Billionaire’s

d mature. I swallowed I was gazing at the man in front of me. It’s been seven years, but looking at him now, he has become more handsome and hard, unsure of what to say to him. This is the reason he asked me to meet him at the same restaurant where he used to treat me during our college days.

“How are you?” Steven asked, smiling at me as if indicating he had missed me.

However, the guilt of breaking his heart seven years ago still lingered within me. If only I had chosen my heart, but I knew we couldn’t be together: his family wouldn’t accept me.

I smiled and replied. “I’m fine, as usual,”

“You’ve always been saying that all this time. You really haven’t changed, Lili,” he answered with a smile that held a sense of longing in his eyes.

1 averted my gaze from him and focused on my favorite pasta. “You haven’t forgotten what I like,” I said and started eating.

“Of course not. How’s your life going on?” he asked while also eating his pasta.

I couldn’t help but stare at him. I’ve been trying to restrain myself from embracing him since earlier. “It’s going well,” I replied with a smile, even though I knew it wasn’t true.

“Going well?” He raised an eyebrow skeptically. “You accepted being a surrogate for your father.”

My jaw dropped at Steven’s words, and I remained speechless for a few seconds. How did he find out!

“How did I know?” There was annoyance in his voice. “Lili, you should have asked me. I would have helped you. Why didn’t you? I’d be surprised if I heard it from my friend of all people.”

He took a deep breath and looked at me. Suddenly, the corners of my eyes grew warm. I reached for the juice and took a sip.

That man your friend. I muttered as I placed the glass on the table.

“Yes. Didn’t you even think of me? Why did you agree to it?” His voice held disbelief in my decision

I felt hurt because he was saying I had made a terrible mistake. I cleared my throat. “Why should I ask for your help? It’s been seven years. We have different lives, and… I don’t know if we can still be friends after what I’ve done My voice grew softer with the last wOTH

Steven forced a bitter smile and said, “You have a point. I’m the one who didn’t accept your friendship because I wanted more from you. It’s my fauh not you”

I trembled as 1 held the fork. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him

“It’s not your fault. In truth, I led you on for nothing. I’m sorry for that, I spoke the words that I truly meant.

“Let’s not talk about the past. You saying sorry again, it just hurts me more,” he said with a smile, “You know, I miss you.”

I lifted

my gaze to him. Tears were on the verge of escaping my eyes, but 1 held them back. I inhaled deeply before saying “I miss you too.

I continued. “The decision I made is final. It can’t be changed anymore.”

Steven nodded as he stared at me intensely and then smiled further. “I understand. My friend is the one who asked me to handle your father’s case,”

I didn’t expect that, with so many lawyers around, it would be him.

“Don’t worry, Lili. Il do everything to get your father out and clear his name,”

name,” he promised.

His words brought tears to my eyes. “Did I say something that hurt you?” he asked in concern as he approached me.

If I had asked Steven for help earlier, maybe my father would have been released long ago. But I found it difficult to face him or talk to him after what I had done to hig

He cupped my face and wiped the tears from my eyes. “Lili, did I say something that hurt you?”

I knew that some people eating were glancing at our direction. “I’m fine, Steven. I’m just thankful that you’re doing your best to set my father free, I said, getting his hand away from my face.

But then He suddenly hugged me, and feeling his embrace again, I realized how much I missed him.

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4:09 PM

“If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask me. Lili. I’m here, always here!

Steven dropped me off at my apartment, and he stayed for a while as we talked about what had happened in our lives over the past seven

years

It was only now that I learned he was the lawyer for Davin, and he had been winning cases without ever losing one since he started representing the true victims. He never accepted cases where he was paid to win.

I opened my computer to reply to messages from my clients when my phone rang. I furrowed my brow as I saw that Abigail’s cousin was calling. I had saved his contact as “Asshole, still irritated by what he had done. I had no intention of answering his call, but I didn’t want to provoke him further, as I had initially thought he was nice during our first meeting, only to realize it was just a facade because he had a proposal for me.

“Hello?” I answered.

“I’m here at Rosie Restaurant, I’ll be waiting here” he said, and he ended the call. He didn’t even wait for my response. I took a deep breath, restraining myself from sending him a text that might convey words I didn’t want to say out of irritation.

Even though I didn’t want to go, I had no choice, so I went to the said restaurant. I wondered what he wanted to discuss

TODI, so it was just

the two of us

1 entered through the door and saw him sitting there, looking serious as he stared at his laptop. It was a private room, so There were drinks and a pastry set on the round table.

“Hi!” I said before sitting down. “What are we going to talk about?”

“About the proposal. Since you have signed the contract, you’ll be obligated to work until you fulfill once it’s done.” he said, closing his laptop

giving me a child. You can return to your job

My mouth dropped open at what I heard. “That’s not possible. I can’t stop working until I get pregnant”

“A doctor will be looking for you tomorrow to determine when you’ll be ready for the ICSI procedure, as well as the schedule,” he said, as if he hadn’t heard what I just said

Can y

you give me a month to settle things with my clients? I have-

I stopped mid–sentence as he said, “No. You can let them withdraw their r

requests. Il pay for them.

“If that were easy. I’ve already signed a contract with my client, so that would be impossible,” I explained. “Just a month”

“Till let my secretary and my lawyer handle it. Your review will not be affected, he assured. “I want everything to go according to my plan. You agreed to it, so it’s on my terms.”

I stared at him as if he had two heads, I took a deep breath. “Fine,” I said reluctantly. “As long as it doesn’t result in a negative review and a low rating”

“Rest assured, Miss Damit. Starting tomorrow, after your check–up with my trusted doctor, you’ll be living in my house.” he added and explained further before I could speak, “So it’s easier for the doctor and the staff to monitor your health and the progress of the pregnancy”

“Tomorrow? You’ll let me handle my clients today?

He smiled and leaned closer to me, and I caught a whiff of his vanilla with citrus musk cologne. As he got closer, I could see how handsome he was those thick eyelashes, well–groomed eyebrows, his strong jawline, and smooth skin..

“Just send me your client information, and my secretary will handle it, he replied. I blinked in surprise. “It won’t stress you our

I nodded. “Is that all

you out. Is everything clear?”

“Yes. You’ll be moving tomorrow. My secretary will come to accompany you and collect your belongings,” he added, adjusting his glancing at his phone. “We are done. You can leave now!

“Okay” I stood up from my seat and glanced at him, his eyes fixed on his phone while typing something,

seat while

I’ve never

seen him smile e except in the club when we first met

“I get going” I said, and he just nodded without looking at me, so I left

a

I was on my way out when I glanced in his direction and saw a man in a black suit and tie approaching his table. He was smiling as they talked about something

Was that a date? I couldn’t see the man’s face, but from the back, he looked perfectly

ly fit and seemed wealthy as well.

Estepped outside and waited for a taxi, tapping my foot impatiently. It’s been live minutes, and I saw no last corung in this way

“Get in my car.” I turned around to see Davin standing beside me, along with the man.