SIGNED TO SURRENDER

Chapter One: The Deal* "Ooh... you’re here." Startled, Adele turned around, her hand flying to her chest. A man stood just close to the doorway, dressed in pale blue scrubs, clipboard in hand. She sighed . "You scared me." “My apologies,” he said, stepping further into the dimly lit waiting room. “You must be Miss Adele Dante?” She nodded slowly, her legs stiff from sitting too long. “Is something wrong with my mother?” “No. But there’s something we need to discuss. Privately.” She immediately felt lightheaded . That word *privately* never meant anything good in hospitals. She followed him down a hallway that smelled of antiseptic . The walls were the same pale green she'd been staring at for weeks. They stopped outside a plain wooden door. The man knocked twice, then open without waiting. Inside, the room didn’t look like part of the hospital. No machines, no charts. Just silence, a desk, and a man sitting on a chair, and there’s a man standing close to him who looks more like a bodyguard. staring at the man on a chair his aura seems different there was something odd about him. He wasn’t a doctor. He looked like he owned the building. No like he owned whatever he walked into, he has a dark aura screaming possession and power .He’s putting on a Dark suit, open collar, tailored to perfection. His face was sculpted, symmetrical, his cold Eyes like frozen steel scanned her with calculated interest. He was power, wrapped in flesh. “Adele Dante?” he said, not rising from his chair. She nodded, she wasn’t even able to voice a “yes” out “I’m Alexandra Lorenzo.” Her breath caught. She knew that name, she has heard of that name, Everyone did. CEO of Lorenz Motors. Lorenz Chocolate. Lorenz Pharmaceuticals. one of the richest man in America . Rumored to be engaged once—never confirmed. Never married. Never smiling. But she never thought she'll meet him like this. “I he..llo,” she managed to say. “Sit,” he said, motioning toward the chair opposite him, his voice cold as ever. She sat. “I’ll get straight to the point,” he said, folding his hands. “I need a surrogate. I’m offering a significant compensation package, Medical coverage for your mother, 3 million dollars upfront and 2 million dollars upon completion.” Adele froze. *five million dollars*? She blinked, heart racing. That was more money than she could imagine. Enough to cover her mother’s surgery, her brother’s school, their debt and even their future.she couldn’t even understand how she was feeling “w..hy me?” she asked, voice unsteady. “You were recommended by someone I trust. And because you’re... suitable.” She swallowed. The way he said that word—suitable—sent a chill down her spine. As if she were part of a business deal. And it was more like there was an underlying meaning but she cared less. “I’m not a professional. I’ve never done anything like this before,” she whispered. “I’m aware,” he said. “But you’re healthy, Young, Discreet. “Desperate.” The last word hit her like a slap. She lowered her gaze. And yes he was saying the truth “she is really desperate “ She was lost in her thoughts calculating what the money would do for her, his next statement brought her back “I don’t need your answer now,” he continued. “But your mother’s condition is... unforgiving. Time is not your ally. And frankly neither is mine. There are many others who would jump at this offer. The ball is in your court Adele clenched her fists in her lap. She could feel the weight of her life pressing down on her. Her mother’s frail voice from the hospital bed. Her little brother asking if he could go back to school. The hunger. The mockery.The debt. The darkness. And now this. A choice that could save them. Or destroy her. She looked up. “Can I ask one thing?” He raised an eyebrow. “Why me… really?” Alexandra paused. Just for a bit. Then, something flickered behind his cold eyes. “Because I don’t want complications. I want control. And you—Miss Dante—are the kind of person who understands that.” She stared at him. This was it. A decision that could change her life forever. --- Ward 185 Stepping into her mother’s ward , she looked at her mother lying almost lifeless on the bed , tears dropped from her eyes. She began reminiscing about all their good memories together. We just lost dad not too long , we can't really lose another person, I can’t really bear to see you like this ,she said crying. “Mom am going to get you through this..... alive and healthy," she whispered through tears. "I got a crazy offer, But am going to accept it ... for your sake , for our sake “ she said crying. That minute determination creeped into her….