Los Angeles, Sebastian

I sat in the conference room, surrounded by stakeholders, as they discussed important matters related to our company. The meeting was crucial, filled with discussions about the future of our business. However, my mind occasionally wandered, betraying my inability to focus on the topic at hand. Instead, it drifted somewhere else-or rather, to someone else.

Mia had been a fleeting but unforgettable presence in my life. The memories of our passionate night together still lingered in my mind, a tantalizing reminder of a desire that had ignited like a wildfire. Even now, in the midst of this meeting, I couldn't help but think of her.

I glanced across the room, and there, sitting at her desk just outside the conference room, was my secretary. She wore an outfit that was eerily similar to the one Mia had worn that unforgettable night. The resemblance was uncanny, and it triggered a rush of memories that threatened to overwhelm me.

I couldn't understand how my secretary had chosen to wear such an outfit to the office. It was inappropriate and unprofessional, given our workplace standards. But in my distracted state, I found it difficult to focus on anything else, especially not the meeting.

As I continued to lose myself in my thoughts, I missed out on the details of the discussions taking place in the room. My mind was preoccupied with the memories of that night with Mia, the way our bodies had come together in a feverish embrace, the passion that had consumed us both.

Just when I thought the meeting couldn't get any more challenging to endure, someone entered the room, holding a confidential letter that required my immediate attention. The sudden interruption snapped me back to reality, and I blinked in confusion.

The person handed me the envelope, their expression grave. "Mr. Thornton, this just arrived, and it's marked as urgent. You need to see it right away," they said, their voice low and urgent.

Curiosity and a sense of unease washed over me as I accepted the envelope. With trembling hands, I tore it open and began to read the contents. My heart pounded in my chest as I took in the words on the page.

The letter demanded that I renounce any parental rights to Mia Anderson's unborn child.

I couldn't believe what I was reading. The shock of the demand left me speechless, my mind racing to make sense of it all. Mia's name on the letter sent a jolt of recognition through me, and I couldn't help but recall our passionate encounter.

As the implications of the letter sank in, I felt a rush of emotions. Confusion, anger, and a gnawing sense of guilt swirled within me. Why would Mia make such a request? And an unborn child? Was she pregnant with me? She said she was infertile!

The stakeholders in the room watched me closely, waiting for a response. But I was at a loss for words, unable to process the sudden turn of events. The meeting had taken an unexpected and bewildering twist, and I needed time to understand the gravity of the situation.

Finally, I managed to speak, my voice laced with uncertainty. "I need to cut this meeting short," I said, looking up at the concerned faces around me. "I have important business to attend." And with that I excused myself out of the conference room.

I called my driver and quickly instructed my personal assistant to handle everything back at the office. "Make sure everything is under control," I emphasized, watching her scribble down notes diligently. "Don't let my father know that I am not in the state. Hell, don't let anyone know."

She nodded in understanding. "Yes, sir."

Leaving my assistant to manage the situation, I swiftly exited the building and stepped into the waiting car. The urgency of the situation weighed on my mind, and I needed to address it promptly before any further complications arose.

As my driver navigated through the city's streets, I delved into the files once again, trying to come to terms with the unexpected turn my life had taken. The prospect of impending fatherhood wasn't something I had ever planned for, and the shock was still reverberating through my thoughts.

Upon arriving at my private airport, I wasted no time. I stepped out of the car and walked briskly toward my awaiting private jet. The sooner I could address this matter in New York, the better. I had no intention of allowing this situation to spiral out of control or become public knowledge.

I climbed aboard the jet and, with a firm tone, informed the pilot of my destination. "New York," I said decisively, and he acknowledged my instructions before heading to the cockpit. The plane's engines roared to life, and I settled into a seat, preparing myself mentally for the journey ahead.

As the private jet soared through the skies, I gazed out of the window at the breathtaking landscapes passing below. The serene beauty of nature was a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. This unexpected turn of events had left me in a state of disarray, and I was determined to confront the situation head-on.

When we finally touched down in New York, my driver was already waiting for me. I swiftly made my way to the car, giving clear instructions to drive to Mia's apartment. Earlier that morning, I had instructed my trusted detective to uncover Mia's address. And my detective was none other than Sophia, my sister-in-law, and Mia's client, who had taken on the task.

As we approached Mia's apartment building, my nerves began to flutter, but I concealed my anxiety behind a composed facade. Stepping out of the car, I took a deep breath to steady myself before approaching her door. I couldn't afford to let my emotions get the best of me; this was a crucial moment, and I needed to handle it with the utmost care.

I knocked on the door