Chapter 2The Million-Dollar Baby Trap

I had to admit, his dad was handsome.

Back when Julian crashed his car and reverted to the mental age of a ten-year-old, the doctors said it was a blood clot. He'd only recover when it dissolved.

But Julian's father, Mr. Sterling, wanted a grandson immediately.

He arranged three "girlfriends" for Julian.

The first two failed. I was the third.

Mr. Sterling was blunt.

"Sasha, give me a grandson, and I'll wire you ten million dollars. Immediately."

I agreed without hesitation.

Taking advantage of a mentally impaired guy was immoral, sure. But my morals were flexible, especially when his own father was green-lighting it.

To complete the mission, I practiced every seduction technique in the book.

Our first meeting.

Julian was sitting on the couch, playing with an Ultraman figure.

I wore a white dress and spoke in my gentlest voice.

He looked up.

Sharp jawline, high brow. Thick lashes framing eyes that were clear and innocent.

I thought to myself, Even just sleeping with him once would be a win. This deal is pure profit.

Julian stared at me for a moment, then smiled.

"Hi, big sister."

"Good boy."

I thought this would be easy money.

But when I sat next to him and tried to hold his hand...

"Go away! Don't touch me!"

He shoved me with surprising force.

His smile vanished. Like a spooked cat, he scrubbed the skin I had touched until it was raw.

I realized why the first two girls failed.

He wasn't just slow; he was a germophobe who hated physical contact.

But I only saw dollar signs. I wasn't going to give up.

I researched. I read books.

I became his friend. I played games with him. I treated him like a child.

As long as I didn't touch him, he was easy to get along with.

He’d follow me around calling me "Sister." He’d share his snacks. When he won a game, he’d look at me for praise.

But the moment I initiated contact? He’d freak out.

Two years passed. Our relationship remained painfully platonic.

I was getting impatient. I decided to force the issue.

I drugged his food. Once he was out, I tied him to the bed.

But the idiot had a weird constitution. The sleeping pills barely worked. He woke up almost immediately.

Seeing me straddling him, shirt unbuttoned, he started crying.

Wailing. Snot bubbles and all.

"I'm not clean anymore! I'm dirty!"

"I hate you! I hate you!"

"You're a bad sister!"

I have thick skin. I was immune to his tantrums. Besides, I never claimed to be a good person.

I had him tied up. It was now or never.

I grinned like a villain, tracing his abs, then sliding the strap of my lingerie off my shoulder.

"Be good. We're just playing horsie."

That night, I awkwardly made it happen.

Miraculously, I got pregnant on the first try.

Mr. Sterling was thrilled. He said if I wanted, I could stay after the baby was born.

Honestly? I considered it.

But I quickly snapped out of it.

At Lucas's one-month celebration, a beautiful girl named Chloe showed up.

The moment Julian saw her, he smiled. He even reached out to hold her hand.

No sign of the germophobe anywhere.

My heart sank.

The maids told me Chloe was Julian's first love. He crashed his car racing for her.

After that day, Julian started disappearing. Rumor had it he was hanging out with Chloe.

Even with a broken brain, his body remembered her.

My mother was a hopeless romantic. I watched her fight other women for my dad her whole life.

But my dad never changed. He racked up massive gambling debts.

Eventually, she gave up. She turned on the gas and took him with her.

I was the one left behind. Orphans with debt don't have the luxury of romance.

I wasn't going to end up like my mom, fighting for a man.

Besides, Julian wouldn't be like this forever. One day, he'd wake up.

Better to leave on my own terms than be kicked out later.

So, I took the money and left. Without looking back.