Pregnant After Signing the Billionaire’s One-Year Contract.

‎The wedding hall was full of lights.‎Flowers covered every corner. Cameras flashed. People smiled and clapped.‎But Ava Miller felt cold inside her white wedding dress.‎Across the room stood her husband.‎Adrian Cole.‎The richest man in the city.‎Tall. Calm. Untouchable.‎His black suit fit him perfectly. His face showed no emotion. His dark eyes looked distant, as if he was somewhere else.‎Not here.‎Not with her.‎When the priest said, “You may kiss the bride,” Adrian leaned closer.‎For one second, Ava thought maybe he would be gentle.‎Maybe he would surprise her.‎Maybe he would smile.‎Instead, his lips barely touched her forehead.‎A polite kiss.‎Nothing more.‎The guests cheered loudly.‎But Ava felt something crack inside her chest.‎Two hours later, the wedding party ended.‎The long black car stopped in front of the Cole mansion. The building was huge, cold, and silent. It did not feel like a home.‎It felt like a palace.‎Or a cage.‎Ava stepped out of the car caref

‎Ava did not tell anyone about the dizziness.‎‎She told herself it was only stress.‎‎Too much pressure.‎‎Too many emotions.‎‎Too little sleep.‎‎The next morning, she woke up with a strange feeling in her stomach.‎‎Not pain.‎‎Not exactly.‎‎Just uncomfortable.‎‎She sat up slowly in bed.‎‎The room felt too bright.‎‎She pressed her hand against her chest.‎‎Her heart was beating faster than usual.‎‎“It’s nothing,” she whispered again.‎‎But when she stood up, the world tilted.‎‎Her vision blurred.‎‎She grabbed the bedside table for support.‎‎A knock came at her door.‎‎“Madam, breakfast is ready,” a maid said gently.‎‎“I’ll be down soon,” Ava replied.‎‎But she didn’t move.‎‎A sudden wave of nausea rushed through her.‎‎She covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom.‎‎Minutes later, she was kneeling on the cold floor.‎‎Her breathing was uneven.‎‎Her hands trembled.‎‎Something was not right.‎‎‎‎At the breakfast table, Adrian noticed her abs

‎‎Ava did not sleep that night.‎‎The word custody echoed in her mind again and again.‎‎He was preparing documents.‎‎Preparing to fight her.‎‎Preparing to take her child.‎‎She lay in bed staring at the dark ceiling.‎‎Her heart was not just hurt anymore.‎‎It was afraid.‎‎But under the fear, something else began to grow.‎‎Resolve.‎‎If Adrian wanted control—‎‎She would remove herself from his control.‎‎‎‎‎The next morning, she acted normal.‎‎She ate breakfast quietly.‎‎She answered politely when spoken to.‎‎She even smiled once.‎‎Adrian watched her carefully.‎‎She was too calm.‎‎Too steady.‎‎That made him uneasy.‎‎“Do you have something to say?” he asked finally.‎‎She looked at him gently.‎‎“No.”‎‎He studied her face.‎‎Looking for cracks.‎‎There were none.‎‎“Remember,” he said calmly, “you have six days left.”‎‎She nodded.‎‎“I remember.”‎‎Her voice did not shake.‎‎That unsettled him more than tears would have.‎‎‎‎‎Later

‎‎The hall was silent.‎‎You could hear the sound of breathing.‎‎Ariana stood frozen beside Lucien.‎‎Victor held her wrist tightly. His fingers pressed into her skin like claws.‎‎“Come with me,” Victor said again. His voice was low, but full of anger.‎‎Lucien did not raise his voice.‎‎He simply stepped closer.‎‎Victor’s hand suddenly felt small.‎‎“Let her go,” Lucien said calmly.‎‎Victor laughed. “Or what? You will destroy my company? You will ruin my life? You already took everything from me.”‎‎Ariana’s heart stopped.‎‎What did he mean?‎‎Lucien’s face did not change.‎‎“You lost everything because you are weak,” Lucien said coldly. “Not because of me.”‎‎Victor’s face turned red.‎‎He pulled Ariana closer. “She belongs to me.”‎‎Ariana’s body shook.‎‎Lucien’s eyes darkened.‎‎“She belongs to no one.”‎‎The temperature in the room seemed to drop.‎‎Then Lucien did something no one expected.‎‎He gently removed Victor’s hand from Ariana’s wrist.‎‎Not

‎The gunshot echoed like thunder.‎‎Ariana felt something slam into her side.‎‎Then heat.‎‎Burning heat.‎‎Her body jerked backward.‎‎Lucien’s eyes widened.‎‎“Ariana!”‎‎Her ears rang loudly.‎‎The world turned blurry.‎‎She looked down slowly.‎‎Red.‎‎So much red.‎‎Her hand touched her side.‎‎It came away covered in blood.‎‎I’ve been shot.‎‎Her knees gave out.‎‎Lucien caught her before she hit the ground.‎‎Victor looked shocked.‎‎He had not expected to actually shoot her.‎‎“I— I didn’t mean—” Victor stammered.‎‎Lucien’s face changed.‎‎Something inside him snapped.‎‎The air around him turned deadly.‎‎“You shot her.”‎‎His voice was no longer calm.‎‎It was quiet.‎‎Cold.‎‎Terrifying.‎‎Victor stepped back.‎‎“It was an accident! I was aiming at you!”‎‎Lucien gently laid Ariana on the floor.‎‎His hands pressed against her wound.‎‎“Stay with me,” he ordered.‎‎Her breathing became shallow.‎‎“It… hurts,” she whispered.‎‎“I know.”