Chapter 4 : I’m the surrogate.

Candice’s POV

As Dr. Ruby opened her mouth to speak, I cut her off, my voice steady despite the storm raging in my chest.

“The conception was successful,” I said with a smile, stepping forward. “I’m the surrogate.”

Ruby’s head whipped toward me, her eyes wide in shock, but I ignored her.

My focus was on Dorian Anderson, who stood before me like a living statue, his icy blue gaze piercing right through me.

I extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Anderson and I am Miss Channing. I look forward to working with you.”

He didn’t move.

Instead, his gaze dropped to my outstretched hand, lingering there for a moment before sliding back up to my face. His expression didn’t change.

If anything, he looked like I’d just offered him something offensive.

The humiliation stung, but I quickly dropped my hand, hoping to salvage what little dignity I had left. “Right,” I muttered. “Guess we’re not doing that.”

Finally, he glanced over at the man beside him—his assistant, I assumed.

“Derek,” Dorian said without looking at him.

The man—Derek, I guessed—nodded and stepped forward, holding a thick folder.

 “Miss Channing, the surrogacy contract has been prepared. It’s quite detailed, covering every aspect of the arrangement.

You’ll want to read it carefully before signing. Once you’re ready, you can contact me to finalize things.”

I took the folder, my fingers brushing over the smooth surface. It felt heavier than it should have, like it carried the weight of a thousand obligations.

Dorian’s cold voice cut through the silence, sharp . “I suggest you pay close attention to the terms. Every. Single. Page.”

Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked out, his long strides radiating authority.

Derek offered a polite nod before following him, leaving the air in the room heavy with tension.

I turned to Ruby, who was staring at me as if I’d just announced I was planning to jump off a bridge.

“What?” I asked, shrugging, though my heart was still pounding from the encounter.

“What?” she echoed, her voice rising. “Candice, are you insane? Do you have any idea what you’ve just done? That man is the most ruthless mafia boss in the city!”

I blinked. “Mafia boss?”

Ruby threw up her hands in exasperation. “Yes! Dorian Anderson controls more than just this hospital.

He has power, wealth, influence—and he’s not exactly known for his mercy.

Do you understand the kind of man you just smiled at like he was a regular businessman?”

I swallowed, my mind racing. “I didn’t know, okay? But it doesn’t change anything.

I’m already pregnant. What was I supposed to do—stand there and let you take the fall?”

Ruby’s hands trembled as she sank into her chair, her face pale. “You don’t understand. His surrogacy contracts are notorious.

They’re over a hundred pages long, with rules for everything—what you wear, what you eat, how you live. And the surrogate must live with him for the entire pregnancy.

After the child is born, you’re not allowed to have any contact with them. Not ever.”

Her words struck me like a slap. Live with him? Give up the baby? My throat tightened, but I forced myself to stay calm.

“That’s ridiculous,” I said, my voice shaky. “Why would anyone agree to that?”

“Because they don’t have a choice,” Ruby said bitterly. “Candice, you don’t know what you’re getting into. This isn’t just about you anymore.

That man doesn’t make mistakes, and he doesn’t tolerate them from others. If you cross him…” She didn’t finish the sentence, before my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen and groaned when I saw Violet’s name.

“Of course,” I muttered, answering the call. “What do you want, Violet?”

Her laugh came through the line, sharp and smug. “Just calling to let you know I’ve moved into Joshua’s house.

You might want to come by and pack up your little thrift store collection of clothes before I throw them out.”

My jaw tightened. “Excuse me? I paid the rent for that house. You have no right—”

Violet interrupted with a mocking laugh. “Oh, sweetie, you really didn’t know, did you? That house belongs to Joshua.

You’ve been paying rent to him this whole time. You’re just a tenant in your own husband’s house. How pathetic is that?”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I gripped the edge of Ruby’s desk, my knuckles white.

“You’re lying,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Am I?” she sneered. “Face it, Candice. You’ve got nothing. No home, no husband, and now no dignity. Be a good girl and pack up your trash.”

“That’s embarrassing, Candice. No wonder Joshua didn’t want you. You’re so—”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” I snapped at her  

“And what is going to happen if I do?, you wretched barren. “

“You know what, Violet? Go to hell.” I hung up before she could respond and slammed my phone onto the desk with my hands trembling.

I stood there, shaking with rage and heartbreak, my mind spinning.

Everything — my marriage, my home, my life — was crumbling around me.

And yet…

I looked down at the envelope in my hands, remembering Ruby’s warning: if this pregnancy failed, I might never get another chance to be a mother.

I thought about the tiny, fragile lives growing inside me.

They were innocent.

They didn’t ask for any of this.

I wasn’t going to lose them. I wasn’t going to lose this chance, no matter what I had to sacrifice. Not for Joshua. Not for Violet. Not for anyone.

Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I know what I have to do and I’m going to do it.

Ruby looked at me, concern etched into her features. “Candice…”

I let out a bitter laugh, tears welling in my eyes. “She’s right. I have nothing. No family, no home, no one to go to.”

I wiped at my cheeks angrily. “But I’m not giving up. I’ve already decided I’m divorcing Joshua. And this baby… this is my chance to finally be a mother. I won’t let anyone take that away from me.”

“Candice, think about what you’re saying,” Ruby pleaded.

“I have thought about it,” I said firmly. “I don’t want you to lose your career over this. You’ve worked too hard to get here.

You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to family, Ruby. I can’t let you take the fall for something that wasn’t even your fault.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she said nothing.

I grabbed the folder and flipped it open, scanning the first page. My heart pounded, but I ignored it.

I pulled out my phone, my hands still trembling, and scrolled to Derek’s number in the call log.

“Candice,” Ruby whispered.

“I’m not backing down,” I said, pressing the call button.

“You can’t be serious,” she said, standing up.

“I am.” I dialed Derek’s number and pressed the phone to my ear.

The line rang once before he picked up. “Miss Channing,” he said smoothly.

“I’ve read the terms,” I said, lying through my teeth. “I’m ready to sign the contract.”