The Surrogate's Reckoning

2Liora's POV“Here you go. Make sure you serve those first before the desserts.““Yes Liora.“ The server responds as she walks away with her team, all balancing trays on their hands.I turn around towards the chefs, making sure no one is lagging behind. They're all working. Hard. Which is very important because my job and theirs is counting on how today turns out.“I'll go check if everything is fine inside.“ I say to no one in particular, then speedwalk from the kitchen down the hallways and into the large glittering hall where the party is going on.This is a ball to celebrate the merger of two very powerful companies, the Valescas and the Romero's. And I have been tasked with catering the event. It is big money, which came at the right time especially with all that has been going on.I am the manager of Marina catering services. It's my aunt's company, but due to her state of health, she entrusted it to me. we've catered so many big events, but nothing of this sort. More reason I

4Liora's POV"Mommy, there's a man at the door looking for you," Selina says as she runs into the room where I'm packing up clothes for laundry.Placing my hands on my waist, I narrow my eyes at her. "Selina Wilder. Did you, by any chance, go to the door again? I've told you to stop that. A bad man could take you away."Her giggles stop, her face falling. "I'm sorry, Mommy. It's just that you were busy. I wanted to help you."It's just so hard to stay angry at her. But her safety is still my priority, especially with her crazy father out there.At the door, I meet a man in a suit, his eyes shielded by dark sunglasses. Behind him are three black SUVs, men dressed in similar attire patrolling the area.My heart thumps. Could they be Ronan's men? He always used two cars."Miss Liora Wilder?"I gulp, then nod. "Yes. That's me.""I'm Levi Santiago, executive assistant of Mr. Evren Valesca. May I come in?"Oh, not this again. I specifically told my doctor I wouldn’t be a surrogate for that

6 Liora's POV “That’s not how blackmail works, Miss Wilder. One person needs to have the upper hand. In this case, and always, that’ll be me.” Evren smirks, leaning back in his seat and observing me. I click my tongue, biting back the sharp retort that threatens to come forth. Upper hand? Hell to the no. There’s no way a man will ever have an upper hand over my life again. Not while I’m still Liora Wilder. Still, I’ll let him think he has leverage over me. But I’m ready to sleep with one eye open from now on. “Okay, Mr. Valesca. Can I read through this?” Another lesson I learned after getting pregnant for Ronan: Don’t take things from strangers or gorgeous men. It’ll never end well. “Please do. Although I doubt you’ll have anything to say about what’s in there. We both will benefit from these arrangements.” I scoff, moving toward the small seating area in his office. Once there, I open the already prepared document, wondering just how he was able to get one so fast. Rich

Chapter 8Liora’s POV“Um, what are you doing?” Arianna asks as I shove one of my favorite skirts into my box.“I am eating pineapples… oh so yummy… what the hell does it look like I’m doing?” I grunt, passing her a glare.She rolls her eyes and walks further into the room from where she stood by the door. “Calm down, will you? What the hell crawled up your ass? A certain billionaire who wants to control you, huh?”I roll my eyes and decide to ignore her. But she doesn’t seem to get the hint because, barely five seconds later, she speaks again.“But why are you packing? I thought you said he was going to buy you clothes.”“......”“Girl, you signed a contract. Don’t tell me you plan on not following it?”Obviously. She thought I was going to tie myself down with a stupid contract? No way in hell.Arianna flails her arms. “How do they say I’m the stubborn one between us?”“That’s because you are the stubborn one. And by the way, shouldn’t you be at work? I thought you got the job.”It’

Chapter 10Liora's POVWith one last smirk thrown my way, Ronan gets into his car and drives off. Without another word. Because he knows. He knows he will win.My legs buckle, tears welling up in my eyes. A hand steadies me before I can reach the ground, the heat from his body engulfing me. I know it's Evren before I even see him. Just a few weeks after knowing him, and his cologne is already imprinted in my brain.He doesn't say a word, to which I'm grateful, not being in the mood to talk.“Mommy!“ My angel's sharp voice greets my ears as she runs out towards me, Arianna hot on her tail.“Selina, will you stop running? You could get hurt!“ She pants, making me roll my eyes. It's no secret that Arianna is lazy. She always has an excuse to give when I tell her it's time for the morning run or evening walk.Selina's hands wrap around my legs, her little giggles bringing a certain warmth and light to my chest, almost making me forget Ronan. But I can't. Not when his carbon copy is right