The Surrogate’s Secret

“Ha- Hannah?” Freda's voice faltered, her voice cracking as tears welled in her eyes, slowly cascading down her cheeks like raindrops. The unexpected words of Freda immediately made Hannah rise from the bed while smirking. "What is it with that stunned expression?" She inquired with a scoff. Freda felt her legs getting weak as she held her breath, averting her gaze toward Jackson, who was seated on the bed in his boxer briefs. “Jacks… Jackson what…” “Freda! It’s not what you think, okay.” Quickly, Jackson decided to cut Freda off from completing her phrase. He stepped down from the bed, extending his hand toward Freda. "I... I wasn't expecting you to be here this early." Freda scoffed, fluttering her eyelashes as more tears flowed down from her eyes. She immediately felt her knees weaken, as though a string had been threaded through her heart, pulling her down to the ground. "I'm your fiance, Jackson. Why on earth would you betray me like this?" The heart of Freda was scattered into pieces and all she could ask herself was ‘Why?’ ‘Why did my sister and fiance decide to betray me like this?' Despite the questions that Freda asks herself, she still finds it hard to answer her own question. Hannah smiled in delight, watching the horror on her stepsister's face. Slowly, she strode towards Freda before halting right in front of her. "As your step-sister, Freda, I advise that you get the hell out of here," Hannah coldly spat in disgust. "Jackson and I have been seeing each other for some time now, and since you have now found out about our secret relationship, it's best if you quietly walk away." Freda sniffled, fluttering her eyelashes a few times as more tears streamed down her face. ”I... I and Jackson have been engaged for over a year no…” she stammered, unable to complete her sentence. ‘Bang!’ Before Freda could complete her sentence, a heavy slap landed above her cheeks and in an instant, she felt her life disintegrating right before her eyes, but she couldn't do anything. For a split second, Freda was completely motionless while holding her breath. She hadn't anticipated this. She never anticipated that her step-sister and fiance would do such a thing to her. It felt like being burnt alive. The ground felt as if it was about to rip open and consume Freda because all of a sudden, the room began to spin. The more she glared at her sister who stood before her, the more she felt broken. And suddenly… Before she realized what was happening, her legs gave way and she immediately fell to the ground. *** April 11, early this evening, had been a joyous day for Freda because it happened to be the birthday of her fiance. "Gosh! I hope he likes the cake," Freda said softly, looking at the young cashier who was totaling her bill. The cashier was able to grab the words of Freda and she warmly smiled at her. “Your boyfriend must be so lucky to have a wonderful girlfriend like you.” She complimented. Freda couldn’t help herself but blush as her cheeks turned crimson red. She raised her index finger to her hair, tucking some strands behind her ear while glancing around the bakery shop, just to be certain that she didn't miss out on anything. “Here’s the bill,” the cashier voice was suddenly heard and it instantly snapped Freda's attention back to the counter, where she was presented with the bill. Quickly, Freda paid the bills with the help of a credit card, and in no time she grabbed all that she had acquired from the shop. “I wish you a nice day, Miss.” The cashier uttered calmly as Freda made her way out of the bakery shop. The morning sun had risen on the horizon, the sky bright and a gentle breeze caressing Freda's skin. Swallowing, Freda held the cake firmly with her right hand, while a small box of assorted chocolates rested in her left." Even with a small box of chocolates in her left hand, Freda waved down a cab with the same hand, determined to surprise her boyfriend before he goes to work. Several cabs drove past her, but after a few minutes, a white cab pulled over by the side of the road Freda smiled, opening the door and settling into the seat of the cab while the cab driver accelerated the car engine. “Please take me to Inhench Street.” Freda politely stated. The cab driver nodded his head as he focused his gaze on the busy road. Every now and then, Freda's giggles could be heard as she gazed lovingly at the cake that now sat above her thigh. Freda's giggling caught the attention of the cab driver, who inquired with a curious expression, “Miss, is it your birthday?” Freda shook her head, smiling. ”It's my lovely fiance's birthday, and I want to surprise him before he goes to work.” “Ohh!” The driver mumbled. “That’s so nice of you dear.” He happily declared. Freda smiled, her gaze lingering on the cake in her hands and some minutes later, the driver pulled over at her destination. She stepped out of the car and warmly smiled at the driver before proceeding to pay for the fare which warranted the driver to drive away. ‘Pfft!’ Freda sighed as she stared at the compound gate that was right in front of her. Finding the gate slightly open, she nonchalantly strode inside the compound, arriving at the apartment's entrance door. The door of the apartment was slightly open which was similar to how the gate was. 'What is Jackson up to by this time of day?' Freda thought within herself as she stepped into the sitting room, only to find it empty and Jackson nowhere in sight. ‘Could it be that Jackson is already expecting me?’ Freda inquired within herself while blushing. She gulped her saliva, hoping that her surprise would make Jackson happy, and slowly she began to make her way towards the bedroom, eager to share her gift with him. At the entrance of the bedroom, a pair of red heels could be seen. ‘This doesn’t look like mine.’ Freda mused to herself because she doesn’t own any red heels. Without lingering on the thought, Freda stepped into the bedroom, and what greeted her made her world crumble.