DANTE'S POV:ROMANO FAMILY HOUSE RESIDENCE...Earlier that evening..."If you're not willing to see my wife, then you can forget about ever attending the gala party that I am holding for my company," she gasped, surprised."What do you mean by that? It's your company, Dan! Are you going to stop your mother from joining you in the celebration of your success all because of a woman you just met one week ago?" She asked, and I took a moment, staring back at her, eyeball for an eyeball, before I flickered my gaze away a bit."Yes, I will. In fact, I am stopping you from ever attending any of my parties if you're still going to refuse to give her your blessings," I said decisively.She walked up to me, gently cupping both sides of my face in her palms, "What are you saying, Dan? You can't do this to your mother, son." I took a step back, knowing that she was about to emotionally blackmail me, but I had a motive for coming here, and I was definitely going to achieve that before I stepped r
DANTE'S POV: "ELOISE!" My mind screamed as I hastened my strides faster than even, dashing to the pool where I saw Eloise thrashing and struggling to stay at the surface of the pool, the water engulfing her over again."Help! Someone help!" She panicked, thrashing her legs and hands in the water while gulping down a mouthful of water. "Crap!" I cussed, my eyes full of worry but once I held gaze with the pregnant toad who was responsible for it, my brows furrowed instantly on her and fear flashed across her eyes.She began mumbling out words of explantation but I had no time for that."What the fuck is she doing in the pool?!" I demanded as a protective instinct took over my mind. I unbuttoned my suit and T-shirt and then splash followed. I cradled her in my arms, carrying her upward. I broke the surface, and she began gasping for air until it finally filled her lungs..Her eyes slowly fluttered open and I saw the fear, the tears in her eyes."Mr. Romano?" She whispered quietly, t
Eloise POV: Dante didn't look like he was joking, he was serious. But was I expected to believe that? How could it be possible?I laughed, "Are you sure of what you're saying, Mr. Romano? How can my fertility drugs be switched with contraceptive pills? Who the fuck would do such a thing?" "I expected this," he said, massaging his chin. "I knew it would be hard for you to accept this truth. But that's the reality. And the fact that Damien knows about it makes it worse." My eyebrows furrowed, "Who did it? Who is the one responsible? Is it Damien?" I asked, my nerves growing tensed by the second with fury brewing in it. "Tell me, Mr. Romano! Who the fuck kept changing my drugs for a whole five mother fucking years that I had been taking it so I can be able to give birth to my own child!" "Vivian and Regina Ashford," He finally vomited it and my whole world spun, my mind reeling from the revelation. "W-what?" I gasped, my eyebrows knotting into a frown."Yes, Eloise. They connived to
Eloise POV: I turned my gaze on both of them now, my fury razor-sharp."You let her—this conniving little witch—poison your mind against me without even giving me a chance. Not once did you ask. Not once did you care."I stepped closer, eyes locked on Regina."Yes, I worked in a brothel. But never—not for a second—as a prostitute. I couldn’t stomach that life. I didn’t last a week before I walked out and never looked back."I spat to the side, not bothering to hide my disgust."You judged me without knowing a damn thing. And now you want forgiveness?"I laughed bitterly. "Save your breath."Regina lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper."You're right... and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been such a fool—""Enough."I raised a hand, silencing her instantly."Spare me the performance. I’m not naive. You’ve hated me from the beginning and never once saw me as part of your precious Ashford family.""Don’t speak to my mother like that, Eloise," Damien snapped, jaw clenched as he
DANTE'S POV:I’ve never felt better than I do right now.There was something incredibly satisfying about putting those arrogant bastards in their place, the ones who thought they could walk all over my wife without facing any consequences. And to top it all off, I finally made the announcement I’d been holding back for so long.I told the world I have a wife. A wonderful, sweet wife. Eloise.But I knew there’d be a price. The questions, the whispers, the headlines because yes, Eloise was married once before and wasn't treated right in her marriage. But so what? I don’t care, I never did and I won't start now. I've vowed to myself to be a better man for her...More than what that asshole could ever be. Let the media say whatever the hell they want. I didn’t invite them. I invited my business partners to celebrate the anniversary of my company and to introduce them to the woman who now stands beside me as my wife. That’s it.But of course, the vultures showed up anyway, uninvited, as
Accidental Surrogate For The Ruthless Billionaire Written ByOkwuma Esther (Esther~Writes) Chapter One. (ELOISE POV)"Congratulations, Mrs. Laurent. The procedure for the sperm insemination was successful." Those exact words echoed in my mind as I stepped out of my car, barely bothering to slam the door shut behind me. A cool gust of wind brushed against my skin, carrying the sharp bite of an impending downpour. Above me, the sky darkened, the clouds shifting into a heavy shade of blue as distant rumbles signaled the storm’s approach but I didn’t give a damn. I had a huge smile tugging at the sides of my my lips. It was one I struggled to suppress as I sprinted up the stone steps toward the patio. My heart pounded, not from exhaustion but from sheer, uncontainable joy. It had been like that from the moment my best friend and fertility doctor, Ivy Reid, relayed the news to me barely an hour ago. I could feel tears pool at the rim of my eyes, as I tightened my fists around the rep
ELOISE POV: “Y-you, you don't mean it, Dami" I stuttered, a mirthless laugh about to escape my lips again. “You just want to get on my nerves, right? I-its a joke, a prank—” “Don't be an emotional fool, Eloise,” My mother-in-law's sharp tongue cut me off. “You're getting divorced and there's nothing that can be done about it! Vivian is more successful and supportive to Damien than you could ever be so don't you dare dream of staying in his life longer than you already did!” She warned.“No, mother. What are you saying?” I asked with tears brimming my eyes as it slowly began to blur my vision. “It's my life we're talking about here, and not that of any child or teenager. You can't just make the decisions without considering how I'd feel, the effects it would have on my life and if I agree to this divorce or not.” I choked out, the tears threatening to spill as they sting my eyes. “I am your daughter-in-law for Christ's sake, mother. Please don't do this to me. Damien loves me and
ELOISE POV:I slowly lifted my gaze to meet his as he towered over me, his expression cold and distant, so unlike the warmth I had once known.Softly, yet deliberately, I asked, never breaking eye contact. “Squandering the Ashford wealth? Bringing bad luck to your family? Damien, are you really going to stand there and act like you don’t know where that money has gone? Every cent has been for the treatments, the endless medications so I could carry your child. Did you forget? Or have you conveniently erased the fact that you supported it? That you approved it?”A bitter scoff escaped my lips, the next words stinging as I spoke them. “Or maybe you’ve also forgotten that I never needed your money. I was doing just fine, successful in my career until I gave it all up. I sacrificed everything to become the perfect housewife, just to appease your mother.”I shook my head, my voice trembling with the weight of unspoken pain. “I did it all for the sake of peace. Because she convinced herse
DANTE'S POV:I’ve never felt better than I do right now.There was something incredibly satisfying about putting those arrogant bastards in their place, the ones who thought they could walk all over my wife without facing any consequences. And to top it all off, I finally made the announcement I’d been holding back for so long.I told the world I have a wife. A wonderful, sweet wife. Eloise.But I knew there’d be a price. The questions, the whispers, the headlines because yes, Eloise was married once before and wasn't treated right in her marriage. But so what? I don’t care, I never did and I won't start now. I've vowed to myself to be a better man for her...More than what that asshole could ever be. Let the media say whatever the hell they want. I didn’t invite them. I invited my business partners to celebrate the anniversary of my company and to introduce them to the woman who now stands beside me as my wife. That’s it.But of course, the vultures showed up anyway, uninvited, as
Eloise POV: I turned my gaze on both of them now, my fury razor-sharp."You let her—this conniving little witch—poison your mind against me without even giving me a chance. Not once did you ask. Not once did you care."I stepped closer, eyes locked on Regina."Yes, I worked in a brothel. But never—not for a second—as a prostitute. I couldn’t stomach that life. I didn’t last a week before I walked out and never looked back."I spat to the side, not bothering to hide my disgust."You judged me without knowing a damn thing. And now you want forgiveness?"I laughed bitterly. "Save your breath."Regina lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper."You're right... and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been such a fool—""Enough."I raised a hand, silencing her instantly."Spare me the performance. I’m not naive. You’ve hated me from the beginning and never once saw me as part of your precious Ashford family.""Don’t speak to my mother like that, Eloise," Damien snapped, jaw clenched as he
Eloise POV: Dante didn't look like he was joking, he was serious. But was I expected to believe that? How could it be possible?I laughed, "Are you sure of what you're saying, Mr. Romano? How can my fertility drugs be switched with contraceptive pills? Who the fuck would do such a thing?" "I expected this," he said, massaging his chin. "I knew it would be hard for you to accept this truth. But that's the reality. And the fact that Damien knows about it makes it worse." My eyebrows furrowed, "Who did it? Who is the one responsible? Is it Damien?" I asked, my nerves growing tensed by the second with fury brewing in it. "Tell me, Mr. Romano! Who the fuck kept changing my drugs for a whole five mother fucking years that I had been taking it so I can be able to give birth to my own child!" "Vivian and Regina Ashford," He finally vomited it and my whole world spun, my mind reeling from the revelation. "W-what?" I gasped, my eyebrows knotting into a frown."Yes, Eloise. They connived to
DANTE'S POV: "ELOISE!" My mind screamed as I hastened my strides faster than even, dashing to the pool where I saw Eloise thrashing and struggling to stay at the surface of the pool, the water engulfing her over again."Help! Someone help!" She panicked, thrashing her legs and hands in the water while gulping down a mouthful of water. "Crap!" I cussed, my eyes full of worry but once I held gaze with the pregnant toad who was responsible for it, my brows furrowed instantly on her and fear flashed across her eyes.She began mumbling out words of explantation but I had no time for that."What the fuck is she doing in the pool?!" I demanded as a protective instinct took over my mind. I unbuttoned my suit and T-shirt and then splash followed. I cradled her in my arms, carrying her upward. I broke the surface, and she began gasping for air until it finally filled her lungs..Her eyes slowly fluttered open and I saw the fear, the tears in her eyes."Mr. Romano?" She whispered quietly, t
DANTE'S POV:ROMANO FAMILY HOUSE RESIDENCE...Earlier that evening..."If you're not willing to see my wife, then you can forget about ever attending the gala party that I am holding for my company," she gasped, surprised."What do you mean by that? It's your company, Dan! Are you going to stop your mother from joining you in the celebration of your success all because of a woman you just met one week ago?" She asked, and I took a moment, staring back at her, eyeball for an eyeball, before I flickered my gaze away a bit."Yes, I will. In fact, I am stopping you from ever attending any of my parties if you're still going to refuse to give her your blessings," I said decisively.She walked up to me, gently cupping both sides of my face in her palms, "What are you saying, Dan? You can't do this to your mother, son." I took a step back, knowing that she was about to emotionally blackmail me, but I had a motive for coming here, and I was definitely going to achieve that before I stepped r
Eloise POV:"What do you mean by that?" I demanded, glaring at her and she rolled her eyes."Don't act dumb, Eloise," She purred sweetly, walking around me like an angelic predator with a smile on her lips.She continued, "We both know that you have nowhere and no one to turn to so how were you able to turn up here without getting some help? Damien and I had been expecting to see you roaming on the streets by now, you know. Trying to get some daily bread of some kind," As she spoke, I kept glaring daggers her way. So this was what they both expected me to be doing? They wanted to see me begging on the streets. Lol, what more could I have expected from these retarded bastards. "You can't even fend for yourself without getting an help from Damien who is practically your EX-Husband, while I am now his beloved wife," she smirked, gently rubbing her belly bump...I saw and knew what she was trying to do. She was trying to open old wounds that were yet to even heal! She's rubbing the fact
Eloise POV:The driver pulled the car to a halt in the parking lot, where a lot of brand-new and expensive cars were parked. He came down from the car, swiftly went around, and opened the car door for me with a respectful bow. "Thanks, Gabriel," I appreciated as I stepped down from the car, my black heels clicking softly against the granite pavement.Gabriel was the driver's name. He told me when we were talking and engaging in tiny bits of conversation in the car. He was a sweet and funny guy but kind of average in height. His whole personality was an approachable and friendly one.I glanced around, scanning the parking lot, noting the high-end cars parked around me. The place reeked of wealth, including the people who walked around here. They were all high class with a proud and pompous looks on their faces; only a few were down to earth. But It was hard to imagine an average person ever stepping foot here.I couldn't help but wonder why Dante had let me come to such a place on my
Eloise POV:I trailed behind him as he left my room, his long strides hard for me to match.Not that I was really trying. Fear still clung to me, making each step feel heavier than the last as I bit down hard on my lips to hold myself together. After what had happened— the cold barrel of his gun aimed at my forehead — I couldn't bring myself to move any closer to him. Not anymore. Not after seeing this dark, dangerous part of him because something between us had shifted. In the week I had been living with him, I had never once thought I would one day see this side of him. At least not so soon. I had never imagined a moment like this would come because of the way he always cared and gave me more than everything I had asked for. Maybe he had always been right. He warned me not to let anything he does for me to get into my head but I guess that it subconsciously did get into my head in a way that I had began trusting him. I told Ivy not to worry because he didn't seem like a bad man
Eloise POV:"Are you alright, ma'am?" I heard Claire asked and a gulped down a mouth full of saliva."Y-yes. Yes, I am," I stammered out. "Please tell Mr Romano that I won't be having dinner. I'm still feeling full at the moment. I don't think I would be hungry any time soon so yea... He can carry on without me." Then there was another round of silence outside the door. My heart was beating really fast and my mind was going wild on the thought of how Dante might react to my refusal to join him. "What if he gets furious?" I thought. "He never jokes with my health because it could affect the baby too. What if he storms in here and pulls me all the way downstairs? He can tolerate anything but can't allow the health of the baby to be at risk for any dumb reasons. Especially one that is as dumb as mine...""I am sorry, ma'am, but I can't," Claire refused to tell him what I said. I was low-key expecting that from her. "He insists that you come out of your room for dinner. So please..." "