Chapter 3

Serena’s POV 

His voice thundered over me and I struggled to breathe. “I want my money in full or I'll have you pay it up another way and trust me,” he said, walking to me and grabbed my chin. “You won't be able to pay even in death.”

My eyes widened and I shuddered. “Do you understand?” He asked and I shook my head repeatedly until he let go. 

“Please, I need more time. You can have the first part. I swear I'll pay you. Please.”

Maria appeared and she ran toward me but he pushed her off. 

“Don't hurt her, please!” I yelled and then pulled my hair harder. My scalp hurt and my neck felt like it would break. 

“You have three days,” the first man said, blowing out smoke. 

Three days? Where was I going to get two million in three days? 

“I can't do all that in three days,” I begged, but he smirked at me. 

“My time is expensive. And you're wasting it. Three days is what you get. No more, no less. If you don't then you'll give up the house or …” his eyes twinkled as he looked down, checking me out. “You give yourself to me.”

I would rather die first than let him touch me. 

“Let her go,” he ordered, and the man released me. I fell to the floor panting, watching them leave the house. 

I was doomed. 

~

I didn’t sleep that night. My heart was pounding so fast that it made my ears ring. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face, his smirk, and the way his eyes roamed over me like I was just a thing he could claim.

Maria brought me tea in the morning, but I couldn't drink it. I just started at the cup until it turned cold. Today was the first day and I had no idea how to raise two million Euros. 

There was no miracle coming. I had sold nearly everything. I couldn’t sell the house because it was the only thing left, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have the paperwork ready in time before they came. 

My hands shook as I picked up my phone and I called Uncle Gabriel again. 

He had helped me before. Maybe… just maybe he could save me again.

When his voice came through the speaker, it felt like I had grabbed onto a lifeline. “Uncle,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

“Serena, what happened? You sound shaken.”

“They came again. They gave me three days to get two million. I don’t know what to do.”

He kept silent then he spoke. “I'm coming.”

~

I waited, pacing about in my living room when he arrived. I ran to him and hugged him. 

He pulled me off gently and murmured. “You look pale.”

I sank into the chair like my bones couldn’t hold me anymore. “Uncle, please, you have to help me,” I begged. 

He held my hand, and thought for a while. “I think I know a way, but I doubt you'll like it.”

I would take anything. If he wanted me to be his slave, I would. 

“Tell me,” I said quickly. “I’ll do anything.”

“You said anything,” he repeated slowly, like he was warning me.

My voice remained strong. “Yes. Anything.” 

He leaned back and rubbed his hand over his face. “There’s a man. A billionaire. He wants a child, but not a wife. He’s looking for a surrogate. The payment is generous…more than enough to clear your debt and still leave you with enough to start over.”

I blinked. “A surrogate? You mean… I have to carry his baby?”

“Yes,” he said. “It’s a business arrangement. Nothing romantic. You don't have to have sex with him. It's just an agreement and you'd be set for life after this, Serena. He can pay you far more than those men are asking.”

I hesitated for a second. Carrying someone else’s child wasn’t something I had ever imagined for myself, but compared to the other choice of being owned by those men or losing this house. It sounded like salvation.

“I’ll do it,” I said without blinking. 

“Are you sure, Serena?”

“Yes. Where do I go?” I answered. I was desperate and I needed this. 

“Once you start. You can't back down,” he warned. 

“I have no intentions to,” I breathed and he smiled faintly. His hand reached into his pocket and pulled out a white business card with blue lettering. “You’ll have to contact Dr. Kane. He’s the one managing the arrangement. He’ll explain everything. The address is on the back.”

I took the card, staring at the raised letters like they might vanish if I blinked. “Thank you, Uncle.”

~

I walked into the hospital, feeling nervous and confused about what I was about to do. The receptionist smiled the moment I approached, as though she had been expecting me.

“Miss Serena?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Right this way. Dr. Kane is waiting for you.”

She led me through a quiet corridor to a private office. The door opened, and there he was.

Dr. Kane was tall, dressed in a spotless white coat over a tailored shirt and brown trousers. His brown hair was neatly styled, and his brown eyes were warm and made me feel safe. 

“Miss Serena,” he said warmly, stepping forward to shake my hand. “Please, have a seat.”

I sat from across his desk, and my fingers held tightly to my bag handle. He studied me for a moment, then opened a blue folder. “I understand you’re interested in our…special program.”

“Yes. My uncle told me it’s a surrogacy arrangement.”

“That’s correct. The client is a private man with no bad background. Please, know this is a confidential and contractual agreement. You will receive full medical care throughout the pregnancy, luxury accommodations if you wish. 5% of the money will be paid to you after you sign and there rest when you deliver the baby. Do you agree to the terms?”

My heart raced faster as I locked eyes with him. Should I do it?