All Chapters of Pregnant After The Contract Ended : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Naomi’s POVThe labor came in the middle of a rainy night.The rain was drumming on the stone roof of the cottage. It was a loud, soothing sound. But inside, I was in pain. It wasn't the sharp, scary pain of the hospital in Lyon. It was a strong, steady pain. It was the pain of a new life trying to arrive."Breathe, Naomi," Martha said. She was sitting by my bed, holding my hand. Clara was in the kitchen, boiling water and getting clean cloths ready."It hurts," I whispered."I know, dear. But you are strong. You are a mountain girl now," Martha smiled.I closed my eyes. I didn't think about the pain. I thought about the little boy I had been waiting for. I thought about the first time I would see his face.The hours passed slowly. The sun began to rise over the mountains, turning the sky a soft pink and orange. The rain stopped, leaving the world smelling fresh and clean.And then, with one final push, the room was filled with a new sound.A cry.It was a loud, healthy cry that echoe

Naomi’s POVIn the mountains, the world was simple and sweet.Leo was now five months old. He was a happy baby. He didn't cry much, and when he did, it was usually because he was hungry or wanted to be held. He had the biggest, darkest eyes I had ever seen. Every time I looked at him, I saw a memory of Lucas, but it didn't hurt anymore."He’s trying to sit up, Naomi! Look!" Martha called out from the living room.I ran from the kitchen, wiping my hands on my apron. Leo was on a soft blanket on the floor. He was wiggling his little legs, his face red with effort. He pushed himself up with his tiny arms, stayed steady for three seconds, and then flopped back down with a happy "Goo!"We all laughed. Martha, Clara, and I were like a little family. We didn't have a lot of money, but we had enough. I had started drawing again, not for Lucas, but for the village. I drew the local children and the farm animals. The people in the village liked me. They didn't know my real name. They called me

Lucas’s POVThe mansion felt like it was shrinking. Every wall was covered in gold, every floor was made of the finest marble, but I felt like a prisoner in a very expensive cage. For the last week, I had barely spoken to Valentina. We lived in the same house, but we were like two ghosts passing each other in the dark.I stayed in my study most of the time. I didn't want to see her eyes, which were always full of greed. I didn't want to hear her voice, which was always complaining. But most of all, I didn't want to see the way she treated my mother.My mother, Evelyn, was a shadow of the woman she used to be. She used to walk with her head high. She used to be the one who gave orders to everyone. But now, she looked small. Valentina had taken over everything. She changed the menus, she changed the flowers, and she even changed the way the maids dressed.One morning, I was walking past the kitchen when I heard a loud crash."I told you to clean the silver properly!"It was Valentina. I

"I heard some news in the village today," Martha said, her voice dropping.I froze. "What news?""Nothing about us. But the travelers... they say there is big trouble in the city. A fire at the Ashford company. They say the family is fighting itself. It’s all over the papers."I felt a sharp pang in my chest. A fire? Was Lucas okay?"Is... is everyone safe?" I asked, trying to sound like I didn't care."They didn't say. Only that the billionaire’s wife is taking charge. She’s a strong one, that Valentina. Or so they say."I looked at the ground. I pictured Lucas. I pictured the look of pain in his eyes the last time I saw him. He was a powerful man, but he was surrounded by sharks. And now, the biggest shark was his own wife."I hope he’s okay," I whispered."He chose his path, Sarah," Martha said gently. "You must focus on yours. Look at this little one. He needs a mother who is present, not a mother who is living in the past."She was right. I turned back to Leo. He reached out his

Charlotte was quiet for a second. "Are you sure? Valentina’s father is dangerous.""I am sure," I said. "And Charlotte... thank you. For everything. For the report. For staying by me even when I was being a fool.""Just win, Lucas," she said softly. "Take our family back.""I will."I hung up. I felt a surge of energy. I didn't need a lawyer. I had the blue ink. I had the security tapes. And most of all, I had the truth.I heard Valentina pounding on my door. "Lucas! Open this door! Your mother has gone crazy! The maids are stealing my clothes!"I stood up and walked to the door. I opened it slowly. Valentina was standing there, her hair messy, wearing only her robe. She looked desperate."Lucas! Tell them to stop! They are putting my things in the garden!"I looked at her. I didn't see the woman I had married. I saw a stranger who had tried to burn my life down."They aren't stealing, Valentina," I said. "They are helping you. You’re leaving today, remember?""The meeting hasn't even