether to follow the Hawthorne business or not. Not you."

As much as I felt an extreme need to retort his words, some words come out of my mouth, making me accept what he had said.

"Finally, when we do the DNA test and it comes back positive, this child will receive all the possible support. Nothing will be lacking for him." He concluded.

I remained unable to speak even a single vowel.

"When should I schedule the exam, Mr. Hawthorne?" the secretary asked.

"For tomorrow," he said, and the redhead nodded. "Escort Miss Westberg to the exit."

Still unable to say anything, seeming to be in a complete state of shock, I followed Mr. Hawthorne's secretary out of the office.

"Please, give me your contact information. I'll speak with you as soon as the appointment is scheduled."

I nodded and did as she asked.