Chapter 4

Ariella was still in shock as she held the phone to her ear.

“She agreed????” she asked Evander again.

“Yes, she did,” he replied.

“How were you able to convince her? Did she ask you for money, or did you promise to get her something? Because I know Delaney so well—she does nothing for free,” Ari asked, still in awe.

Evander froze for a while.

“No, baby, she didn’t. I just told her how you happen to be her only family and how you cry every night because you want a baby, and she took sympathy and decided to help. I told you she cares about you, and the best part is—she agreed to be our surrogate tomorrow at the hospital.”

“No way,” Ari responded in happy but surprised .

Evander raised his voice a little. “No way…for what ?” he asked. Ari. He was about to lose his temper. Ari sensed it and stopped asking further questions.

“I’m sorry, dear. I just don’t like the idea of you asking too many questions,” Evander apologized.

“It’s okay,” Ari responded. “I will need to give her a call and thank her.”

“That would be lovely, but I don’t think she would pick up now, because she told me about her going for a shoot after our conversation. Just call her later,” Evander said.

Ariella smiled. “Okay, dear. I love you.”

The line went dead.

Evander didn’t reply to the gesture before hanging up.

Ari sensed something was off but couldn’t place it. She breathed heavily and went back to work.

⸻

Still at Delaney’s apartment

Both of them were in the bed after sharing a wild encounter.

“I don’t like how you call her sweet names when I’m around,” Delaney said, pretending to be upset.

“I’m sorry, baby, but you know I’m just saying it. I don’t mean any of those names I call her. You are the one I want. You are the one carrying my child,” he said, rubbing her stomach.

“So tell me, what do you want me to get you?” Evander asked, trying to cheer Delaney up, and it worked perfectly.

“Well, since you asked, I’ve been wanting to go to the Maldives for some fresh air, snap pics with those turtles in the blue sea. I also want a Dior bag, Chanel accessories, and, to crown it all, heels from Dolce & Gabbana,” Delaney listed confidently.

“Is that all you want?” he asked.

She nodded her head affirmatively.

“Consider it done, and I will add $13,000 to crown it all,” Evander said.

“Oh my gosh!” She threw herself at him. “You’re the best, baby. Thank you, thank you,” she said happily, kissing him all over.

“Oh, stop, please,” Evander laughed.

“You deserve it, baby. Go enjoy—with my baby,” he added, hands still rubbing her stomach.

“Well, since daddy made us happy, how about we give him a show?” She pushed herself down to his aroused body, eyes fixed on him. He stared back, preparing to feel her tongue.

She teased it with her tongue before putting her mouth on it.

Evander raised his head, surrendering as he moaned, “Fuck.”

⸻

After a rough encounter, he took his shower, about headed out to leave. He didn’t plan on spending the night outside because he didn’t want Ari to grow suspicious this time. Delaney was still sleeping while he was getting ready. He shut the door quietly so as not to wake her. He also dropped a note: See you tomorrow, baby girl, as he left.

⸻

At home

Ariella walked into the apartment. The aroma of food filled the air. She could see Evander in the kitchen preparing dinner; his actions had been shocking lately.

She walked up to him.

“You should have waited for me to prepare it.”

He looked at her, smiling. “Is that how you say thank you?”

Ari smiled. “Sorry, dear. Thank you for preparing dinner. I must confess—it smells good.”

“You want a bite?” he asked with a smile.

“Sure,” she nodded.

“Go sit at the dinner table while I serve you, my queen,” he said calmly.

“Hmmm, my queen—that’s new,” Ari replied, shocked.

“Yes, that’s what you are, my love,” Evander smiled.

Ari shook her head and walked up to the dinner table. She took her seat, waiting for dinner to be served on the already arranged table.

Evander came out from the kitchen with a pan containing already-made steak. He served Ari and dropped one for himself. The table already contained a bowl of white rice and cream. Evander rushed to drop the pan and came back to the dinner table. For the first time in a long time, they had a great dinner. Evander couldn’t stop feeding Ari; they joked and cheered to a great start.

Ariella felt so alive for the first time in a while.

They even had a passionate night together to seal the new beginning.

Evander’s phone rang. It was Delaney. He put his phone on silent as he cuddled Ariella in bed, both lying nude.

⸻

At the hospital

Delaney walked to Ari and Evander, talking to Dr. Reeves.

“Hey, Ari,” she called.

Ari rushed to hug her, since it had been a while since they last saw each other.

“How are you?” Ari asked.

“I’m okay,” Delaney replied, eyeing Evander. She was upset because he left her last night and refused to pick her calls.

“Hey, Evander,” she greeted.

Evander replied with his face bowed down, avoiding eye contact. “How are you, Delaney?”

“I’m okay, thank you,” she replied.

Ari spoke up. “Thank you so much for doing this for me. It means the world to me,” Ari said in tears.

Delaney rushed to stop her tears from falling with her handkerchief. “It’s okay. You’re my only family, and I promise to do anything that makes you happy.”

Ari nodded as Delaney dabbed her eyes.

Dr. Reeves cut in. “Ari,” he called, “shall we “? Pointing at the lab.

She nodded and walked in, while Dr. Reeves stared at Evander and Delaney, giving them a wicked smile as he followed Ariella. Delaney moved away from Evander as Evander ran after her.

“Delaney, wait.”

⸻

Inside the lab

Ari entered. She was asked to lie on her back on a bed so they could collect an egg.

She did, praying for everything to go successfully.

A nurse walked in, carrying semen a patient had deposited . She carelessly dropped it close to Dr. Reeves. He grabbed a vial to look at the semen but mistakenly used a catheter to insert semen into Ari’s body while chatting with the nurse. He never knew he was infusing sperm inside her instead of collecting the eggs.

Moments later, the procedure ended.

“All done,” he said calmly.

Ariella stood up, thanked them, and walked out of the lab—unaware that her life had just changed forever.

Dr. Reeve turned to keep the semen the nurse had just brought in the freezer, according to what the patient requested, but he discovered something .

Then he froze.

He looked again at the vial in his hand.

His face drained with sweat.

“Oh no,” he whispered.