BABY-MAKING MACHINE

After leaving the County Clerk building, Bella stood on the sidewalk, staring at the shiny black car that had been waiting for her at the side of the road.

Aaron walked ahead. He opened the back door of the car and motioned for Bella to get in first, without saying a word. The driver sitting in front glanced through the rearview mirror, then immediately drove off as the two of them sat in the back seat.

 Lucie didn't go home with them. She preferred to go home in her luxury car with all its luxurious amenities.

The  car drove through the overcast streets of Austin. Inside, the atmosphere was silent—only the sound of the engine and traffic outside.

“I’ll handle everything tonight,” Aaron finally said, his voice cold but polite.

"Yes, Sir."

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll stay with me at the main house. For now, we’ll maintain the appearance of a legitimate couple. Only in public. Beyond that, you’re free.”

Bella simply nodded.

She didn’t even know what to say. Her entire life was now tied to this man, at least for the next year.

The car stopped at a luxurious apartment in the city center. Aaron looked out the window, then spoke without turning to her.

“You can rest here tonight. I’ll send someone to help you pack. Tomorrow morning, we’ll have an official photo shoot for company records and family. After that, everything will proceed according to the contract.”

Bella opened the door and got out silently. Aaron didn’t get out with her. He just stared ahead, then said before the car drove off again:

“Don’t be late tomorrow.”

Bella stood on the sidewalk, watching the car drive away—taking with it the man who was now legally her husband.

But in her heart, Bella knew, she was just a shadow, a nameless wife in a marriage without love.

She entered the apartment slowly. The automatic lights turned on, revealing an elegant interior of white and gray. The room was too large… too quiet… and too expensive for someone like her to occupy.

On the glass table lay a small envelope.

Bella opened it.

Inside, there was a copy of the marriage certificate, an access card, and a brief handwritten note.

“Welcome to your new role. – A.”

Bella took a deep breath. "Oh my God."

And now , her new world began.  

******

The next day.

The black car slowed to a stop in front of a modern colonial-style house that stood majestically in the elite Westlake Hills neighborhood of Austin. The automatic gate opened after the sensor recognized the license plate. The driveway was long, lined with garden lights and neatly arranged cedar trees.

Bella sat quietly in the backseat, gazing at the building through the car window.  

“This house is too quiet for someone living alone,” she thought.  

The car stopped directly in front of the porch. A middle-aged woman stood at the entrance, wearing a black-and-white uniform, her face calm and composed.  

“Welcome, Mrs. Bella,” she said briefly, bowing slightly.

Bella nodded stiffly. She wasn’t used to hearing that name addressed to her.  

Aaron got out of the car and followed, walking ahead of her into the house without saying much.  

The interior was spacious and cold. Everything was symmetrical, neat, and expensive—but there was no human warmth. Only neutral paintings, white marble, an unlit fireplace, and the artificial scent of lavender from an automatic diffuser.  

“I’ll show you to your room,” the woman said politely.  

Bella followed.  

The room was in the east wing of the house. Spacious, quiet, with windows overlooking the backyard. The bed was covered in gray linen. On the nightstand, there was already a wardrobe key and a set of casual clothes that looked brand new.  

A few minutes later, Aaron knocked on the door and entered without waiting for a response.  

Aaron looked out the window for a moment before finally speaking.

“I need to talk with you before all of the things go too far,” he said in a low but firm tone.  

Bella turned her head. Her body tensed.

“It's about Lucie,” Aaron said bluntly.  

As if struck by an invisible force, Bella froze in place. “Sorry…  what?”  

“As you know, Lucie is my wife. A legitimate marriage. But she’s couldn't pregnant. She has been sick for a long time. And she can’t have children,” Aaron said without emotion. “My family… won’t wait any longer.”

Bella fell silent. Her chest began to tighten.  

“Then… what am I?” she asked slowly.  

Aaron looked at her—coldly, but honestly.  

“You are part of the solution. Someone who can take on this role … without too much complication.”

Bella furrowed her brow. “Do you mean without complications because I have no one?”  

Aaron sighed. “I know you still have your mother. And your sister. But in this system—in this world—you’re still considered powerless. Without any bargaining power.”  

Bella stared at him for a long time. “You chose me… because I’m weak?”

Aaron didn’t answer directly. He just lowered his head slightly, then said flatly, “I chose you because you’ll do anything to save your family. Just like I’ll do anything to save my family’s name.”  

Silence.  

There’s nothing more painful than being acknowledged not for who you are, but for the weakness of your position.

Bella swallowed hard. Tears welled up, but didn’t fall.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll be my wife on paper. But, you will not accompany me in public. And in this house, you’ll remain an outsider,” he said.

Bella nodded slowly.

She knew. This contract never mentioned the heart. Only the body, the name, and the heir.

Actually, Bella still felt uncertain about her decision. But she had already taken the plunge. She knew that this was no joke.

"So, I'm going to be used as a baby-making machine in this wealthy family?" she muttered.

"Baby-making machine? Are you kidding me? So? What do you want? It's only a marriage contract!  Keep  your boundaries, Bella!"