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Her question once again made Neal aware of the fact that his plan was insane So , but he was also painfully aware of the fact that his capabilities were limited This was the only path that he could see forward He felt a stab, knowing that George ht have come up with a far er, who had less than kind opinions about him

“Umm… I am,” Neal said quietly

“Of course,” Elena replied sarcastically, “of course you are How stupid of nant?”

Again, Neal questioned everything, but he had gone too far to turn back now He pushed his reservations aside and battled on ahead Elena watched hile She knew that he understood that what he was asking her was crazy, but the fact was, he was still doing it, which proved how desperate he was Somehow, incredibly, she understood how he felt She knehat it meant to be desperate

“We… ould… have to have sex,” Neal said, his face turning red, “but only until you get pregnant”

Elena held her head in her hands Her head was starting to hurt

“Neal, why on earth would you think I would agree to this?” she asked disbelievingly

“Because,” Neal said quickly, “I don’t intend for you to leave this deal with nothing”

“What does that mean?”

“It ive you one million dollars, and I will make sure that you have your pick of jobs I know a lot of wealthy people and at some point – they all want sculptures It's the way they are”

Neal watched her absorb this He hoped that it would be enough to get her to agree to his proposal He had no back-up plan If Elena said no, he could atteree to his plan, but he needed to find soirlfriend

He needed to find a woent, pretty, and capable, and he had no idea where to look for one He waited breathlessly, hoping to God that Elena would be swayed

Elena kept repeating the three things that Neal had just proain in her head She was on the verge of giving him an unequivocal no when he made his offer She couldn’t deny that it was a lot It was not so it She was close to broke, her career was flat lining and her bills and loans were piling up

Her only other option was to take her parent’s help Her only option was to move back in with them and allow them to pay off her loans She reh if she took Neal’s deal Nine nancy The child would be hers Elena had never thought of herself as ato decide never to have children It was an altogether different thing to h

ave one and then be expected to give it up Elena wasn’t sure She wasn’t sure about anything