Page 27 of The Billionaire's Contract Baby

I sighed as I carried Alfred gently. "It's a long story, and I will tell you after we get inside. I need to get him to bed right away. Help me get his things from the trunk." She reacted quickly and took his bags. Together, we entered the house.

Upstairs, two rooms away from mine, was the special room I had prepared for him. It was spacious, airy, and decorated in bright colors with drawings of dinosaurs on the walls. Everything in the room was primed for maximum comfort. I laid him in the crib in the middle of the room. There were stuffed toys in the crib for him to play with; they would provide warmth and comfort, or so I hoped.

He slept comfortably. Marie dropped his bags in the wardrobe, then faced me. I brought my finger to my lips and gestured to go outside. I closed the door behind me, brought out my phone, and confirmed that he was safe in his room. I had installed some cameras to always watch out for his safety.

I led Maria down to the bar and served us both some wine. I began the lengthy tale. She listened without an expression. None of my siblings were aware of the boy just yet, but this was going to change since Marie was obviously going to tell them. I could ask her to keep it to herself, but I saw no need to hide it. It would be best if she told them because I wasn't going to repeat myself again. When I was done with the explanation, a moment of silence hung between us.

Then she laughed - a loud, unreserved chortle. I watched her patiently. "This all feels like a grand plot in a soap opera. However, I stand by your decision. No Rosii blood should ever be left wandering in the streets like a pauper. Good riddance to that Crystal." She clapped. If Crystal were here, she'd take offense to that reaction. I also did. Crystal wasn't someone to be rid of.

"Don't," I warned.

She arched an eyebrow and rolled her eyes. She was a rebel and didn't like being told what to do, but she listened. "What do you plan to do? I'm just staying for three days max, and I don't see you capable of taking care of that child yourself. You know – what with work, travel and the whole nine yards. I don't have experience with childcare, so don't count on me to help. Better get a nanny and spare yourself the trouble." She cut right to the heart of it. If I was to leave the past behind with Crystal and focus on building my life with Alfred, I would need to get a nanny in the meantime.

However, that idea sounded odd when his mother was the person who ought to be taking care of him. "I will think about it." I said, walking away from the bar. I didn't even finish my wine.

"What's there to think about? It's the right thing to do. I could hook you up with an employment agency with great vetting and security procedures," she offered, sweetly.

"I don't need your help. When I need a nanny, I will know what to do." Right now, my intolerance for strangers was at a peak and having a nanny - though it was the right decision - made me suspicious. The person could leak the news to the press, harm my child, or worse kidnap him.

I would see how things play out first. “Fine. Suit yourself, stubborn man!" she said loudly since I was far from her at this point. Yes, I was stubborn but not without reason.

Chapter 16

CRYSTAL

Gettingoutofbedhas been tedious for the past two days. My home felt like a grave without Alfred's presence. I still imagined him here, his voice echoing in the house. I got to my feet and went to the bureau’s top drawer. In one of the compartments was a photo album of Alfred's pictures with me in most of them. I brought it to my chest and hugged it. The tears welled up in my eyes again. I felt raw and empty inside, yet the tears kept coming whenever I remember Alfred's look of dismay when he heard that I wouldn't be coming with him.

I couldn't sleep that night. I worried, constantly checking my phone, waiting for a call and being too afraid to do so myself. After two days with no update from Lorenzo, I knew that I was no longer relevant. He would have found another woman by now to take my place as his mother - a nanny maybe, or someone who would end up being his stepmom.

Lethargically, I walked out of my room. I didn't dare to look at Alfred's old room. I could not bear to step in there - it was too much. My home still felt dark and dreary. I opened the door and stepped out onto my wide porch. There was an armchair beside the railing to the right with some potted plants all around it. A porch is a main feature of many apartments in this neighborhood. I've seen people sit on their porches enjoying their relaxation time. I never did that. Being inside the house with my son was enough. Now that he was gone, it seemed as if I had no purpose in life. I no longer had a job, and I was in no mood to find one quickly.

I reached for the chair and took a seat. It wasn't sunny - the weather was a bit humid with a cool breeze blowing gently through houses. On a better day, I would have enjoyed this. Alfred would have been driving a toy car in the free space below the porch. I smiled to myself, imagining scenarios I'd see in his life. I was going to miss every important aspect and achievement in his life. In a way, I was beginning to understand Lorenzo's resentment against me…though that did not make it easier to digest.

Flipping through the pages of the photo album, I relived the fond memories I had with Alfred from our time in the hospital when he was born to his second birthday. Here and there were cute and silly photos. It was bittersweet relieving these memories.

I looked up as a sound caught my attention. It was Jen. She climbed the few stairs and joined me on the porch. "Jen. Please join me." I gestured at a plush stool by my armchair.

She took her seat and set her bag on the ground beside her. Her face looked a bit weathered, and her eyes looked tired. I felt a pang of guilt. This was all because of me. She has been beside me through all of this case and she deserved more. I didn't know how to repay her. "Thank you." My words caught her off guard.

She brushed her hair off her face and looked at me questioningly. "What for?" Her bewildered look brought a smile to my lips.

"For everything. I don't know what I would have done without you. Though things didn't turn out as I expected, it was a much better outcome than I could have anticipated. Thank you for being a great friend, Jen." I took her hands in nine, squeezing them to show my sincerity.

She smiled, patting the back of my hand. “You are my friend and that's what good friends do." She held my gaze, her eyes searching. "By the way, how are you doing? You look worse than before."

"I'm trying my best, but it hasn't been easy, you know? Most of my life has revolved around my son, and now that he has been taken away from me, I feel naked. Some might say I'm overreacting because it isn't like he died. He has taken his rightful place in his true family. I ought to be happy, but I just can't." I hated myself for that. There was a bright side to all this, but I wasn't seeing it yet.

"Hey, stop blaming yourself. Your feelings are valid no matter what anyone says. Have you been able to talk to Alfred?"

I set the photo album down and rose to my feet. I gripped the porch railing and looked out to the street. "I haven't heard a word and that's killing me. I dread the day I won't be able to remember what Alfred’s voice sounds like. To me, it feels like I'm mourning his death when he's not."

"You know what? Screw the court orders; let's go take your son back." Her face was red as she waved her fists around.

"Thanks, but you know that's not going to happen." I dismissed the idea; I didn't want to make things worse. I had thought of pushing the case to the court of appeals, but I knew my chances were slim to none.

"There's merit in what I said. Let's go over to Lorenzo's place and visit with your son. He can't be so cruel as to deny you this simple request. This might put you in a better state of mind." She joined me by the railing. The empathy and strength in her gaze gave me renewed confidence.

"You're right. I can't keep living like this. You're coming with me, right?" I wanted to make sure. I would feel safer with her there.

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