Chapter two

After a minute, I wiped my eyes and opened the door very slowly. I was terrified of what this pregnancy meant for my future but showing fear right now will only give the other woman the upper hand. I was a survivor. Surviving in the streets, often not knowing where the next meal was coming from taught me how to deal with people like her. I handed over the pregnancy test and waited. I had no idea what this woman would do, but in the past, I've always been able to make lemonades out of lemons.

I met her gaze decidedly, determined to hide my fears. If there was one thing I knew, I could not let my guard down with this woman, not for a second.

A slow wicked smile curved around her lips. "Well, isn't that a surprise!" she let out a laugh and glanced back at my weathered suitcase now sitting on the bed. "No need for you to unpack, my dear. After this, you'll be on the next plane back to wherever you came from."

And with that, she left the room, slamming the door behind her. I let myself crumble, all alone in this room bigger than my family's entire house back when I was very young. I couldn't fall apart right now. My family depended on me. I thought of Jose. Tears start rolling down my face as I recall the painful look on his face when we said good-bye through a wall of tempered glass. Yes, signing up with the agency had been his idea but we had struggling to survive ever since he'd been incarcerated. Being a political prisoner in my country means he has no rights whatsoever. There was no hope for us now. Jose is a good man; he truly wanted the best for me. He had nothing to gain from my decision to sign up with the agency and everything to lose. There was no other choice for us, this decision was the best for me and my family. It was a sacrifice Jose was willing to make, knowing that this would forever break us apart.

Jose, my love, how I wish I could tell you what's happening...and the pregnancy test. Oh, God, no! I sighed, remembering my predicament. How could this happen? Never in a million years did I think I could possibly get pregnant. We've been careful; Jose pulled out every single time we had sex.

Christian POV

"She's pregnant," Elena triumphantly announced with a glowing smile. She has been against this from the start. "Well, you're certainly not thinking of marrying her now, are you?" She said.

I barely look up from the papers on my desk to give her a cursory glance, knowing full well this is not the answer she was hoping for.

I ignore her ranting and focus on what was important here. "Dr. Smith says my father has only a few days left, the next 72 hours are critical," I told her. I shake my head in disbelief. For the longest time, I refused to believe my father was dying, even after he was transferred to hospice care. "It's too late to find someone else now," I tell her. My father's dying wish is to see me married and with children. And I'm so close now to fulfilling that wish. I picture the smile on my father's face when I finally tell him that a grandchild is on the way; even if the grandchild in question is not technically his own flesh and blood. In reality, even if the child was mine, he or she would NOT be Carrick's blood relation since I was adopted.

"Christian!" Elena says, appalled. "You really can't be serious!"

I peered at her resolutely. "Is she ready? We need to sign the final papers."

"Christian, please! This is your chance to back out of this. If you're worried about the girl, the agency will make sure she still gets the money."

"Elena! Don't you get it? I'm not changing my mind no matter what you say...now scram. Have her wear something nice. The photographer is already here waiting in the sitting room. Make sure she looks like a happy bride."

Ana POV

Almost an hour later, I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, wearing a delicate white dress Elena had set out on the bed for me. The dress is a simple satin fabric, but it's certainly the most gorgeous thing I've ever worn. I gazed at my reflection and shake my head. I'm still in shock that Christian Grey still wanted to go ahead with the marriage contract.

When I finally come downstairs escorted by Elena, my eyes naturally seek his even though there are other people in the great room. There are other men whom I assume work for him and there is also a photographer, a young woman. Handing me a bouquet of roses, she went on to take several snapshots of me. I smile dutifully at her request. When she's done photographing me, she takes the bouquet and guides me over to the center of the room.

The entire time, I was acutely aware of Christian Grey staring at me with those gorgeous eyes of his. The photographer snapped more pictures, this time of both of us together.

Once the photography session is over, Christian put his hand on the small of my back, leading me to shake hands with a man sitting behind a grand mahogany desk.

"Ms. Anastasia, I'm Henry Steinberg, attorney at law. I need to go over the papers you will be signing today," He paused as Christian motions for me to take a seat beside him facing the desk. "This here is a prenuptial agreement stating that in case of a divorce, you will forfeit any claims to your husband's earnings and estate." He paused again to motion to the translator who started immediately translated everything into Spanish. "Are you ready to proceed forward?" He asked me after the translator was done translating.

Somehow I manage to nod in agreement; everything is happening so fast.

Even with the translation, I had trouble understanding. Noticing this, the translator, a man in his sixties, basically told me that by signing the papers I was giving up all rights as a wife to any of my husband's money.

I looked over at Christian who just winked at me in a way that made my stomach flip.

"You need to sign here and here, Mr. Steinberg handed me a gold fountain pen, pointing to several spots with a sticky note with a red arrow.

Oh, God. I take a deep breath to settle my nerves. I'm filled with contradictory thoughts. I'm in love with Jose, I remind myself. It's sinful to even think of another man in that way. But then, for the briefest moment as my gaze settled on Christian, I fantasized what it would be like to have sex with this gorgeous man, and I find the thought anything but revolting.

I dropped my gaze to sign the papers. At least I can feel good I'm not deceiving anybody. This man knows I'm having someone else's child and yet he's still marrying me. I signed my name. Just Anastasia with no last name. My hand shook a little while moving the pen across the paper. God, this felt surreal like I was suddenly living someone else's life.

"Congratulations, you're now married."

Christian and I lock eyes. For a moment, it's as if there is no one in the room but the two of us. Rising to his feet, he took both my hands and pulled me to stand. Then, with a boyish grin, he leaned over and kissed me softly on the lips. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I was aware of the photographer snapping a series of photographs. For a moment, I felt like I was floating. The kiss was brief and gentle, and more enjoyable than I'd ever anticipated.

We shook hands with Mr. Steinberg and the other people there, even Elena. She was wearing a permanent phony smile.

"You must be hungry after such a long trip," Christian murmured, very relaxed and welcoming, leading the way to the adjacent room. There was a buffet being served with half a dozen servants on standby, watching us. Without waiting for my response, he guides me over to the buffet to look at the food selection in silver platters.

My stomach grumbled and I turn away, embarrassed, thinking everybody in the room has heard. Christian smiled at me kindly, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. It's weird, but being this close to this man feels strangely comforting given that we've just met. Once again, I wonder what life will be like with this Adonis of a man.