Love Bred by Hatred

Episode2

Samantha's POV

"What do you think I meant, you barren witch? Since you can't give my son a child, we found someone who could."

Those words echoed in my head all through the day. I could not get myself to concentrate on any of the tasks I had planned to do. My head swirls with unanswered questions.

What did she mean by those words? Was it another one of her threats to pressure me? Or was she serious about it this time?

Are they forcing Colton to take another woman?

Will Colton take another woman?

"Ugh. I should trust him to make the right decision. But why am I so scared? Why does it feel like he is slipping off my grip?"

"What am I supposed to do?!"

My anxiety only got worse when Colton didn't come home at night. He didn't call or text to tell me he wasn't coming home, which is very unlike him.

He always informs me whenever he has a change of plans and will not be home. I tried calling him, but all the calls went to voicemail. Unable to sleep, I decided to wait for him, hoping and praying that it wasn't what I thought.

I really don't want to lose my home.

I end up waiting all night without a wink of sleep. I could not even close my eyes from the millions of thoughts going through my mind every second of the night.

Once it was noon the following day and I didn't hear from him, I got dressed and decided to visit him in the company, but before I could go out, he came back with another woman.

Not just anyone, but my best friend. And seeing the apologetic smile on her face, I knew whatever was to come next would not be anything that I liked.

"Where have you been all night, Calton? You didn't call or text, and I called you only for it to be directed to voicemail the next moment! Where were you?" I demanded impatiently, my anxiety getting the best of me.

The look on his face made my heart churn. Somewhere in between, my anxiety had become dreadful, and I began to think about the unthinkable.

I blame it all on the book I've been reading since I became a stay-at-home wife after I lost my daughter.

There is no way my husband or my best friend would do anything of the sort to me.

Never... right?

"I'm sorry, Samantha. I was at the mansion last night. I had an urgent meeting with my dad, and I was too out of it to come home," he explained calmly, and I frowned. I could tell he was making excuses to cover up the main reason he didn't come home.

"You could have called, texted, or at least picked up my calls—anything but leave me worried all night!" I countered with a glare, and he groaned.

"I'm sorry, Samantha; it could not be helped. I'm ready, sorry," he apologized.

"Fine whatever. I'm glad you made it back alive and well. Just don't make me so worried next time," I reprimanded, wanting to keep the man's reason for my worry to myself.

"Did you meet her at the gate or something?" I asked and turned to my best friend. "I thought you were supposed to be out of the country. You didn't even call me when you arrived." I pouted, feigning hurt as I gestured for her to come in.

"About that, we need to talk." Hearing his words, I felt my heart sink to the bottom of my stomach as his mother's words once again echoed through my mind.

Is it not there yet?

Was that why she's been standing at the door instead of barging in like she always does? I thought to myself while taking note of my best friend's unusual behavior.

"Okay, can it wait? I should prepare something since we have a guest," I voiced, somehow trying to stall the bad news.

"No, it can't. I'm considering the surrogate option, and I want Vivienne to be the surrogate mother," he announced with a tick in his jaw.

Although I understand how much stress he must have been under to make such a compromise, I still felt my world crumbling against his.

My butt hit the couch as my knee gave out. "Why?" I breathed out, not knowing which one of the questions brewing in my head I actually wanted answers to.

"You were the one suggesting a surrogate, and I agreed. Isn't this what you wanted?" He asked, irritation tingling his voice as he began to pace back and forth in front of me.

"Yes, it's what I want, but why her? She's my best friend, and you know that." I emphasized the last part, hoping he understood my point.

Vivienne stood by the door, watching us with an apologetic smile that was starting to get on my nerves the longer I saw it. Colton let out a frustrated grunt and squatted in front of me. He held both of my hands in his. "I understand she's your best friend, and that's why I chose her."

"I was told my mom was here yesterday, and I can tell what she came here to do, but I promise I didn't agree to their arrangement, which was why I reached out to Vivienne."

"I can't bring myself to have some other woman in our home, and since we are both familiar with Vivienne, I decided to choose her; after all, she was better than a stranger. I'm doing this for us; please understand," he explained solemnly, and I sighed.

"With her, the baby will be safe, and we can all experience growth together," he continued.

Yes, I know.

I'm aware that he was doing this for us, but that wouldn't take away my fears and the disappointment I feel.

"If you are not comfortable with me being the surrogate mom, I can pull out, but I do understand what your husband is driving at. And I know how much this means to you; we can both look for someone else," she offered, and I gave a shake of my head in disagreement.

"I want you to do it. You are just like my sister, and there is no better person I would trust our baby with than you," I confessed truthfully as I finally let go of the suspicions I was feeling.

"So when do we get the papers and everything settled so we can start?" I asked as I looked from Colton to Vivienne.

"About that..." She trailed off while avoiding eye contact with me. "We decided not to get paper work involved. I mean, there isn't a reason for that between us, right?"