Chapter Four: The Promise He Couldn't Keep

Eden's POV 

I opened my eyes to see Mr. Wayne holding Candice's hand for a second. 

Their eyes locked in an unspoken conversation. 

Candice pulled her hand from his grip and walked away with an unreadable expression. 

“Let's go.” Mr. Wayne said coldly as he walked out. 

After a heartbeat, I followed him. My face was still stinging and my eyes refused to shed a tear. 

We climbed into the backseat of his luxurious car while James drove us to his private genetics laboratory.

“Why me?” I turned to face Mr. Wayne. My eyes did nothing to hide my fury. 

“Why did you pick me to be your surrogate? Did you think I was an easy target for your wife to bully or a gold digger your money can control?” My voice was steady but my eyes burned even hotter. 

Mr. Wayne met my gaze with an unreadable expression. 

“My best friend was diagnosed with HEMA-7 at age fourteen. During that time, none of the pharmaceutical companies bothered to try to save him. The research was too expensive and HEMA-7 was a rare, noncontagious disease. He died before we turned sixteen.” His lips tensed. 

“I picked you because of your sister. I know what it means to feel powerless to save a person you consider family. I don't want anyone else to go through that pain.” His eyes fell to the ground. 

At this moment, he didn't look like the cold, detached scientist to me.

My anger wavered slightly.

“Just so we're clear, if your wife ever lays a hand on me again, I'm leaving.” I said with resolve in my eyes. 

Mr. Wayne studied me for a long moment. Without a word, he extended his hand. 

“As long as you're under my protection, no one will lay a hand on you.” Mr. Wayne said.

My hand hovered for a split second before I shook his hand. 

His hand was warm. His firm grip provided an assurance I couldn't quite explain. 

Neither of us let go immediately. 

Our eyes locked and it seemed like time had stopped to acknowledge our agreement. 

“We've arrived, Master Wayne.” James said from the driver's seat. 

We released our hands at the same time, like we had forgotten we were still holding on.

Mr. Wayne took me into the building to see my sister before the insemination procedure. 

“Claire!” My pitch rose in joy as I saw my sister lying on a hospital bed. 

“Eden, thank God you're here. These men came from nowhere and moved me to this facility. They said it was your doing as my legal guardian. What's going on?” She asked as her eyebrows creased.

I paused for a moment to stare at my little sister. The person I had sold one year of my life and body to protect. 

“Talk to me, Eden. I'm scared.” Her voice was almost like a whisper.

I knew I couldn't remain silent. “Everything is going to be fine, Claire. I'll take care of you. They brought you here to receive treatment from Mr. Wayne. He's going to make you all better.” I reached forward to stroke her head as I spoke. 

“Was this the job you talked about? What exactly are you doing to afford this treatment?” She asked. 

I hesitated, feeling too embarrassed to say the truth.

“You know what, nevermind. Get me out of here. I don't know what's going on but if you can't tell me how you're able to afford the treatment then I don't want it.” Claire said as she sat up, attempting to pull the tubes attached to her.

I moved quickly, stopping her. “I'll tell you.” I said as I made eye contact. 

“I agreed to be a surrogate for Mr. Wayne. He needs a child for details I'm not allowed to disclose and in return, he'll treat you.” My eyes fell to the ground. 

Silence enveloped the room for a few seconds. “You have to call it off, Eden. I know you want to save me but I can't let you do this.” Claire spoke with determination. 

I finally raised my head up to look at her. “Let me be your big sister, Claire. Let me be selfish and do everything in my power to make sure you live. Mom and dad are gone. You're all… you're all I have left.” My voice cracked as I stared at my little sister. 

Tears flowed down my cheeks as memories of my dead parents who died in a car crash five years ago flooded my head. 

I couldn't lose Claire as well. Claire hugged me as she began to cry as well. We held each other for what seemed like ages till she finally pulled away. 

“I'll agree to this on one condition.” She spoke firmly. 

“What's that?” I asked. 

“If they hurt you or try to make you do something you don't want to, we are leaving. No matter how far I've gone in the treatment. Do you agree?” Her eyes locked with mine.

“Yes, Claire. I agree.” I stroked her head. 

Knock. Knock.

A knock at the door caught our attention. It was Mr. Wayne and James. 

I told Claire goodbye and walked to them. 

“We'll do our best to cure her.” Mr. Wayne said calmly. 

My trust in him had risen, so his words comforted me. I gave him a slight nod of appreciation. 

We walked to another section of the lab, where the insemination was to happen. 

“One of my doctors is inside, waiting for you.” Mr. Wayne said as his gaze leveled with mine. 

“Once you do this, there's no turning back, Ms. Eden.” His lips tensed. 

“I'm ready.” I said as I walked into the room. 

I quickly turned back before he could close the door. “Oh, you can just call me Eden. You're saving my sister's life, so you don't need to be so formal.” I said. 

He paused for a heartbeat. “Call me Sylar.” He said as he closed the door, leaving me with the doctor inside. 

My mind drifted to Claire as the doctor began the procedure. I reminded myself who I was doing this for in the first place but my heart wasn't steady.

I thought of the child who I was going to bring into this world and how it would never call me mom and I wondered if I was making the biggest mistake of my life. 

The procedure was over before I could even change my mind. 

The doctor walked to the door, opening it for Sylar. 

“You can come in now, Dr. Wayne.” He said as he motioned respectfully. 

“Are you okay?” Sylar asked with an unreadable expression. 

I looked at him with uncertainty. He was going to be the father of my child. A child that would never truly belong to me. 

I nodded my head. “Let me take you back to the estate.” He said as he stepped closer. 

“The estate? I'm staying with you?” I asked with uncertainty. 

“Did you forget?” He paused. “It's part of the contract. You are to stay with us for the duration of the contract.”

Our eyes met for a split second. The insemination process had left me homesick and uncertain.

“I don't want to stay with you. I'm nothing but a surrogate meant to produce an heir, right? Stop acting like you even care about me,” I lashed out unexpectedly.

His face tightened slightly, and for one brief moment, I wondered if my words had actually hurt him.

Sylar looked away before answering.

“You're right about one thing,” he said quietly. “You are here because of an agreement.”

His grey eyes returned to mine.

“But don't mistake restraint for indifference, Eden. Your safety became my responsibility the moment you signed that contract. Whether you believe I care or not, I will not allow anything to happen to you.”

The firmness in his voice left me unable to respond.

I knew Sylar hadn't done anything wrong. My fear and uncertainty had simply gotten the better of me.

“I understand,” I said in almost a whisper.

I followed Sylar wordlessly to the car as James drove us back to the estate.

The silence between us was palpable. 

Something suddenly slammed into the car. 

“James!” Sylar called out immediately, his expression tensing. 

The car swerved right off the highway and for a terrifying moment, the car was weightless.

Darkness overtook me before I could fully process what had happened. 

I didn't know how long I was unconscious when I woke up. 

I found myself upside down, roughly held up by the seatbelt. I turned my head to look at Sylar but he was unconscious as well. 

“Sylar.” I called out weakly. 

His body stirred as he slowly gained consciousness. 

I fumbled with my seatbelt, pulling hard to unbuckle it to no avail. 

“Eden.” He said my name softly. “Eden, are you okay?” His eyes darted all over my body. 

“I'm fine, just stuck.” I responded. 

“Don't move too much.” He said as he unbuckled his seat belt and managed to pull himself out of the car. 

“James!” I heard Sylar call out. 

“I'm okay, sir. Just pinned down, I can't get out.” James replied calmly. 

Sylar made his way to my side of the car and began to help me out. “My goodness, you're bleeding all over.” I said as I noticed his face and shirt was covered in blood. 

Five men in black suits immediately surrounded us. Sylar immediately grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. 

Sylar's eyes tracked every one of them with a cold and calculating gaze.

The footsteps of an extremely tall and burly man caught my attention. He slowly made his way towards us like a hunter approaching trapped prey.

“John! You bastard! Did my brother send you?” Sylar roared at the man. 

“I’m your brother's chief of security. I simply came to secure an important asset for him.” He replied calmly with a mocking tone.

Sylar grabbed my hand even tighter. John turned to face me, taking a step further. “Tell me, Miss Petrelli. Did Wayne’s heir make it into your womb?” He demanded with an icy calm. 

“You’ll never know.” I responded defiantly, squeezing tighter on Sylar's hand.

A middle aged woman slowly walked to us.

“Mother, so you're involved in this as well?” Sylar asked. 

“Cease this farce. Bring me the girl.” She said coldly, ignoring Sylar. 

The men immediately attacked us, dragging me off Sylar. Sylar struck one down but another slammed his gun against the back of Sylar's head. 

“Sylar!” I screamed as his body struck the ground. His eyes opened once, fighting to remain conscious.

“Eden…” His voice came out like a plea.

One of the men dragged me toward the waiting car.

I reached for Sylar’s hand, but our fingers missed by inches.

“Take her.” His mother ordered. “Sylar must never have an heir.”

The car door slammed shut between us.