Chapter 1
Chloe
The two red lines on the pregnancy test struck like lightning, instantly shattering the calm within me.
My name is Chloe Reed, twenty-nine, oncologist at St. Mary's Medical Center. Three months ago, I made the bravest decision of my life—I went to a sperm bank.
Not because I couldn't find a man, but because I no longer believed in marriage.
When I was ten, I watched my mother swallow sleeping pills after discovering my father's affair. Lying in a pool of blood, she gripped my hand and said, "Chloe, never put your happiness in a man's hands."
But I wanted a child. A child who would be mine alone.
"Oh my God, Chloe!" I whispered to my reflection in the mirror, "You're actually pregnant!"
Just as I was about to call my best friend Sarah to share the news, my phone rang sharply.
"Dr. Reed? This is Director Johnson from the hospital's legal department. I need you to come to my office immediately. We have an urgent situation."
"What kind of situation? I just finished a night shift—"
"It concerns your visit to the sperm bank three months ago. There's been a serious error."
My blood instantly ran cold.
Twenty minutes later, Hospital Legal Office
Director Johnson's face was grimmer than the morgue. His fingers drummed on the desk, each tap feeling like a blow to my heart.
"Dr. Reed, I must inform you of some extremely troubling news," he cleared his throat. "The sperm sample you used three months ago was not from an anonymous donor."
"What do you mean?" My voice began to shake.
"The nursing assistant, Jenny, mislabeled the samples. You actually received a private storage sample belonging to a VIP client."
I felt the world spinning around me. "Private storage? That means—"
"It means this gentleman has complete legal rights to the sample, including decision-making authority over its use." Each word from Director Johnson cut into me like a knife. "And, Dr. Reed, your pregnancy has already been confirmed."
"How do you know I'm pregnant?"
"Routine blood work. Your primary physician noticed abnormal HCG levels."
I clutched the pregnancy test so tightly my nails nearly broke skin. "Who is he?"
Before Director Johnson could answer, the office door was roughly pushed open.
A man, at least six-foot-three, stormed in wearing an expensive tailored suit, radiating danger. When he saw me, his furious expression faltered momentarily, his forest-green eyes lingering on my face for a few seconds.
But the pause lasted less than three seconds.
"So it's you?" His voice was ice cold. "You're the one who stole my sperm?"
I jumped from my chair, blood rushing to my head. "Stole? I paid for a legitimate procedure! I'm not asking you for anything! This was an accident!"
"An accident?" He let out a cold laugh. "A priceless genetic sample used without permission, and now I'm supposed to deal with the consequences? You call that an accident?"
"Priceless?" I was fuming. "You think your sperm is made of gold or something? Let me tell you, Mr...?"
"Dylan Kane," he stated coldly.
I froze. Dylan Kane? THE CEO of Kane Technologies? The billionaire ranked in the top ten of Forbes' richest people?
"I see you recognize the name." Dylan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Then you should also understand I have the resources to make this mistake disappear completely."
"What are you saying?"
"Terminate the pregnancy immediately. I'll cover all expenses, including compensation for emotional distress." He pulled a check from his suit's inner pocket. "One million dollars. Enough for you to live very comfortably."
Looking at that check, my hands began to shake—not from excitement, but from rage.
"You think money solves everything?" I slammed the check to the floor. "This is MY child, MY body. You have no right to decide!"
Dylan's gaze instantly darkened. "Dr. Reed, I strongly suggest you reconsider. I won't allow anyone to use my genetics for their own agenda."
"Use?" I was nearly hysterical. "You think I knew it was your sperm? You think I want anything to do with you? Let me tell you, even if it came from the richest man alive, I wouldn't care!"
"Then why refuse to terminate now?"
"Because this is MY child!" My voice trembled as tears welled up. "I've waited twenty-nine years to finally have my own baby. What gives you the right to tell me to kill it?"
Director Johnson attempted to mediate: "Perhaps we should all sit down and discuss this rationally—"
"There's nothing to discuss," Dylan cut him off, fixing his cold stare on me. "Dr. Reed, if you insist on this course of action, I will use every legal means at my disposal to protect my interests."
"Legal means?" I wiped my tears and looked him straight in the eye. "Bring it on! I'd like to see you try!"
"Are you sure you want to go down this road with me?" Dylan stepped closer, his intimidating presence nearly suffocating. "I can ensure you won't be able to practice at any hospital in this city, or even this country."
"So what?" I gritted my teeth, emphasizing each word. "Dylan Kane, let me make this crystal clear: even if you were God himself, I'm having this baby. It's my right, and no one can take that away from me!"
The air in the office seemed to solidify as Dylan and I locked eyes, tension crackling between us.
Finally, he gave a cold smirk and adjusted his tie. "Fine, Dr. Reed. You've chosen to play hardball. Now I'll show you what real power looks like."
With that, he walked out of the office without looking back, leaving me standing there with shaking legs but a fire burning stronger than ever in my heart.