Messed Up Deal with the Secretive Billionaire

Nora's POV

Two pink lines.

I stared at the pregnancy test in my hand, hoping the lines would disappear. But that was not even possible.

Three other tests lay around with the same result.

“No. No, no, no...”

This can’t be happening now.

My life was just starting to make sense after the hustles and struggles and fights to make my way into the entertainment industry.

I had survived endless auditions and heart-crushing rejections that had constantly thrown me into depression.

Most people would have given up, but I didn’t.

Eight months ago, I landed a minor TV role. Not huge, but enough to get noticed.

That was how I meet Nathan Everard, my manager and boyfriend. He had always said I was different, that I had real potential.

I sighed.

He should be happy. Ecstatic even. He was going to be a father.

But what about me? Wasn't it too early for a long break?

I was just nineteen, fresh into theatre arts, and barely starting life.

This shouldn't be happening now.

But Nathan loves me and I believe our relationship was meant to be.

I grabbed my phone from the bed.

For a moment, doubt crept into my mind.

What if he gets angry?

What if this ruins everything?

I shook the thought away quickly.

He’ll be surprised, or even shocked. But we’ll figure it out together.

That’s what couples do.

Taking a deep breath, I dialled Nathan's line.

It rang once and went to voicemail.

I didn't bother calling the second time.

I just got up and got ready to go see him.

Nathan’s office was on the nineteenth floor of the building. I had been here countless times before, but today felt... very different.

My hands were sweaty as I rode the elevator up. My mind kept racing through different ways to tell him.

Should I just say it directly. Or over dinner?

Or a surprise visit to his apartment?

But Nathan hates surprise visits at his home.

The secretary said he had an appointment, so I waited for almost an hour.

I finally stood up after I decided to just go prepare a surprise dinner at his apartment, but then the supposed client he had been with stepped out of his office.

I recognized her as a newbie in the industry. Couldn't place her name.

But damn, she was gorgeous and ice cold. Not even a hi to me.

Well, she wasn't my problem.

Nathan was sitting behind his desk, scrolling on his tablet. His shirt was unbuttoned at the neck and his tie lay at a corner of his large desk, almost falling off.

“Nora,” he said, glancing up. “What’s so urgent?”

My heart did a funny beat then. I didn't know why I suddenly felt unsure.

"I need a hug," I said as I went around his desk. Something about his cologne felt... off, but I didn't think much of it.

He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a kiss.

I withdrew immediately, suddenly feeling nauseous.

"You okay?" he asked.

I smiled at his handsome face and shrugged.

“I’m… not sure. But...” I dug into my bag and held up the test.

"What's that?" he looked genuinely ignorant.

I slumped on the chair opposite him.

"I'm pregnant."

The change in Nathan's countenance was drastic.

He narrowed his eyes at me and tilted his head, "You're what?"

I twisted my fingers together nervously.

“I had to repeat the test 'cause I wasn't sure initially. Even though I..."

"Did you say you're pregnant?"

"Yes," I stared at him intently hoping for the best of reactions.

Well,...

"I'm too busy for jokes right now Nora. You should go. I have another meeting," he stood up, glancing at his Patek Philippe.

"It's not a joke, Nath. I just showed you the PT."

He gritted his teeth, “How could you be this careless?”

I blinked, opening my mouth to talk but going dumb.

"Do you have any idea what kind of disaster this could cause?”

Disaster?

"Nathan, I... I never meant for this to happen, but I thought we could figure it out together."

Somehow I sounded like I was pleading. Pleading for what?

“There’s nothing to figure out. You’re getting rid of it,” he said coldly.

My heart drop down to the bottom of my belly. “What?”

“You heard me," He looked at me like I was some street urchin. “Schedule an appointment with a doctor and take care of it immediately.”

My head swooned. I suddenly felt light and faint. I gripped the desk for support and tried to breathe.

"You need to get going now Nora. I have somewhere to be."

How could he be so... stone cold?

"Nath... I can't... I can't do that please," my voice cracked as tears blurred my vision.

He slammed his palm on the desk.

"What do you mean you can't, Nora? This was not supposed to happen but you let it. You’re a rising actress. A pregnancy scandal right now would ruin everything. Are you too daft to realize that?”

My legs shook.

“But... this is our baby, Nath.”

He glared at me. "No. That... is your baby and not mine. And don't you dare start that emotional nonsense.”

I broke down, "You're being... very, very mean. You know that? I thought you loved me. Why...?"

"I love everyone I work with. My employees, clients, and the market. Not just you, Nora. Take two weeks off. Or a month. And fix that problem.”

I sniffed, “And if I don’t?”

He looked into my eyes. And for a fleeting second I wanted to cling to whatever flicker of hope I could lay hold.

"You can say goodbye to your career."

That was a very much paralyzing blow to my entire being.

"Would you leave now, or should I call security?"

Somehow, I managed to walk quite a distance away from Nathan's office. Not even taking the brand new Porsche I had come with.

I later took a taxi.

By the time I got to my apartment, my head felt like it would explode, everything was a blur.

I didn't even bother turning on the lights. Just collapsed on the couch, staring at the ceiling.

Nathan's cold voice replayed over and over in my head.

I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to stop the tears as exhaustion took over.

I must have dozed off. When I opened my eyes, the neon clock showed 10:15p.m.

Someone was ringing my bell. By this time?

I frowned. Who could that be?

For a second, I had the faintest hope that it could be Nathan.

Maybe he had calmed down,... and was here to apologize.

Maybe...

The bell rang again.

I dragged myself to the door and opened it.

A familiar face stood there. Part of the crew from the movie set.

One of the assistant producers, I guess.

"Hey... sorry for coming this late" he said awkwardly, "Heard you weren't feeling well."

"Did Nathan send you?" My voice was hoarse.

He hesitated for a moment, then shrugged.

At that moment, I was too emotionally drained to question anything.

I stepped aside.

"Come in."

He entered carrying a small bag.

"I brought some groceries," he said. "Thought you might not feel like cooking tonight."

That small act of kindness almost made me cry again.

"Thanks," I whispered.

He placed the bag on the table and pulled out a bottle.

"You look really stressed," he said. "You should drink something and relax."

He poured the drink into a glass and handed it to me.

I hesitated, then took it.

The liquid tasted slightly bitter. But I was too exhausted to care.

Within minutes, I felt lightheaded.

My vision blurred as the room began to spin around me.

"Wha... what did you...?"

He didn't say anything. Just watched me with a blank expression.

The last thing I saw before everything went dark was him pulling out his phone.