After lunch, I left my parents' house, got into my car, and headed back to the firm. While driving, I thought about what response I would give Mark Harris, wondering why my mother had never told me about her affair since we had always been so close. I also pondered how he had found out about the baby I had given up for adoption without anyone knowing. I arrived at the building where the firm was located, parked my car, and took the elevator to my floor. As soon as I stepped out, my secretary Lina approached me.

"Sofia, you have a visitor in your office. I couldn't stop him, I'm sorry," she said.

"Don't worry, it's okay. Who is it?" I asked.

"Mr. Harris," she said, surprising me.

I entered my office and saw Mark Harris standing by the windows, looking out. I placed my purse on the coat rack, and he turned around when he heard me come in. We locked eyes, and I couldn't help but notice the gleam in his beautiful green eyes.

"This morning, you told me I should call you Mr. Harris. Do you have no patience?" I said.

"I need your answer urgently. Have you thought about it, Miss Lopez?" he asked.

"The truth is, you haven't given me much time to decide," I replied, sitting in my chair and placing my hands on the desk, fingers interlaced.

"And I don't have much time either, Sofia. I assume that after two years, you'd like to meet your daughter," he said, placing his hands on my desk and leaning his face close to mine.

"If I accept your proposal, I assume there will be a contract with conditions," I responded.

"I have the contract right here. You can read it and sign it if you agree. My lawyer has stipulated all the conditions. I have arranged for him to meet us in your office to go over the clauses and sign the documents," he said.

"Excuse me, Mr. Harris, but I don't need a lawyer to explain the clauses of a contract to me. Have you forgotten that I'm a lawyer myself?" I said.

"Your mother didn't think the same when she was sleeping with my father, did she?" he responded.

"My mother is a respectable woman, and what she did or didn't do with her life doesn't concern me," I replied.

"These are the conditions, Miss Lopez. Take it or this afternoon, your photo will be in the tabloids. What do you decide?" he asked, leaning so close that our mouths were just millimeters apart.

"Leave my office right now, Mr. Harris. No one coerces me," I whispered.

"You have until the printing press starts working-one hour, Miss Lopez. One hour. And here are the documents for you to read at your leisure," he whispered back, leaving my office afterward.

I remained seated in my chair, watching as my secretary entered the office.

"Sofia, are you okay?"

"No, Lina, I'm not," I replied.

"You know I'm here to help with anything," she said.

"I know, thank you. You can go now," I said.

I kept glancing at the clock every five minutes, grateful that he didn't call or return to my office. Realizing I couldn't concentrate and that time was running out, I decided to call him and arrange to meet at the club where I was a member. I got up from my chair, grabbed my purse from the coat rack, and locked my office door as I left.

"Lina, you can leave when you finish what you're doing. We'll see each other tomorrow," I said.

I took the elevator down to the parking garage, got into my car, and headed to the club. When I arrived, I parked, got out, and went to the bar.

"Hi, Sofia, darling. You're here early today. I haven't seen your fiancé," Aron, the bartender, said.

"I'm meeting a client here. Get me the usual," I said.

I turned to see who was there and saw Mark at a table near the entrance. I grabbed my drink and walked over to where my adversary sat.

"I thought you weren't going to call," he said.

"I'm not here for pleasantries. I want you to reconsider your proposal," I replied.

"Miss Lopez, don't waste my time. With one call, the press will start printing," he said.

"Please, Mr. Harris, it's not my fault that-" he didn't let me finish.

"My mother committed suicide because of your mother's affair with my father, leaving my brother and me alone with him while we were still very young. Yes or no?" he demanded.

"I accept your proposal, Mr. Harris. I have to protect my family's name," I replied.

"Did you bring the signed documents I left in your office?" he asked.

"Not signed. I have them in my clipboard, but I'll sign them now," I replied, seeing a sly smile on his face.

"Tell me one thing. If you hate my family so much, why did you choose me?" I asked.

"You'll find out, Sofia. Children always pay for their parents' mistakes, just as you did with your daughter. And sleeping with Lopez will be an honor for me. I'll come to your office tomorrow for the marriage certificate signing. Our wedding will be that simple. Goodbye," he said, getting up from his seat and leaving the club.