Chapter 4 - The New Surrogacy
1035 Words
James dragged Claire into Alston's office and presented her to the devilish man.
“I’ve found her, sir.”
Alston turned away from his laptop at the report and was stunned to see the woman.
“Who is she?”
“She's the new surrogate.”
“What do you mean?!” Claire protested.
“Is she your niece?”
James nodded. “Yes. Her mother entrusted her to me. I think she fits the criteria you're looking for, Mr. Alston.” He was so desperate under Alston’s pressure that he couldn't think anymore.
Besides, he had sacrificed a lot for Claire over the past six years. It was only fair that she repay him by easing his workload.
Alston approached Claire and examined her closely, scanning her from head to toe. Despite the bruises on her skin, she remained exotic. Her body was slim, and her figure was attractive.
‘She’s very beautiful. My child will surely be handsome if she’s the mother.’ Alston smirked.
Claire shivered at the sight of the smirk. Her instincts told her he was a cruel man.
“Quickly, take her to the doctor’s lab. I can't wait any longer because my grandmother is aging.”
“Alright.” James dragged Claire to a hospital.
“Why are you bringing me here? Who is that man? What does he want from me?” Claire couldn’t contain her curiosity.
“My boss wants a son. He promised to give millions of dollars to the woman who successfully carries his child.”
“I don’t want to do it.”
“I don’t need your approval. You owe me because I’ve taken you and your children into my home.”
Claire was hurt. Despite being relatives, James and his family had never treated her well.
“But I know I’ve had difficulty getting pregnant,” Claire argued.
“But you’ve had twins. I’m sure you can get pregnant since you’re now healthy.”
“But—”
James glared at Claire. “You don’t disappoint me because I’ve been very kind to you. If you refuse or fail to get pregnant, Alston will kill us. Including your children. This is my last chance.”
“But, I don’t want to lose my child because that man takes it away.”
“Don't you need money for Sheila and Salome’s chemotherapy? Use this opportunity. Do you want them to die because of your selfishness?”
Claire bowed her head sadly, imagining her children dying because she couldn’t afford their regular chemotherapy.
James silently grinned with satisfaction as Claire did not refuse him.
James took Claire to Lily’s office. “Good afternoon, Doctor. This is the next woman.”
“Please have a seat. I’ll examine you.” Lily, in her white coat and mask, smiled at Claire.
Suddenly, Alston entered the room.
“S-sir? What are you doing here?” James and Lily trembled.
“I want to speak with this woman.” Alston stared at Claire coldly.
“Alright.” James and Lily quickly left, leaving Alston alone with Claire.
The atmosphere in the room became terrifying for Claire. Her heart raced, and her body trembled.
Alston placed a letter, a pen, and a check in front of Claire. “You need to sign this agreement.”
“What is this?” Claire glanced at the agreement.
“You can read it.” Alston sat on the edge of the desk, his hands in his pants pockets.
“I don’t agree.” Claire firmly refused. “This agreement is unfair to me. How dare you take my baby and forbid me from caring for or claiming it as my own.”
“I’m not a fool. All the women who want to be surrogates are only after my money. This agreement will prevent them from blackmailing me by exploiting the child they give birth to.”
Who is this cruel man? Why does he want a child? She couldn’t imagine her child having a father like him!
“But if you don’t agree, that’s fine. I can find another woman.” Alston took back the letter and check before leaving.
Claire was torn. She desperately needed the money for her twins’ chemotherapy, but on the other hand, she didn’t want to lose her rights to the child she would give birth to.
Suddenly, Claire’s phone rang.
“Where have you been, i***t?! Your kids have fainted again after severe nosebleeds! Bella and I had to take them to the hospital! The doctor says they need chemotherapy. If not, your children only have a few weeks left to live!”
“What?!” Claire’s tears flowed freely. Her heart felt shattered. “I’ll come right away and bring the money. Please, take care of them, Ms. Camila.”
Claire ended the call and hurried to catch up with Alston. “Wait, sir!”
The man turned around and frowned at seeing Claire crying. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll agree to the agreement, but give me the money first because I need it urgently.” Claire pleaded, crying.
“No! I'm not a fool man! You must sign it first, so I Will give you money." He will never be fooled by a woman again.
“But my children need chemotherapy immediately. If not, they will die.” Claire cried uncontrollably.
"Your children?" Alston was stunned. He hadn’t expected that the woman had children.
“I beg you.” Claire clasped her hands together. “Please help me. I swear I’ll follow all your orders.”
A memory replayed in Alston’s mind as he watched the woman cry. He remembered his mother crying hysterically, pleading with his father not to divorce her, but his father left her for his mistress.
As a result, his mother fell ill from stress and died a year later. Her death left a deep wound in Alston, turning him into a cold and cruel man towards women.
Because of this, he believed that love only led to disaster. He vowed never to love a woman or get married.
“Where are your children?”
“They’re at the hospital.”
“I will take you there.”
- Writer
