billion book
7
New York, Sebastian
When I saw Mia, something in me melted. It was a sensation I had never experienced before, a warmth that permeated through my usual cold and grumpy demeanor. Normally, I was disinterested in people, especially women, but Mia was different. Mia gave me a giddy feeling that I couldn’t quite explain.
I had met Mia under unusual circumstances, a chance encounter that had thrown both of our lives into a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty. But there was something about her that drew me in, something that made me want to be a part of her life, even though I had never envisioned becoming a father at this age.
As I sighed and entered my apartment in the heart of New York City, I couldn’t shake the thought of Mia from my mind. The stress in her eyes had been evident when we had met, and I knew there was more to her than what met the eye. She was a mystery, a puzzle I wanted to unravel.
I made myself a vodka tonic and sat at the bar, my head resting in my hand as I contemplated the situation. Becoming a father was not something I had ever planned for, and it was certainly not something I had anticipated at this stage in my life. But I couldn’t bear the thought of Mia going through it alone. I didn’t want to be like my own father, absent and indifferent.
I took a sip of the drink, the cool liquid doing little to calm my racing thoughts. I needed to see Mia again, to get to know her better, to understand the woman who would be the mother of my unborn child. It was a responsibility I couldn’t ignore, a connection that had been forged, whether I liked it or not.
I sighed, my thoughts drifting to Mia once again. I couldn’t help but wonder if she had already told Sophia about the impending arrival of our child. It seemed unlikely because if she had, Sophia would have undoubtedly shared the news with my brother, and he would have informed me immediately.
The uncertainty of the situation weighed on me as I finished my drink and glanced at my phone. Without hesitation, I dialed the number of my trusted personal assistant, Claudio. He picked up after the first ring, his voice crisp and efficient.
“Hi Claudio,” I greeted him. “I need you to find a nice house with a beautiful garden and enough living room space in both New York and Los Angeles.”
Claudio, accustomed to handling my requests without question, responded promptly. “Of course, Mr. Thornton. Are there any specific criteria or preferences you have in mind for these properties?”
I leaned back in my chair, contemplating Mia’s situation. “Well, in New York, it should be within a reasonable commute to Mia’s workplace,” I explained. “And in Los Angeles, it should offer a serene environment suitable for raising a family.”
I could almost hear Claudio typing away on the other end of the line as he took note of my instructions. “Understood, Mr. Thornton. I’ll begin the search right away and provide you with a list of options to review.”
“Thank you, Claudio,” I replied, my tone grateful. “I appreciate your prompt assistance.”
With that, I hung up and set my phone aside, gazing out of the window at the cityscape beyond. The house I currently owned in Los Angeles was undeniably elegant, but it lacked the practicality and warmth needed to raise a family. Given Mia’s job in New York, it made sense to have a residence there as well.
I knew that Mia had a strong attachment to New York, and the idea of moving might not sit well with her. This was her state, her workplace, and I understood the significance it held in her life. However, I was willing to do whatever it took to ensure the mother of my child was happy and comfortable.
I was about to head out to get some food when my phone started ringing incessantly. Confused, I rushed to grab it from the countertop and swiped up to see what all the fuss was about. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the notifications and messages flooding my screen.
My eyes widened, and I let out a string of curse words under my breath. The situation had just taken a turn for the worse. I never expected things to escalate to this level. With trembling fingers, I tapped on one of the messages that contained a link. It led me to a headline that sent shockwaves through my entire being.
In big, bold letters, the headline of Billionaire’s Gossip Magazine screamed at me: “ONE NIGHT STAND GONE WRONG: MIA ANDERSON CARRIES THE NEXT HEIR OF THE THORNTON FAMILY?”