Lina remained silent for several seconds.
Adrian's words still echoed in her mind.
You will live with me until the baby is born.
She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
"That's absurd."
Adrian stood calmly in front of her, as if he had expected that reaction.
"It's not absurd," he said. "It's the most logical solution."
Lina let out a small nervous laugh.
"Logical for who? For you?"
Adrian crossed his arms.
"For the baby."
That answer made her hesitate for a moment.
But only for a moment.
"You can't just decide that on your own," she replied. "I have a life."
Adrian raised an eyebrow slightly.
"A life?"
The way he said it irritated her immediately.
"Yes, a life!" she snapped. "I have my mother, my job, my house…"
Adrian walked slowly to the desk and picked up the pregnancy test again.
He stared at the two red lines for a few seconds before speaking.
"Your mother is still sick."
Lina froze.
"How do you know that?"
Adrian placed the test on the desk.
"I know many things."
The answer was too vague.
"Did you have someone investigate me?" she asked suspiciously.
"I needed to confirm a few things."
Lina's heart began to beat faster.
So he really had been watching her.
"That's sick," she said.
Adrian ignored the comment.
"Her treatment is expensive."
Lina clenched her fists.
"I know."
"And your current salary isn't enough."
Each word felt like a blow.
"I'll find a way."
Adrian walked toward her again.
"I can find a way too."
Lina quickly raised her gaze.
"I don't need your charity."
"It's not charity."
He paused briefly.
"It's responsibility."
She hated that word.
"You keep repeating that as if it solves everything."
Adrian looked at her calmly.
"I don't run from the consequences of my actions."
Lina felt her chest tighten.
"That's funny… because that's exactly what you did that morning."
For a brief second, something changed in Adrian's expression.
Something almost imperceptible.
But it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
"That night was a mistake."
The sentence fell heavily into the room.
Lina's eyes filled with anger.
"A mistake?"
"Yes."
She took a step back.
"Then why did you bring me here?"
Adrian answered without hesitation.
"Because now there is a child."
The cold response made her feel as if she had been slapped.
"So that's it?" she asked. "You only care about the baby?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
His expression was impossible to read.
"The baby is my responsibility," he finally said.
Lina laughed again, but this time there was sadness in her voice.
"Of course."
Adrian walked to the side of the office and opened a drawer.
When he returned, he held a black folder in his hands.
He placed it on the desk.
"What is that?" Lina asked.
"A contract."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"You're joking."
"No."
Adrian opened the folder and turned the document toward her.
"Read it."
Lina slowly stepped closer.
The first lines were clear.
Temporary Coexistence Contract.
She looked up at him in disbelief.
"You actually made a contract for this?"
Adrian replied naturally.
"It's the safest way to make sure everything is clear."
Lina began reading quickly.
The contract stated that she would live in Adrian's house during the entire pregnancy.
He would be responsible for all medical expenses.
Including her mother's treatment.
Her heart skipped a beat when she read that.
But she kept reading.
There were also rules.
She had to live in the Vale mansion.
Receive medical care chosen by him.
And avoid any activity that could put the baby at risk.
Lina slammed the folder shut.
"This isn't an agreement."
Adrian watched her silently.
"This is a prison."
"No," he replied. "It's protection."
"Protection for who?"
"For my child."
The cold answer made her anger rise again.
"And me?"
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"You will be taken care of as well."
Lina let out a bitter laugh.
"How generous."
Adrian seemed unaffected.
"The contract also includes financial compensation."
She didn't respond.
"An amount sufficient to ensure that you and your mother will never have financial problems again."
Lina felt her heart racing.
He was trying to buy her life.
"Do you think money can solve everything?"
Adrian looked straight into her eyes.
"Money solves most problems."
"Not all of them."
Silence filled the room again.
Lina took a deep breath.
"And if I say no?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
He walked to the window.
The entire city glowed below them.
"Then you can leave," he said.
Lina looked surprised.
"Really?"
Adrian slightly turned his face.
"But I will still take responsibility for the child."
She frowned.
"How?"
He looked back at her.
"When the baby is born, I will request custody."
Lina's heart stopped.
"What?"
"I have the best lawyers in the country."
She felt the blood drain from her face.
"You wouldn't do that."
"I would."
The calm way he said it was terrifying.
"I will not allow my child to grow up in hardship."
Lina's hands trembled.
"You're threatening me."
"I'm being honest."
She looked at him with burning eyes.
"You're cruel."
Adrian didn't respond.
Lina looked again at the folder on the desk.
Her mind was spinning.
If she refused…
He could really take the baby away.
But if she accepted…
She would have to live with him.
With the man who disappeared after a single night.
"I hate you," she said quietly.
Adrian replied without emotion.
"You don't need to like me."
He pushed the folder toward her.
"You only need to decide."
Lina stared at the contract.
Her heart was beating so hard it felt like it might explode.
Then she lifted her eyes.
"And if I accept…?"
Adrian answered immediately.
"You move into my house tomorrow."
She took a deep breath.
"And after the baby is born?"
He watched her for a few seconds.
"We will decide that when the time comes."
Lina remained silent.
Finally, she said:
"I have one condition."
Adrian raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What is it?"
Lina looked directly into his eyes.
"My mother comes with me."
Silence filled the office.
Adrian thought for a moment.
Then he replied:
"Agreed."
Lina felt her heart tighten.
That meant…
She was really considering it.
Adrian picked up a pen and placed it on the contract.
"Then sign."
Lina looked at the pen.
Then at Adrian.
And for the first time since she entered that office, she realized something.
From that moment on…
Her life no longer belonged only to her.