It was strange being inside that enormous house, with that imposing man and his intense honey-colored eyes on me, as he continued talking about the craziest offer anyone could ever make.

"Are you telling me you won't do anything to me that I don't want?" I asked, needing to be sure he had no other intentions.

"I would never touch you without your consent," he replied, his voice as low as mine. "All I want is for us to be friends and for you to carry the future of the Donavans. Is that what you want too?"

I had no idea how to answer that, but my eyes drifted down his flawless face, tracing the thin beard that framed his full lips, which seemed to always wear a slight smile.

William was a mix of power, money, and beauty-men like that were dangerous. But I didn't know why he gave me a sense of trust. Maybe it was because he'd stopped me from falling off the building, or simply because he'd quickly gotten me off the streets. The fact was, I didn't usually trust anyone-my instincts were sharp-but something inside me was pushing me toward him.

His body moved closer to mine, and his fingers rose to my face, tracing the contour of my cheek and sending shivers down my spine. Heat spread through my body, my heart raced in my chest, and my breathing grew uneven.

"I think I can do this," I whispered as his eyes focused on my lips.

I couldn't let something like that happen. He'd just said we'd be friends, and that's how we should act.

"You think?"

He was asking for a child, not my body. I could help him have an heir, get rid of that sick monster for good, and have far more than I needed. There was just one thing I had to make sure of.

"But I will never give up this baby. You have to put it in writing that under no circumstances will you take him from me!"

"I would never do that. My child will need a mother-especially after I'm gone. And as I said before, someone who's not just interested in money will be perfect to teach him everything he needs." He smiled, taking a step back without breaking eye contact. "I'll let you take a shower and change. Just don't take too long-lunch is already on the table."

It was strange to think that a man like him, who had everything, was dying. William seemed full of life, and he undoubtedly had more money than I'd ever see in my lifetime-a fortune he couldn't even spend, and a legacy with no one to pass it on to.

No matter how uncertain everything he'd told me was, I couldn't help feeling sad for him. The man had just saved the life of an unknown waitress who slept on a park bench. How could I think badly of him?

"Thinking about jumping from there?" The question made me jump before I even turned to see who had come in. The driver was staring at me with narrowed eyes, as if he didn't like my presence in the mansion. "William asked me to bring your backpack."

He held out the somewhat dirty blue bag, more patched up than I'd like. I didn't think twice before stepping forward and clutching everything I owned in this life. But the man didn't let go, keeping me close to him.

"What..."

"I don't know what you're up to or what you want from Mr. Donavan, but I won't let you take advantage of him in a vulnerable moment," he said lowly, staring at me up close. Before I could say anything, his hands released the bag, leaving me stumbling backward as he left the room.

What had just happened? How could I want to take advantage of his boss when it was William himself who had dragged me out of the diner and brought me to his house?

I shook my head, took a quick shower, and-feeling immense shame-put on the only dress I owned. It was either that or keep wearing the jeans he'd seen me in when I arrived.

"I was about to come look for you." William appeared at the bottom of the stairs as I reached the second-to-last step, his eyes scanning my body from head to toe.

He was surely regretting bringing a poor girl home now. The lilac summer dress covered in cupcakes-one I'd had since I was fifteen-was worn out. The straps were so thin they barely held up my breasts, and the skirt only reached mid-thigh.

"Is something wrong?" He didn't answer, and I felt even worse, wearing such old clothes while he was in an impeccable dress shirt, perfectly tailored pants, and polished shoes. "I can change if you want..."

I turned to go back up the stairs, but I tripped over my own feet and fell forward. It all happened in a split second-I closed my eyes, bracing to hit the floor. But strong, firm hands gripped my waist, holding me steadily facing him.

"I got you," William murmured as he lifted me, but instead of letting me go, he kept me pressed against his body. "I'm not letting you go, cupcake."

I swallowed hard, feeling his body against mine just like on that rooftop. I could feel his chest pressing into me while his strong arm stayed around my waist. I took a deep breath to compose myself, but his scent filled my lungs, causing the exact opposite-it made me want to slide my nose along his neck and feel every inch of his skin.

"Sir, Miss Megan is here to see you," his driver said, making us pull apart in the same instant.

"Thank you, Brian." William smoothed his shirt and took another step away from me. "Show her where lunch is served. I'll be right back."

He quickly left the room, leaving me behind with that brute who eyed me suspiciously, while I wondered who Megan could be and what the hell had just happened on those stairs.

For a moment, I had her far too close to me-so close that I could see the little green flecks scattered in her blue irises. We were so near each other that I could have kissed her. The idea crossed my mind, and I quickly pushed it away. Sophia had agreed to the baby, and I needed to keep things friendly. I had to stick to that, no matter how difficult it was-especially after seeing her in that dress, which made her look even sweeter.

"She's off-limits to you, William. Get a grip!"

"Who's off-limits to you?" Megan's voice snapped me back to the present. "It's so good to see you after all this time, Will."

"Good to see you too, Megan." I approached and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.

"I have to admit, I was surprised by your call-especially with Amber out of the country." Megan said, sliding her nails down my shirt in an irritating way. "We only ever meet when it's with her."

"Well, today is a different occasion." I stepped back to escape her touch, just as I dodged the topic of Amber. "A friend needs a complete wardrobe overhaul, and I knew you'd be the best for the job."

After seeing everything Sophia had in that backpack, I couldn't put off buying her new clothes until tomorrow. She had nothing besides that dress and a couple of t-shirts.

"Of course-it'll be a pleasure to help. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine!" she said enthusiastically. "But just so you know, I brought some things that Amber would love as a gift. After all, her birthday is coming up."

"Amber's been in Milan for over two months. I'm sure she won't come back wanting clothes." I smiled at her just as Brian entered the room. "I'll let you get settled, and I'll be right back. If you need anything, Brian can help you."

I left eagerly, anxious to have lunch with Sophia. Something stirred inside me, urging me to go to her-the same way it had when I'd left her in the room to get ready.

I didn't want to think about Amber right then. We hadn't seen each other in far too long. The last thing I wanted was to worry about what gift to give someone who already had everything. I was more interested in seeing what Sophia would think of the clothes when she saw them.

"Oh my God," I heard her murmur with her mouth full before I even entered the dining room. "This is divine, Jenna."

I leaned against the doorframe, watching the two of them. My housekeeper had a proud smile on her lips while Sophia chewed the food eagerly.

"Starting without me." I walked in, seeing those beautiful eyes widen at me as she swallowed with difficulty.

"Sorry, sir..." I gave her a censuring look, and she quickly corrected herself. "William-I couldn't resist the smell."

I smiled, sitting at the head of the table with her to my left. Her cheeks were red, as if Sophia was genuinely embarrassed for not waiting for me. It was so refreshing to see all that innocence and wonder in her eyes with every new discovery.

"I'm just teasing. You didn't have to wait for me to eat." I glanced at her plate and back to her face. "And from the moan I heard, the risotto is definitely approved."

Sophia blushed even more as the words left my mouth, and Jenna laughed in a way I hadn't heard from her in a long time.

"Let the girl eat before she chokes, William," Jenna murmured, still smiling as she left the room.

"Looks like you've already won an ally there."

"Jenna's been so kind to me, and she has magic hands. This is the best food I've ever had in my life." She raised her fork to her mouth, hypnotizing me as her lips wrapped around the silverware, taking in the food.

It shouldn't have been that fascinating, but I couldn't look away-not even when she started chewing. I had a vague notion that she'd said something, but my mind refused to process anything except her image.

When she brought the wine glass to her lips and a little dribbled down her chin, I leaned forward, grabbing the napkin from my lap and standing to wipe it for her.

"Oh!" Sophia exclaimed in surprise, and only then did I realize what I'd done.

It would have been sensible to pull back and apologize-say it was an impulse or a cleaning habit, which I clearly didn't have. But I couldn't say a word. I just stood there staring at her face, her eyes locked on mine, while my thumb held the napkin against her chin. What was I doing?

"Am I interrupting something?" Megan's voice broke the moment. I turned to see her entering the room with Brian, her eyes shifting to Sophia. "You must be the girl getting a whole new wardrobe. What's your name, sweetie?"

Sophia glanced at me quickly, a small crease forming between her perfect eyebrows. She was clearly confused by what Megan had just said, and I didn't blame her-I hadn't had the chance to tell her yet.

"Yes, that's her." I took the lead in the conversation. "Sophia is staying here and didn't bring any luggage, so she needs a new wardrobe."

"I can see that." Megan raised her eyebrows, looking Sophia up and down in a way I didn't like at all.

"You don't have to do this, William." Sophia's low tone brought my eyes back to her and her figure shrinking against the chair. "I have some savings. I can buy clothes later."

"I insist, Sophia. You're my friend, aren't you?" I asked, trying to convince her to accept, even though her face was tense.

"I am, but..." I reached my hand across the table, taking hers and interrupting her whispered refusal.

"Then there's no discussion about it. As my friend, you have to accept the gift without arguing. Megan will show you everything, and you can choose the entire collection if you want-even order more!"

Sophia lifted her gaze to the brunette at the door and lowered her shoulders. Megan looked like a model, just like the women she dressed-tall, slim, wearing very high, thin heels, always in high couture.

"Don't worry, cutie. I don't bite."

William didn't accept my protests about getting all those new clothes. He was already doing so much for me, and I didn't want to take advantage, but my refusals were swallowed up by his conversation over breakfast. Then he disappeared into his office, leaving me alone with that woman.

"Well, I was expecting something different from you," Megan said, glancing at one of the three clothing racks set up in the room. "But I think I can find something here."

I'd never had contact with someone on her level before-to be realistic, William was the first rich person I'd ever interacted with-but I knew full well when someone didn't like me. And I could say with absolute certainty that that's what had happened with Megan.

The look she'd given me since entering the dining room still burned in my mind. Her eyes had scanned my body with disdain, and any happy thought William had sparked about that dress was gone.

"All these clothes are beautiful," I murmured, running my hands over the dresses on the rack farthest from her, since her disgusted gaze was still on me.

"Yes, they're perfect-high couture, very different from anything you've ever worn in your life," she jabbed, and I just ignored it. I didn't want to seem like a scared child, but my instincts were screaming, and I knew I could trust them. "These were made for a woman taller than you."

My fingers stopped on a long silver dress. The halter neckline sparkled like diamonds, and I couldn't resist pulling it off the rack to hold it against my body while looking in the mirror.

It was without a doubt the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen in my life-like something made for a princess. The back was open, and the fit was perfect: fitted at the waist, then flowing into a long skirt that reached the feet, with a single slit up the right thigh.

My eyes looked even bluer against the color of the dress-it was impossible not to stare at them. I'd never seen or worn anything like it. I felt even more beautiful just holding it.

"I think I'll try this one," I said, turning to head to the bathroom, but I ran right into Megan staring at me.

Her lips twisted, and her left eyebrow arched as she looked me up and down again.

"It won't look good on you. It was made for Amber, and that's the only reason I brought it today." Her hands reached out to take the dress, and instinctively, I stepped back. "Amber is William's girlfriend, and she won't like knowing there's a girl hanging around her man."

I swallowed hard, looking around for anyone who could help me. How could he have a girlfriend and propose that I have his child? This had to be a trick to get something from me-but what? How could I have been so stupid? Nothing in my life was easy, and everything here was too good to be true.

"Mr. Donavan didn't tell me anything about a girlfriend, but she can rest assured that nothing is happening between us. He was just helping me..."

"Of course he was. Will loves helping any little stray animal off the streets." Her words hit me hard. How could he want me to be the mother of his child and tell everyone I was living on the streets? "He can't help himself when it comes to charity. You'd be surprised how many little creatures he's brought home over the years-dirty, flea-ridden, tick-infested, not knowing how to behave."

"I'm sorry, I..." I choked, not knowing how to respond, because that's exactly what he'd done: rescued me from the street and brought me to his house. My eyes dropped to the dress in my hands. That definitely hadn't been made for someone like me. "I'll put this back."

A single tear rolled down my cheek, and I hated myself for it. I shouldn't cry-I should just leave. Nothing in that place was meant for someone like me, and believing it from the start had been my first mistake.

"Oh, poor thing. Don't get me wrong, but Amber and Will have been promised to each other since childhood-their families have always been close. They're perfect for each other." She said it, and I gripped the fabric tightly before hanging it back on the rack. "Amber wouldn't like seeing a girl stuffed into his house like a guest at all."

I lifted my chin, taking a deep breath. I didn't need to stay there listening to those insults in silence, just waiting for his fiancée to arrive and kick me out-or worse, for him to use me for something sick and disgusting.

"Don't worry-she won't find me here when she gets back." I was already hurrying to grab my backpack and put my shirt and pants back on.

"Sweetie, you don't have to run off like that," Megan said condescendingly, with fake concern in her eyes. "I was just being honest about what you're getting yourself into. I didn't mean to scare you."

But I didn't stay to hear her lame excuses. I knew full well when someone was trying to push me out of a place, and even if Megan wasn't the owner who could kick me out, she'd succeeded in making me doubt everything that had come out of William's mouth.

It was clear I was being tricked. It made no sense for a man like him, living in a house like that, to want a street dweller as his surrogate.

I got out of there as fast as I could, just with my backpack on my shoulders and that lump in my throat. I wanted to cry more, but my survival instinct screamed louder as I ran down the wooden stairs.

I opened the front door without thinking twice and ran down the gravel driveway lined with perfect grass. I didn't stop-not even when I saw the huge gates with the family initials. I took advantage of the open gate to escape before anyone could try to stop me.

I'd never thought my instincts would fail me like this. I'd always trusted them, even when reason said otherwise. And after being saved by William, I'd believed he truly wanted what was best for me-that we could be friends and raise a baby together in that mansion until he was gone.

"You idiot, idiot, idiot!" I yelled at myself, slapping my face for being so foolish.

"All I want is for us to be friends and for you to carry the future of the Donavans"-his words came back to my mind, making me feel even stupider. I could almost feel his fingers gently touching my hand with care and affection, encouraging me to believe it all. Me, who always thought I was smart and quick to get out of situations, had been cornered by a rich guy on a rooftop and let myself be carried away by every one of his words.

A bad feeling filled my chest as I moved farther from William's property, from the neighborhood, from the imposing grand houses, giving way to the city center. Even with my feet aching in those sneakers, I didn't stop. I needed to find a place to spend the approaching night, and with luck, the next morning I'd get another job. I couldn't go back to the diner-if the bastard stalking me wasn't enough, I suspected William might go there looking for me.

I'd make it. I just needed to avoid attention and stay away from everyone. If I flew under the radar, I'd save up a bit more money for a place, and then most of this headache would be over.

"You can only trust yourself, Sophia. Learn!" I reminded myself, looking at the neighborhood I was in. Definitely not a place where William would come looking for me, and far from the diner where that creep had found me.

I started looking for a bench to sleep on, and my eyes stopped on a children's playground with a wooden slide perfect for sheltering me during the night without being seen or bothered. It was even better than the bench I'd been sleeping on for weeks-at least there I'd be protected from the rain.

But as night fell and I waited for the surrounding streets to grow quiet and empty, I couldn't help thinking about Will. Those firm hands pulling me from the edge and holding me steadily on the stairs.

He was gorgeous, and I hadn't noticed that in a man for a long time-I'd been running and on guard every moment since my mom died. But I couldn't deny that William was gorgeous. It would be hard to get that face out of my mind-especially those eyes that seemed to devour me while showing care, something I'd never seen before. How could he look so gorgeous and good, but actually be a complete liar?

"Stop thinking about that..." My words were cut off when a thunderclap echoed from the sky, shaking my body from head to toe. "That's all I needed!"