“What happens after five years, Benedikt? When the contract ends? When we get divorced and I’ve given you what you want…what happens to the child?”
He lifts his cup, taking a sip of his coffee. Then he sets it down, careful and measured.
“We’ll deal with that when it comes.”
“No,” I say, sharply. “You don’t get to be vague about that. If I carry your child, raise them for five years, I need to know—will I still get to see them?”
His eyes narrow. “You’re asking me if I’d cut you out.”
That and more.
If I’d be someone he used to know but won’t allow in our child’s life. If he has the ability to use me, then throw me to the curb like I was nothing at all.
I don’t believe Benedikt understands the sanctity of marriage. I don’t trust that he’ll ever have good intentions when it comes to me.
We’re a business deal after all.
And I’m the one with the highest stakes, so my father doesn’t die.
“Yes.”
He leans back in the booth, studying me like he’s trying to decide how much truth to hand over.
I don’t like it.
However, I have a feeling he’s toying with me. And he’s enjoying himself.
“I don’t plan on taking a mother away from my child,” he says finally. “A mother is something I can’t replace.”
“That’s not a yes.”
“It’s not a no either.”
That frustrates me more than anything. My heart is pounding out of my chest, and I haven’t even signed my name to the contract yet.
“I’m not a surrogate, Benedikt. This isn’t a business deal for me. If I have a baby, I’m not going to be able to just walk away from him or her.”
“Then don’t.”
I make a face at him. “What? I agreed to five years?—”
“Marriedto me,” he returns. “But I don’t promise things I can’t control.”
“I want to still be around my child. How can you not control that?”
He pushes his coffee mug to the side and leans over the table. “Because I can’t control if you remarry. I can’t control if you’ll fall in love, meet a man who dates and swoons over your beauty with promises of the world in his hands. But, I will tell you, princess…no onewill raise my child but me and you. No other opinion will matter. If you want to see ourson, you’ll make sure to tell your future Prince Charming to stay the fuck out of our child’s life. If you don’t…I can’t promise you seeing our child. No other man will be involved. Do you understand?”
I bob my head without thinking of anyone else. Dating and getting marriedagaindoesn’t sound enjoyable right now, let alone years from now.
“Did you want anything else?”
I stare at him. My throat tight, and my mind whirling with the possibilities that Benedikt might keep my child from me.
A child we don’t have yet.
It feels like another leash being tethered to him after our agreement is over. Like there isnoway out of this.
Away fromhim.
