A BLOODY SURROGACY DEAL.

I HATE YOU!

Chapter 5

Clara’s POV

“I hate you,” I muttered when I saw the smile plastered on his face at my submission. I couldn’t help but feel like I just sold my soul to the devil for the second time.

As if he had been waiting for this exact moment, Marcus reached back into his briefcase without a word and pulled out a stapled document and handed it to Dominic. "This is the Marriage and Co-Parenting Agreement," Marcus stated in a flat tone.

Dominic handed it to me and as I stared at the bold letters at the top of the page, I couldn’t help but feel caged. How the hell did this man find me?

My hands trembled slightly as I reached for the paper as Dominic continued watching closely.

"Read the primary terms, Marcus," Dominic commanded as he still stared at me.

"The terms are as follows," Marcus began like he had gone through the agreement a thousand times. "One, you will enter into a legal marriage with Mr. Dominic Thorne immediately. Two, the marriage will last for a period of one year, during which you will reside at the Thorne estate. Three, you will maintain the public image of being Mr. Thorne's long-term secret lover and the biological mother of his heir. Four, you will receive an immediate deposit of ten million dollars, with an additional ten million upon the successful completion of the year. Five, all current and future criminal charges and civil suits regarding the surrogacy and your identity will be permanently dropped, except if the contract is breached.”

A shiver ran through me as I listened to Marcus but sadly, there was nothing I could do.

"And Leo?" I whispered, my voice sounding like it belonged to a stranger.

"Leo will be recognized as the sole legal heir to the Thorne estate," Marcus replied. "You will have shared custody, but he must reside with you at the estate for the duration of the contract."

I looked at Leo, who was currently playing with the buttons of his shirt, unaware of the danger that loomed. Seeing as they were waiting for me to make the first move, I collected the pen Marcus held out to me, before signing my signature.

When I gave Dominic back the contract, he signed his section without missing a heartbeat.

"Now that the paperwork is finished," Dominic said, glancing at his watch. "We have to fix your appearance and we are going to the city."

I looked down at my faded jeans and t-shirt, before returning my gaze to meet his.

"I don't need new clothes," I snapped, trying to find my old attitude. I wasn’t ashamed of my clothes because they were mine still. Losing my parents at an early age sent me into a hustle mode and I was never ashamed of what I had.

"You are about to be introduced as the woman I have loved in secret for five years," Dominic countered, his eyes raking over me in dissatisfaction. "You need to look the part because people will ask questions if you look like you just crawled out of a workshop."

Without having nothing else to say, I could only reluctantly agree and so, our journey began.

The ride to our next destination was a silent one. Dominic sat in front while I sat in the back with Leo, while Marcus drove. After about thirty minutes later, we pulled up in front of a luxury boutique that I had never been to before.

When we walked in, my eyes widened but of course, I tried to play it cool. They attended to Dominic like he was a god and hung on his every word, which pissed me off to no end.

For the next two hours, I was transformed into a different person. They did my hair, smoothened the tangles into nice curls and also applied some makeup to my face and by the time they were done, I couldn’t recognize myself.

"Better," Dominic said when I stepped out of the dressing room in a black dress I had also been given. I rolled my eyes and chose not to say a word to him. Leo was also taken care of and it was the only thing that made me happy.

Dominic got us a whole lot of clothes and by the time we were done, the boot was full.

"We need to stop at my house," I insisted as we got back into the car. "I'm not leaving without our things because Leo’s favourite things are back there."

Dominic checked his watch, a look of irritation crossing his face, but he nodded. "Make it fast. We have a dinner to attend."

It took another thirty minutes for us to return to my little apartment and I quickly grabbed Leo’s things. I also picked some of my favorite things as well, and by the time I was done, I had packed two suitcases.

"Mommy, why are we leaving?" Leo asked, in confusion as he took in the packed things.

"We're going on a little trip, Leo," I lied as my throat tightened. "Don’t worry, it's going to be an adventure."

As they got back into the car, I took one last look at my apartment and I tried to hold the tears that threatened to spill. Four years was all it took for me to take this place as my home and now, I didn’t know when I was going to be back.

"Clara. We're leaving," Dominic yelled from the car, now impatient.

I took a deep breath and wiped a stray tear from my cheek, before getting into the car. Once I settled in, I pulled Leo into my lap and held him tightly.

"My father and the rest of the family are waiting at the estate," Dominic said as the car pulled away from the driveway. "They believe I've been keeping you in a private villa for years. You will tell them that you stayed away because you wanted Leo to have a quiet childhood before he entered the public eye. Do you understand?"

"I understand," I whispered, staring out of the window.

"Good. My father is not a man you want to cross, so keep an eye out," Dominic added, making a knot form in my belly.