A Tough Decision 

"I said Mr Kstervenchi is married—"

"I heard what you said, asshole," I cut in with a scowl. "He's married and I'm expected to have his baby? What the hell is going on?"

"Due to complications from an accident, Mrs Kstervenchi cannot bear Mr Kstervenchi anymore children."

"So... what does he need more kids for if he has children."

His lips turned down, displeased.

"They had one. And they lost the child in the accident."

It was like someone had doused cold water on me. I blinked, willing my gaze to focus on anything except him.

"I'm sorry to hear—"

"I believe you can save that for Mr Kstervenchi."

Silence settled between us, broken only by the soft hum of the AC.

"Why has Mr Kstervenchi chosen to hurt his wife because of something that wasn't her fault?" I clutched my purse tightly as my eyes began to water. "It's just so unfair," I whispered.

Marcus didn't respond, I could feel his gaze roaming across my face.

"I cannot begin to tell you how much Mr Kstervenchi loves his wife, Miss Marlowe."

My glare met his. "Then why is he doing this?"

"He's currently in a situation where he has no choice but to do this."

"What kind of situation."

He stepped back a bit, his brows pinched tightly. "That is not my story to tell, Miss Marlowe."

I shook my head.

"It was already hard enough, Mr Larvin. But this—" I shook my head. "This is something I can't do. I dream of having a family in the future too, and I wouldn't be happy if my husband decides to take in another woman just because I can no longer bear him children."

"Are you declining our offer?" he asked.

"Tell Mr Kstervenchi that I am truly sorry. I'm sure with his money and connections, he can find someone more desperate to take his offer."

Christopher's POV 

I had expected this meeting to travel in different ways, but end at one spot. Her accepting my offer. 

And yet, I stood in the observation room, glaring as she walked out of my office, all because she had some damned empathy for a woman she knew nothing about.

Still—

The council's words played inside my head like a broken lullaby.

Aerume Kstervenchi, the eldest after my father, and a spokesman of the council members. Only a month ago, he'd stared at me like a father would a petulant child and said:

We've given you enough time to make a decision, Don Kstervenchi. Yet still you force our hand. Two years is all we grant. If an heir is not delivered by then, consider your position as Don revoked.

My attention returned to Amelia, walking away.

I couldn't let her leave.

She wasn't selected, but she came anyway. If that wasn't fate, I didn't know what else to call it. I just knew that if she walked out and I decided to choose someone else, then the empire that I'd spent years holding on to would collapse.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and opened my contacts. My thumb hovered over Marcus’s name.

Vivian’s voice came back to me from the night I’d finally told her about the interviews. She'd rested her palm against my cheek, her expression loving despite the pain I could see beneath it.

I understand the position you’re in, Chris. If this is what it takes, I’ll accept it. I want a child in this house again, too. All I ask is that you choose someone decent.

She had smiled when she said it, but it hadn’t reached her eyes.

My fingers tightened around the phone, and my brows drew together.

It had never once occurred to me that I'd stoop so low as to use the words of the woman I loved as a bargaining chip to force a desperate woman to accept my offer.

Vivian would hate me for this, but I had no choice. I couldn't afford to lose everything I'd spent years protecting.

I dialed Marcus's number. It rang. Once. Twice. Then—

"Boss—"

"Tell her this, exactly as I say it." I repeated Vivian's last two sentences. "Nothing else. Don’t tell her why."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes."

The call ended. Marcus rushed after her, and the door swung shut behind him. I walked up to the door of the observation room and stared out its glass panel.

Watching them.

Amelia's POV 

"I honestly do not like this reformed you, Mr Larvin," I hissed, skidding a stop in front of him. "Can we please go back to the asshole I met yesterday? Christ, your mood swings are giving me whiplash." 

"Mrs Kstervenchi knows."

I frowned. "What?"

"She co-signed the agreement. Her signature is on the last page, if you’d like to check." He held my gaze. "Mr Kstervenchi has also asked me to pass something on. From Mrs Kstervenchi. 'I want a child in this house again too. All I ask is that you choose someone decent.'"

My face fell, and my shoulders sagged. 

I couldn't tell if he'd meant those words to comfort me, since they didn't. 

"You don't understand, Mr Larvin. I... I just don't feel comfortable doing this," I murmured, wriggling my fingers together.

"All Mr and Mrs Kstervenchi need from you is a child, Miss Marlowe. That's all. Do this for them, please."

My gaze met his. My heart constricted at the sincerity in his eyes.

"I'll send my response tonight. I just need a little while to think about it."

He went inside his office and came back out. Then he handed me the envelope.

"Go through it carefully. If you don't feel comfortable with anything at all. Call me. My number is in there, okay?"

I nodded stiffly then made my way out, gripping the document tightly.

I flagged a taxi and got inside then it sped away, taking me farther and farther away from the toughest decision I'd ever had to make in my life.

..............

After spending hours going through the documents, and finding Mrs Kstervenchi's signature on the last page just as Marcus had said, I spent the next hour staring at the ceiling of my room.

Finally, I decided to come here.

I stared at her through the tiny glass of the hospital's door, hooked to all sorts of machines as she slept not so soundly.  

A tear rolled down my face.

What are you doing, Amelia.

It's just one-year. 

Why should you care for the heart of someone you know nothing about when yours is in there fighting for her life, and you have the means to save her.

"Miss Marlowe."

I turned away, wiping the tears hastily then I turned back.

"Hi..."

Angela smiled. "It's not month end yet. And she's asleep right now, so you can't see her."

"No, no," I rushed out, shaking my head. "I'm just... nevermind."

She stared at me pitifully. "I have to tell you, but hospital has decided that if you're not able to meet up for this month then they'll have to withdraw treatment for your mother."

I scoffed. "Tell me something I don't know, Angela."

"I am serious, Miss Marlowe," Angela chastised softly. "You know she has no insurance so even a government hospital wouldn't take her."

"I know..."

"You're still too young, Amelia. I'm not trying to pressure you, but I need you to understand what's at stake, okay?"

"Thank you, Angela. I should head home now."

"Yes, yes. I'm sure you have a busy life to catch up with."

I gave her a tight smile before moving toward the exit. Then I stopped. 

I gripped my dress tightly as I listened to her footsteps slowly fading away. 

I turned back.

"Angela!"

She turned to me, her brows knitted.

"Is everything alright, dear?"

"Tell the hospital that they should be expecting their money earlier."

She smiled. "I'm sure the hospital would be pleased, Miss Marlowe."

"In full."

Her smile dropped, but mine widened.

"Goodnight, Angela." I waved at her before stepping outside.

The night air whipped against my skin, causing goosebumps to erupt on my arms. I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed Marcus's number.

"Hello," he replied groggily.

"It's Miss Marlowe."

Silence. 

Then shuffling came from the other end, a tiny whine from a female floated into my ears before he spoke.

"I take it you've agreed."

"I will do it, but under one condition."