The negotiation continued, and I found myself playing a role that was far removed from the woman who had sat in Dr. Jake's office, learning of her pregnancy. I was deep in a world of intrigue and manipulation, a world that demanded a different kind of strength.

June brought me back to reality when she asked, “Is it possible that there would be no emotional attachment and we would stay together for two years?” June asked.

“You will not be staying together,” I replied.

“Wow! I need to go over this all over again,” June said.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“I like Marvin just like you do. And like you, I want to help him be the man he ought to be,” June said.

“I see, I hope this is what it means to you,” I said,

“So why did you come to me? You could have gone to any other close person. I mean you and Marvin just knew me,” Miss June asked.

That was true. Everything around Marvin was happening too fast. What if Marvin was deceiving everyone so that he could use us to achieve his aim? Why are things going this fast?

“It’s true and that was the purpose. Too many people around him can be trusted, yet they have been old associates with him. You helped us fix that,” I said.

“I am glad you feel you can trust me,” Miss June said.

Hours passed, and we finally reached an agreement. Miss June had agreed to the terms of the contract, and it was a significant win for our side. But as we parted ways, I couldn't shake the feeling that Miss June had her agenda, one that might not align perfectly with Marvin's.

I gave Marvin the signed contract and he could not believe that it was that simple.

“How did you get her to sign the marriage contract? How do you even do the things you do? Marvin asked in amazement.

“The most important thing is that it is signed, right?’” I replied.

“Cass, I know that this has been a very difficult time for both of us. I wanted you, but for no reason of mine, you opted out. We have been distant for a few days now, and I am sorry. Please, I want you to know that this changes nothing. You have read the contract and you saw how I was protecting our interests,” Marvin said and gave this long interesting speech of his. While he was still talking, I was contemplating what to do with what was inside of me and I did not know when I stood up and left him.

Returning to my room at the mansion that night, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. My secret, my pregnancy, was still at the forefront of my mind. I knew I couldn't keep it hidden forever, but I also couldn't predict how Marvin would react when he found out.

Larry had been a source of support, but the time was approaching when I would have to face the truth. I couldn't keep this secret from Marvin any longer, and the weight of that impending revelation hung heavy on my shoulders.

The next day, I sat down with Larry again, and the weight of my secret hung in the air between us. I had to tell him about the pregnancy, but I was scared of how it might change everything.

"Larry," I began, my voice trembling, "I need to tell Marvin about the pregnancy."

Larry looked at me with understanding. "Cassie, it's the right thing to do. He deserves to know."

I nodded, my heart heavy with the impending conversation. "I know, but I'm afraid of how he'll react. Our world is already so complicated, and this will make it even more so."

Larry reached across the table to hold my hand, just as he had in our previous conversation. "We'll face this together, Cassie. Whatever happens, we'll handle it as a team."

I smiled weakly, grateful for Larry's unwavering support. "Thank you, Larry. You've been my rock through all of this."

As I prepared to tell Marvin the truth, I couldn't help but wonder how it would change everything. Our world was built on secrets, deception, and dangerous games.

The revelation of my pregnancy would add a new layer of complexity to our lives, one that I couldn't predict. But I knew that, no matter what, I had the support of a true friend in Larry, and that gave me the strength to face the unknown.

I sat in the office looking at a couple of things but my mind could not deviate from the current happenings in my life. This was the month that I had to kill the father of my unborn child and give the documents to the Contractor. It also occurred to me that the contractor had not called.

‘Why would the Martinez Gang have the contact details of the contractor and not me?’ Anyway, I am the Number one assassin now, so I would get his details. He needs to pay me my balance and his call would make me make an informed decision about certain things in my life.

Hello Cass, are you avoiding me?” Rose said.

“Why should I avoid you? Please, Rose, you are practically the only friend I have here,” I said.

“So, why have I not been seeing you like the way I was before?” Rose asked.

“Because with great power, comes great responsibilities,” I said as we both laughed at my response.

Rose and I talked about a few office things. We also spoke about her husband’s visit to Uncle Jonah. I asked Rose a lot about her husband and she was very free to give me certain information. I came to the conclusion that her husband was an assassin. I did not tell Rose my thoughts, but she actually did not know who her husband was.

It also looked like if Uncle Jonah was going to look for someone to take out Marvin, it would be Rose’s husband. I was glad I spoke to Rose. It was kind of refreshing for me. It was more of what I loved that we spoke about. I told her to visit more often.

Rose left me, but before she did, she told me to visit the hospital because I did not look that good, and she could see that I was struggling with something, but she was sure it was my health and I needed rest.

I knew it was the pregnancy running its course on me and nothing else. I knew I had to work on myself if my deception was going to work. If I tell Marvin tonight, I would also ask him to let me work from home.

My phone was ringing and I left it on the side table when I was talking and gisting with Rose. I tried getting up quickly to reach the phone but before I could get to where it was, the call was dropped.

I looked at the caller and immediately knew it was the Contractor. I know that I could not call back because it was always a one-way call. For the first time in my work as an assassin, I missed the Contractor's call. I hope there will not be consequences for this action.

I waited for the Contractor to call again but he did not. I could not make sense of why he would not call back. I thought of what I would tell the Contractor when he called.

My condition was changing everything around me and my thought process. Suddenly there was this zeal to save with all my might what was inside of me. My child.

If I want this child and I want to build my own empire, then I have to start pushing emotions aside and start thinking straight.

I decided whether it was Marvin or the Contractor I was going to look out for my unborn child. Whoever it is, my unborn child has become my top priority and my asset.