ARIA
It was a cruel prank of fate.
"Your task," Celeste says, her eyes locked on mine, "is to treat my infertility."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
I stand perfectly still, my mask hiding everything—the shock, the way my stomach drops, the bitter laugh climbing up my throat that I refuse to let out. Of all the things I imagined when Declan's letter arrived, of all the scenarios I ran through while burning envelope after envelope—this never crossed my mind.
He brought me here to help her have his child.
Declan's brow creases slightly at Celeste's announcement, a flicker of irritation passing across his face. But before he can speak, Celeste turns and steps into him, her hand pressing flat against his chest as she tilts her face up toward his ear. Whatever she whispers is too l
