Page 32 of Secret Baby for Dr. Billionaire

“No, she's at my sister’s. She likes staying there on the weekends to play with her cousins.”

“Well, tell her that if she wants to have someone to play when she’s here, I’m just across the hall.” I had been meaning to ask Ben about his kid, but I noticed the way he made sure not to say her name when he was talking about her. So, I respected his privacy and did not ask questions.

“She’ll love that. But—”

“Keep Sofi between us. I know.”

There was a moment of silence when Ben turned the food processor off and took a teaspoon to taste the pesto sauce he had made. And it was impressive that he didn’t have to add anything to it like he’d made it countless times, and he knew it would taste good.

I grabbed the white serving dish he had laid out earlier on the counter once I saw him separate a ladle of pasta water before draining the fettuccine. He took it from me, and once the pasta was on the plate, he assembled it with the sauce.

The tension was palpable, and it was making me sweat. I loved that Ben knew how to cook. The little tea towel draped over his shoulder told me he knew his way around the kitchen, and the fact that he was domesticated only made him more attractive.

“I’m planning on opening a savings account for Sofi: college funds, emergency funds, health savings accounts. And since, on record, I’m not her legal guardian, I was wondering if you’d help me set it up. I’ll name you as the joint account holder until she’s 18. Is that okay?” Ben asked two minutes after he sat beside me with the plates and the pesto dish he had made. God, I was famished.

“You’d really do that?” I had been saving up for Sofi’s college, too, but it was hard because I wasn’t earning much.

“Well, yeah. She’s my daughter. It’s the least I could do. And you don’t have to worry about anything. I just need her information and yours, given that you're her legal guardian.”

I twisted the pasta around my fork, and when I took a bite, it was like fireworks in my mouth. I wanted to compliment him, but instead, I addressed his concern.

“Are you sure, Ben? You don’t have to do that.”

“Look, I don’t know if this will sound cocky, but I can afford it, Chlo. And I’d gladly do that for Sofi. It’s not a problem. Let me do this for her—for you.”

“You don’t have to do anything for me. If you want to open a savings account for Sofi, fine. Keep me out of it.”

“If something happens to you, we’re all affected here, babe. Sofi especially. So, health insurance for you is not out of the question. Happy wife, happy life, and all that.”

“But I’m not your wife.”

“You know what I mean. If you’re safe, Sofi’s safe. Sofi growing up without a mother is not an option. Trust me, your life is more important than money, Chloe. And I’d appreciate it if you stop arguing.”

“Fine.”

“Great.”

“Now, eat your dinner.” We ate in silence for a moment, and I felt a pang of relief for what Ben was about to do. But there was also fear because what if he’d dangled this in front of me, and then we fell apart? God, I hoped it wouldn’t come to us fighting over custody. I didn’t know if I’d survive a day without my daughter.

“I put down your number,” I blurted out of nowhere in the middle of our dinner.

“What?”

“I put down your number for her emergency contact list. I didn’t know your name then, so I wrote down your number instead.”

“And the hospital accepted it?”

“A contact person is basically a requirement. They took what they could get.”

“And Franklin?”

“Sofi isn’t Frankie’s responsibility.” It was true. Even though Franklin had offered, I didn’t want his help on this one. I wanted to be the one to provide for my kid.

“How about we take care of Sofi’s funds and then update her emergency contact information? It’s a good start, yes?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

After a heartfelt conversation over dinner, Ben and I started to clean the kitchen. Sofi was asleep in her crib, and only he and I were juggling the task in the kitchen.

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