Chapter - 4

[ Damien ]

“Mr. Rosewood, congratulations. The procedure of transferring of the embryo is successful. The surrogate mother is healthy. Do you want to meet her as well?” The doctor asked us.

I wasn’t bothered much. The surrogate was picked by the doctor and my wife Ava. I had very busy in my work lately. I was in London when Ava selected the right candidate according to the reports. Today’s the day when the doctor called us to confirm the success of failure of the procedure.

“Yes, doctor. I have met her but I want my husband to meet our surrogate as well. After all, she is going to give us the biggest good news of our life.” Ava said with a wide smile.

“Thank you, doctor. Yes, today, I want to meet her. She must be a woman of good health and with clean background.” I said leaning back on the chair.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Rosewood. We value our patients and your family is the most important family in the city. Of course, I have picked the best candidates and only proceeded when your wife gave me written consent.” The doctor said rose from her chair, “Come with me, I’ll introduce you to the woman who will be carrying the heir of your family.” She said and led us to the operating room.

I could feel uneasiness building into my chest, I had a feeling that it wasn’t a right choice, I felt the same knot when I saw the pictures of Madeline with Adrian. The doors were opened by the nurses and we stepped into the ward. A familiar scent invaded my sense.

The same fragrance which forced me to turn back and met the most beautiful woman at a bus stop in a rainy night. I fell in love with her at first instance.

“Where is she?” The doctor asked the nurse when we didn’t see anyone inside.

“She left five minutes ago. You gave her the discharge so she left.” The nurse who was cleaning the ward, replied.

I became angry, how could a woman be this much careless? I wanted to see the woman who has the responsibility of my child, she must be a responsible and sincere person.

“Doctor Kahn, I do not expect such recklessness from you and your clinic. I want to meet the surrogate, it’s better if you ask her to meet us at my residence because she must live under our roof so we can monitor her health and keep her away from the eyes of the media until she gives birth.” I warned the doctor sternly.

Her facial colours disappeared. She didn’t expect me to unleash my anger on her. She frantically nodded her head.

“Yes, Mr. Rosewood. I am calling her immediately and tell her to reach at your residence. Please, forgive me, I didn’t know what she’ll leave like this.” The doctor said with a red face as she was embarrassed.

“Damien, please, calm down. I have her contact number, I am calling her personally to come over to our house. Your parents are already there. They want to meet our surrogate as well.” Ava said.

I mentally groaned, my parents had been pestering me since last week. I can’t ignore them any longer.

“Damien, there’s no need to be angry. I met her and she is a sincere woman. We’re going to have a child, what else matters?” Ava, who looked very relieved, said as we drove back to our home but I was lost in my thoughts.

As I predicted earlier, my parents were already present at my house. Preparing myself for another suffocating meeting with them, I walked straight to them.

“Mother, father, the procedure is done successfully. I fulfilled my promise.” I announced to them and their waiting eyes gleamed with happiness.

“I am glad to hear this, son. Finally, our bloodline and our business will have a successor.” My father said with pride but my mother stood with a suspicious look.

“I’ll only believe you when I meet the woman who is carrying the future of this family. Where is she?” She asked me with narrowed eyes.

“She’ll be here soon, Mother.” Ava said to her in a flattering tone but my mother gave her a disgusted “look.

“It was your job to give birth to my grandchild but you were a bigger failure than Madeline Smith.” My mother looked down at her in disappointment but before I could utter a word, clicking sounds of heels put a pause on us.

“Are you remembering me, Madam Rosewood?”

I felt my body freezing. Did I just hear her voice. The same scent filled the air but when I saw my parents’ morphed faces, I turned around. My mind went blank and for a moment I forgot to breathe.

Madeline was standing right in front of my eyes. She had changed a lot but looked more beautiful and confident than before with shorter hairs, dressing more like a regal person and radiated rich aura. The grace of maturity on her innocent face changed her a lot but the spark in her eyes wasn’t the same. Although, she was smiling confidently, she looked cold and emotionless.

“Madeline?” I uttered her name in an inaudible whisper.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her when her eyes locked with mine, time seemed to stop between us. All those memories we created together flashed in front of me and our bitter separation.

“You? How dare you to come here?” My mother’s angry voice broke the silence and before I could understand anything, my mother marched towards Madeline and pushed her but Madeline steadied herself.

“Easy, Madam Rosewood. You will not only hurt me but also your precious grandchild.” Madeline said stroking her belly.

I was confused, what was she talking about but it triggered my mother more.

“How dare you to mention my grandchild from the mouth of a jinx like you?” My mother raised her hand to slap her but Madeline grabbed her hand.

“Madam Rosewood, you should keep your anger in check. I am not joking, your grandchild is here, in my womb.” She said again touching her belly.

It was the verge of my patience.

“Madeline, do you hear yourself? How can you carry my child when I am seeing you for the first time in years?” I asked her because I was afraid that she is back to stir my deep buried feelings. I loved her with everything in me but she played with my feelings.

“You’re right, Mr. Knight. We are meeting in two years but I am pregnant with your child. I am the surrogate who is carrying your babies.” She said with a tri

umphant smirk leaving me speechless and Ava to collapse on the floor.