Calm down

Ashley

I smiled so widely my cheeks started to hurt.

“Thank you so much. I’m really glad I made it.”

I was so excited that I actually had to caution myself. Ashley, calm down. You haven’t even started anything yet.

But honestly, who could blame me? After everything that had happened, things were finally beginning to look up.

“Now,” one of the women said, stepping forward with a folder in her hand, “let’s go over the terms of your contract so you understand exactly what will be expected of you.”

I straightened my spine.

“First, you’ll be moving into the family residence tomorrow. You’ll be staying there for the duration of the arrangement.”

I blinked.

The family residence?

As in a billionaire’s mansion?

I was sorry, but was that really necessary?

I thought all I had to do was show up at the hospital, get the procedure done, become pregnant, and carry the baby in peace. I didn’t realise the package included moving into somebody else’s house, too.

What was I supposed to do there? Sit in their living room and admire their expensive furniture?

Well, it wasn’t as if I had a better offer waiting for me. I needed the money, and I was willing to go through a lot to get it.

Besides, how bad could it possibly be?

I decided not to answer that question. My imagination had a habit of making things worse.

“The next stage involves the IVF process,” the woman continued, drawing my attention back to her.

“You’ll begin fertility medication to stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs. The medical team will monitor your response through blood tests and ultrasound scans. When the eggs are ready, they’ll be retrieved in a minor procedure.”

Okay. Eggs. I could work with that.

“The eggs will then be fertilised with sperm from the intended father in a laboratory. The resulting embryos will be monitored as they develop, and the doctors will determine which embryo is suitable for transfer.”

I nodded again, trying my best to look like I understood everything.

“After that, an embryo will be transferred into your uterus using a thin catheter. It’s a relatively straightforward procedure, and it usually doesn’t require anaesthesia. You’ll be given instructions on what to do afterwards, and a blood test will be scheduled to determine whether the transfer has resulted in a pregnancy.”

I stared at her.

She stared back.

I stared at her some more.

“Wow,” I blurted out.

I hadn’t even realised I’d said it aloud until the woman paused.

Because, wow.

There was the medication, the egg retrieval, the fertilisation, the embryo development, the transfer, and then waiting to find out if it had worked.

And here I was, thinking the entire thing involved one hospital visit and a little patience.

My goodness.

“Of course, IVF doesn’t guarantee a successful pregnancy on the first attempt,” she added. “The doctors will explain the possible risks, side effects, and any additional procedures that may become necessary. You’ll also receive regular medical care throughout the pregnancy if the transfer is successful.”

I swallowed.

A lot. This was a lot.

But I could wing it.

Well, perhaps wing it wasn’t the best expression to use when doctors were involved, but you understood what I meant.

I could handle it. I had to.

“The medical team will guide you through each stage,” she assured me. “You’ll simply need to follow their instructions and attend all scheduled appointments.”

“Okay,” I said, nodding slowly. “I understand.”

I hoped I did, anyway.

“There is one more condition concerning the heir.”

I looked up.

“The contract requires you to spend at least eight hours a day in close proximity to him. This will be five days a week, and your designated location will be the hospital.”

I frowned.

“Sorry, what do you mean?”

“You’ll be expected to spend eight hours a day with the heir at the hospital, five days a week.”

I stared at her.

Eight hours?

Every day?

Five days a week?

With a man I hadn’t even met?

“Why?” I asked before I could stop myself.