"From this moment until you conceive and give birth, you must remain in this villa for one year without any contact with the outside world." The butler paused before continuing, "If you have no objections, sign your name on the last page of the contract."
Zhao Shushu stared blankly at the document. After a moment, she snapped out of her daze, picked up the fountain pen, and signed her name without hesitation.
No matter what the future held, as long as she could secure the medical funds to treat her mother, nothing else mattered.
"The contract is now in effect!"
After her bath, the butler blindfolded Zhao Shushu and led her to the bedroom, instructing her to lie on the bed and await the man’s arrival.
The room was eerily silent, the only sounds being her ragged breaths and the frantic pounding of her heart.
Then—footsteps echoed outside.
*Him! Is he here?*
Her heart leaped into her throat, her palms growing clammy with nervous sweat.
"Report." The voice was icy and detached.
"Everything is in order. She has been cleansed and is waiting for you in the room," the butler replied with deference.
In the darkness, the footsteps drew closer, each one sending a jolt through Zhao Shushu’s nerves. Her fingers clenched involuntarily, her body tensing with fear.
Gu Jingye’s cold gaze swept over her as he reached out, his fingers tracing a slow, deliberate path along her arm.
A shudder ran through her, goosebumps rising on her skin as a thin layer of sweat dampened her back.
"Scared?" His voice dripped with mocking amusement.
The enveloping darkness made Zhao Shushu feel utterly vulnerable. She swallowed hard, her voice quivering as she stammered, "N-no, nothing!"
The girl's forced bravado unexpectedly eased his simmering rage.
A warm breath suddenly brushed against Zhao Shushu's ear, lingering before slowly dissipating. She instinctively turned her head away, squirming slightly.
"It's... it's ticklish!" she murmured, biting her lower lip. "Could you... not breathe so close to my ear?" Her voice trailed off into a whisper.
Gu Jingye paused, then let out a low chuckle. This woman was unexpectedly amusing. Perhaps choosing her hadn't been a mistake after all.
That soft laugh eased some of Zhao Shushu's tension. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I'm ready," she said, then added after a pause, "The sooner we start, the sooner it'll be over."
A smirk curled at the corner of Gu Jingye's lips. "That's not for you to decide."
"What?—Mmph!"
Before she could protest, his lips crashed against hers, swallowing her words in a suffocating kiss.
Panicked, she raised her hands to push him away, only for him to seize her wrists effortlessly, pinning her in place.
Shame, fear, and a whirlwind of unnamed emotions surged through her, making her tremble uncontrollably.
Gu Jingye pulled back slightly, his fingers tracing the curve of her cheek. "Having second thoughts?"
Zhao Shushu froze, her mother's medical bills flashing through her mind. Her entire body shook as she whispered, "N-no... I don't regret it."
If there had been any other way, she wouldn’t be here. But now that she had taken this step, there was no turning back.
"Good." His voice was like a phantom in the night, laced with a dark, intoxicating allure.
...