Chapter 25

The journey back home was silent. Leonard's words echoed in my mind, stirring emotions I couldn’t quite grasp. I found myself stealing glances at him, waiting for him to say something, anything, to make sense of the tangled mess of feelings inside me. I couldn't shake off the confusion, and it frustrated me that I blamed the pregnancy for how overwhelming everything felt.

After a while, I realized we were heading the wrong way. My brow furrowed as I turned to him. 

"This isn't the way home. Where are we going, Leonard?" I asked, my voice laced with suspicion. 

He didn’t glance at me, his focus steady on the road. "I'm not letting you go back home just to brood all day," he said calmly.

I stared blankly at him, biting back a retort. Fine. I’d just have to wait and see where he was taking me. The tension in the car was palpable, and every minute felt heavier than the last.

When we finally arrived, I blinked in surprise. A park? But not just any park, a children’s park, vibrant with life, laughter, and the sound of joy. My confusion deepened as I shot Leonard a look that screamed, What are we doing here?

He got out of the car and walked around to my side, opening the door for me. I stared at him for a moment before stepping out, ignoring his extended hand. The amused smile that flickered on his lips only irritated me more.

"Leonard?" I called, hoping for an explanation.

"Come with me," he said, his voice soft but commanding. He took my hand, and despite my internal resistance, I let him lead me. We walked slowly through the park, watching children run and play, their laughter filling the air. The sight was… beautiful, almost magical. For a brief moment, I was lost in it, forgetting everything that had been weighing me down.

But then Leonard called my name, breaking me from the spell. 

"Eva," he said, his voice different, gentle, but with an edge of something serious.

I turned to face him. "I know you're wondering why I brought you here."

"I am," I replied, waiting for an explanation that made sense.

He exhaled, his gaze drifting to the children playing in the distance. "I would love to do this with my kid someday..." His voice trailed off, and my chest tightened, sensing where this was going. "But, Eva, I want you to be the one to take care of my child when he's born."

I blinked, taken aback. “As a nanny?” I asked, confusion clouding my thoughts.

He stepped closer, his eyes locking with mine. His hands reached for mine, holding them gently but firmly. “As the mother of my child.”

The words hit me like a cold slap, and I felt the air leave my lungs. I instinctively withdrew my hands and stepped back, shocked and shaken. 

“I… I can’t do that,” I stammered. “I have a boyfriend.”

His eyes darkened, and his voice rose slightly. “Where is he now?” he asked, his frustration palpable. “He doesn’t love you the way I do.”

My jaw dropped, unable to believe what I was hearing. What was happening? How had we come to this? I didn’t know whether to be angry or… flattered. But I couldn’t even begin to process what I was feeling.

I tried to move away from him, but he gripped my arms gently, holding me in place. His eyes were desperate, almost pleading. 

“I love you, Eva,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

Tears welled in my eyes. “Please take me home,” I begged, my voice barely above a whisper. “Please.” He let go of me, and without another word, we headed back to the car. The drive home was silent, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between us like a thick fog.

When I got to my room, I finally let the tears flow freely, tears of pain, guilt, fear, and confusion. I cried for the mess my life had become, for the weight of the choices I had made. For Leonard. For Kelvin. For the baby I was carrying, who didn’t deserve any of this.

I walked over to the bedside drawer and pulled out the contract I had signed with Leonard. Through my tears, I read the rules again:

1. Developing feelings is highly prohibited, forbidden even. 

2. No personal relationship. 

3. No personal or irrelevant questions. 

4. No invading into my personal space. 

5. I will only visit on doctor’s appointments or anytime of my choosing, which is only when necessary. 

6. No partying, no drinking, no smoking. 

7. No eating junk food, only healthy meals. 

8. No overstressing. A maid will be assigned to you once the insemination is done. 

9. You will live in the house of my choosing throughout the period of the pregnancy. 

10. No sexual relationships during the pregnancy. 

11. Any rule defied in any way would attract consequences.

As I finished reading, Clara walked into the room, her face full of concern.

“He broke his first rule,” I whispered, my voice cracking. Clara sat down beside me and took my hand in hers.

“How do you feel?” she asked softly.

I looked at her, searching for the answer. “I don’t know,” I admitted, feeling lost.

Clara sighed. “I’ve worked with Mr. Leonard for a long time, and I’ve never seen him like this with any woman. But the way he looks at you, Eva…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “I’ve never seen him look at anyone like that.”

I blinked, speechless.

“And I see the way you look at him too,” she added, her words hitting me like a cold wave. I opened my mouth to protest, but no words came out. 

“Eva, you have feelings for him. You’re just scared to admit it because of your boyfriend.”

“I have a boyfriend,” I said, but even to my own ears, the words sounded hollow.

Clara shook her head gently. “Is he still your boyfriend, though?” Her question struck me hard. This was the same Clara who once judged me for being too close to Leonard, and now she was standing by him?

“I know I was against this at first, but now… I see how Leonard has changed since you came into his life. He’s happier, less intense. It’s because of you. I’m not saying Kelvin doesn’t deserve some understanding for leaving, but… what makes you think he’ll come back? And even if he does, will you two really be happy after everything?”

I sat there, my mind racing with thoughts I couldn’t control.

“I just want you to be happy,” Clara said, squeezing my hand. “And if Leonard makes you happy, then stop fighting it. Let go of the pain and embrace what brings you joy.”

She gave me a soft smile before leaving the room, leaving me alone with the swirl of emotions that I couldn’t escape.