Chapter 3The Day The CEO Called My Boss For Me

I got the job.

Two months passed, and I never saw Asher Vaughn again. I started to relax.

The job wasn't a dream, but it was surprisingly good. The workload was split between me and a woman who was out on maternity leave. What used to be one person’s job was now two, which made life easy for everyone.

One evening, after work, I saw the black Range Rover again. Asher was parked on the side of the street. He didn't get out but asked about my life. I gave him a stammering update.

I finally found the courage to ask for his phone number. “I’ve been wanting to thank you. Sending money or an expensive gift is too much for me, and too little for you. My family sends me some specialty goods from home. If you don’t mind, I’d like to send you some.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “My number is on the card. Call me if you need anything.”

I insisted, got his address, and mailed him a package of goods from my hometown. Asher texted me a simple thanks, saying his mother enjoyed them very much.

He traveled constantly between the coasts. When he was free, he would often come by and meet me for coffee. Mutual attraction was inevitable.

A year into the relationship, I found out I was pregnant.

The baby was completely unplanned. By the time I checked, I was already seven weeks along.

I often heard HR complaining about female employees who got hired and immediately took a marriage or maternity leave. When I was hired, I promised I wouldn’t have a child for at least five years. If I didn't terminate the pregnancy, my career would be on hold for at least a year. Was twenty-four too young to get married?

But this was our first child. I already loved it. I wanted to have a real home with Asher.

What about my job?

I sat in my room for half an hour, holding the sonogram report. I decided to wait for Asher to get back from his trip. We would talk it through: marriage and the baby, or a quick termination.

A few days later, his flight landed. The moment he walked in, he dropped his jacket, scooped me up, and held me high. His eyes were wide and beaming. He looked incredibly happy.

I understood instantly. “You already know?”

“Of course I keep an eye on your medical records.” He knelt, his hands gently holding my hips, his gaze fixed on my flat stomach. “You can’t even tell yet.”

The anxiety that had been swirling inside me suddenly found solid ground, leaving me feeling soft and weightless. Asher wanted this baby.

I stroked the back of his head, feeling incredibly happy. “Do you want to keep it?”

He smiled. “Why wouldn’t I?”

The scales tipped immediately. I hardly had to think. Even if my life of freedom and singleness was over, even if my career stalled, it didn’t matter.

“When are we getting married?” I asked, blushing. “The wedding can wait, but we need to tell our parents first.”

He was six years my senior. I hadn't even told my parents I was dating an older man.

Asher’s smile didn’t falter, but his tone was easy, almost playful. “Our Sienna is so young, and she’s already thinking of settling down?”

I bristled, a mix of shame and anger. “What do you mean, I am? If I weren't pregnant, I wouldn’t be pushing for marriage so soon!”

He stood up, ruffling my hair. “That’s right.”

Silence stretched for several seconds. I slowly processed his words and looked up. “What does that mean?”

He pulled out a cigarette, preparing to light it, then pinched the tip and put it away. He walked to the window and lit a fresh one, taking his time.

“Sienna,” he said, his expression calm and gentle. “I can give you everything you want, except for marriage.”

“Oh. So…” I was so angry, I almost laughed, but my throat closed up instantly. “So you want me to be your mistress, have a child out of wedlock, and then have other kids call her a bastard with no father, say her mother is a…”

He cut me off. “You are not a mistress. The child will be under my name. I will provide a life of absolute luxury. No one will ever dare to speak ill of her.”

I stared blankly at his profile, seeing the cold finality in his decision. There was no room for discussion.

“I understand,” I finally said. “You never intended to have a real life with me.”

“And you should have had the decency to break up with me properly! My parents raised me to be a respectable woman. How dare you insult me like this?”

“Break up… Can we even use that word?” I mechanically wiped my face. “We’re done. I’ll move out in a few days. And I’m getting an abortion.”

“Sienna!” He violently crushed the cigarette butt on the windowsill. His sandalwood-scented hand cupped my cheek. “Were you happy with me?”

I just stared, silent. The moisture of my tears was absorbed by his thumb.

His voice was steady. “I am relaxed when you are with me. I don’t need a piece of paper. I will be responsible for you, in every way—as long as I’m standing.”

“And what makes you think you can talk like that?” I slapped his hand away and turned my back.

Knock, knock, knock.

A pause, then another patient, repeated knocking.

I dabbed my face with a tissue and opened the door.

Four men in suits stood outside, holding numerous shopping bags. Pink baby outfits, tiny socks, and designer diaper bags.

I leaned weakly against the wall, staring at the extravagant baby things. I finally understood. I had just gotten the blood test results, but he already had the baby’s gender information.

His family background was far more powerful than I had imagined. Asher Vaughn had the power to make that promise.

“Think about it one more time.” He walked up to me and paused, raising a hand. I turned my head away just as his fingertips brushed my ear. “Keeping this child will only benefit you.”

“Right. Become a wealthy mother, a one-way ticket to prosperity! Asher, are you treating this like a business deal?”

The man in front of me let out a soft sigh. His face was still calm, but I could tell his patience was wearing thin.

“You haven’t been. If you were, I wouldn't have kept you around. I wasn’t looking for a transaction. But if you insist on seeing it that way, fine. You name your price. I’ll write a blank check.”

That day felt like the world had turned upside down.

I agreed to keep the baby.

Our relationship returned to a semblance of its former sweetness. The pregnancy was smooth. Every night, as he gently held me, I kept thinking: My first love became my sugar daddy. Maybe my morals weren’t so high after all.

...

Security guided the car into the underground garage. The hospital was quiet; nurses wheeled elderly patients through the courtyard. I scrolled through my phone impatiently, looking toward the main entrance. I wondered how Asher was managing to raise a child. A little girl shouldn’t have to be in the hospital. Maybe I should have just raised her myself.

Mr. Davies retrieved a gift box from the trunk and motioned for me to follow. We were directed to the VIP ward.

Two men were standing in the hallway outside the room, chatting easily.

“Kids get sick all the time. Why the big fuss? Everyone from the family estate is here.”

“You can say that to my older brother’s face.”

“Ha. How many heads do I have to lose? One wrong word, and before Asher moves, the grandmother and the wife will slap me silly.”

“You forgot my fist. Holly is my niece. I don’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of her.”

The man's soft laugh was oddly reminiscent of Asher.

I focused on the viewing window of the hospital room. I could vaguely see a small hand resting on the edge of the bed.

As I approached, a bodyguard standing by the door silently blocked my path. The men nearby turned at the sound, frowning slightly.

Mr. Davies stepped forward before I could. He held out his hand. “Declan. You’re here too? How is the little one?”

Declan. So, this was Asher’s younger brother.

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Davies.” Declan Vaughn’s lips were tight. He didn't return the handshake. “My niece has a fever and doesn’t want to see anyone. I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you both to go home.”

I was about to speak, but my eyes met those of the child on the bed. Her lethargic eyes suddenly opened, and her lips moved. The soundproofing was too good; I couldn't hear a word.

Declan put his arm out, pushing me back slightly, looking annoyed. “Ma’am, is there anything else? Please don’t disturb her rest.”

The door opened from inside. Asher Vaughn’s gaze fell on me, lingered for a few seconds, then shifted to Declan.

“I asked her to come.”