•SOPHIA LANGFORD•
Since I got into my twenties, struggles had become an unwelcome companion, always walking with me like it was my shadow. How unpleasant! I'd become a regular job seeker and a desperate first-born, trying everything I can do to pay bills at home.. ‘My company is bankrupt, I served you for twenty years, it's time to do the same!’ That was dad's usual anthem to me for three years. Sighs.. The doctor's words rang in my ears as I entered the street where my house was located, feeling so exhausted due to the long distance from the hospital while the sun kept setting above me. “Ms. Sophia, I'm afraid, we might have to stop all treatments for your mother if you refuse to pay the necessary outstanding bills as early as possible and I'm sure you know what that means. You have a few days grace please.” Those words seemed like a haunting refrain but as I got closer to our poorly designed house, I heard different dreadful words. “How long will it take you, Ford?..” a voice yelled, shortening my dad's name as if impatiently waiting for a response. “What is it this time?..” I thought as my heart began thrashing frantically. “Give me two months more, I promise to pay..” Dad's pleas answered my question. I sighed, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear,buried my face in my palms,my body at that moment resigned in defeat. “One of the hundred creditors” I breathed, raising my hand to the door knob. “You must be insane to think I'll ever agree to that for the umpteenth time since you borrowed this loan..” the voice yelled again. I opened the door at that instant and walked in, attracting their attention instantly. Dad was in his usual baggy jeans which had faded so bad as if they had been washed a billion times while a tall man stood before him, with his grip on his collars. “We will pay.. please let him be” I said to the man whose gaze alone screamed wealth. “Stay out of this else you'll go to jail with him!” the man replied harshly, contradicting my own gentle voice. He looked so young so I didn't feel intimidated by his fierce stare. My eyes widened at that statement immediately. “Jail?..” I said aloud without realizing. “Do you need to see officers in uniform before you believe it?” the man replied with a smirk. My breathlessness intensified. “You can't take him to jail. My mother is lying half dead in the hospital.” I pleaded. “So pay me my money then!” the man responded with a yell. “A rich man in a suit with no bodyguard demanding for money from dad? Oh mother earth how big is this dept?” my heart and body was in a wrestle. “I don't have it now..” I replied gently. “Then pay with something else!” he responded. “The only valuable thing in this house is our fridge and its value can't even be compared with a quarter of the money,” Dad replied before I could. The man turned to him swiftly and then, back at me. “Then she pays with her body instead” He replied with a lustful smirk. I folded my fists, allowing silence to have its dominion for a few seconds.. “I won't mind the amount if I get good satisfaction,” he added. “When are we doing it?.." I finally spoke, shocking dad and him. “Sophia!” Dad cautioned. “It won't hurt dad. I'm not a virgin anymore, remember?.. ” I said. “Your.. your trauma.." he reminded and i nodded, remembering how the clanking sound of metal belt triggers the painful memories of being raped at sixteen. “I'll manage..” I replied and with a broad but devilish smile, the man let go of dad before walking towards the direction where I was. “Room 23, Crown hotels. 8pm tomorrow. Don't be late” the man bent over and whispered into my ears before walking out of the house. I turned to dad so our gazes could snag. “Sophia, I –” “You don't have to say anything” I cut him off, trying my best to stop my threatening tears from falling and with that, I proceeded towards my room. “The twins made you some pancakes!” he said loudly as I walked but that didn't stop me in my tracks. Right, I'd succeeded in stopping him from being jailed but what could be more disdignifying than agreeing to lie with a man just to pay off some debts?.. My phone rang before I could get to my room and I immediately took it out of my pockets, taking a swift glance at the caller's ID. It was Ellen. My best friend who was betrothed to some arrogant factory manager. I swiped green immediately. “Hey, I forwarded an unusual ad to you! It's a good job that's enough to solve your problems..” she said quickly. I furrowed my brows. “Okay?..” I gently mumbled. What job could it be other than the usual cleaning or serving?.. “Check now” she said again, ending the call instantly. I immediately noticed the forwarded ad on my screen just after the call ended and without moving from the spot, I opened it immediately, realizing that the advert was a private one unlike the usual ads that's usually seen flying across all social media platforms. My gaze met with bold words at that instant. ‘Seeking a young lady to play the billionaire's fiancee for three months. $1 million compensation. Discretion assured.’ I froze. “One million what?!!!” Ellen's call came in again. “Sophia have you s—” I interrupted before she could be done speaking. “Sign me up!”•SOPHIA LANGFORD• Thump. Thump..My heart raced insanely fast as I took steady strides towards the altar, raising my wedding gown a bit as I moved alongside the bridal maids...bridal maids I didn't even know.Nothing could be more relieving than being in the process of getting a fortune but at the same time, nothing could be more dreadful than being contractually bound to a billionaire who had a million rivals…Everything had really happened so fast this week..I'd signed a three-month contract marriage after having a nightstand with my father's creditor.Way to go!. I was so in love with “Sophia the first” cartoon and oh am I living the life!.The whole wedding process had been done in just four days.“You’re among the first five people who applied for the post..” those were the words of the billionaire's personal assistant when I called to inform her of my interest..“Whoever gets chosen won't meet the billionaire until the wedding day but for now, we'll be testing you all to choo
•LEVI BANKS• “It's wrong to make attempts in seducing her to lie with you,she's fidgeting.”My mind reiterated for the millionth time and once again, I ignored it, trying hard to fight back the haunting refrain.“She's the only one that can do this as the woman everyone sees as my wife. Of course, I won't lay with her on a normal day” I replied the voice inwardly, while still trailing kisses down her exposed neck.She was pretty, I knew it and wouldn't deny it but I wasn't an heterosexual man who's interested in women.At first, it seemed like I was forcing myself and hormones but now, it was beginning to seem like I was enjoying it. The fear,the nervousness and the way she hides the fact that she doesn't want this is a sight all men would kill to see.However, I had a sole intention.‘I need a child’One thing was certain, she'll have no option if she realizes she's pregnant.“Our deal didn't include surrogacy, I can't talk to her about getting a child. I have to find a way to do it
★SEVERAL WEEKS LATER★•SOPHIA LANGFORD• “Congratulations Mrs Banks, you're two months pregnant.” The doctor's words echoed in my ears, causing more of my tears to fall freely as I got driven to Levi's office by his driver. Seconds had rolled into minutes..Minutes had materialized..Hours had morphed into days and weeks and now, my connection with the billionaire was two months old already.“I think I need to go to the hospital for a check up, I feel sick” I'd said to him this morning while he was leaving for work and with a peck on my lips, he instructed one of his multiple drivers to take me to the hospital.Ellen's message came in for the sixth time. I'd actually texted her to inform her after getting the news.‘Think well, maybe you both had sex when drunk.’ her message read.I sniffed, typing a response.’I'm sure Ellen, we never got intimate sexually. Yeah, we kissed and had some intense make out sessions but he never slept with me. I swear..’ I typed with hiccups.I closed
SOPHIA LANGFORD “She never told you?.. We got intimate two months ago..” Ethan grinned and Levi's eyes widened even more.. The only wish I had at that moment was for the ground to open up and take me in but unfortunately, it seemed impossible.It's hard surface still remained that way under my feet.I gave my lips a hard bite as Levi's gaze landed on me again. I was doomed, I knew it. “Coincidences are indeed crazy.." Ethan's mutter came alongside a chuckle.That damn chuckle was heavily weighty in mockery and creepiness. It defined a million things..“Two months ago..” Levi repeated in a cold whisper and I shivered as those amber eyes darkened..I doubt if he had ever been like this since we got married. His expression demanded that I look into his eyes and tell him things weren't true, but how was I supposed to do that when the truth had already morphed into a haunting refrain in my ears – ‘I slept with his rival to pay my father's debt and now I'm pregnant..Oh heavens, this
ETHAN WESTON If there's anything I'd always been looking forward to, that would be being on the winning side and having Levi at my feet's level always..This was just a big discovery to take advantage of!...I wasn't married, everyone knew that but damn, I had an unborn child!..Levi's wife was carrying my baby!!Could anything be more satisfying than that??..Absolutely no!..“You're carrying my seed.." I repeated, intentionally wanting to provoke Levi more and more.Oh heavens..I've always loved moments like this!“Levi, I can explain, listen to me..” I heard Sophia say breathlessly while Levi's expression still had shock on it.“The result isn't mine, I swear” she kept insisting and I smirked.“Apparently, it's yours. The name is printed in block letters, dear baby mama” I smiled knowingly.She immediately turned to me with glassy eyes..“I never willingly slept with you! You gave the option and I agreed to save my father from going to jail since he couldn't pay his debts!" Her
SOPHIA LANGFORD Levi's swift exit from the office followed closely on the heels of Ethan's departure. His face was totally twisted in anger and not even for once did he utter a word, leaving me too uneasy to attempt a conversation.How could I, anyways?..After all I'd just caused..I cried out my eyes for what seemed like forever in his office before heading out, feeling so scared even to go home.I was a rented bride right, but Levi had been a good husband since our wedding and now a damn pregnancy for his worst enemy is coming up..This shouldn't be happening now..“Boss ordered that all cars be taken home, how do you intend to leave?” Jessica asked as I got out of the office.I'd actually avoided bumping into her just now. It wasn't work's closing hour yet so there were still workers around.“Miss Jessica.." I tried to smile, bowing gently. Crazy right?.. but I really still do respect her since she interviewed and chose me as Levi's rented bride..I'd become used to it.“You hav
LEVI BANKS If someone had told me a situation like this would arise, I wouldn't have believed it. Of all the men in the world, how could Ethan be the one responsible for Sophia's pregnancy? My mind was reeling. It all made sense now - no wonder the in vitro fertilization Jace and I had attempted didn't work out! Her pleas and teary eyes were enough to melt my heart but the thought that she won't be able to carry my own child secretly as I'd planned without aborting the current pregnancy was annoying… Wait, that wasn't even the most annoying thing.. The fact that having a child for Ethan is a big threat to my inauguration is worse!! “You are getting rid of that pregnancy, I won't allow you to keep the bastard!” my anger made me aggressive despite how badly I wanted to help her up and apologise. “It wasn't my fault, I was only helping dad.” those words of hers wouldn't stop ringing in my ears but honestly, that d
ETHAN WESTON Just as I was heading home, Dad messaged me to come see him, and I had to reverse direction, driving out to the outskirts of the city where he lived. As usual, the neighbourhood was silent and empty, having no one loitering around unlike the street where I resided. I alighted from the car, walking in afterwards and just as I'd expected, he was right before the fireplace, glancing through a big book.. “The mighty death book.." I smirked, alerting him of my presence as I walked in. The book had existed for decades and he had always regarded it as ‘the death book’. No one, whose name gets into the book ever survives. No single person.. “What's so difficult about starting a conversation with a greeting word? Where the hell are your manners?” he took out his gun, aiming for my leg. “Seriously?" I scoffed, staring at his fingers right on the trigger. I lowered my butt to the couch
ETHAN WESTON Jessica was brought to the hospital by herself and her Ex husband, Viktor, had been waiting alongside a nurse who was to help take out the blood.. “Bravo!” Viktor said happily, hugging me thoughtlessly. I slapped his hands off, rolling my eyes. “As long as our agreement still exists, don't thank me for anything. We're simply helping each other" I replied, watching as Jessica's unconscious body got laid on the bed. I'd intentionally requested his oil company for such a little amount of money because why?.. I was still on the mission of getting ten times richer than Levi and even his grandfather, Harold. “Sweet wife” Viktor pouted, bending over to kiss Jessica all-over her face. “Yuck.." I grimaced. “I missed you insanely” he pressed his lips against hers this time. “Can you stop being shameless, the sedatives will wear off in less than four hours, we need to b
JESSICA FINN Nothing could be more heart melting than the moment when Levi began reciprocating the kiss while I continued deepening it. I'd intentionally made such a request last night and to him, he was doing it out of self-will but to me, my imagination made me feel like he was attracted to me just the same way I was. And.. Sure, my secret video camera was active. He tried breaking it but I didn't allow it until I was unable to breathe anymore. “Sweet..” I smiled shamelessly when we disconnected our lips. He wiped his lips before sighing. “Don't ask for this again" he said, proceeding to alight. “I deserve it, don't I?” He turned to me and sighed again. “I'll see you at the next meeting. Make necessary preparations towards it, see my lawyer today and ask the financial team to deposit half of Alfred's charge to the account he'll be sending” I instructed, makin
LEVI BANKS Morning dawned later than expected, probably because I spent so much time thinking about things in general and most especially, Jessica's request. I cleaned up in the bathroom and took one of the available clothes in the closet to wear, realising that my hair needed to be trimmed. My breakfast was brought in not so long after and this time, I didn't reject it. Not just because I was hungry but also because I felt better than the previous days.. besides, it wasn't the usual omelette but something much better. The cop in charge of me came in, just when I was about to call Jessica to ask for the time she would be coming over. “Good morning Mr. Banks" he bowed and with a sigh, I stopped dialing the number and switched off the phone, knowing fully well that he was here for the phone. “Here.." I handed the device over to him even before he could request it. “By the way, you have a
SOPHIA LANGFORD I couldn't sleep all night and worse, the night seemed unusually long. All I kept doing was cry, roll to the other side of the bed, visit the toilet, groan when I felt a stomach pain, and then, cry again.. Mum would always tell me when I was younger..“It's wrong to stare at mirrors at night” But this was me, staring at the mirror by 3AM, to talk to the baby inside of me. “Do you know how much I hate the fact that you're in there?” I began, staring at my exposed stomach and my little bump. “Do you know how much it hurts when I remember who your father is?.." “I'm locked here because of you!" My tears fell this time and I didn't even bother stopping them. “Why can't you just disappear. You cause me so much pain and discomfort..” I sniffed. “My heart hurts so much. Why did you have to come after that nightstand?I did it unwillingly, didn't you see that?..” I
LEVI BANKS I had no idea when I slept on getting back to my dorm and at midnight, I was awake. I couldn't sleep anymore. I took my phone on the bed stand where I placed it before sleeping off. I'd actually requested that it's given to me for the night by forfeiting the access to use it for the next two days. Jessica had definitely spoken with Ethan regarding Alfred already and I badly anticipated her feedback. I went over to my mailbox, bumping into over a hundred messages, both from work and my personal life.. Till now, no one except a few business partners and Xing's family knew I was in prison. It isn't something that should go viral except if I lose the case in court. “She sent no message?.." I raised my brows in surprise, seeing nothing in our private chat except our previous messages. I immediately began dialing her number, caring less of the fact that it was just 1AM in the mid
ETHAN WESTON “My chastity?” I needed to be sure I hadn't heard him wrongly just now so I simply asked to confirm. “Yes son. You shouldn't relate with women, stop it if you still do it" he replied, shocking me even more. I scoffed. “Is this a joke or what, dad, what are you talking about?” “I don't make expensive jokes and you know it” He responded. “I'm not a misogynist for crying out loud!” I lamented. “Then start adapting to being one” his voice held no form of emotions nor remorse, meaning, he wasn't even caring about my feelings. “Well, that's the greatest impossibility you'll come across. I'm too young to stay away from women. It's not even my thing” I spoke with so much confidence like he could do nothing.. “Amazing” I heard him chuckle devilishly and I folded my fists. What was this man up to?! “I'm not an eunuch, nor a monk, so why should I obey such instruc
ETHAN WESTON I didn't yell out Sophia's name, I knew I roared like a hungry lion and even the maids who weren't expecting such actions, flinched and staggered.. Sophia cannot attempt to murder my unborn child, never!.. not when it's my greatest greenlight to getting the presidential position. As the maid had informed, she was right in the large sitting room, looking so pale and barefooted with her hand folded around a knife which she was raising to her belly.. “I want to see Levi now else I kill myself and this child..” she threatened on sighting me. “And of course, the child is at a greater risk" she added with a smirk. I was really threatened but there was this ego in me that didn't want to reveal my panicked state, so then, I decided to change my expression into a calm one. “Thanks for making me confirm that you never even tried aborting the baby. Didn't you use the pills Jessica gave
ETHAN WESTON Sophia's eyes beamed with nothing but hatred and distrust but was it crazy that I craved her even more despite that?.. “I'm not joking Ethan!” she yelled as my arm bled. I let out another fake groan. The pain was nothing compared to the ones I'd felt at childhood when dad was terribly violent so I could literally endure it even without letting out a sound. “Your husband is in jail because of violence, do you think you'll go scot-free if I decide not to take this lightly?”I threatened and she calmed down a bit, breathing heavily. “You bloody ---" “You had better keep the remaining words in your head. I dislike being called names" I interrupted, trying to stop the blood from my wounded arm by raising my hands to it. “Take it or leave it, you'll be here till my child is born” I added, getting up from her bed and heading out. “You are just deceiving yourself! You can't restri
SOPHIA LANGFORD Ethan's house seemed so suffocating to me and I couldn't just wait to be out. “Even if you'll be leaving, wait to receive your last treatment from my private doctor, she might come around tonight, i forgot about her schedule” he had said when I insisted on going home earlier. But I was really running out of patience at the moment. It was well past 6pm already and I was determined not to spend a night at his place. I badly needed to see Levi. I couldn't wait any longer. “Ouch..” I winced, trying to get the water drip needle out of my veins. I was terribly hungry, and at one point, I feared if my baby was still safe... How was it faring when I was unconscious?.. Hating Ethan didn't mean I hated my own offspring, especially with the fact that being pregnant wasn't easy at all. A knock sounded on the door but I didn't even bother paying attention to it. The person knocking opened the do