Chapter 1 :

At a Library.

Ariella Marlowe.

***

Today was hectic.

Ariella Marlowe—also known as Ari—rushed to finish her shift as a library assistant . She rearranged books on the shelves, brushing dust from their covers as the quiet hall surrounded her.

Her phone rang.

Her heart tightened when she saw the caller ID.

Evander Hale.

Her husband.

She hesitated for a moment, already knowing what he was going to say. Still, she forced herself to answer.

“Hello, dear,” she said calmly.

“Ari,” he replied—no affection, no warmth.

“I’m almost through with work,” she added quickly, her tone sharper than usual. “I’ll be heading home soon.”

Evander scoffed angrily. “That’s all you know how to do—work, work, work. You can’t even produce a baby. What exactly are you working for? To take care of a family while being unable to start your own?”

Ariella stayed silent, listening. She dared not interrupt him—doing so would only start a war. Tears welled in her eyes as she absorbed his words. His lack of appreciation hurt deeply, but she was already used to being spoken to this way.

“That’s not the reason I called,” Evander continued coldly. “I won’t be coming home tonight. There’s a lot to do at work, and we have a party tonight.”

Ariella remained quiet. She was used to his excuses for not coming home because of work. Though it hurt her, she forced herself to remain calm—for her sanity.

She finally spoke. “Alright, dear. Do you want me to join you at the party?”

“Hell no!” Evander snapped. “It’s not an event for couples. You stay at home and think about how you can produce a baby. And even if it were a couple’s event, I still wouldn’t take you.”

He paused, then added cruelly, “A couple consists of a man and his wife—but you’re a man, Ari, because you can’t give me a child. No way will I introduce you to my staff as the woman who couldn’t give me a child.”

He hissed loudly.

Ariella wasn’t surprised. He had said far worse things to her before.

She smiled sadly, her fingers trembling as she held the phone. “Okay, dear. Be safe.”

“Don’t wait up for me tonight.”

The call ended abruptly.

Ariella lowered her phone and burst into tears. The hall was empty—only her sobs echoed around her. She wiped her face, picked up her bag, and hurried out, still crying.

She wasn’t that strong of a woman.

⸻

Evander Hale

At a Hotel

“I don’t know why she irritates me,” Evander muttered angrily. “I don’t ever like seeing her. What’s the essence of going home where there no kid. There’s no home without a child.” He added angrily.

He threw his phone aside.

A slender hand reached for it—a woman in stunning lingerie, long legs, and a model like figure picked it up from the bedside table. Her face hid in the shadows of the dark room.

She walked toward him as he sat on the bed, straddling his lap and spraying her legs around his waist. “Don’t be angry, baby,” she whispered seductively. “Don’t let her ruin our lovely night. At least not all women are barren.”

She said it while tracing his chest slowly.

“But she’s—” Evander tried to speak.

“Shhh…” the woman interrupted softly. “Don’t say that.”

She pulled back slightly, her eyes darkening. The white light standing at the bed’s edge shone on her, revealing her face—Delaney Marlowe. She was Ari’s sister.

She sighed dramatically. “I always knew my sister was meant to be barren, so I’m not surprised. I don’t even know what you saw in her that made you choose her.”

Evander pulled her closer, caressing her breast, trying to calm her before she grew more upset. “I’m sorry, baby. I would’ve chosen you instead. You’re more beautiful, more stunning. The way you carry yourself… the way you ride me—you make me feel like a king, like someone destined to be a father. Not like that useless sister of yours. Don’t let her ruin our moment,” he said, kissing her chest teasingly.

Delaney smiled. “Okay, baby,” she said, rubbing his shoulders seductively.

As he leaned in to kiss her, she stopped him.

“Not so fast, tiger. I have great news.”

“What news could be greater than what we’re about to have tonight?” he said, still kissing her chest teasingly, wanting to undress her.

Delaney laughed softly. “Stop, baby. You’ll love this news.”

“Then say it already,” Evander said impatiently.

Delaney gently placed a hand on her stomach and looked at him happily.

Evander froze, his eyes widening. “You’re joking… right?”

“Hells no,” Delaney replied proudly.

“I’m pregnant. I told you—I can give you everything my sister can’t.”

Evander hugged her tightly, laughter escaping him. “You just made me a man,” he said happily. “Name anything you want, and it’s done.”

Delaney smiled—but then lowered her gaze, pretending to hesitate. “I want you to tell her I’m pregnant… so she can start giving me money.”

Evander frowned. “That won’t be necessary. I can give you anything you want.”

“You know we’re orphans,” Delaney said softly. “I need emotional support from family. She’s my only family. We need a way to make her agree.”

Evander fell silent.

They both thought for a moment.

Then Delaney’s lips curved into a wicked smile.

“How about this?” she said slowly. “You tell her to go for a fertility test. We bribe the doctor to tell her she can’t conceive—that she needs a surrogate. Then I become the surrogate… without her ever knowing the baby is actually mine.”

Her smile widened.

“And she’ll raise my child… as hers.”