Part 2It’s A Child, Just Not His, But He Doesn’t Know

Mason has the upper hand in this.

While he can cast a wide net, I’ve only got one option.

The only advantage I have is time.

I feigned feeling unwell to drag my boyfriend, Adam, to the hospital, sneaking in a full checkup.

Just as I thought, he’s very healthy—and his sperm count is high. He has an exhausting amount of energy.

As for me, I’d been sedentary for too long, and my immune system was weak, so they prescribed me some vitamins.

I had no plans to tell Adam about wanting a baby.

He’d been meticulous about protection.

When I casually asked if he was afraid of me getting pregnant, he weighed his answer carefully.

“Lena, right now, my career is just getting off the ground. If you had a child now, I wouldn’t be able to take care of you properly.”

Then he held me, kissed my forehead, and added, “I want us to be settled, married, and stable before we think about a baby.”

Adam had a knack for making everything he said sound sincere.

But that also made him inflexible.

If he knew my real motive, he’d insist we get married first, which would trap me—if Adam didn’t work out, I’d have no other options.

That inheritance would go straight to Mason without a fight.

That wasn’t going to happen. No matter the odds, I had to try.

Even if he worked his whole life, Adam would never make even half of what Dad’s worth.

Our family’s business legacy, grown over generations, had expanded overseas.

But Dad was selfish and never offered any help, not even to Mason.

He knew my brother didn’t care for me, which made me think this inheritance race was really just a way for him to push Mason.

No matter what wild things he might do, he’d better not think about dethroning Dad.

“What’s got you so lost in thought?”

Adam, fresh from his shower, hair damp and hanging over his forehead, was standing there in nothing but lightweight lounge pants.

He laughed softly, cupped my face, and leaned his nose against mine.

“Were you thinking about something?”

I swallowed.

I wasn’t particularly passionate about this, actually.

But Adam, no matter how busy, insisted on at least four times a week.

So how could I up the frequency without raising any suspicion?

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulled him down onto the bed, and kissed him with my eyes closed.

But when I started tugging at his waistband, he nuzzled my neck and let out a quiet chuckle.

“Why so eager tonight?”

He looked at me.

For some reason, there was no humor in his eyes.

But before I could think too much about it, he reached into the drawer and pulled out a condom.

He rolled me over, so I was facing away from him.

Hearing the wrapper rustle, I exhaled in relief.

Every time Adam looked at me with those eyes, I felt like my little schemes were laid bare.