Chapter 2Pregnant and on the Run: When the CEO Found Out

My Name is Lily Hart, and I Was the Secret Mistress of Silvergate’s Cold-Hearted CEO, Lucas Stone

For the past three years, I’ve been Lucas Stone’s hidden lover.

Our arrangement has always been simple: no strings, no complications, just business.

Until today.

Clutching my pregnancy report, I felt both nervous and excited as I walked into his company.

Lucas was still in a meeting, so his secretary asked me to wait in his office.

That’s when I noticed it—a wedding catalog sitting casually by his computer.

Lucas Stone, looking at wedding dresses?

For a brief moment, my heart soared. Could it be because of something I’d said? I had once mentioned wanting to take some bridal-style photos, just for fun.

Maybe he remembered.

Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as insignificant to him as I thought.

But my fragile hope shattered in the next instant.

Through the glass wall, I saw Lucas walking down the hallway. He wasn’t alone.

A tall, elegant woman clung to his arm, laughing softly as they walked together.

I recognized her immediately.

She was the woman I’d seen in his private photo album—the one he once called his “white moonlight.” His first love.

I lowered my head and let out a bitter laugh.

Of course. Why would Lucas Stone ever care about me?

His long-lost love had returned. He was looking at wedding dresses because they were getting engaged.

I was nothing more than a convenient distraction—a woman he could discard when the real thing came back.

I grew up in a broken home. My mom passed away when I was little, and my dad remarried, starting a new family without me. I was left to live with my grandfather in a rural town.

When he suffered a stroke and became bedridden, I was the one who covered his medical bills.

By the time I got to college, I was juggling classes and part-time jobs just to pay for tuition and keep my grandfather’s treatments going.

Then, during my junior year, I heard that working as a waitress at a nightclub paid four times more than my café job.

Desperate, I applied.

That’s where I met Lucas Stone.

He was drunk that night, drowning in heartbreak from a failed relationship. I was unlucky enough to be assigned to his private room.

Before I knew it, he’d pulled me into his suite.

The next morning, I could barely stand. My legs were so weak that my manager noticed I hadn’t finished my assigned work and fired me on the spot.

I couldn’t explain what had happened. I didn’t dare.

All I could do was demand that Lucas compensate me for the job I’d lost.

To my surprise, he didn’t just agree—he offered me something else.

“A high-paying job,” he said casually. “Take care of me, and you’ll make more than enough.”

It was degrading, but I couldn’t say no.

I’d already given him my first night. What was the point of holding onto my pride now?

And Lucas Stone wasn’t exactly a bad deal. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with abs that looked like they belonged in a movie. His tanned skin and sharp jawline made him look like he’d stepped off the cover of a luxury magazine.

Sleeping with him wasn’t exactly a sacrifice.

After two seconds of hesitation, I agreed.

We signed an agreement: $30,000 a month, on the condition that I would be on call whenever he needed me.

When we finalized the deal, he looked me in the eye and said, “Don’t fall for me. I won’t take responsibility.”

He didn’t believe in love.

And I pretended I didn’t either.

For three years, I played my part perfectly. I never asked for more than what we agreed upon.

But now his first love was back. He was getting married.

Our arrangement was coming to an end.

And to make things worse, I was pregnant.

This baby couldn’t have come at a worse time.

I slipped the ultrasound report back into my bag, my heart sinking.

Just then, the office door opened.

Lucas walked in, his tailored suit sharp and immaculate, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever.

He sat down at his desk, glancing at me briefly. “What do you need?”

I hesitated. For a moment, I wanted to tell him about the pregnancy.

But what was the point?

He was about to get engaged. The moment our arrangement ended, he’d never think of me or this baby again.

And I couldn’t let that happen.

This child was all I had, my only family in the world. I couldn’t lose them.

So instead, I walked over to him with a smile and poured him a glass of water.

“I saw a jewelry set I liked,” I said casually, making up an excuse.

Lucas leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes studying me. “What kind of jewelry? Didn’t I just buy you some last month?”

“There’s a new jade and diamond necklace from Orlvis. It’s not too expensive—just a little over $20,000. I thought it might look nice on me.”

He chuckled softly, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “I’ll have my secretary take you to buy it later.”

Feigning excitement, I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Lucas.”

For a moment, his usually cold features softened. He reached out to brush his thumb across my cheek, his voice dropping an octave.

“That’s all you have for me?” he murmured, his dark eyes flicking to my lips.

A good mistress always knows how to read her benefactor.

I immediately understood what he wanted.

Smiling shyly, I climbed onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. Tilting my head, I leaned in to kiss him, my heart pounding.

Even sitting still, Lucas had an overwhelming presence. His lips were cool at first, but the kiss quickly deepened.

Before I knew it, he had taken control, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist. His breath was hot against my skin, the scent of cedarwood filling the space between us.

He lifted me effortlessly, carrying me into the private lounge attached to his office.

But just as he pressed me down onto the couch, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen.

Panic jolted through me, and I instinctively pushed him away.

Lucas frowned, his frustration evident. “What’s wrong?”

“I… I got my period,” I stammered, clutching my stomach protectively.

“Isn’t it supposed to be next week?”

Lucas’s sharp gaze locked onto me, his brows slightly furrowed as though he already knew I was lying.

My heart raced, but I forced myself to stay calm and put on a strong front. “I’ve been staying up late a lot recently. My hormones are all over the place. Is that a problem?”

He leaned back slightly, his weight lifting off me as a rare note of irritation crept into his voice. “And yet you still thought it was a good idea to come and tease me?”

Lucas sat up, straightened his tie, and adjusted his suit, which had been rumpled during our earlier... struggle.

Taking the chance, I quickly got up as well, smoothing down my clothes. But I couldn’t let go of my lingering frustration, so I asked, “Lucas, do you even like kids?”

“No,” he answered bluntly, without hesitation.

Of course.

The icy finality in his tone hit me harder than I expected, and I felt my heart sink.

Then, as if sensing something, he turned to look at me. “Why are you suddenly asking?”

I forced a laugh, keeping my tone light and casual. “Oh, no reason. I just saw a little boy down in the apartment lobby earlier. He was lost, and he was so cute.”

Lucas narrowed his eyes, studying me. “You want a kid?”

“What? No way,” I replied quickly, waving my hand dismissively. “I just thought he was adorable. Honestly, if it were me, I don’t think I’d ever want to go through the trouble of having one.”

“Good,” Lucas said curtly, his tone as cold as ever. He stood, adjusted his cufflinks, and opened the door to the lounge without sparing me another glance.

I followed him out, my steps quick to match his.

As I left his office building, my resolve solidified.

I had to leave.

I checked my bank account balance: $50,000.

It wasn’t enough. Not even close.

My grandfather was still in the hospital, and I was responsible for his medical bills. Even if I left Silvergate for a while, I had to make sure he was taken care of. That $50,000 would have to go to him.

And then there was the baby.

I’d need at least a year to give birth and raise my child before I could return to see my grandfather. But right now, I didn’t have enough money to cover both my pregnancy and his medical expenses.

I needed more.

I didn’t have much time left. Sooner or later, my pregnancy would start showing, and Lucas would notice.

After a lot of thought, I decided to sell every piece of jewelry, every designer bag, and every luxury gift Lucas had ever given me.

It was the only way.

At the pawnshop, I watched as the store owner carefully inspected each item.

Finally, he came back with a total: $50,000.

I stared at him, stunned. “That’s it? These are designer pieces—some of them are limited edition! Lucas spent hundreds of thousands on these!”

The man sighed and explained patiently, “Luxury items lose value the moment they’re secondhand. They’re not like gold. This is the best I can offer.”

Disappointed, I handed over my bank details and waited for the money to transfer. As I turned to leave, a voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Well, well, Lily. Is money so tight these days?”

I froze, recognizing the voice immediately.

Turning around, I found myself face-to-face with a sophisticated middle-aged woman dressed in elegant designer clothing. Her presence radiated authority and wealth.

It was Lucas’s mother, Helen Stone.

Panic gripped me.

“No, Mrs. Stone,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. Her sharp gaze and air of superiority made it impossible to meet her eyes. I instinctively took a step back, wanting to escape.

“Wait,” she said coldly. “I have something to discuss with you.”

We ended up in a nearby café.

Helen sat across from me, her expression calm yet undeniably condescending. Without a word, she slid a check across the table.

“One million dollars,” she said, her tone dripping with disdain. “Leave Lucas. He’s getting engaged soon, and I don’t need you interfering.”

For a moment, I was stunned.

Then, joy surged through me.

One million dollars. With the money I’d just made from selling my things, I’d now have $1.05 million—more than enough to take care of my baby and my grandfather for years.

I picked up the check eagerly, unable to hide the excitement in my eyes.

Helen raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by how quickly I accepted. Her look of disdain deepened. “That’s all it takes? A million dollars? I thought you’d try to ask for more.”

I didn’t care what she thought of me.

All that mattered was the check in my hand.

With this money, I could finally leave Lucas behind.

“Thank you, Mrs. Stone,” I said sincerely. “I promise I’ll honor our agreement. I won’t have anything to do with your son again.”

But before I could even finish my sentence, a familiar voice cut through the air like ice.

“Won’t have anything to do with me?”

I froze.

Slowly, I turned my head, and there he was—Lucas Stone.

He stood just a few feet away, his piercing gaze locked onto me. His face was as breathtaking as ever, but his expression was cold and unreadable.

I felt my blood run cold.

“What deal are we discussing here?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

His eyes flicked to the check in my hand, the corners of his mouth tightening.

I lowered my head quickly, avoiding his gaze. My hands trembled as I tried to hide the check, but it was too late.

Lucas’s lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes darkened as he stepped closer, the tension in the air thick enough to cut.

I didn’t dare say a word.