Chapter 7: The contract

Chapter 7: The Contract

Maya

"Yes," I said quietly. "I have."

Silence settled over the consultation room.

Dr. Olivia Hayes studied me for a moment before closing the file in front of her. She didn't ask when it had happened or who the father had been. She simply waited, giving me the opportunity to speak if I wanted to.

I didn't.

"It was about eight years ago," I said at last. "The baby didn't survive."

The words came more easily than I expected, stripped of everything they had once carried. Time had dulled the pain enough that I could say them aloud, but not enough to invite anyone into the memories that followed.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Dr. Hayes said softly.

I managed a small nod.

"It was a long time ago."

Brian hadn't taken his eyes off me.

For the first time since we'd arrived at the hospital, I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze.

"You don't have to explain anything else," he said after a moment. "Your past is your own."

Gratitude tightened my throat.

I looked up long enough to give him a small smile.

"Thank you."

Dr. Hayes rested both hands on the folder.

"From a medical standpoint, your previous pregnancy actually works in your favor. It doesn't eliminate the risks of carrying an Alpha child, but it significantly improves the likelihood of a successful pregnancy."

She turned another page.

"If you both decide to proceed, there will be additional examinations, nutritional planning, routine monitoring, and more frequent appointments than an ordinary pregnancy would require."

Brian nodded.

"We'll follow whatever protocol you recommend."

"I'll prepare a complete schedule once your decision is final."

She gathered the reports into a single folder before standing.

"I'll leave the two of you to discuss your next step."

The door clicked shut behind her.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

The room felt strangely quiet after everything we'd heard.

Brian broke the silence first.

"If you're still willing after everything Dr. Hayes told us..."

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

"...I'll ask our legal team to prepare a surrogacy agreement."

I looked at him.

"You still want me to do this?"

"I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't."

His answer came without hesitation.

"I won't make this decision for you, Maya, but I won't dismiss your offer either."

I drew a slow breath.

"I understand."

"Good."

He stood.

"Let's talk to Legal."

By the time we returned to Silverman Holdings, most of the afternoon had slipped away.

Brian asked the company's chief legal counsel to join us in the executive conference room, along with Ethan, who would witness the agreement on behalf of the Silver Moon Pack.

The lawyer placed a thick folder in front of each of us before taking his seat.

"I've prepared a draft based on Alpha Silverman's instructions," he said. "Nothing becomes binding until both parties voluntarily sign."

Brian looked at me.

"I want you to read every page."

"I will."

"If there's anything you don't understand, ask."

I nodded.

The lawyer opened the document.

"The agreement establishes Miss Parker as the intended surrogate for Alpha Brian Silverman. All medical expenses relating to the pregnancy will be covered in full by Alpha Silverman."

He turned the page.

"Miss Parker will also receive full residential, medical, and personal security throughout the pregnancy."

Another page followed.

"The pregnancy and all related matters will remain strictly confidential unless disclosure becomes medically or legally necessary."

I listened quietly while making notes in the margin.

"The agreement also recognizes Miss Parker's right to withdraw from the arrangement before any medical procedure begins."

Brian glanced toward me.

"I insisted on that clause."

The lawyer continued.

"Once pregnancy is confirmed, both parties agree to fulfill the terms of the agreement unless continuing the pregnancy presents an unacceptable medical risk as determined by Dr. Olivia Hayes."

He paused before reading the next section.

"Alpha Silverman will provide compensation in the amount of one hundred million dollars."

My eyes stopped on the number.

For a moment, it didn't even look real.

One hundred million dollars.

Enough money to change several lifetimes.

Brian noticed where my attention had settled.

"The compensation isn't payment for my child," he said before I could speak. "You're accepting risks most people never would. That money exists to acknowledge those risks and to ensure you're never financially burdened because of this decision."

I looked back at the contract.

If only he knew.

If money had ever been what I wanted, I could have left years ago and accepted offers from any number of companies that had tried to recruit me.

I wasn't here because of the money.

I was here because loving Brian had stopped feeling like a choice a long time ago.

The lawyer continued.

"Miss Parker may continue serving as Alpha Silverman's executive assistant for as long as Dr. Hayes considers it medically appropriate."

That caught my attention.

I looked up.

"I can keep working?"

Brian nodded.

"If that's what you want."

"And when the pregnancy becomes more demanding?"

"You'll begin paid leave."

He spoke as though the decision had already been made.

"Your salary, benefits, housing, and medical care will continue exactly as they would if you were still working."

I smiled despite myself.

"You've thought of everything."

"I've tried."

The lawyer closed the folder.

"Those are the principal terms. The remaining pages address confidentiality, inheritance, medical authorization, and legal protections."

Brian leaned back in his chair.

"I don't expect an answer today."

I looked at him in surprise.

"You don't?"

He shook his head.

"No."

He slid the contract toward me.

"Take it home."

His voice remained calm.

"Read every page. Have another lawyer review it if you'd like."

"I trust you."

"I know."

His expression softened almost imperceptibly.

"But I want you to trust the contract as much as you trust me."

The words settled quietly between us.

"You have one week," he continued. "If your answer is still yes after you've had time to think, we'll meet with Dr. Hayes again and begin planning the next stage."

I closed the folder.

"Alright."

The meeting came to an end.

Ethan gathered his papers while the lawyer excused himself, leaving Brian and me alone in the conference room.

I picked up the contract and turned toward the door.

"Maya."

I stopped.

"Yes?"

"There is one more thing."

I turned back.

He was watching me with the same composed expression he'd worn throughout the meeting, though something unreadable lingered behind his eyes.

"If you decide to go through with this..."

He paused.

"Dr. Hayes will ask how you want the pregnancy to be achieved."

My fingers tightened slightly around the folder.

He continued quietly.

"Artificial insemination..."

Another brief pause followed.

"...or naturally?"