The billionaire surrogate

Chapter 9

The way he says it makes me feel like I’m a bad person; I know I do not want the money for something bad, but I can not help but feel like I’m selling my child. Does this make me a bad person? All I want is to help my family .

“I need to pay for my school fees, my dad is sick…my family needs money.” I stand with a sigh and he stands with me, but I shake my head. “I thought this was the answer, but I do know that I can do it. I’m sorry.” I turn to make my way toward the door.

“I’ll pay you double.”

I freeze. “What?”

“I’ll pay you double.”

“Why?” I blurt out, finally turning around to look at him. Is he serious about this? The money was already going to be life-changing for my family…but double would take care of my family for life without us working again.

He moves closer until he is right in front of me. “I know this is going to sound strange, but you fit the criteria I was looking for in a surrogate. I want the woman carrying my child to be a decent woman, I read through your file and you’re just perfect.” He stares at me for a moment. “I can help you achieve your dream and you will in turn help me.

“I will think about it.” I said reaching for the door knob.

**********

Ethan’s POV

As I stood in my office, I glanced at my phone, waiting for Lena's arrival. When she texted me for my address, I sent it immediately, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness as to why she wanted to see me immediately.

A few minutes later, I heard the doorbell. Alex, my best friend and confidant, went to answer it. From the hallway, I could hear their brief exchange, then Lena's footsteps as she entered into my home.

I walked out to greet her, noting the apprehension on her face. She looked around, clearly taking in the interior of the house.

"Shall we start?" I asked, giving her a reassuring smile.

“Is Alex going to be here too?” she asked nervously.

“Of course, but if you do not feel comfortable he can leave,” I replied.

“It is fine,” she assured me, but I could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Do you plan on getting married?” she asked, the question catching me off guard.

“I do not need a wife to have a baby. That's why you are here,” I said, taking a sip of my drink. I watched her reaction closely.

“You want me to have a baby for you?” she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Isn’t that the whole point of being a surrogate?”

“So whose eggs are you planning on using then?” she asked immediately.

I frowned, surprised by her question. “I’m surprised you had not realized it before now, Miss Thompson.”

Her hands were sweaty, and I could see the anxiety in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said after a moment. “You must think I’m an idiot.”

“Something like that,” I said with a small smile, trying to ease her discomfort.

“I just—I was okay with this because the baby was not going to be biologically mine. I was just going to carry it. But if you use one of my eggs, that means the baby will be part of me. It is going to have my blood. I know it may sound stupid, but that matters to me.”

“What do you mean?” I interrupted her, my voice firmer.

“I don’t want to do this,” she whispered. “I know that’s probably not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth.”

“You do not want to do this to be able to help your family and pay your medical school bills?” I asked, nodding slightly. I could see the internal conflict written all over her face.

“I need to pay for my school fees, my dad is sick…my family needs money,” she said with a sigh. She stood up, and I stood with her, but she shook her head. “I thought this was the answer, but I do know that I can not do it. I’m sorry.” She turned to make her way toward the door.

“I’ll pay you double,” I said quickly, desperation creeping into my voice.

She froze. “What?”

“I’ll pay you double,” I repeated.

“Why?” she blurted out, finally turning around to look at me.

I moved closer until I was right in front of her. “I know this is going to sound strange, but you fit the criteria I was looking for in a surrogate. I want the woman carrying my child to be a decent woman. I read through your file and you’re just perfect.” I stared at her for a moment. “I can help you achieve your dream and you will, in turn, help me."

“I will think about it,” she said, reaching for the door knob.

As she left, I watched her go, a mix of hope and uncertainty twirling in my chest. I knew I was asking a lot of her, but I could not shake the feeling that Lena was the right person for this. I just had to make her see it too.

I sank into the nearest chair, my mind racing. I could still see the doubt and worry in her eyes. This was not just a business transaction for her—it was a moral and emotional decision.

Alex walked back in, his expression curious. "Well, how did it go?" he asked.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "She needs time to think about it. She's struggling with the idea of the baby being biologically hers."

Alex nodded thoughtfully. "It is understandable. Surrogacy is a huge commitment, and adding the genetic connection complicates things."

"I know," I said, my voice tinged with frustration. "But I really believe she's the right person. There's something about her... she has the integrity and heart I want for this child."

Alex smiled, clapping me on the shoulder. "Give her time, Ethan. If she is the right fit, she'll come around."

I nodded, hoping he was right. Over the next week, I tried to focus on my work, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Lena. Her situation was difficult, and I wanted to help her as much as I wanted her to help me.