The Billionaire Surrogate Turned Contracted Bride

Long, uneven shadows were cast on the cracked linoleum floor by the flickering fluorescent lights in the hospital waiting room. The smell of burnt coffee and antiseptic permeated the air. With a crumpled medical bill in one hand and her phone in the other, Liamh sat slouched on the edge of a hard plastic chair. She read the total again, her fingers shaking. $48,200. An impossibility. It might as well have been a million dollars, but it was so far beyond her grasp. Her daze was broken by the nurse's voice. "Miss Liamh?" Liamh raised his head. The woman smiled at her, sternly, but with sympathy in her eyes. "Doctor Adams would like to talk to you." Liamh felt his stomach tighten. She compelled herself to stand, slipping the bill into her coat pocket as she followed the medical attendant down the corridor. The walls were painted a dull shade of beige, the kind that hospitals probably thought was calming but only made everything feel more lifeless. Inside the workplace, Specialist Adams sat behind his desk, his reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose. He looked up as she walked in, offering the same sympathetic expression she was starting to hate. "Kindly, sit." Indeed she did. He moaned, removing his glasses and scouring his eyes. “Mary’s surgery can’t wait much longer.” Liamh gulped the sense of foreboding deep in her soul. "I know." He delayed. "Without it, her condition will decline." She knew that as well. It was the possibility that kept her up around evening time, that made her feel sick into hitches. "I simply need somewhat more time," she murmured. Doctor Adams wavered, then, at that point, inclined forward. "Liamh… I would rather not alarm you, however in the event that you can't manage the cost of the medical procedure soon, we might need to think about different choices." Her chest fixed. "Different choices?" He breathed out leisurely. "An administration office. Help programs. Moves to — " "No." The word came out more honed than she expected. "I won't allow her to be sent some place understaffed, with scarcely enough hardware to keep her alive." "I get it." His voice was delicate, however it didn't facilitate the frenzy pawing at her throat. "Be that as it may, we're using up all available time." Liamh's hands twisted into clench hands in her lap. That's what she knew. She had known that for a really long time. She pushed to her feet, disregarding the manner in which her legs shuddered. "I'll sort it out." Specialist Adams gave her a long, knowing look, yet gestured. "Inform me as to whether you really want anything." She gestured back, despite the fact that there was nothing he could give her that she really required. She left the medical clinic, her head beating, her heart heavier than at any other time. Outside, the night was thick and sticky. The parking area lights hummed faintly. A natural voice woke up her from her mist. "How terrible?" Liamh turned. Sophie remained close to the control, arms crossed, her appearance incomprehensible. Liamh moaned. "Awful." Sophie read up her face briefly, then breathed out through her nose. "I have an answer." Liamh gave an empty chuckle. "Assuming that this is about another side work, I as of now — " "It's not only a task." Sophie ventured nearer, speaking with a softer tone. "It's an exit plan. A genuine opportunity." Liamh squinted her eyes. "I lack the capacity to deal with questions, Sophie." Sophie ventured into her handbag and took out a smooth dark card with gold lettering. Lady Zee. "She finds amazing open doors for ladies like us. The sort that pay serious cash." Liamh looked at the card watchfully. "What sort of chances?" Sophie delayed. "This one… it's uncommon. However, it's protected. An extremely rich person couple is searching for a substitute. The compensation is all that could possibly be needed for Mary's a medical procedure." A chill ran down Liamh's spine. "You maintain that I should have another person's child?" "It's only nine months," Sophie said, voice consistent. "And afterward you leave. You'll at no point ever need to stress over cash in the future." Liamh gazed at the card in her companion's hand. It felt heavier than it ought to. Nine months. She considered Mary, lying in that emergency clinic bed, her little body connected to machines. Her younger sibling, who actually attempted to grin through the agony. Did she truly have a decision? Her fingers held around the card. "Fine," she said, voice scarcely over a murmur. "I'll meet her." --- The following night, Liamh remained external an upscale parlor, moving on her feet. The entry was tactful, the brilliant sign over the entryway perusing Zee's Exclusive hangout. She breathed out forcefully and ventured inside. The faint lighting washed everything in warm gold. A master drew nearer, wearing a smooth dark dress. "You should be Liamh," she said with a respectful grin. "Right along these lines." Liamh followed her through a hallway into a confidential parlor. Situated in the extravagant room was a striking lady in a dark red dress, her dim eyes evaluating Liamh with calm power. "You're reliable," the lady said without a hitch. "That's what I value." Liamh constrained a swallow. "No doubt about it?" "I'm." She signaled for Liamh to sit. Liamh delayed prior to bringing down herself into the cowhide seat opposite her. Lady Zee concentrated on her. "Sophie lets me know you're in a tough spot." Liamh's throat fixed. "I want cash. Quick." "Also, you're not kidding?" Liamh moved awkwardly. "I don't have the foggiest idea." Lady Zee's red lips bended. "Legit. That's what I like." Liamh fixed. "I want subtleties." "The couple is exceptionally private. Watchfulness is critical. You'd go through clinical screening, sign agreements, and consequently… " Lady Zee slid a really look at across the table. "A development. To demonstrate we're not kidding around." Liamh's breath got. The sum was faltering. More than she'd found in all her years. "This is only the start," Lady Zee said. "The full installment will be sufficient to tackle every one of your concerns." Liamh gazed at the check, her heart beating. Might she at some point truly do this? "What occurs later?" she inquired. Lady Zee shifted her head. "You leave. No commitments. No connections." Liamh shut her eyes momentarily. No connections. That ought to make it simpler. Shouldn't it? She breathed out pointedly and went after the check. "I'm in." Lady Zee's grin extended. "Welcome to the course of action, Miss Liamh."