Lucas POV
A wife? I didn't need one.
Love? A useless emotion.
An heir? The only solution to my current problem.
For the past two years, my family—my mother, to be precise—had been relentlessly pushing me to settle down. She set me up with countless daughters of prominent families, parading them in front of me like I was some kind of prize to be won.
"You just need to give us an heir, and all this will be over," she had snapped one evening, her frustration evident.
I wasn't interested in love or marriage. I saw it as a distraction, a vulnerability. But I understood her point—our family legacy was tied to producing an heir. My grandfather's empire needed to continue, and that responsibility fell squarely on my shoulders.
Still, I wasn't about to subject myself to a lifetime of dealing with a wife or entertaining the whims of women who only wanted my wealth and status. No, I had a better plan. I would give them an heir—but without the complications of a marriage or a wife.
The solution was simple: a surrogate.
But not just any surrogate. She had to agree to sever all ties with the child once it was born. No emotional attachments, no lingering claims. The child would be mine, and mine alone.
For weeks, my assistant, Julian, presented candidates—models, students, even desperate socialites looking for a quick payday. But none of them felt right. They were all too eager, too calculating, or too entangled in their own motives.
Then, on a cold morning after an exhausting overnight meeting with investors, fate intervened.
I spotted her walking aimlessly along the sidewalk, her figure frail and her movements lifeless. Something about her caught my attention. She seemed desperate and hopeless– just what I needed. I didn't know her problem but I knew I had the solution to it, and she had the solution to mine.
"Offer her the job," I told Julian, my eyes fixed on her from the backseat of the car.
Now, as I stood looking at the girl sitting awkwardly on the edge of the bed, I began to doubt my decision.
She was small and fragile, like a bird that had been caught in he rain. Her shoulders were crouched, and her hands fidgeted nervously with the sheets. Did she even understand what she had signed up for?
"We should be making babies already," I said sharply, trying to mask my growing frustration. "But someone didn't adhere to instructions and take her bath."
"I—I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I fell asleep…"
Her tremqbling voice struck a chord deep inside me, but I quickly silenced it. I didn't need emotions clouding my judgment.
"This should not happen again," I hissed, turning on my heel and leaving the room.
The next morning, I was seated in the dining room, reading important documents as the maids brought out breakfast. A hearty spread of eggs, toast, bacon, and fruit was laid out before me.
"Has she been served breakfast?" I asked the maid who served me.
"Not yet sir," the maid replied hesitantly.
My jaw tightened. I doubt she had anything to eat since last night. "Has she been out of her room?" I asked sake maid.
"Not yet."
I shifted in my chair, as I thought about her frail frame from last night, another concern crept into my mind. Could someone so thin and weak even carry a child to term?
"Prepare a more substantial breakfast for her," I instructed. "Pancakes, bacon, eggs—whatever it takes. And make sure she eats every bite."
"Yes, sir."
"And one more thing," I added, my tone firm. "Let her know she is to be in my bedroom at 9 p.m. tonight. No excuses."
After passing instructions, I went to work like every other day. Work that is was as tedious as ever. Meetings, reports, and phone calls consumed my time, and also the prescence of the most unwanted visitor.
Kelly.
The most persistent of all the women my mother had introduced me to. She strolled into my office uninvited, her heels clicking against the polished floor as if she owned the place.
"Lucas," she purred, leaning against my desk. "You've been avoiding me."
"I've been busy," I replied curtly, not looking up from my paperwork.
"Too busy for me?" she teased, circling behind me.
Before I could stop her, her hands were on my shoulders, attempting to massage them.
I immediately stiffened. "Kelly, stop."
"Oh, come on," she cooed, leaning closer. "You work so hard. Let me help you relax."
I grabbed her hands and forcefully squeezed them off my shoulders, "Hands off me," I said coldly. Disgusted by her touch.
Her sultry smile faltered, replaced by a flash of hurt. "You can't keep pushing me away forever, Lucas. I'm exactly what you need."
"You're exactly what I don't need," I said coldly, stepping away from her. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
Her lips tightened, but she forced a smile. "Fine. But don't forget—your mother wants what's best for you. And so do I."
With that, she sauntered out of the office, her hips swaying dramatically.
By the time I got home that evening, I was exhausted and irritated. Kelly's intrusion had left a sour taste in my mouth, and all I wanted was to get this night over with.
I climbed the stairs to my bedroom, hoping she had at least followed my instructions this time. I didn't need another woman to ruin my mood.
When I opened the door, I found her lying on the bed, the duvet pulled up to her chin. Her eyes were wide and nervous as they met mine.
At least, something was working out.
I walked into the room, ignoring her eyes that followed me. I quickly took a shower and joined her back in the room. I returned with only shorts on I could feel her leering eyes on me.
I stood in front of bed, engaging in a staring contest with her before I broke silence. "Are you ready?"
She replied with a meek nod.
I climbed the bed and got on top of her, in a single move, I ripped out the night gown she had on leaving her body bare underneath me.
I inhaled deeply, and with one abrupt, forceful motion, I entered her, causing her to let out a loud, muffled scream.