## For three years, I was nothing more than the secret lover of Lucas Stone, the most powerful and stoic CEO in Silvergate City. And then, I got pregnant. Lucas made it clear from the start—he didn’t like kids. Worse, he was already planning to marry a socialite from one of the wealthiest families in the city, someone “suitable” for his status. But I wasn’t giving up my baby. So, I packed my things, emptied my savings, and disappeared into the night. Four years later, I was living a quiet life in a small town with my son, Leo. Life wasn’t easy, but we managed. Leo was smart, cheerful—and heartbreakingly handsome. Too handsome, in fact. One day, a photo of him went viral online. People couldn’t get enough of his piercing blue eyes and mischievous smile. Seeing an opportunity, I started a livestreaming channel featuring Leo. To my surprise, our little corner of the internet blew up, and I built a career out of it. But with popularity came scrutiny. It didn’t take long for people to figure out I was a single mom. To protect my privacy—and avoid awkward questions—I told everyone the same story: “I’m divorced. My husband passed away.” The narrative worked. My audience loved it. I became a symbol of independent motherhood, a beacon of strength for women everywhere. Life was good. Until one day, I noticed something strange. My top supporter on the platform—a user who consistently sent generous donations—had a profile picture and location eerily familiar to me. No. It couldn’t be. Lucas Stone? The man who wouldn’t know what a livestream was if it hit him in the face? No way. But before I could make sense of it, my doorbell rang. I opened it to find Lucas standing there, towering over me, his dark eyes burning with anger. He didn’t say a word—just pushed me against the wall, his voice low and dangerous. “Widowed?” he growled, his lips curling in a sneer. “Funny, because I don’t remember dying.” Before I could respond, he grabbed Leo’s shirt collar with one hand, lifting him up effortlessly. His gaze turned even darker as he looked at me, his voice dripping with fury. “And this?” he snarled, pointing at Leo. “Care to explain this?”
My Name is Lily Hart, and I Was the Secret Mistress of Silvergate’s Cold-Hearted CEO, Lucas Stone For the past three years, I’ve been Lucas Stone’s hidden lover. Our arrangement has always been simple: no strings, no complications, just business. Until today. Clutching my pregnancy report, I felt both nervous and excited as I walked into his company. Lucas was still in a meeting, so his secretary asked me to wait in his office. That’s when I noticed it—a wedding catalog sitting casually by his computer. Lucas Stone, looking at wedding dresses? For a brief moment, my heart soared. Could it be because of something I’d said? I had once mentioned wanting to take some bridal-style photos, just for fun. Maybe he remembered. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as insignificant to him as I thought. But my fragile hope shattered in the next instant. Through the glass wall, I saw Lucas walking down the hallway. He wasn’t alone. A tall, elegant woman clung to his arm, laughing softly as they walked together. I recognized her immediately. She was the woman I’d seen in his private photo album—the one he once called his “white moonlight.” His first love. I lowered my head and let out a bitter laugh. Of course. Why would Lucas Stone ever care about me? His long-lost love had returned. He was looking at wedding dresses because they were getting engaged. I was nothing more than a convenient distraction—a woman he could discard when the real thing came back. I grew up in a broken home. My mom passed away when I was little, and my dad remarried, starting a new family without me. I was left to live with my grandfather in a rural town. When he suffered a stroke and became bedridden, I was the one who covered his medical bills. By the time I got to college, I was juggling classes and part-time jobs just to pay for tuition and keep my grandfather’s treatments going. Then, during my junior year, I heard that working as a waitress at a nightclub paid four times more than my café job. Desperate, I applied. That’s where I met Lucas Stone. He was drunk that night, drowning in heartbreak from a failed relationship. I was unlucky enough to be assigned to his private room. Before I knew it, he’d pulled me into his suite. The next morning, I could barely stand. My legs were so weak that my manager noticed I hadn’t finished my assigned work and fired me on the spot. I couldn’t explain what had happened. I didn’t dare. All I could do was demand that Lucas compensate me for the job I’d lost. To my surprise, he didn’t just agree—he offered me something else. “A high-paying job,” he said casually. “Take care of me, and you’ll make more than enough.” It was degrading, but I couldn’t say no. I’d already given him my first night. What was the point of holding onto my pride now? And Lucas Stone wasn’t exactly a bad deal. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with abs that looked like they belonged in a movie. His tanned skin and sharp jawline made him look like he’d stepped off the cover of a luxury magazine. Sleeping with him wasn’t exactly a sacrifice. After two seconds of hesitation, I agreed. We signed an agreement: $30,000 a month, on the condition that I would be on call whenever he needed me. When we finalized the deal, he looked me in the eye and said, “Don’t fall for me. I won’t take responsibility.” He didn’t believe in love. And I pretended I didn’t either. For three years, I played my part perfectly. I never asked for more than what we agreed upon. But now his first love was back. He was getting married. Our arrangement was coming to an end. And to make things worse, I was pregnant. This baby couldn’t have come at a worse time. I slipped the ultrasound report back into my bag, my heart sinking. Just then, the office door opened. Lucas walked in, his tailored suit sharp and immaculate, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. He sat down at his desk, glancing at me briefly. “What do you need?” I hesitated. For a moment, I wanted to tell him about the pregnancy. But what was the point? He was about to get engaged. The moment our arrangement ended, he’d never think of me or this baby again. And I couldn’t let that happen. This child was all I had, my only family in the world. I couldn’t lose them. So instead, I walked over to him with a smile and poured him a glass of water. “I saw a jewelry set I liked,” I said casually, making up an excuse. Lucas leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes studying me. “What kind of jewelry? Didn’t I just buy you some last month?” “There’s a new jade and diamond necklace from Orlvis. It’s not too expensive—just a little over $20,000. I thought it might look nice on me.” He chuckled softly, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “I’ll have my secretary take you to buy it later.” Feigning excitement, I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Lucas.” For a moment, his usually cold features softened. He reached out to brush his thumb across my cheek, his voice dropping an octave. “That’s all you have for me?” he murmured, his dark eyes flicking to my lips. A good mistress always knows how to read her benefactor. I immediately understood what he wanted. Smiling shyly, I climbed onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. Tilting my head, I leaned in to kiss him, my heart pounding. Even sitting still, Lucas had an overwhelming presence. His lips were cool at first, but the kiss quickly deepened. Before I knew it, he had taken control, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist. His breath was hot against my skin, the scent of cedarwood filling the space between us. He lifted me effortlessly, carrying me into the private lounge attached to his office. But just as he pressed me down onto the couch, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen. Panic jolted through me, and I instinctively pushed him away. Lucas frowned, his frustration evident. “What’s wrong?” “I… I got my period,” I stammered, clutching my stomach protectively. “Isn’t it supposed to be next week?” Lucas’s sharp gaze locked onto me, his brows slightly furrowed as though he already knew I was lying. My heart raced, but I forced myself to stay calm and put on a strong front. “I’ve been staying up late a lot recently. My hormones are all over the place. Is that a problem?” He leaned back slightly, his weight lifting off me as a rare note of irritation crept into his voice. “And yet you still thought it was a good idea to come and tease me?” Lucas sat up, straightened his tie, and adjusted his suit, which had been rumpled during our earlier… struggle. Taking the chance, I quickly got up as well, smoothing down my clothes. But I couldn’t let go of my lingering frustration, so I asked, “Lucas, do you even like kids?” “No,” he answered bluntly, without hesitation. Of course. The icy finality in his tone hit me harder than I expected, and I felt my heart sink. Then, as if sensing something, he turned to look at me. “Why are you suddenly asking?” I forced a laugh, keeping my tone light and casual. “Oh, no reason. I just saw a little boy down in the apartment lobby earlier. He was lost, and he was so cute.” Lucas narrowed his eyes, studying me. “You want a kid?” “What? No way,” I replied quickly, waving my hand dismissively. “I just thought he was adorable. Honestly, if it were me, I don’t think I’d ever want to go through the trouble of having one.” “Good,” Lucas said curtly, his tone as cold as ever. He stood, adjusted his cufflinks, and opened the door to the lounge without sparing me another glance. I followed him out, my steps quick to match his. As I left his office building, my resolve solidified. I had to leave. I checked my bank account balance: $50,000. It wasn’t enough. Not even close. My grandfather was still in the hospital, and I was responsible for his medical bills. Even if I left Silvergate for a while, I had to make sure he was taken care of. That $50,000 would have to go to him. And then there was the baby. I’d need at least a year to give birth and raise my child before I could return to see my grandfather. But right now, I didn’t have enough money to cover both my pregnancy and his medical expenses. I needed more. I didn’t have much time left. Sooner or later, my pregnancy would start showing, and Lucas would notice. After a lot of thought, I decided to sell every piece of jewelry, every designer bag, and every luxury gift Lucas had ever given me. It was the only way. At the pawnshop, I watched as the store owner carefully inspected each item. Finally, he came back with a total: $50,000. I stared at him, stunned. “That’s it? These are designer pieces—some of them are limited edition! Lucas spent hundreds of thousands on these!” The man sighed and explained patiently, “Luxury items lose value the moment they’re secondhand. They’re not like gold. This is the best I can offer.” Disappointed, I handed over my bank details and waited for the money to transfer. As I turned to leave, a voice stopped me in my tracks. “Well, well, Lily. Is money so tight these days?” I froze, recognizing the voice immediately. Turning around, I found myself face-to-face with a sophisticated middle-aged woman dressed in elegant designer clothing. Her presence radiated authority and wealth. It was Lucas’s mother, Helen Stone. Panic gripped me. “No, Mrs. Stone,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. Her sharp gaze and air of superiority made it impossible to meet her eyes. I instinctively took a step back, wanting to escape. “Wait,” she said coldly. “I have something to discuss with you.” We ended up in a nearby café. Helen sat across from me, her expression calm yet undeniably condescending. Without a word, she slid a check across the table. “One million dollars,” she said, her tone dripping with disdain. “Leave Lucas. He’s getting engaged soon, and I don’t need you interfering.” For a moment, I was stunned. Then, joy surged through me. One million dollars. With the money I’d just made from selling my things, I’d now have $1.05 million—more than enough to take care of my baby and my grandfather for years. I picked up the check eagerly, unable to hide the excitement in my eyes. Helen raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by how quickly I accepted. Her look of disdain deepened. “That’s all it takes? A million dollars? I thought you’d try to ask for more.” I didn’t care what she thought of me. All that mattered was the check in my hand. With this money, I could finally leave Lucas behind. “Thank you, Mrs. Stone,” I said sincerely. “I promise I’ll honor our agreement. I won’t have anything to do with your son again.” But before I could even finish my sentence, a familiar voice cut through the air like ice. “Won’t have anything to do with me?” I froze. Slowly, I turned my head, and there he was—Lucas Stone. He stood just a few feet away, his piercing gaze locked onto me. His face was as breathtaking as ever, but his expression was cold and unreadable. I felt my blood run cold. “What deal are we discussing here?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous. His eyes flicked to the check in my hand, the corners of his mouth tightening. I lowered my head quickly, avoiding his gaze. My hands trembled as I tried to hide the check, but it was too late. Lucas’s lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes darkened as he stepped closer, the tension in the air thick enough to cut. I didn’t dare say a word.
Helen’s voice was smug as she said, “See, Lucas? This woman is nothing but a gold digger. A million dollars, and she’d walk away without a second thought. All she cares about is our family’s money.” Lucas let out a sharp, icy laugh, grabbing my wrist with force and dragging me toward his car. Once inside, his cold, piercing gaze pinned me in place. “The check,” he demanded. I swallowed hard, my hands trembling as I carefully handed it over. He snatched it, and without hesitation, tore it into tiny pieces. My heart sank as I watched the check disintegrate, every shred of paper a painful reminder of the money I so desperately needed. But I didn’t dare protest. His eyes bore into mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. “Heartbroken, Lily? Is that it? You think I’m only worth a million dollars to you?” My breath hitched. I had no idea who he was putting on this show of wounded pride for. Was this the same man who, three years ago, made it explicitly clear that we were to keep things strictly transactional? The same man who told me never to fall for him? Now he was the one acting betrayed? And let’s not forget—he’s the one who’s getting engaged. I didn’t answer his question. A million dollars might be nothing to him, but for someone like me, it was everything. Despite the frustration bubbling up inside me, I knew I couldn’t afford to antagonize him. Not yet. Not when I still needed his money. So, I lowered my tone, my voice soft and trembling. “You’re getting engaged, aren’t you?” Tears welled up in my eyes, making me look fragile and heartbroken. For a moment, Lucas’s cold demeanor faltered. His gaze softened, guilt flickering across his face. After a long pause, he finally muttered, “Maybe.” Maybe? What a joke. He was clearly getting engaged, yet he had the audacity to look at me like this—as if he were some tragic hero torn between duty and desire. Still, I played my part. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks as I whispered, “We’ve been together for three years. I never thought I’d feel this much for you, but… I respect your decision. I just hope you’ll be happy.” Now it was my turn to take the moral high ground. Lucas’s guilt deepened, and his grip on my hand tightened. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. I knew I had him. He sighed, his voice low and heavy with remorse. “I know it was my mother who forced you to leave. I’ll transfer the million dollars to your account myself. If anyone should compensate you, it should be me.” Bingo. Relief flooded through me. The million dollars was still within reach, and I could finally breathe again. For a while, neither of us spoke. Then, Lucas lifted his head, his expression conflicted, his voice hesitant. “We… we’ll end things next month.” Next month? Seriously? What, is he scheduling a breakup like it’s a business meeting? I was furious, but now wasn’t the time to show it. The money hadn’t hit my account yet, and I couldn’t risk blowing everything now. So, instead, I leaned into his chest, pretending to be the perfect, heartbroken girlfriend. “Although it hurts,” I said softly, “I’ll do what you say. I’ll listen to you.” Lucas seemed even more guilt-ridden at my response. He cupped my face gently, his voice warm and tender. “I’m sorry, Lily. I really am.”
For the Next Few Days I had to pretend as if nothing had happened, going about my days catering to Lucas’s every need like usual. Today was his birthday. Lucas is picky—a man with a taste for exclusivity. He only eats custom cakes from Crown Heights Bakery, a private, high-end patisserie. A while back, I wanted to surprise him. So, I enrolled in a private baking class with one of their top pastry chefs, just so I could make him a cake myself. This morning, I went to the bakery bright and early, determined to make him a cake he’d remember. But fate had other plans. As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, I ran into her. Chloe Young. Lucas’s ture love. I froze, instinctively wanting to avoid her. But to my surprise, she recognized me immediately. “Lily, isn’t it?” There was no point in hiding now. She was a born-and-bred socialite, with access to every whisper and secret in the city. Of course, she’d know who I was. “I didn’t expect Miss Young to know me,” I replied casually, keeping my tone polite. I grabbed the baking tools and ingredients, pretending to be completely unfazed by her presence. “Are you making a cake for Lucas?” Her tone was clipped, as though offended by my indifference. “Hm,” I hummed nonchalantly, keeping my focus on the task at hand. “Well,” she scoffed, “I’ve already ordered his birthday cake. There’s no need for you to bother. It’ll just go to waste—no one’s going to eat what you make anyway.” Her words stung, but I wasn’t about to let her see it. I shot her a sharp glance and replied with a sweet, mocking smile, “Oh, don’t worry. Lucas can have your cake during the day, and mine at night. After all, he spends every night at my place. I’d say our relationship is far more… intimate than yours.” Her face flushed with anger, her composure slipping. “How vulgar!” “Why don’t you ask him yourself?” I shrugged, turning back to my work. Seething, Chloe stormed out of the kitchen, her heels clicking furiously against the tiled floor. For the past three years, I’ve been the one celebrating Lucas’s birthdays with him. But now that Chloe’s back in the picture, I guess I’m no longer needed. That’s fine. If he doesn’t want the cake, I’ll eat it myself. I’ve been craving cake anyway. Making the cake wasn’t easy. My frosting skills were terrible, and it took me over ten tries to get it right. But I enjoyed the process. The chef was patient, walking me through each mistake until I finally produced something presentable. By the time I finished and brought the cake home, it was already afternoon. Exhausted from the morning’s effort—and from my pregnancy—I collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep almost instantly. When I woke up, the sky outside was already dark. A strange sense of loneliness crept over me as I lay there in the empty house. The silence was suffocating, and a wave of sadness washed over me. Lucas hadn’t come home. Of course, he hadn’t. Chloe was the one who mattered to him. He was probably with her now, blowing out candles and celebrating his birthday. I closed my eyes, trying to force myself back to sleep. But then, the mattress shifted beside me. The faint scent of cedarwood filled the air, familiar and comforting. I opened my eyes to find Lucas sitting next to me, his dark eyes warm with amusement. His voice was soft, almost teasing. “Awake now? Were you not planning to celebrate my birthday with me?” I stared up at him, my emotions suddenly overwhelming me. Tears welled up as I felt a lump in my throat. “You’re back so late,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. Lucas raised an eyebrow. “I left work at four-thirty and came straight home. I’ve been waiting for you—for hours.” I blinked, confused. “I thought… I thought you wouldn’t come back.” “Why wouldn’t I?” he asked, his tone light. “Didn’t you say you had a surprise for me? Don’t tell me you forgot.” I quickly wiped my tears and sat up. “Oh! I didn’t forget!” Hurrying to the kitchen, I retrieved the cake from the fridge and carried it out to him. “Ta-da!” I said, presenting it with a big grin. “This is your surprise! I made it myself. Is it a good one?” Lucas smiled, a rare, genuine expression. “You put a lot of effort into this,” he said, his voice soft. “Of course I did! So… what’s my reward?” I teased, batting my eyelashes. He chuckled and pulled me close, his voice low and indulgent. “I’ll have my secretary transfer a million dollars to your account—and throw in the deed to this house.” I froze for a moment, stunned by the unexpected generosity. My heart raced, but I quickly composed myself, putting on a show of reluctance. “Lucas, I don’t care about money or property.” He cupped my face gently, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “But I care. I want to make sure you’re taken care of.” We ate the cake together on the couch, watching a show. Lucas usually only eats a single slice, but tonight he had several. I rested my head on his lap, gazing up at his sharp jawline. He wasn’t a good man—not by any stretch. But God, he was beautiful. I placed a hand on my stomach, thinking about the baby. If they inherited even half of Lucas’s looks, they’d grow up to be stunning. Then a thought occurred to me. Lucas had said he came straight home after work. Did that mean he hadn’t celebrated with Chloe? Was it possible that, deep down, I still meant something to him? Unable to stop myself, I called his name softly. He didn’t look away from the screen, but his voice was warm. “Yeah?” “If I… if I were pregnant, would you want the baby?” That got his attention. His head snapped down, and his hand instinctively rested on my stomach. His gaze was serious, searching. “Are you pregnant?” he asked, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. I hesitated, my heart pounding. “No… I mean, what if I were?” Lucas thought for a moment, his hand still on my stomach. “I don’t like kids. Never have. But if there was a baby…” I held my breath, waiting for him to finish. But before he could, his phone rang. The ringtone was familiar, and so was the name on the screen. Chloe. Lucas hesitated, then answered the call. I couldn’t make out her words, but her voice was soft and sweet. Lucas’s tone, however, remained neutral, and the call ended quickly. When he hung up, he turned to me. “I have to go back to the estate. Don’t wait up—get some rest.” I nodded quietly, watching him leave. The door clicked shut, and the emptiness of the house returned. I knew where he was going. Back to Chloe.
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