Pregnant

Vivian adjusted her uniform, hoping it looked presentable as she began her shift at the bar. 

It was not the life she had imagined for herself, but she needed the money. 

She was in a new city, with no one to lean on, and she was determined to make it on her own, no matter how exhausting it felt.

But that night, she was really tired. Her head felt fuzzy, and she kept acting clumsy. 

By the time her shift ended, she was more than exhausted. She pushed through the back door, stepping into the cold night and making her way home.

Suddenly, the blinding headlights of a car came out of nowhere, and before she could react, she felt a sharp pain and she collapsed on the ground.

***

When Vivian opened her eyes, the white ceiling and walls of the hospital room greeted her. Her body ached all over. She blinked, trying to focus, her mind struggling to process what had happened.

The door opened, and a doctor walked in, wearing a smile. “Miss, it’s good to see you’re awake.”

She tried to sit up, wincing at the pain. “What… what happened?”

“You were in an accident. You were hit by a car. Thankfully, nothing major was broken, but you will need to take it easy for a while.”

Vivian let out a relieved breath, but then the doctor hesitated, glancing at his notes. “There’s one more thing, Miss. During our examination, we discovered that you are two weeks pregnant.”

Pregnant? The last thing she remembered was that one, blurry night with the stranger. Could it be his? 

“Please,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “Don’t… don’t tell anyone about the pregnancy. It’s private.”

The doctor nodded, his gaze understanding. “Of course. We’ll keep it confidential. But I would recommend follow-up visits to ensure everything progresses safely.”

Before she could dwell on it, the door opened again, and her heart sank when she saw who walked in.

It was Ralph—her ex-lover. She had not seen him in years, and she had certainly never expected to cross paths like this. 

“Ralph…” she whispered, struggling to sit up.

He crossed his arms, looking at her with a mixture of something she couldn’t quite place. “So, you’re awake,” he said flatly. “I can’t say I expected to run into you like this, Vivian.”

She flinched, taken aback by the bluntness in his tone. “I… I’m grateful. I didn’t know it was you who…”

“Who saved your life?” he interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Yes, but I don't go around doing favors."

 “What do you mean?”

He pulled up a chair, sitting beside her bed. “I mean that you owe me. And since you’ve reappeared in my life, I’ve got something for you.”

She swallowed. “What… what is it?”

Ralph leaned in, his eyes never leaving hers. “A contract marriage.”

Vivian blinked. A contract marriage? It was the last thing she had expected to hear from him.

“Ralph… why would you… why would you want that?” she stammered, unsure of why he needed it.

He shrugged, his expression remaining unfazed and calm. “It’s simple. My family has been on my neck for years, pressuring me to settle down. If I show up married, it will get them off my back, and hand me the company fully. You help me out, and in return, I’ll cover your medical bills and ensure you’re set up with whatever you need. Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

She knew Ralph, and his ambition and how he always got what he wanted. If she agreed to this, she would be giving him control over her life. 

Yet, with her pregnancy now a reality, she felt more uncertain than ever, unsure of what her future would look like alone.

“What’s in it for me?” she asked, trying to get more information

Ralph smiled, leaning back. “Besides covering your medical costs, you’ll live comfortably. You’ll have access to my resources, and you won’t need to worry about where your next paycheck is coming from. It’s a far better deal than you’re currently looking at. Also, you need to give birth to an heir within three months of the contractual marriage.”

A contract marriage was far from what she wanted in life, but she was in a corner, with few options and a child on the way. Maybe, just maybe, this could be a way to secure her future, at least for the time being.

Ralph sensed her hesitation and leaned forward, his gaze intense. “Listen, Vivian. I’m not asking for love or a real relationship. Just a contract. We can go our separate ways when it’s over. After three years, you can choose to do your thing. Think of it as a business deal.”

She took a deep breath, feeling the heaviness of her decision pressing down on her. This was not how she had planned her life, but when she looked at Ralph, she became more uncertain.

He had totally changed and she did not know what to do.

"And what if I don't?" She asked, watching him closely.

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Of course, I don't expect you to agree to marry me; not after you left me. Do you think I have forgotten?"

Vivian looked down, "that's almost a decade ago, Ralph. I did not do it on purpose. If so, why did you decide to choose this contract when there are many other ladies out there? Why me?" She asked, confused at his decision.

Ralph's deep eyes bore holes in her as he remained quiet.

"It's none of your business. I choose what I want and I always get it. Think about all the benefits; I have money, so you don't have to worry."

His words hurt her, and she reclaimed her resolve, "No, Ralph. I will not accept this."