[ Madeline ]“What! A surrogate!”Jason’s exclaim made both I and Damien flinch. Damien shot me a glare. I broke a rule of our agreement.“Guys, what’s going on? Why are you standing like a statue? Please, explain me.” Jason looked between us.“Jason, it must not leak to anyone from you. Do you understand?” Damien spoke, he seemed to struggle with words and I was enjoying his situation.“Come on, Damien. I am your best friend and when I share our secret with a third person.” Jason sounded offended.“This is something which can’t be spread, so I am requesting you to keep it to yourself.” Damien said and sighed deeply, “When I and Ava failed to conceive a baby naturally, we chose the option of surrogacy. I don’t know how but she ended up becoming the surrogate.” Damien told him signalling at me.“Holy Goodness! This is like a scene from a daily soap. Your ex-wife is back in your life as your surrogate. The woman you abandoned because she couldn’t give you a child, is actually pregnant w
[ Madeline ]After having a sour encounter with Damien, I presented myself to the head of department where I would be working as long as I can keep up with my resolution or the Rosewood family doesn’t create hurdles for me. Sooner or later, my pregnancy will be showing. Damien has only given me three months until I start showing my belly.“Are you coming for lunch?” I heard a female voice and I raised my eyes from my computer screen to the girl who was standing at my cubicle.“It’s already lunch time. I didn’t realize.” I sighed stretching my arms. I had been engrossed in preparing the catalogue of Mrs. Vance’s meetings for next three months. She is a bearable lady unlike others whom I have met in last few hours.“Let’s go, I’ll introduce you to our other co-workers. They all are curious to meet the girl who passed Mrs. Vance’s test. You know fifteen other candidates in last two months failed to pass her review. She is very strict and you are the first one who is personally selected b
[ Madeline ]“Sir, Mr. Ludwig wants your signature on these papers before he can negotiate with the company who is giving us the latest security system.” Liam, who is unaware of Damien’s wrath, approached him and placed the file at his desk.“Go and review it again, I don’t want any loopholes in this contract. You know I hate when people come threatening us with lawsuit. I want an upper hand on them.” Damien said even without looking at the file.“But Sir, we have reviewed it multiple times before taking it to you.” Liam said and Damien shot him a glare and he gulped hard.“Are you questioning me? Review it again before coming here or pack your stuffs if I find the slightest loophole.” Damien yelled at him and poor Liam scurried out of there.I felt bad for him. Damien is always like this, unpredictable. I sighed and prepared for my turn.“Mrs. Vance wants your sign on these papers, Sir.” I said in a professional tone and avoided looking at him because I could feel his angry stare on
[ Madeline ]After finishing my leftover work, I went to Damien’s house. I was about to hire a cab but I received a text from Damien stating that I must use his car and guards to keep me out of danger and paparazzi. His guards and driver know their job well.I was exhausted after working tirelessly for hours but I was happy that I was learning new things to help me in my future. I want to give my baby the best life which my parents couldn’t give me and I was always looked down for being poor and uneducated because I couldn’t go to a good school.“Madeline, stop!”An intimidating, venomous voice asked me to stop and I took a deep breath to prepare myself for another around of torture.Mrs. Lydia Rosewood was standing in the middle of the living room with crossed arms and red face. She looked super angry and I know the reason.“Good evening, Mrs. Rosewood but I want to rest so excuse me.” I said in a disinterested tone but she smelled disrespect in my words and she strode towards me.“I
[ Damien ]Why is she bothering me?Since Madeline came back into my life, my life has stirred up. Her presence is giving me complex feelings. On first hand, I feel she is a scammer who played with my heart and trust two years ago, on the other hand, her outburst, her tears and how bitterly she stand against me, it forces me to think if I had made mistake.Did I trust my mother and Rachel blindly?“I am going to be mad soon.” I pressed my temple as my headache grew.Undoubtedly, Madeline has grown into a more mature and beautiful woman in past couple of years. The way men lurk around her, praise her and try to impress her, those feelings of possessiveness stir in my heart. I can’t see another man close to her.I must put a leash on myself or I’ll be falling in this dangerous game.“Sir, you don’t have any schedule for today, most of the employees have left. May I wrap your work for today?” Leila asked me.I tiredly looked at the time, it showed seven-thirty in the evening.“Yes, you m
[ Madeline ]I wouldn’t lie, Lydia Rosewood’s words scratched my old wounds which took two years to heal and this time, she stabbed me deeper by calling my baby a sin. After she left telling me that the biggest villain of my life is back and I should be prepared to deal with her.Rachel Parker ruined my marriage. Now, she is back with another wicked agenda. I must be more careful than before.“Madeline, dear. Damien and Ava are waiting for you at the dinner table.” Nancy’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I looked at her who entered in the balcony where I had been sitting since the evening.I composed myself. Nancy is an observing woman. She’ll sense my disturbed mood.“Nancy, I’ll have my dinner in my room tonight.” I told her and a frown itched on her face. She walked close to me.“Madeline, you look off today, I can see it on your face. Are you upset by Mrs. Rosewood’s harsh words?” She asked softly touching my face.I shook my head, “Nancy, I am fine. She doesn’t affect me a
[ Madeline ]“Nancy, I am getting late for work. See you at night or tomorrow.” I bid my goodbye to Nancy who was insisting me to eat more of the healthy breakfast she made for me but I was already full.“Why won’t you come back today?” It was Ava who asked me this question and I turned around to find her standing at the last step of the staircase.“I will be staying with my friend tonight. I have already informed your husband and he doesn’t have any issue with this.” I told her while checking my purse if I forgot anything.“So, you’re fleeing from the battleground, I guess.” She said and this time I looked up at her.“I think my life is more like a circus for the Rosewood family that they find fun in making it difficult for me whereas I only mind my own business.” I said, it was an indirect taunt for her as well.She slowly stepped down.“Do you really think it just a friendly visit? Rachel Parker vanished from our lives since Damien married me because she saw no chance in winning hi
[ Madeline ]I was frozen.Damien Rosewood, my ex-husband kissed me. He only placed his lips over mine but it was enough to send electrifying waves through my body. My heartbeats accelerated to a dangerous pace. He slowly pulled away but still stood very close to me that I could feel his hot breath fawning on my face.“Dare calling me with formalities again and next time it will be more than this.” He said with a smug smile.The elevator door opened at the same time as he backed away.“Your floor is here, Miss Smith.” He said pointing his finger out of the elevator.I tightly clutched my bag and scurried out of there. As soon as the elevator closed, I released the breath I had been holding and placed my hand on my chest. My cheeks and ears were hot. It was the same feeling as the first time he kissed me.“Madeline, are you having fever? Oh My Gosh! Your face is red.” Emily’s voice snapped me out of my trance.I immediately composed myself and turned to face her, she was looking at me
[ Damien ]“Damien…” Madeline ran into my arms as soon as I stepped into the house. I immediately found my solace and hugged her even tighter.“I was scared. I begged the police to allow me to see you but they didn’t listen to my pleads.” She broke down into tears and my heart clenched seeing her like that.“I am back home, Maddie. Please, don’t cry. You are my strength. I need your support the most right now. Please, stay strong for me.” I said stroking her back.She broke the hug and looked at me with red swollen eyes, it was evident that she had been crying ever since she heard the news.“I can assure you that I will fight till the end. I haven’t killed her and I need to find the culprit who took someone’s life just to seek revenge on me.” I assured her wiping her tears. “I believe you, Damien, you can’t kill anyone but whoever killed Ava, they must be really dangerous people.” She said.“Nothing will happen to us. I am going to find them very soon, Maddie. Please, don’t stress yo
[ Damien ]My mind stopped working. I didn’t know what was happening around me. I was summoned to come to the police station, they interrogated me for hours, asking me same question again and again. I had no idea what was going on.Ava was killed and the blame fell on me that I wanted to remove her from my way. Her family was persistent to prove it. The killer left no evidence but they found my hair at the crime spot and I didn’t know what were they trying to prove.I just sat there silently, my mind went to all the directions and imagined the worst outcomes. I had no alibi. Who was backing a low life coward like Ava’s father?Most importantly, my heart was scared for Madeline. Did she already know? What will happen to her if I go to jail. My own family is her enemy.I rubbed my face while gazing at my shoes.“Mr. Rosewood, you can leave as for now. Your bail is approved. I must say that you have the best lawyers in your pocket but I am also not someone whom you can buy with money. Ma
[ Darius ]“Please, stop. You are tickling me.” Madeline giggled when I dropped feathery kisses on her open cleavage.“Why? Don’t you like when I kiss you here, like this?” I kissed her throat and made my way down to her valley, her back arched with the slow pleasure I was giving her.“Damien, you’ll be late. Just go, the court opens at ten and it’s already eight. You can’t be irresponsible.” She reminded me for the fifth time since we woke up.“You are a mood spoiler. Yes, the court opens at ten but our case will be discussed at eleven thirty. You know I am not the only man who wants divorce from an unhappy marriage.” I said rolling beside her but locked her in my arms.“Hey, don’t say that it’s offending because I am also a woman and in most of the cases, men are at wrong.” She glared me.“Ouch, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to target the women but those who are toxic.” I apologised and kissed her nose.“You’re such a sweet talker but we can’t stay in bed like this. Come on, let me get
[ Madeline ]“I am nervous, Damien.” I said, my body broke into sweat as soon as the driver pulled the brakes in the parking lot of the clinic.I was at the doctor for a routine checkup. I haven’t consulted her after my incident but now, I wanted to ensure that my babies are fine and we are also there to find out the gender of our babies which made sweat even more.“Don’t be nervous. We’ll get to know today what we’re having. Personally, I want girls, a replica of their mother, beautiful and smart.” He said grabbing my hand and kissed my palm.“I bet your mother won’t wish for that.” I laughed and we made our way inside the clinic.“I don’t care what others want, Maddie. For me, you and our babies are my first and foremost priority regardless of their gender.” He said and it touched my heart because most of the men wish for a boy.There were no other patients so we were directly led to the doctor’s office.“How are you doing, Madeline?” Doctor asked me as she gestured us to sit.“Doct
[ Madeline ]“Madeline, it’s already very late. Please, take some rest. Damien must be caught in some important work otherwise he would be home by this time.” Nancy tried to tell me for the umpteenth time but my anxiety was growing with passing hours.“How can I sit at ease, Nancy? He left with Ava as soon as we come home. It’s already ten and he hasn’t responded to my calls and texts. I don’t know what is happening between them or where has he taken her.” I shared my concern with her while tapping his feet on the floor.She gave me a helpless look and decided to wait with me as other house staff already retired to their homes. Nancy stays with us in the mansion.“Did he say something or you observed something unusual before they left without informing me?” I asked her and she looked away. I knew she knew something which she wasn’t telling me because hemigh“Damien asked me and other maids to pack Ava’s stuffs and it’s already sent back to her home.” She told me and I was shocked.“He
[ Damien ]“What are you saying, son? You want to divorce my daughter? What happened? Did she do something to upset you?” Ava’s father asked when he recovered from the shock that my news delivered to them.“Yes, she tried to kill my babies.” I said, there was no point of saving her because her family will again use her as a pawn to trap another family. I have investigated their background and I found they are in debt and it will be easier for me to get rid off such greedy family.“What?” My mother’s face turned red because her heirs are the only valuable tressure for her.“Mother, I can explain you. Trust me, I didn’t wan-” She couldn’t finish her sentence as my mother slapped her hard across her cheek.“How dare you to hurt my grandkids. Have you forgotten your place?” Mother yelled at her menacingly.I stepped between them to stop more violence because I wanted to sort the matter peacefully and also want to close the chapter there.“Mom, we can also talk in a civil way. There is no
[ Damien ]I don’t know how to thank the Almighty who gave me everything back which was taken away from me. I still feel like it’s a dream or a miracle.A miracle precisely.When Madeline revealed that she is pregnant with our babies, not Ava and mine surrogate twins, my happiness had no bounds.After a really long time, I realized what true happiness means. It was a surreal experience that I never want to forget. It gave me another reason to fight for my love and my happiness. Finally, my dream of having a family with the woman I love will be fulfilled.Madeline got discharged the next day but the doctor advised her strict bed rest for a week and I’ll make sure she follows all the precautions because I don’t want to take another chance.“Welcome home.” Nancy exclaimed with a wide smile and ran to Madeline first whom I was holding for support even though she denied but I didn’t listen.“Nancy, how are you?” Madeline asked her as they shared a hug.“I am good but this house felt empty
[ Madeline ]When I tried to open my eyes, I felt like my body was hit by a truck and my head was heavy. The last time I recalled, I was at the Ramirez’ party, dancing with Damien and then his wife came. We argued and she pushed me.My heartbeats increased and a known fear gripped me. My breathing became uneven as I remembered feeling a sharp pain in my abdomen before passing out.My babies!“Hey, calm down, you are fine.” I heard Damien’s soft voice and I looked at my right side with blurry vision. His face came into my view and I saw a relieved smile on his face.I removed my oxygen mask and laboured my breath before asking him about my babies, “How..how..are the babies?” I looked at him dreadfully.“They are fine because their mother is a fighter. She will protect them at any cost.” He said gently stroking my hairs.I closed my eyes and thanked the God. I didn’t know when the last time I felt this much happier after knowing that my babies weren’t hurt. I would have died if somethin
[ Darius ]“Please, save our baby.”These words kept ringing into my ears as I anxiously tapped my feet on the tiled floor of the hospital corridor, continuously praying the Almighty to keep my babies and Madeline out of danger but her words pushed me in a web of confusion.Why did she refer the babied as ‘our’ babies?They are my babies, it’s true but they’re not blood related to her. The more I recall her words, the more I was desperate to seek my answers. Only Madeline can answer me.“Damien, she’ll be fine. You have to keep faith.” Giselle, who insisted to come to the hospital with me saying she is a local and she knows the place better than anyone else. Miguel also provided security and privacy for us so the news won’t leak in the public.I requested him to handle the guests who witnessed the whole scene. I don’t want this news to reach to my city and to my family or my enemies.Half an hour later, the team of doctors who were treating her, came out. I rushed to them. My heartbea