Pregnant By The Playboy

-Prologue-

I sat in the quaint coffee shop, surrounded by the gentle hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. My eyes wandered out the window, lost in thought as I stared at the rain-soaked streets of Luxembourg.

It's been three years since I left. Three years since I walked away from the only man I've ever loved. The memory of Ilay's piercing gaze still lingered in my mind, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be.

Mr. Stone's threats had been clear: leave Ilay, and I'd get the fifty million dollars as promised. Refuse, and I'd lose everything – including the right to see our triplets grow up. The thought of being separated from them, of never being able to watch them take their first steps, had been too much to bear.

I'd made the difficult decision to leave, to disappear from Ilay's life without a trace. I changed my number, left the university, and started anew in Luxembourg. The pain of leaving had been overwhelming, but I'd pushed through, determined to build a new life for myself.

Mr Stone kept his side of the promise, sending me pictures of the triplets every year on their birthday. I'd been expecting him to send me Ilay's and Bianca's wedding card. He never did. 

Anyways, why would he? It's not like I'd be at the wedding. 

Now, as a renowned surgeon and medical doctor, I had everything I thought I wanted. Success, recognition, financial security – but despite it all, I felt empty. A void deep within me that I couldn't seem to fill.

As I sat there, nursing my coffee, my mind began to wander back to Ilay. Was he happy? Had he married Bianca, as his father had always wanted? Did they have children of their own? The thought of it twisted a knife in my heart, but I knew I'd made the right decision. I could never have fit into Ilay's world, no matter how hard I tried.

I recall the note I'd left him under the pillow. I'd poured my heart into every word. 

"Hey, Ilay 

Well, I'm writing this because...I feel like leaving without a word wold be rude, right? I know I'd promised to stay, but after thinking it through, I realized I couldn't have you, no matter how badly I wanted you. 

These past two years were the happiest moments of my life. Although you were a real jerk at first. I still wonder what changed you to this day. Why you started worrying about me, caring for me, and loving me. But I guess love happens in mysterious ways. 

I wonder if you'd be hurt if I leave. Would you hate me, search for me, have sleepless nights? I don't want you to do any of that. I want you to be happy even after I leave. I had my reasons, even though I can't explain them to you. 

Leaving like this is the most painful decision I've had to make. I don't want you to impale your father for it. After all, I signed the contract myself. 

Just pretend like we never happened. Marry Bianca, focus on becoming successful. Just promise me you'd take care of my babies. Don't ever let Bianca hurt them. She tried it once, and I know she'd do again. 

Protect the kids. I know your father wouldn't let any harm come to them. That's all I ask of you. I'll always love you, no matter how far away I am from you. 

Yours sincerely, River"

In the last three years, I'd fought the urge to contact Ilay, to hear his voice, to see his smile. I'd even resisted the temptation to reach out to Meaghan, my best friend, who'd been a constant source of comfort and support. I knew that if I let my guard down, even for a moment, I'd risk being pulled back into the past. And I couldn't afford that.

My hand instinctively went to my belly, tracing the scar that remained as a reminder of my triplets. It was a constant reminder of what I'd left behind, of the life I'd never get to experience. I felt a pang of sadness, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the present.

I finished my coffee, gathered my belongings, and stepped out of the coffee shop into the chilly Luxembourg air. As I walked, I felt a sense of unease settle over me.

Just as I reached the corner of the street, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, to see a call from a colleague, Myles. 

Myles had been on my neck since the first day I started working at the hospital. He wants me to accept him, become his girlfriend. He has no idea Ilay is etched into my heart. 

I'd give anything to see him and our kids again. Hear the kids call me "mama" one more time. 

I answer the phone with a sigh. "Hey Myles," I say, as I unlock the door to my apartment. "We don't have any surgeries scheduled for today. Why are you calling?" I ask. 

"Well, I was wondering if you'd want to go to dinner with me. Since we're both free today." he said. 

I stayed silent, not knowing how to respond. "Got other plans?" he asks. "No." I say. Perhaps I'd just have dinner with him this once. Maybe then, he'd leave me alone. "Alright, I'll come with you. 7:30pm is okay with you? Can you come pick me up?" I ask. 

"Of course!" he replies, unable to hide his excitement. "But I don't know where you live."

I roll my eyes. "Oh please. Don't act like you haven't been stalking me."

He chuckles. "Okay. See you at 7:30." he says, before hanging up. 

Seconds later, my phone buzzes again. I think perhaps it's a text from another colleague or a patient. But instead, the screen displayed a text from an unknown number: "I've found you."