Bella rose quickly, running after him like a fierce mother hen protecting her chick.

"Stop!" she screamed.

Suddenly, a police siren wailed nearby.

The man dropped the child and fled, terrified of getting caught.

Bella caught up immediately and scooped up the crying girl, her eyes stinging with pain.

"Stupid man... you could've killed her," she muttered looking in the direction he had ran to.

"Shhh... shhh, it's okay," she tried to calm her down but it was failing, the baby was too scared.

Bella stared closely at the girl now, her eyes widened in recognition

"She's the baby I saw at the restaurant..."

Bella walked around in search of her parents, but they were nowhere in sight.

The crying was hurting her heart, she couldn't just leave the child there. Her apartment too wasn't fit for a baby, and the train ride would take over an hour-but she had no choice. She had to get her home.

Her plans for sleeping on the streets were now postponed; survival had a new, urgent priority.

******

(BELLA'S APARTMENT)

Bella opened the door and pushed the stroller inside, then scooped the baby into her arms. The crying was so intense that Bella feared she might lose her breath or even pass out.

"Shh... shh, baby, don't cry. I'll find your parents," she whispered, rocking her gently.

The baby tugged at her clothes, instinctively reaching for her breast.

Bella felt a pang of guilt, she couldn't give the child what she needed. There was nothing; her body was dry.

She placed the baby on a pillow and shuffled to the corner of the apartment she called her kitchen. The milk she had was meant for adults, but the baby was hungry. Bella had no choice...it was all she could offer.

She warmed the milk and poured a little onto a small plate, then grabbed a tiny spoon from her sugar container to feed the baby.

Cradling the child, Bella sat down and tried to offer a small spoonful to her mouth...but the baby refused, tugging insistently at Bella's chest. Her cries were sharp and frantic, veins standing out on her forehead as she screamed.

Frustration welled up within her. Tomorrow, she would have nowhere to live, and the baby's persistent crying only made her feel worse.

Bella thought hard, biting her lip as a wild, desperate idea formed. It felt insane, but she couldn't let the baby starve.

Even if it didn't satisfy her, at least it would stop the crying.

She placed the child on the pillow and rushed to the shower. There was no way she could do this with a dirty, sweaty body.

Once she was done, she didn't put on a top. Cradling the baby in her arms, she sat down and carefully scooped some milk, letting it drip onto her breast.

The baby latched on instantly. Relief washed over Bella as the crying finally stopped. She carefully continued to offer the milk until the baby's movements slowed, signaling she had fallen asleep.

Gently, Bella placed her back in the stroller, it was more comfortable that way.

She took a moment to search through the stroller, hoping to find something that could help her locate the baby's parents.

She picked up a rattle and caught a glimpse of a name engraved on it.

"Rodriguez," she murmured.

Anger surged through her. "So the man in shades... and they actually left this girl here like some forgotten piece of trash?" she fumed. But she paused, thinking.

Then a sly thought crossed her mind. In a way... this could work to my advantage.

All she knew was wealth, and this could be her chance. This baby might be a blessing...a way out of poverty. Bella smiled as she looked down at the child's soft, sleeping face, feeling as if she had just hit the jackpot.

*****

(RODRIGUEZ MANSION)

The nanny knelt on the floor, shivering.

"Where is the baby I gave you to take care of?" he asked, calm and unbothered.

"Sir... I... I'm sorry. I... I forgot..." she stammered.

He narrowed his eyes, his calmness making it worse. "You forgot a child? Are you mad? Do you realize what would happen if the press found out I lost my daughter in the most ridiculous way possible?"

He turned to his bodyguards.

"Find the child and bring her back," he said coldly. Then he pointed at the nanny. "Make sure she's silenced. I don't want my reputation touched."

"Yes, sir."

"No,no, please!" the nanny sobbed, crawling toward him. "I won't say anything! I swear! Please, I'll find your daughter. Please don't hurt me, I beg you!"

She clutched at Lucian's legs. Irritated, he kicked her away without a second glance.

The guards stepped in. One pressed a cloth over her mouth. Her struggles weakened within seconds, and she went limp. They lifted her and dragged her out of the room.

He lit a cigarette and poured himself a drink, taking a slow sip as he puffed smoke. His dark eyes stared at nothing, anger coiling tight inside him.

"My rivals could have taken the child. That idiot has ruined my hardwork."

In a sudden motion, he threw the glass to the floor. It shattered with a sharp crash.

An aged maid, who had served the family for decades, watched him warily and let out a soft sigh.

"Food is ready, Lucian," she said with a small, cautious smile.

He glanced at her and nodded, returning his focus to the smoke curling from his cigarette.

*****

Bella left early in the morning, before the landlord could show up. She didn't take anything from the dump she called an apartment, she had all her hopes pinned on the baby's parents.

The taxi stopped in front of a huge company. The driver pulled the stroller from the car boot.

Bella took in the sight. Rodriguez was boldly written at the top.

"Wow... it's huge," she muttered.

She looked down at the baby in her arms. "Your parents are rich... I'm sure they can spare some change for me."

Carefully, she placed the baby in the stroller and started moving toward the entrance.

"Hey, bitch! You forgot to pay!" the driver shouted.

The insult was unnecessary, random, and infuriating.

Bella clenched her jaw but forced herself to stay calm. She turned and tossed the money to the floor, ignoring him as she kept moving.

The man lunged, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her backward.

"Ow! Let go of my hair!" she yelped, elbowing him, but he didn't release her.

"Who are you to disrespect me?" he growled, tugging harder. "First, you didn't pay. Now you throw my money on the floor."

The road was empty. No one was in sight to help. Tears streaked Bella's face, and her scalp burned from his grip.

"I only did to you what you deserved, scumbag! Let my hair go!" she muttered through gritted teeth.

Bella struggled against him, but the baby's cries pierced the air, growing louder with each second.

Suddenly, a car approached and screeched to a halt.

The man finally released her and shoved her aside.

Bella stared at the car, hoping...praying it belonged to the baby's parents so she could get this over with.

The car door opened. The man stepped out, his gaze locking instantly on the crying child in the stroller. His face hardened.

Without a word, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Hello... police?"

Bella's eyes widened.

"I found my daughter... but I want the child traffickers behind bars."

In a sudden motion, he threw the glass to the floor. It shattered with a sharp crash.

An aged maid, who had served the family for decades, watched him warily and let out a soft sigh.

"Food is ready, Lucian," she said with a small, cautious smile.

He glanced at her and nodded, returning his focus to the smoke curling from his cigarette.

*****

Bella left early in the morning, before the landlord could show up. She didn't take anything from the dump she called an apartment, she had all her hopes pinned on the baby's parents.

The taxi stopped in front of a huge company. The driver pulled the stroller from the car boot.

Bella took in the sight. Rodriguez was boldly written at the top.

"Wow... it's huge," she muttered.

She looked down at the baby in her arms. "Your parents are rich... I'm sure they can spare some change for me."

Carefully, she placed the baby in the stroller and started moving toward the entrance.

"Hey, bitch! You forgot to pay!" the driver shouted.

The insult was unnecessary, random, and infuriating.

Bella clenched her jaw but forced herself to stay calm. She turned and tossed the money to the floor, ignoring him as she kept moving.

The man lunged, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her backward.

"Ow! Let go of my hair!" she yelped, elbowing him, but he didn't release her.

"Who are you to disrespect me?" he growled, tugging harder. "First, you didn't pay. Now you throw my money on the floor."

The road was empty. No one was in sight to help. Tears streaked Bella's face, and her scalp burned from his grip.

"I only did to you what you deserved, scumbag! Let my hair go!" she muttered through gritted teeth.

Bella struggled against him, but the baby's cries pierced the air, growing louder with each second.

Suddenly, a car approached and screeched to a halt.

The man finally released her and shoved her aside.

Bella stared at the car, hoping...praying it belonged to the baby's parents so she could get this over with.

The car door opened. The man stepped out, his gaze locking instantly on the crying child in the stroller. His face hardened.

Without a word, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Hello... police?"

Bella's eyes widened.

"I found my daughter... but I want the child traffickers behind bars."

"P...police?" Bella stammered.

"Sir, please wait! I didn't steal the child," She explained, her voice trembling.

He didn't look at her as he continued, his voice calm, precise.

"There's a woman here with my daughter," he said.

The driver, realizing the man had called the police, immediately jumped into his taxi and sped off.

Bella picked up the crying child from the stroller.

"I came to return her... I found her in the park. It was dark, and I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry... please, don't call the police," she rushed out, her words tumbling over each other.

Lucian set down his phone and studied her. She looked drained, innocent, marked by poverty,her eyes tired, face pale...but there was a raw beauty in her features.

She handed the baby to him, but he didn't reach out, his gaze fixed on the child instead.

"I know you didn't steal her," he said finally. "My nanny left her in a park. I only wanted to scare that man away" He forced a tight smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

Bella laughed nervously and pulled the baby back, settling her into the stroller as the child babbled happily in her own language.

She looked up at Lucian, waiting-expecting gratitude, money, something.

"Thank you," he said stiffly, the words sounding more like an obligation than appreciation.

She exhaled sharply, tired of pretending.

"At least give me money for it. I could've killed your child or sold her... but I didn't."

He raised a brow slowly.

"So doing the right thing now comes with a price?"

Bella glared at him inwardly. If she weren't so desperate for money, she wouldn't be demanding payment for doing a good deed-but right now, she didn't care. He was going to give her money, whether he liked it or not.

"Well, I took care of her," she fired.

Lucian's eyes narrowed. "Isn't that what a normal human being should do?"

The man was starting to get on her nerves. "You own a massive company. A little gratitude in the form of money wouldn't hurt," she snapped. "Or are rich people always this stingy? And how could you leave your daughter in a park with a nanny? That's... that's fucking irresponsible."

He blinked, caught off guard. She didn't know who he was? In all of New York, everyone knew Lucian Rodriguez. The thought shocked him more than he wanted to admit.

He slipped his hands into his pockets and tossed her a few dollar notes.

"Here. Now get out."

Bella stared at the money. "Fifty dollars?"

It was enough for gratitude, she reasoned, though a small, insistent part of her mind urged her to push further.

She softened her voice, striking a careful balance between boldness and pleading.

"To be honest, sir, I... I need more than this. I can't survive on so little. I'm an orphan, homeless, with nowhere to go. I... I can take care of your child, if her mother doesn't mind."

Lucian's dark eyes met hers. "Her mother is dead," he said flatly.

Bella dropped to her knees.

Lucian's eyes widened instantly. Anyone could see them...someone could misunderstand and spread rumors.

"I said get out," he ordered coldly.

"Please, sir," she sobbed. "I... I'll do anything you want. Anything at all, whatever pleases you. Just take me away from poverty forever. I don't want to keep living like this. I beg you."

Under normal circumstances, Lucian would have turned and walked away. But he didn't. He stayed, listening to her broken pleas.

His mind worked quickly. The nanny was gone. The old woman couldn't calm the baby. He glanced down at his daughter-quiet, unusually calm in Bella's presence. He couldn't handle the child alone, and there was no way to find a new nanny on such short notice.

"Hm," he said at last. "Anything?"

Bella nodded furiously, so fast it looked as though her head might fall off.

Lucian strode to his car and she interpreted the movement as an unspoken command to follow.

She stood, cradling the baby carefully, while he lifted the stroller into the trunk.

Once inside, he gestured toward the passenger seat.

Without hesitation, she climbed in.

The company's massive gates slid open automatically as Lucian drove in, the car coming to a smooth halt.

Bella followed quickly behind him, pushing the stroller as the little girl giggled happily, completely unaware of the world around her.

"Good morning, sir," a few employees greeted, bowing slightly out of habit.

"Who's that girl?" someone murmured.

"Probably a new nanny," another replied dismissively. "She won't last either."

Bella lowered her head, refusing to meet their eyes, feeling the sting of their judgment.

Lucian led her into his office. The doors closed behind them, shutting out the world.

He sank into his chair, his gaze fixed on her.

"Sir, I promise you won't regret picking me," Bella said quickly, her voice quivering, but firm. "You will have no reason to complain. I swear on my life."

Her desperation amused him, intrigued him. A dark curiosity glimmered in his eyes. He wanted to know how far she'd go.

He picked up the phone. "Bring me the contract."

Moments later, a man entered. Bella observed him quickly...tall, blonde, striking. Yet even he seemed ordinary compared to the man in front of her. There was something almost unreal about him: his dark hair, sharp eyes, muscular frame, and tanned skin made the newcomer pale in comparison.

Bella averted her gaze. She couldn't afford distractions, not now. Her focus had to be on securing the life she wanted, not admiring anyone, no matter how handsome.

Lucian focused on her.

"What is your name?"

"Bella," she said.

"Full name," he demanded.

"Rosabella Hale," she answered.

"Sign the contract," he said, sliding the papers toward her. "It states that you will do whatever I ask, without objection. Even if I asked you to act like a monkey, you would. No questions, no hesitation. I expect silence from the child at all times. And the non-disclosure clause is absolute-you may never speak of this arrangement to anyone, no matter who they are to you."

"I have nobody, sir," Bella said quickly. "I'm alone in this world. You don't have to worry. I'll sign it."

She grabbed the pen and signed without hesitation, letting it drop to the desk.

"But, sir," she said, "you have your part to fulfill. You will ensure I never go poor again. I want opportunities...to live like the rich do."

He looked at her briefly, then signed the contract with a sharp flick of the pen.

"Deal."

The drive was quiet. Bella stole brief glances at Lucian, wondering if she should ask his name...or even how old he was.

She cleared her throat.

"Um... how old are you?"

"Thirty," he replied, irritation edging his voice at her interruption.

"What about your name?" she pushed further.

"You will call me sir," he said coldly. "And keep quiet."

Bella zipped her mouth instantly. She couldn't afford to offend the man who now held her future in his hands.

She gazed down at the sleeping child in her arms, the little one's mouth still latched gently to her breast.

Lucian caught the scene through the rear-view mirror, his eyes flicking briefly to Bella's exposed breast, before returning to the road.

"Why are you doing that? Do you actually have milk for her?" he asked.

Bella shifted awkwardly under his gaze.

"It's the only way to pacify her," she said quietly. "I know it looks strange, but if you don't want her crying, this works."

He let out a quiet scoff and fell silent, though his eyes kept drifting back to her in the mirror. A sly smirk formed at the corner of his mouth.

*********

Lucian entered the house and went straight to his bedroom without saying a word to her.

Bella didn't mind-she didn't care. Her attention was already stolen by the house itself. She glanced around in awe. The polished floors gleamed, the space was vast, the lights were on, and the cool air brushing her skin told her the place was fully air-conditioned. It felt like heaven.

An elderly woman approached her.

Bella smiled warmly.

"Hello."

"Give me the child," the woman said gently. "I'll help you take her to your room."

Bella hesitated. "Doesn't she have a name?"

The woman frowned slightly. "No. Lucian never named her."

"Lucian?" Bella narrowed her eyes.

"Oh... so that's his name."

"Do not call him by his name," the woman added firmly. "Only I do."

Bella nodded quickly.

"Well," Bella said after a pause, looking down at the baby, "I can name her since I'll be taking care of her now."

She thought for a moment, then smiled.

"My little Zara."

The woman's expression softened.

"That's a beautiful name. You may call me Miss Margaret. And what is your name, dear?"

"Rosabella," she replied. "But call me Bella."

Miss Margaret nodded. "Alright. I'll take you to your room, and I'll have the baby's belongings moved there shortly."

"Thank you."

Bella's heart swelled. Just yesterday, she had been hopeless...and today, she was standing in a mansion.

"Now nothing can go wrong in my life," she muttered as she followed Miss Margaret.

********

Soon, Bella had settled in. She took a shower and changed into one of the dresses she found in the cupboard. There were plenty, neatly folded, and she assumed they belonged to a previous nanny. They were proper clothes for a young lady, and the room was huge, comfortable, and simply amazing.

Zara was sleeping peacefully in her cot; Bella had already fed her with a bottle of baby formula.

She laid down to rest, but a knock at the door startled her.

"Come in," she said softly.

Margaret entered. "Lucian is requesting you."

Bella nodded and followed her immediately.

When she reached Lucian's room, she knocked lightly.

There was no answer. Hesitant, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Lucian sat on the edge of his bed, a cigarette in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.

Bella swallowed hard, her nerves prickling.

"I... I heard you needed me," she said cautiously.

He let out a short, amused scoff. "Need?"

"Sorry," she replied quickly, bowing her head slightly.

He drew deeply on his cigarette, his dark eyes fixed on the soft curves of her figure as he exhaled a slow plume of smoke.

She stood there in a pale pink nightgown, the thin fabric clinging just enough to make her full, perky breasts impossible to ignore and that was all Lucian seemed able to focus on.

Bella gave a small cough, waving the smoke away.

"What do you want?" she asked, voice gentle. "I can cook something for you now...anything you like."

"Anything I like," he repeated, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "Is she really this naive?" he wondered. "Does she truly not understand why she's here"

She watched him, trying to read the thoughts behind those shadowed eyes. "If it's the other thing he wants, he'll have to say it," she told herself. "I'm not foolish enough to offer it first and look like an idiot if that's not what he has in mind."

Lucian discarded the cigarette and rose from the bed, closing the distance between them, his gaze darkening with unmistakable intent.

A rush of heat flooded through Bella's body, her skin prickling under his intense stare.

He leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, "Show me your breasts."

Bella met his eyes without flinching. She knew low-key that this moment was coming, and she had no intention of refusing him.

With steady hands, she gently loosened the ties of her nightgown, letting the soft fabric slip from her shoulders and rest around her hips.

Bella's full, pale breasts spilled free, crowned with delicate peach-colored nipples that hardened in the cool air.

Lucian's jaw tightened. He felt himself throb hard against the confines of his pants, the sight alone nearly undoing him. Those perfect, ripe curves, he could already imagine how they'd feel against his tongue, how easily they might push him past control and make him cum untouched.

His hands were on her instantly, rough palms cupping her breasts possessively, thumbs grazing the sensitive peaks.

A sharp, involuntary gasp escaped Bella's lips, her back arching slightly into his touch.

He kneaded her slowly at first, then harder, testing, claiming, watching her face with dark satisfaction as her eyes fluttered shut and her soft lips parted on a trembling breath.

Quiet needy moans spilled from her, sounds that stroked his ego as much as his desire.

Lucian dipped his head, mouth finding the curve of her neck. He kissed the warm skin once, twice, then bit down... hard, leaving a blooming hickey that made her gasp again, louder this time. His hands slid lower, long veiny fingers slipping under her nightgown, tracing her smooth thighs, inching upward.

Bella let out a startled yelp as his fingers brushed higher, the sound catching Lucian off guard for a moment.

He stilled, lips grazing the sensitive curve of her ear. "No man has done this to you, right?" he whispered, his voice so sultry and deep that it sent a visible shiver racing down her spine.

She swallowed, cheeks flushed, eyes fixed somewhere past his shoulder. "Hmm... n-no," she admitted softly. "I've only... given blowjobs for money. I've never done this. No man has ever touched me there."

Lucian paused, staring at her as if she were lying. She looked far too innocent to have done such things for money, and hearing her claim this was... deeply disappointing.

But he studied her for a long moment, making Bella nervous, then a slow smirk curved his lips at the thought of fucking her virgin pussy.

"Good," he said quietly. "I have no tolerance for anything careless or worn thin...In simpler terms, overused sluts. I'll excuse your past because you were desperate...but understand this."

He let the silence linger for a beat. Then he leaned in, whispering into her ear as if it were a warning.

"From this moment forward, every part of your body belongs to me...and to me alone. Your lips and throat will know only the length of my cock and the taste of my cum."

Bella gulped as every hair on her body stood. She had never felt this electric, this alive; heat pooled low in her belly, her pussy already soaked and aching, greedy for more...for everything Lucian promised, pleasure and wealth tangling in her mind until nothing else existed.

"Come on," he murmured, voice rough with hunger, eyes fixed on her chest. "Feed me those sweet tits of yours."