Chapter 3

“...I-I just don’t understand how any of these is possible.” Raina began, her mind reeling from what the doctor had just told her.

“I totally agree with you, ma’am. We’ve been doing our best to find out how it all came down to this.” The doctor said, her tone neutral.

Raina scoffed, leaning forward in her chair, disbelief etched on her face. “A renowned fertility clinic, and you’re telling me there was a mix-up?” She said, her voice laced with skepticism. “That doesn’t make any sense!” She snapped.

“And Kai’s sample? Where is it then?” her eyes narrowed as she tried to piece the puzzle.

The doctor avoided her gaze , her eyes avoiding Raina’s. “We…We really don’t know, ma’am.” She admitted quietly, her voice barely audible.

Raina gritted her teeth, anger swirling in her chest. Before she had the chance to protest further, the doctor slid a small business card across the desk toward her. “The man in question has asked to meet you.” She said calmly.

Raina glanced at the card, then scoffed. “Is this some kind of joke? A scam? How is “this” even happening?!” She demanded, her voice rising with anger.

The doctor folded her hands on her desk, her calm expression unwavering. “Mrs. Ashborne—”

“Stop. Stop calling me that already, okay?!” She cut in, her voice trembling and her eyes watering.

“My apologies ma’am. I understand how upsetting this is, but I assure you, this is no scam. This mix-up was an unfortunate error, and we take full responsibility. However, I strongly recommend that you meet him and discuss things further. I know this overwhelming but…”

The doctor’s voice disappeared as Raina’s eyes and mind blurred with frustration. In less than a month, everything she had owned and built was stripped away. And now, even the child she was carrying wasn’t truly hers.

Quietly, she took the card and walked out of the office. Ignoring the curious whisper of the nurses, she got out of the hospital like a ghost, her mind numb. Once outside, she finally glanced at the card in her hand.

Her heart nearly stopped as she read the name and private contact. “Aaron Kingston. Kingston Holdings.”

Aaron Kingston. The name sent a jolt through her, he was the reclusive and mysterious billionaire heir to the Kingston Family. Rumor had it that they owned everything—tech, real estate and even the fashion world. But Aaron was always in the shadows and Raina never imagined she would be caught in his web.

She knew she couldn’t escape him, at least not for long. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and dialed the number on the card. The call was answered immediately, like it was expected.

“Mr. Kingston’s office, how may we assist you?” A smooth voice greeted.

She hesitated for a moment before replying. “My name is Raina Weston. I was told to contact Mr. Kingston. I need to speak with him.” She said, her voice slightly trembling.

The assistant didn’t pause. “The chairman will meet you at Lumière, a private room at 4 p.m. this evening. A reservation will be made under your name.” Before Raina could respond, the line went dead.

Later that day, Raina arrived the restaurant, her mind racing. She couldn’t be more tensed as the waiter led her through the elegant dinning area, quietly announcing that her guest was already waiting.

As the approached the private room, her heart pounded, and she contemplated turning back. But it was too late, as the waiter had already opened the door. He smiled politely, gesturing for her to enter.

Raina nervously stepped inside and her eyes immediately landed on the man seated at the far end of the room. Aaron Kingston.

She had searched the internet for his photos, and couldn’t find any. But he was exactly as the rumors described him—tall, commanding with an aura of haughtiness. Yet there was something captivating about him in person. His blues eyes, sharp jawline and perfectly tailored suit made him look too perfect.

As she took a seat across from him, the tension in the room was obvious. “You wanted to meet me,” she said, steadying her voice despite the flutter of nerves in her chest.

Aaron Kingston leaned back in his chair, his eyes cold as he studied Raina. “So you’re the woman carrying my child.” He began, not wasting time with pleasantries. Raina stiffened, unsure of what to say.

“This insemination mix-up wasn’t just an accident, was it? You saw your marriage falling apart, and you thought, ‘Why not get pregnant with his sperm, trap him into a situation where he has no choice but to deal with me?’ You think I’m some kind of fool, huh?”

Raina’s eyes flashed. She had seen, had, and heard enough, but this was the last straw. “Is that what you think? That I planned this all out to trap you?!” She spat, the sharpness of her voice through the room. “You don’t know the first thing about me, and you don’t get to throw these around without proof!” She continued, her voice now ice cold. “I don’t care who you are, or how many zeros you’ve got in your bank account, you don’t get to assume that I’m part of some scheme, or I’m that desperate to play games!”

Aaron was silent for a moment, his cool, calculated expression cracking under the weight of the fury in her gray eyes. He wasn’t used to anyone speaking to him this way, especially not a beautiful woman, he had always found them predictable—charming, polished, and eager to please. He quickly recovered, his voice unwavering.

“Well, I did my research, Miss Weston. You’re divorced, broke, with nothing to your name. And now, suddenly, you’re carrying my child? Isn’t all too perfect?” He leaned forward, his expression smug.

Raina swallowed hard, biting her lips to force back the tears that threaten to fall. She couldn’t let him see she was weak.

“I'll cut to the chase,” Aaron said, his voice cold and firm. “You have two options: terminate the pregnancy now, and I'll compensate you generously for your trouble. Or, carry the baby to term and receive a substantial payment, but you will have no rights or contact with the child after birth.”

Raina’s eyes flew to his, as though to confirm if he was joking, but his cold expression remained the same. “No,” she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. “You think I’m carrying this child for money? I’m not letting it go, how dare you suggest that?”

Her voice trembled as she added. “The only thing I’ll agree to is if we co-parent.”

Aaron didn't react, his expression still cold. Without a word, he took out his wallet, slid a personal card across the table. “When you’ve thought about my offer, call me.” With that, he stood up, straightened his suit, and walked out of the room.

She sat there for a moment, emotions swirling inside her. Her hands tremble as she wiped off the tears she had fought so hard to hold back. Her vision blurred once again, but something on the table caught her eyes— Aaron's wallet. She quickly grabbed it, rushing outside to return it to him.

But as she stepped into the parking lot, her heart sank. His car was already gone with the wind. Clutching the wallet tightly, she whispered, “What is this, was this an accident? Or did he do this on purpose?”