Contracted To Be The Billionaire’s Surrogate

SMITH GLOBAL

Theodore Smith shut the door to his office, the sharp thud vibrating through the floor-to-ceiling windows. His jaw tightened as he ripped off his tie, tossing it onto the leather couch.

He paced the area, fuming in anger. Nathan, his long-time secretary, stepped into the room with a tablet. He had sensed that a storm was brewing in his boss from the way he had slammed the door.

“These old men have lost their minds!” Theo growled, now pacing behind his massive desk like a caged lion.

“What's wrong, sir?” Nathan asked.

“The board threatened me today!”

Nathan stood, unflinching, his hands in front of him. “What are they demanding this time?”

“Family! They are insisting I get married and start a family. They want me to do whatever they want, like I am a pawn! These older men are using me to make the company look good. All they do is sit at meetings with no suggestions, just outdated ideas on how to grow the company and make demands!” he slammed his hands on the desk. “Can you imagine? Suddenly, my thirty-five-year-old single self is bad for the company’s image. They think I am not worthy of this position! After everything I have done for this company!”

Nathan stayed quiet, letting his boss ramp up while he listened. He knew better than to interrupt whenever Theodore Smith had so much to say.

“My grandfather built this company. I took up the reins of leadership and made it into a leading global company. I even expanded into Tech and tripled our value. And this is how they repay me? Threatening to dismiss me because I'm not parading the entire city with a wife and a kid! Damn those old fools!”

Ethan cleared his throat cautiously. “Sir, in a nutshell, they want you to get married—”

“Or at least have an heir to continue my legacy.”

“Or else you are off the board.” Ethan completed.

“They want me to present myself as a family man before the year ends, or they will replace me—in my company!” Theo sneered.

Nathan cleared his throat again. “So what's the plan, sir?”

Theo ran his hand through his hair. “I am not getting married just to please a bunch of old men who only care about filling their pockets.”

“Sir, I think you need a strategic move. You can talk to your grandfather; he might say a few words.”

Theo scoffed. “He would be the happiest man on earth about the board’s decision. He had been on my neck for a while, demanding the same thing. I have a feeling he has a hand in this.” he exhaled sharply. “I need to talk to Noah.” He grabbed his phone off the desk and dialed the number he knew by heart.

After three rings, a voice answered. “Theo, what's up?”

“I need you at the office right now. It’s about the board wanting me to settle down. I need a solution.” He hung up and settled in the leather chair without waiting for a response.

Thirty minutes later, Noah Blackwood, Theo’s legal adviser and best friend, strode into the office. Noah Blackwood owns N&B Chambers, a law firm that represents Theo.

“Board’s being a pain in your ass again?” Noah asked, settling his briefcase on the desk as he sat across from Theodore.

“They are threatening to kick me out unless I get married or at least have a kid.”

Noah leaned back, looking straight at Theo. “But the board is aware you have zero interest in marriage.”

“Is there any word less than zero? I don't desire it.”

“Alright. There's a way. It's clean, private, and legal.”

Theo leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk. “I'm listening,” he said.

“Surrogacy,” Noah said.

“What? Are you serious?”

“Yes. You get a surrogate, and you become a father. It satisfies whatever the board wants. And while you are preparing for the child’s arrival, you can parade your surrogate as a wife. It benefits you and satisfies the public image of your company. Privately, you are in control. It's all business. No messy divorce or even risking your position.”

Theo maintained a creased eyebrow for a few minutes. “Are you sure this will work?”

“Of course. But we have to be careful. You pick the woman you want, we set up a meeting, draw a contract, and make her understand this is a business arrangement and nothing more.”

“And you think the board will accept it?”

“They gave you two options: get married or have an heir to continue your legacy. You are just making your choice.”

Theo rubbed his temples. “This should work. I don't want scandals. I want a child. Find someone suitable, Noah. I don't care about the cost; you can double the f*e. Just make it happen.”

“I will handle it perfectly.” Noah grinned.

After Noah left, Theodore felt lost. He trusted that Noah would get things done. All he needed was a child to secure his position in the company; otherwise, the years of sleepless nights, sweat, and hard work would be for nothing.

           ***************

 ATLANTIC HOSPITAL

Diana’s nostrils were stung by an antiseptic scent as she rushed through the hospital’s door. The air felt cold and too sterile like it could snap her in half. Her breath was shallow and short as her eyes scanned the emergency waiting area.

Diana rushed to the nurse's station. “Excuse me, my sister, Bella Wood, I got a call she was rushed in—”

The young-looking nurse's eyes glanced at the screen. “Bella wood. She's in Ward 207, second floor. The doctor will be with you shortly.”

Diana nodded, barely able to mumble a thank you before rushing towards the elevator. The ding announcing her arrival felt like a countdown, as though something irreversible was about to happen. When Diana stepped into the room, her chest tightened. Bella was right there in a hospital bed, swallowed by a stiff white sheet, hooked up to monitors that beeped in slow and steady intervals. Her face was pale, her lips tinged with a blue plastic oxygen cannula that ran under her nose.

“Bella…” Her voice trailed off.

Bella was a little weak in trying to speak. “Shssshh. Please don't talk. I'm here now. Everything will be fine.” Diana mutters, brushing hair from Bella’s forehead. She wasn't sure who she was trying to convince.

Moments later, the door clicked, and a woman in her mid-thirties in a white coat stepped inside. Her name tags read Dr. Taylor Wright. A male nurse accompanied her and carried a file in hand.

“Miss Wood?” she said.

“Yes. I'm her sister.” Diana stood up almost immediately.

After checking Bella, Dr. Taylor asked, in a gentle tone, “Can we go to my office?“

“Yes, doctor.”

They stepped out of the ward. Diana followed gently behind to the office.

“Has she ever collapsed?” she asked.

“Yeah. One time, a year ago. But it was due to stress. Lately, she had been complaining that her chest hurts.”

Dr Taylor sighed. “I’m afraid to share this with you. Your sister had an advanced form of cardiomyopathy. Her heart muscle has weakened greatly, and it's not pumping blood as it should. This kind of condition often goes undetected until symptoms worsen.”

Diana had her jaw hanging in the air. The doctor's words felt like bricks slamming so hard on her chest. A long tear burned down her cheeks. “Bella is just twenty-three. There's treatment, right?”

“Yes. But medication alone isn't the cure.  She needs surgery cause her heart function is declining too rapidly. A transplant ideally or a ventricular assist device to buy her time.”

Panic crawled up in Diana’s chest. “How much would the surgery cost?”

Dr Taylor looked at her sympathetically. “We are looking at $300,000. It includes the procedure, recovery, post-operation care, and medication.”

The monetary figure dropped like a bombshell in her heart. Diana let out a sharp breath of shock. “Three hundred thousand dollars? I don't have such an amount of money. I don't even have three hundred as we speak. I'm just trying…” Her voice trailed off.

To survive. She's a part-time waitress and sometimes works night shifts at a 247 convenience store. She failed and dropped out of art school because she couldn't keep up with tuition. And she can barely even afford to pay rent.

“Miss Wood, I know it can be overwhelming. But you can try looking up charity programs for donations. I will do my best to connect you with some. But I won't lie; this might take a while. And time is critical. The sooner she gets the surgery, the better her chances.” Dr Taylor stated with pity in her eyes.

Diana sat there in silence while the world around her seemed to halt. It felt like her life had just been shattered right before her eyes.

“Miss Diana?” Dr Taylor called, snapping her out of reverie.

“Yes…can I see my sister again?” Diana mumbled.

“Sure.”

Diana stood up as if she had been controlled and returned to Bella’s ward. Her sister has drifted into sleep. Diana sat beside her, grabbed her hands, and silently let out the tears she had managed to hold in at the doctor’s office. Memories of her childhood with her sister flashed in her mind’s eyes.

“Bella…” she whispered. “Please hang it in there. I can't lose you.”

She can't lose the only person that she has left in the world. She would do anything to save her sister, but three hundred thousand dollars is a lot.

“I'll save you, Bella.” This time, her eyes were determined.

Diana left the hospital with a promise to return with the money and a strong will to save her sister no matter what. Bella needed a heart to live, and Diana would give her own if she could. There had to be a way.