Episode 2

Soft light invaded the white, impersonal room. I blinked a few times, trying to adjust my vision and understand where I was. The strong smell of antiseptic and the beeping of monitors alerted me even before I noticed the soft bed beneath my body.

My heart raced.

My hands flew to my belly, an immediate protective instinct, but the empty space sent me into a panic.

"My babies! Where are my babies?!" My voice came out shaky, desperate.

A nurse appeared beside me, a middle-aged woman with a kind smile, and held my hand.

"Calm down, dear. Your babies are fine. They were born prematurely, but they're strong."

My breathing became irregular. I wanted to see them. I needed to feel they were alive.

But then, the nurse's next words froze me.

"The father is with them now."

I frowned.

"What?"

My heart stopped for a moment. What father? My ex wanted nothing to do with the children, and my own father kicked me out of the house.

The door opened, and a tall man entered. His black hair was perfectly styled, his dark brown eyes carried intensity, and his expression was serious. He wore an expensive suit, but his tie was slightly loosened, as if he had spent the night there.

It was him.

The man who ran me over.

He analyzed me for a moment before speaking:

"Are you okay?"

My mind was in tatters, and my first reaction was to attack him.

"Am I okay? I had my babies prematurely! They would have been born at the right time if you hadn't run me over!"

He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.

"Oh, I apologize for not foreseeing you'd appear in front of my car out of nowhere."

I clenched my teeth, ready to respond, but my exhaustion overcame me. I sighed and looked at him, finally questioning:

"Why did that nurse say the children's father is with them?"

He seemed uncomfortable, running a hand through his hair.

"It was a misunderstanding. When I arrived with you, the nurses assumed I was the father and took me to see them."

My eyebrows rose.

"And you didn't correct them?"

He shrugged.

"You were unconscious. They needed someone to sign some documents."

I took a deep breath, absorbing the information.

"I want to see them."

He nodded.

"I've already asked them to prepare everything so you can go to the Neonatal ICU. But first... Answer me something."

I looked up at him, waiting.

"Do you have family?"

My chest tightened. I thought of the coldness in my father's eyes and the disgusted look on my mother's face.

"I thought I did. But they kicked me out of the house."

Silence hung between us.

Then he asked:

"And the children's father?"

My body tensed, and my voice came out almost as a whisper.

"He abandoned me."

Dante Morelli observed me for a long time, his eyes evaluating every detail of my expression.

"So you have nowhere to go."

I swallowed hard, feeling a tear well up in the corner of my eye.

"Unfortunately, no."

He sighed, running his hands through his hair before moving closer.

"If I made you a proposal, would you accept it?"

I frowned.

"What kind of proposal?"

He pulled up a chair and sat beside me, his gaze serious and determined.

"I need a wife."

My mouth fell slightly open, not understanding if this was a joke or a delusion from the medication.

"What?"

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"My grandfather gave me an ultimatum. I have three months to get married or I lose the company I've worked for my entire life."

I was still trying to process it.

"And what does that have to do with me?"

He sighed.

"You need a place to stay. I need a wife of convenience. We can help each other."

I shook my head, trying to understand the madness of the situation.

"This is insane. You want me to marry you just to keep your company?"

"Yes. In return, you and your children will have financial security and a place to live."

My eyes narrowed.

"And what happens afterwards?"

He tilted his head, as if he had it all planned out.

"After a while, we can divorce amicably. No complications."

I laughed, humorlessly.

"You talk as if it's the most normal thing in the world."

He didn't back down.

"Because for me, it is. Marriages in my world are often just contracts. And you, Aurora, are in a situation without many options."

My fingers tightened on the sheet.

"So you want me to sell my freedom in exchange for stability?"

He gave a slight smile, without looking away.

"I want you to make a deal that's advantageous for both of us. You'll have a home to raise your children, and I'll keep my position. Nobody loses."

The weight of his words fell upon me.

I no longer had a home. I no longer had anyone. My children's future depended solely on me now.

I sighed, feeling the weight of the decision I had to make.

"I need to think."

Dante stood up, adjusting his suit.

"Of course. But don't take too long. My deadline is running out."

He gave me one last look before leaving the room.

My eyes turned to the window.

Paris was a dream that had crumbled. My family rejected me.

And now, a stranger was offering me a life I never imagined.

What would I do?

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