MasukTHE SURROGACY AGENCY ~ NEW YORK CITY Gabriella shook her head. "No."Sofia's jaw dropped. "What? Why not?"Gabriella's voice was cold. "She's a medical student. She's going to be too busy. She won't have time to take care of herself properly. The baby needs a surrogate who can dedicate herself fully to the process. Next."Mrs. Sterling looked like she was about to have a breakdown. "Mrs. Guerra, those are all of our candidates. Every single one of them."Gabriella's eyes narrowed. "That's it? That's all you have? Five women?"Mrs. Sterling nodded nervously. "They're the best of the best. We've screened hundreds of candidates to find these five."Gabriella laughed bitterly. "Hundreds? And this is what you came up with? A horse-faced yoga instructor and a weak-chinned model?"Sofia buried her face in her hands. "Oh my God, Gabriella."Gabriella stood up, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "This is unacceptable. I need a surrogate who is perfect. Flawless. Someone who will c
SURROGACY AGENCY – RECEPTION – 10:00 AMThe surrogacy agency was located in a sleek, modern building in Midtown Manhattan. Gabriella walked in like she owned the place. She wore a designer dress and high heels. She looked like she was about to attend a fashion show, not pick out a surrogate.Sofia followed behind her, carrying a large designer bag. She looked nervous."Gabriella, are you sure about this?" Sofia whispered. "This is insane. Even for you."Gabriella waved her hand dismissively. "Relax, Sofia. I know what I'm doing. This is the only way."Sofia sighed. "I still think you should just get pregnant yourself. It's not that big of a deal."Gabriella made a disgusted face. "Are you serious? Do you know what pregnancy does to your body? Stretch marks. Sagging skin. Weight gain. I am not ruining my figure for anyone."Sofia shook her head. "But it's Alejandro's baby. He's your husband."Gabriella laughed coldly. "Exactly. Alejandro is my husband. And I need to keep him happy. A
FAVINO PENTHOUSE ~ NEW YORK CITY Gabriella sighed. "Fine. What about when he's sleeping? I can—""Seduce him," Sofia interrupted. "That's what you do. You seduce him. You get him excited. And then when he's not paying attention, you use a syringe or something."Gabriella's face lit up. "A syringe! Yes! I can get a needleless syringe and collect it myself!"Sofia stared at her. "You're going to put a syringe near his—"Gabriella waved her hand dismissively. "Not near. I'll wait until after. When he's in the bathroom. I'll collect it."Sofia shook her head slowly. "You're really going to do this, aren't you?"Gabriella nodded firmly. "Yes. I'm going to do this."Sofia looked at her friend. Her eyes were wide with disbelief."Oh my God," Sofia whispered. "You are really evil."Gabriella smiled. A cold, calculating smile."That's why we're best friends," Gabriella said. "Because you understand me."Sofia laughed. It was a nervous laugh. "I don't know if I understand you. I think I'm just
Ariana was shaking. Her wrist was red and bruised. Tears streamed down her face.The stranger turned to her. His face softened. "Are you okay?" he asked gently. "Did he hurt you?"Ariana nodded. Then she shook her head. "I don't know. I'm just... I'm so scared."The stranger reached out and touched her arm. "You're safe now. He's gone. He won't bother you again."Ariana looked at him. "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up."The stranger smiled. "I'm just glad I was here."He looked at her name tag. "Ariana. Beautiful name."Ariana blushed. "Thank you."He extended his hand. "I'm Marco. I've been coming here for the past three weeks. I've seen you around."Ariana shook his hand. His grip was warm and strong."I've seen you too," she admitted. "You always sit in the corner and read."Marco laughed. "You noticed me?"Ariana smiled weakly. "Hard not to. You're the only customer who doesn't complain about the coffee."Marco laughed again. "The coffee is exc
QUEENS – COFFEE SHOP – 8:00 A.M.The little coffee shop was already packed with customers. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air as people rushed in and out, eager to start their day.Ariana stood behind the counter in a green apron with a name tag that read “Ariana.”.Her dark hair was tied into a messy bun, and the faint circles under her eyes showed how exhausted she was. She looked like she hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep in weeks.She had been working at the café for two weeks. It wasn’t the life she had dreamed of, but it was honest work. The paycheck covered the rent, bought groceries, and most importantly, kept her far away from Daniel.“Can I get a double espresso?” a man asked with a friendly smile.“Of course,” Ariana replied, forcing a small smile of her own.She moved quickly, grinding the beans, pulling the shot, and pouring it into a paper cup. Her hands worked almost automatically now. She had learned the job faster than she expected.She placed the cup on the
Gabriella nodded, a small smile spreading across her face.“I found out yesterday. I wanted tonight to be special when I told you… but I guess now is the perfect time.”She rubbed her stomach gently. “I’m carrying your child.”Alejandro stared at her, unable to speak.Gabriella stepped even closer until they were only inches apart.“This baby is yours, Alejandro,” she whispered. “Your own flesh and blood.”She gave him a meaningful look. “Not Amelia’s child that you chose to love as your own.”Her smile grew wider. “This is different. This is your biological baby. The baby you’ve always dreamed of having.”Alejandro swallowed hard. “You’re… pregnant,” he murmured, still trying to process her words.“Yes.” Gabriella slipped her hands into his. “We’re going to have a family. A real family.”She squeezed his hands gently. “This is our chance to start over. Leave the past behind. Forget Amelia. Forget everything that happened.”Alejandro searched her face, his voice barely above a whisper
THE GUERRA GRAND MANSION~ SPAINGabriella stepped into her sunlit bedroom at the family villa outside Madrid. The red dress from last night still draped over a chair, a trophy of her victory. Her skin still tingled from Alejandro’s hands, his desperate kisses, the way he’d lost control. She let he
AMELIA STONE OFFICE ~ STONE INDUSTRIES The door to Amelia’s office opened without a sound. Nicholas Hale stepped in, closing it behind him with a soft click. The room seemed to shift, charged with something unspoken.Amelia stayed in her chair, leaning back with calm, controlled ease. Her usual CE
ALEJANDRO MASTER BEDROOM ~ NEW YORK The phone had been buzzing nonstop.Alejandro walked into the master bedroom, holding it up. “Mi reina, your phone has been ringing non-stop.”Amelia pushed herself up against the pillows, exhausted. “My phone? Are you serious? I thought I had it with me all alo
ALEXANDER MANSION~ NEW YORKAlexander Blackwood stormed through the marble halls of his mansion, his anger practically vibrating through his steps. The maids and staff froze as he passed, their whispers trailing behind him. He reached the Master bedroom, flinging the door open.“Vivian!” he shoute







