The Billionaire And His One Night Stand

New York, Sebastian

The drive to Mia’s apartment was awfully quiet, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air. I glanced at her, sitting in the passenger seat, staring out the window with a distant look in her eyes. She didn’t even acknowledge me, her silence speaking volumes.

I had a gnawing feeling that something was wrong, something deeper than a mere headache. I couldn’t bear the growing distance between us, the unspoken tension that had crept into our evening.

“Mia, please talk to me, baby?” I implored, my voice tinged with concern. I reached out to touch her, to hold her hand, but she pulled away, her gaze fixed outside the window.

“Did something happen?” I probed gently, searching her face for any hint of what might be bothering her.

Mia simply shrugged her shoulders, her lips sealed tightly. “You tell me,” she finally grumbled, her voice laced with frustration.

My heart sank as I realized that something had indeed gone wrong during the barbecue. Mia’s silence and withdrawn demeanor were signs that I couldn’t ignore. I knew her well enough to understand that something was eating at her, and it was tearing me apart not to know what it was.

“What is it, baby?” I asked once more, my voice filled with a mixture of concern and frustration. I wanted her to talk to me. I couldn’t stand the thought of her being upset or angry, especially when I didn’t know the cause.

Mia remained quiet, her eyes still fixed outside. It was as though a wall had risen between us, and I didn’t know how to tear it down.

“Was it the food?” I questioned, grasping at any possible explanation. “Did my mom say something to you?”

Mia’s response was tired and resigned, “Let it be.”

I wanted to roll my eyes in exasperation, but I knew that would only make matters worse. Taking a deep breath, I tried a different approach, desperate to break through the barriers that had sprung up between us.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Come on, baby, communicate with me,” I pleaded. “We’re in this together. I need to know what’s going on with you.”

The silence in the car was stifling as I pulled up in front of Mia’s apartment building. She seemed ready to jump out and escape the heavy atmosphere that had settled between us, but I locked the car doors. I couldn’t let her go, not when something was clearly tormenting her.

“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on,” I stated firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument. I had to get through to her, to find a way to make her open up.

Mia finally turned to look at me, and I saw tears glistening in her eyes. Her vulnerability was stark, and it broke my heart to see her in such a state. “What is it, baby?” I asked once more, this time with a gentler and more soothing tone.

She bit her lower lip, struggling to find the words. “Sebastian,” she began, her voice wavering, “I overheard something at Sophia’s house. Your mother… she said things about us.”

I felt a knot tighten in my chest as I realized that Mia had overheard my mother having a conversation I had hoped she wouldn’t hear. My mother’s words had been meant to be a secret plan, a scheme that Mia wasn’t supposed to know about.

I reached out to gently wipe away a tear that had escaped down Mia’s cheek. “I’m so sorry you had to hear that,” I whispered, guilt weighing heavily on me.

Mia’s voice trembled as she continued, “She said that our marriage… that it was only because I’m pregnant. And that after the baby is born, you would file for a divorce and… and marry someone else.”

My heart ached at Mia’s words, and I couldn’t deny the truth in them. My mother had indeed expressed such intentions, an agenda that was not meant for Mia’s ears. I had never wanted Mia to feel like our marriage was anything less than genuine, and now that trust had been shattered.

“I can’t believe she said that,” Mia whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

“I can’t either,” I replied, my own voice heavy with regret. “I wanted to protect you from this, Mia. I didn’t want you to think our marriage was just a plan.”

Mia took a shaky breath, and she finally looked into my eyes. “Sebastian, do you… do you have any intention of divorcing me after the baby is born?”

I held Mia’s gaze, my hand still cupping her cheek. “No, Mia,” I said with conviction. “I love you. I want to be with you. I don’t care what my mother says. Our marriage is real, and our child is a blessing.”

Mia’s eyes bore into mine, her voice shaking as she asked, “Did you know she said that? Did she tell you?”

I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “Yes,” I admitted, and I watched as tears welled up in Mia’s eyes. Her emotions were raw, and I knew that I had let her down by keeping my mother’s intentions a secret.

“And you didn’t tell me, what the hell, Sebastian?!” Mia exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of anger and hurt.

I reached for her hand, holding it tightly. “I didn’t want you to worry and stress about it,” I explained. “Baby, you just got released from the hospital. I want to keep you and the baby safe. I also have no intention of making my mom’s wishes come true. You are my wife, and I’m committed to you till death do us part.”

Mia sniffed, the tears continuing to fall down her face. “Your mom acts all nice and sweet to me, but really, she doesn’t mean it.”

I stroked Mia’s hair gently, wanting to provide her with comfort and reassurance. “I’m sorry, my love. I’m so sorry you have to go through all of this. Just know it will get better, and we’ll face it together.”

Mia sighed, her shoulders relaxing a bit. I leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her cheek, my lips warm against her skin. “I’ll have to go back to Los Angeles now,” I told her, my voice soft. “But I’ll see you in a week, alright? During the gender reveal?”

Mia nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. “Are you going to be at the ultrasound appointment too?” she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

I nodded firmly. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I reassured her, my commitment unwavering.

A small, watery smile tugged at the corners of Mia’s lips as she wiped away her tears. “Alright,” she replied, her voice filled with warmth. “I love you.”

“I love you, baby,” I whispered, holding her close, knowing that our love would see us through whatever challenges lay ahead. Our journey was filled with its share of ups and downs, but I was determined to stand by Mia’s side, no matter what.