Chapter 2— One Dangerous Lie
1085 Words
~ Ophelia’s POV ~
"f**k!" I exclaimed as I hit my head on the wall in frustration. "What do I do, how do I f*****g start over?!"
Nadia, who’d retired to the kitchen to make us some food, came running into the living room, eyes wide.
"What's wrong? Ophelia, are you okay?"
I slid down the wall, holding my head in my hands. "No, Nadia. I’m not okay. I have nothing left! No money, no place, no plan."
She rushed to my side and sat beside me on the floor. "Stop it. Don’t blame yourself for that jerk’s betrayal. He’s the thief, not you."
"But what now?" My voice cracked as I looked at her, tears threatening again. "Tell me, Nadia. What the hell do I do now? How do I live? How do I even eat tomorrow?"
She was quiet for a moment, chewing on her lip like she was debating something. Finally, she sighed. "Okay… I didn’t want to bring this up. But maybe it’s the only way."
I lifted my head, desperate. "What way?"
"There’s this… job," she said slowly. "It's a weird job, but it pays crazy well. Like… enough to change your entire life."
I frowned. "Nadia, what kind of job are we talking about?"
Her eyes darted away before she met my gaze again. "A surrogate."
I blinked. "Wait, what? As in, carrying someone else’s baby?"
"Yes," she said quickly before I could explode. "They’ll pay for everything, rent, food, hospital bills. And at the end, you get enough money to start over. You’ll never have to depend on another man again."
I stared at her like she’d lost her mind. "Are you hearing yourself? Me? Pregnant? With a stranger’s baby?"
"You can do it, Ophelia. You’re strong," she insisted, gripping my arm. "But… there’s one thing."
"What thing?"
"They’re expecting me," she admitted.
I blinked at her, stunned. "What?!"
"I signed up months ago," Nadia said quickly. "Don't judge me, I was broke, desperate. But now… I can’t go through with it. My career, my reputation, it’ll ruin everything. But you… you need this chance. You can take my place. Just say you’re me. Just once, meet them, hear them out. No one will know."
I shook my head in disbelief. "Nadia, this is insane. If they find out…."
"They won’t," she cut me off. "All they care about is that you’re healthy and willing. That’s it. Please, Ophelia. This is your way out. Don’t throw it away."
I pressed my palms into my face, groaning. "God, this is crazy."
She leaned closer. "Crazy is better than being broke and broken. At least think about it. For me. For yourself."
I looked at her, my best friend, the only person who hadn’t abandoned me, and I'd never felt so indecisive in a long while.
Maybe she was right. Maybe this was the only door left for me.
The next night, I found myself in a black car with tinted windows, Nadia sat by my side, holding my hands.
"This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever agreed to," I muttered.
"Relax. Just breathe. You’ll be fine," she whispered, kissing my cheek before the driver opened the door.
I stepped out hesitantly in front of the massive gate. It was a whole estate but with this strange vibe as though out of a mafia movie….tall, dark and intimidating. Guards stood everywhere, big men with guns, watching me like hawks.
The driver led me inside but went back half way, he just pointed at a large door and waited for me to walk in.
The guards confirmed my name before opening the doors and just as I walked in, my heart almost leaped out of my chest.
Ryker Vizzini. The man I was to be a surrogate for, was right there in the large room.
He was taller than I imagined. With hefty broad shoulders, long brown hair tied back and captivating green eyes. He sat on a large chair watching me intently.
I forgot how to breathe.
"You must be Nadia," his thick voice resounded.
"Y... Yes. Nadia." I stammered, forcing a smile.
He stood, slow and powerful, and walked toward me.
"Take a seat," he said, his eyes never leaving mine. "We need to talk about what you’ll be carrying for me."
My legs wobbled as I sat, clutching my bag on my lap. I could feel his stare burning into me, like he already knew I was lying.
But I kept my smile plastered on. "I’m ready to hear the terms."
Ryker smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Good. Let’s not waste time. I don’t like games."
He snapped his fingers and a folder appeared in front of me. Some assistant slid it across the glass table.
I opened it, and my eyes nearly popped.
"$500,000?" I whispered.
"Half now, half when it’s done," Ryker said coolly. "You’ll live here. No leaving without my permission. You must eat well, sleep well, and must do what the doctors say. In return…" His green eyes locked on me. "You give me an heir."
I almost wet my pants.
“One more thing?” He said, raising a finger. The size alone made me wet and as if reading my mind he said. “You should never try to love me, love is no, no for me.”
I almost laughed. “Trust me, I don't want love either, I just need this money and a better life.”
Ryker was damn hot, maybe a s****l thought about him ran through my mind. Maybe once. Maybe twice, but that was it. Nothing else.
"That’s it?"
"That’s…. everything."
"And… How exactly does this work? The—uh—baby part?"
His lips curved into a dark smile. "Don’t worry. You’ll find out soon enough."
My whole body went hot, my brain screaming at me to run. But I couldn’t. I needed this.
So I forced another shaky smile and nodded. "Then I accept."
"Welcome to my world, Nadia." He smirked.
He signaled to his guards to get me something to drink and I had to sit there and he watched me like a hawk. Downing everything in one go.
Ryker might be fearsome, but it was just maybe nine months? I didn't have to see his face. As long as we didn't cross paths, I'd be fine.
I tried to convince myself I was doing the right thing and he'd never find out I'm not Nadia, I mean he MUSTN'T find out.
- Writer
