The Surrogate Mother
1686 Words
“Darling? Sorry I took so long. I had a terrible stomachache. Let’s go!” Alan said.
“Why did you come out of there? Wasn’t the restroom around here?” Soraya asked, her eyes filled with confusion.
“Let’s go now, darling. You’re tired, aren’t you?” Alan took Soraya’s hand.
Emily stepped out from her hiding place, her gaze fixed on Alan as he walked hand in hand with his wife.
“Alan Horison? He’s the only son of the owner of the largest hotel in this country?” Emily’s eyes widened as she read the name card in her hand.
“You must pay off all your mother’s debts if you want to quit this job!” Madame Grace’s sarcastic voice echoed endlessly in Emily’s ears.
“What should I do? How could I possibly sell my own child just to live comfortably? But raising this baby alone will only repeat the same fate. At least I know who the father is. Unlike me,” she murmured.
**
Alan stood in front of the bathroom mirror, lost in thought. Emily’s innocent face lingered in his mind. Her pregnancy did not seem like a problem to him forever.
“If Emily agrees to be a surrogate and keep everything a secret, then there won’t be any problem. I can persuade Soraya to accept it.”
The memory of that heated night with Emily stirred his desire. Even as he lay with Soraya, Emily’s face flashed through his mind, haunting him.
“You’re amazing, darling,” Soraya whispered, her voice soft and breathy.
Alan continued his rhythm, moving steadily, drawing soft moans from Soraya.
“Emily?” Alan murmured under his breath, then suddenly stopped.
“Darling, why did you stop? Are you tired?” Soraya asked, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.
Alan snapped back to reality. The woman beneath him was not Emily, but Soraya. They resumed, their passion rising until they both reached release together.
“Ahh,” they breathed in unison.
“Darling, are you having some kind of trouble?” Soraya asked later, lying in his arms beneath the blanket.
“What do you mean?” Alan replied.
“That’s exactly what I want to know. Lately, I feel like you’ve been hiding things from me. You often go out alone without saying anything, and you always look troubled. What’s going on?” Soraya sat up and looked into his eyes.
“So Soraya has noticed? I’ve been searching for Emily. After that night, she disappeared without a trace. I just feel incredibly guilty for taking her innocence by force,” Alan thought.
“No, darling. It’s just your imagination. I’m not having any trouble at all. Especially now, and from now on, you’ll always be by my side,” Alan said, leaning in to kiss her gently.
**
Emily was startled when the door to her rented room was suddenly forced open.
“Who are you?” she asked as four large men grabbed her arms and legs.
“So now you’re living in a place barely fit for rats?” Madame Grace said with a mocking laugh.
She lifted Emily’s chin, then shoved her forehead roughly.
“How dare you run away after getting just one client? Your mother’s debt is still enormous. Don’t pretend to be pure, Emily! You’re a girl with no clear origin. Your fate is to become a woman of the night, just like your mother!”
Tears streamed down Emily’s face. The insults she had endured for years still hurt, no matter how often she heard them.
“How much does my mother owe you? I’ll pay it all off!” Emily said, her voice trembling.
Madame Grace chuckled, then slapped Emily several times.
“This is no time for jokes. How exactly will you pay it? Even if you sell yourself to dozens of men, it still won’t be enough!”
“Give me two days. I’ll pay everything,” Emily pleaded.
Madame Grace fell silent for a moment.
“Fine. I’ll give you until tomorrow. If you fail, your debt will double.”
Her men released Emily roughly before they all left.
“The card, where did I put it?” Emily hurriedly searched for the business card Alan had given her.
“Thank goodness I didn’t throw it away.” She grabbed her phone and dialed his number.
Alan looked at his screen.
“Unknown number?” he muttered.
“Emily?” He quickly locked his office and answered.
“Hello, is that you?” Alan asked.
“Yes, sir. It’s me. Can we meet now?” Emily asked.
“Yes. I’ll come to you. Send me the address.”
They met in a small park near Emily’s apartment.
“You live here?” Alan asked, pity in his eyes.
Emily nodded.
Alan looked her over from head to toe. His eyes widened when he noticed the bruises on her wrist.
“Who did this?” he asked.
Emily noticed his gaze and quickly covered her wrist.
“I twisted it,” she replied.
Alan grabbed her hand and examined it more closely.
“No. These are finger marks. Tell me, who did this?”
“It’s none of your business, sir. I can handle it,” Emily said, pulling her hand away.
Alan grew more suspicious when he saw the bruises on her cheek.
“Wait here.” He went to his car and returned with a first aid kit.
“Just stay still,” he said as he treated her injuries.
Emily obeyed. Tears slipped down her cheeks again.
“You’re crying. Does it hurt that much?” Alan asked.
“Thank you, sir. You’re the first person who has ever cared about me. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner. The first time we met, you helped me get away from that man,” Emily said.
“It was nothing. I just don’t like seeing people being mistreated,” Alan replied.
“All done. The bruises will heal in a few days. Now, let’s discuss our contract.”
Alan explained his marriage.
“So you and your wife agreed to find a surrogate to carry your child? But why choose me? I’m already pregnant,” Emily asked, confused.
“I’ve thought it through and decided to take responsibility. What happened between us will remain a secret forever. We’ll go through IVF at my friend’s clinic. The child will not be ours, but mine and my wife’s. The timeline can be adjusted.”
“You mean we’re deceiving her?” Emily asked.
“A small lie won’t matter. Everything can be resolved at once. You won’t have to worry about the child not having a father. My wife and I can have a child according to our plans,” Alan said.
“If you’re certain about this, I agree,” Emily said.
“Write the amount you want and sign the contract.” Alan handed her a check and a stamped agreement.
With trembling hands, Emily accepted them.
“Have I lost my mind? I’m selling my own child to his father? Forgive me, my child. It’s better for you to live as your father’s child than with a mother like me,” she thought as she signed.
“Now come to my apartment. You’ll stay there for now. I’ll handle the rest,” Alan said.
“Give me until tomorrow morning. There’s something I need to take care of first,” Emily asked.
Alan frowned. “You’re not planning to run, are you?”
“Run? Why would I?”
Her phone vibrated. Emily’s eyes widened at the caller’s name. Alan took it from her.
“You little tramp! You’ve got the money, haven’t you?” Madame Grace snapped.
“Where are you? Come out now!” Alan challenged.
“Of course, sir. I can smell your money from here. I’m on my way,” Madame Grace said as she stepped out of a car across the park.
“Give me my phone! Why are you interfering?” Emily protested.
“I don’t think you read the contract carefully. After you signed it, your life became my responsibility. My child is inside you,” Alan said.
He demanded proof of payment from Madame Grace and documented the transaction.
“From this moment on, you have nothing to do with her. If you or your men dare to disturb her again, I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your lives in prison,” Alan warned.
**
“Darling, I’ve found a surrogate. She’s a friend of Dr. Tyson. All her tests are excellent. Her womb is healthy, so the IVF program should go smoothly,” Alan said.
“Does it have to be so soon? We’ve only been married for two weeks. You’re already eager to have a child?” Soraya teased.
“Yes. My parents are longing for a grandchild. They’ll be very happy if we make it happen.”
“All right, I’ll go through the process. But I have one condition,” Soraya said.
“What is it?” Alan asked.
“I want us to move to a quiet, peaceful place. I don’t want anyone to know about the IVF program, especially your parents.”
“Alright, we’ll move as soon as possible.” Alan hugged her tightly and gently stroked her hair.
“I’m sorry, darling. I have to lie to cover what happened that night. I truly love you, Soraya,” he thought.
A few days later, they moved to a house on the outskirts of the city.
“Darling, this is Emily. She will be the surrogate for our child,” Alan said.
Soraya smiled warmly and embraced Emily.
“Thank you so much, Emily. I know this isn’t easy for you. I truly appreciate your kindness,” Soraya said, her eyes shining.
Emily froze, her eyes filling with tears.
“I’m sorry, miss. I have no choice. You’re too kind,” she thought.
“I’m also very grateful, miss, for trusting me,” Emily replied.
**
- Writer
