The Billionaire’s Fake Surrogate: A Baby to Break Free

“Try not to pick a ball gown, especially if you’re having a summer wedding by the beach," Noah, the blue-eyed groomsman, leaned in to whisper. Melanie’s maid of honor, Blair, was having a full-blown upper-body workout with how she kept struggling with Melanie’s train in the sand. “And what makes you think I will be having a wedding at all?” I blurted out before I could think. Noah’s eyebrows rose as he turned his attention towards me. It was Melanie's wedding. She was getting married to Lucas, Papi’s right-hand man. They had been lovers since we were kids, sneaking around our home when Papi wasn’t looking. Papi only gave them his blessing now, after so many years, because Lucas had eliminated his biggest rival and Melanie was his reward. Everything to him was a business transaction. We were standing in De La Bleau, one of Noah’s many properties. It was the closest vacation spot for the well-to-do in Marksville. The lawn I remembered so well was turned into a dream. The breeze from the lake made the chairs covered in gold fabric look alive. The dense bouquet and the many layers of expensive perfume from the guests made the air very sweet. It was all perfect, exactly how Melanie wished for her big day. “You don’t want to have a wedding, or you don’t want to get married at all?” Noah drew closer, almost moving away from the groomsmen's queue. “Shh!” I hissed loudly. I could see him straighten up when some guests' eyes turned to him—a little smile of victory formed at the side of my lips. The rest of the ceremony went by smoothly. The reception had moved to the pavilion, and it was mostly filled with the soft clinking of glasses and low laughter. The music had already started before I noticed them. Mami was in my Papi’s arms, moving slowly as if the world had finally decided to be gentle with her. His hand rested on the small of her back, guiding her as if he hadn’t spent years breaking her down piece by piece. From a distance, they looked like every other couple on the floor, composed, almost… in love. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her smile like that. Not the careful, practiced smile she wore around him. This one was softer. Real. She caught my eye and held out her hand. “Come,” she called out softly. I hesitated for half a second before stepping forward. Papi let her go without protest, his eyes already drifting elsewhere, scanning the room like he was working even now. Her hands found mine as she pulled me closer, swaying us into the rhythm. “You look beautiful,” she murmured. I huffed lightly. “You say that every time.” “Because it’s true every time.” I followed her lead, letting her guide me in a slow circle. Then she leaned in, her lips brushing my ear. “Have you noticed who your father has been speaking to?” My gaze flickered past her shoulder on instinct, but I stopped myself just short of turning my head. “No,” I said, keeping my tone even. “Should I have?” She pulled back just enough to look at me, her expression still calm. “They’ve been watching you,” she said quietly. “Both of them.” A beat passed between us. I let out a small, dismissive breath. “You’re overthinking it. It’s a wedding. Everyone’s watching everyone.” Her grip on my hand tightened just slightly, not enough for anyone else to notice. “Crystal—” “I need some air,” I cut in. “It’s too crowded.” She studied me for a second too long. Then, slowly, she let go. “Don’t go far.” I nodded, already stepping back. As I turned, I let my eyes sweep the room just once, and there he was. Papi was standing off to the side, speaking to a man I didn’t recognize. Older. Watching me like I was already his. I didn’t wait to confirm it. I just kept walking. I wished Melanie and Lucas had held on a little longer. Now that she was married, I was the next reward to be given away to some business associate who had proven his worth to Papi. “Why don’t you want to have a wedding, Crystal?” Noah’s husky voice broke my thoughts. I strode to another part of the lakefront, away from the other bridesmaids and my parents. If I was going to have this conversation, I would rather nobody else heard it to avoid being summoned by Papi. “Why do you keep following me everywhere?” I stopped walking and faced Noah when I reached a stretch of the lakefront where I was sure there were no prying eyes or ears. “Our little conversation earlier intrigued me.” “That was barely a conversation; you were disturbing the ceremony.” “Well, I want to hear more now." Noah crossed his hands and moved closer to me. The moving lights landed on his face, revealing his blue eyes and sharp jawline. It was the first time I was really taking in what Noah looked like. “I’m sure you know my father, Mr. Evans.” I finally gave in while trying to keep my gaze away from Noah’s biceps that were poking out of his perfectly tailored tan suit. “I’ve heard some things, but I try not to pry into clients’ private affairs." His tone changed from playful to serious. “My father is… is an authoritarian. I had a regimented childhood, and I was exposed to some things a child should not witness.” Noah placed his palms on the upper part of my arm. “Basically, what I’m trying to say is… marriage does not interest me. I hate what it represents for women.” I wasn’t finished, but I swallowed the rest of my words. He tilted his head, listening closely. “Go ahead,” Noah nudged. “I don’t want to get married,” I blurted out. I watched his blue eyes light up, like a toddler who had just discovered how to play with a new toy. I had no idea they could get any brighter. “Tell me what you want, Crystal.” There was something in his voice that was disarming. The next words came out effortlessly. “I want to get away from my father forever with my mother and siblings, but we cannot do that because he has people everywhere!” “But does he have people in the Stone estate?” Noah responded without hesitation. “What?” “I can give you what you want." The wrinkle in his forehead showed me that he wasn’t bluffing. “There is just one condition—" “Crystal! What are you doing over there? You don’t want to miss the bouquet toss, do you?” It was Blair. Thank goodness! That was all the warning I needed. I yanked my dress up a little to give myself more room to walk as I scurried away from Noah, taking long, sharp steps. I barely made it three steps before Vincent, one of Papi’s men, appeared beside me. “Miss Evans.” His voice was low and respectful, in the way men sounded when they were actually giving orders. “Your father wants the bridal party near the stage.” “I know where the stage is,” I replied coolly. His expression didn’t change. “Then I’ll walk you there." The music grew louder as we stepped back into the crowd. I could already feel Papi’s eyes before I found him standing near the pavilion with the same man from earlier. My stomach tightened as the man looked at me, not at my face first. My skin crawled as he undressed me with his eyes. “Crystal.” Papi’s voice cut through the room as I approached. “Where have you been?” “Outside.” His dark eyes flicked briefly toward Noah across the reception. Just one glance. That was all it took for my pulse to spike. “I don’t like repeating myself," Papi said, straightening the cuff of his sleeve. “When guests are present, you stay where you’re supposed to be.” Every instinct in my body wanted to argue. Instead, I smiled. “Sorry, Papi.” That seemed to satisfy him. Beside him, the older man gave me a slower smile that made me want to leave my own skin. “You look beautiful tonight,” he said. I forced another smile. “Thank you.” “This is Gareth Moretti. A new business alliance," Papi said sternly. I froze. My father had never introduced a business associate to me. Gareth moved closely and leaned in to kiss my chin. “Your father says you’re stubborn. We’ll have to fix that.” He whispered. My breath seized for a moment, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught Noah watching the entire exchange from across the room. His expression had changed completely now. Less amused. Sharper. Like he finally understood something.