All Chapters of The Accidental Surrogate's Secret: Chapter 161 - Chapter 165

Dorian’s POVShe was staring at the diary in my hand, her face pale and shocked. I opened my mouth to answer, to explain everything, but no words came out. My throat was tight, like someone had squeezed it shut. I tried again, but still nothing.Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, and I blinked hard, fighting to hold them back. I didn’t want her to see me break down. “Where…” she started to ask again, her voice shaky, but I couldn’t let her finish. The emotions crashed over me, and before I knew it, I rushed forward and pulled her into my arms.I held her tightly, burying my face in her hair. “Do not hold me! Do not hug me!” Candice said, her hands pushing against my chest. She twisted a little, trying to break free.But I couldn’t let go.. “Please, Candice,” I whispered, my voice rough. I held on, my arms wrapped around her like she might disappear if I loosened my grip.“Leave me, Dorian. Let me be,” she said, her voice breaking just a bit. She shoved harder. “I am sorry! I

Candice’s POV“But I don’t want to do this,” I said, shaking my head slightly as I looked at Lucien. “There are people here who are more experienced than me. They’re more suitable for managing the bidding project.”Lucien leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, not even blinking at my words. He didn’t give me a chance to back out.“You are going to do this, Candice,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.“But…” I started again, trying to find the right words to explain why this was a bad idea. He cut me off right away. “No buts, Candice. I’ve already decided. You are more than capable of handling this, and I’m specifically putting you fully in charge of the bidding project.”There was no way I was convincing him otherwise.Lucien didn’t waste any time. He reached for the landline on his desk and dialed a number. I watched him, wondering who he was calling.My question got answered quick. “Yes,” Lucien said into the phone, “call all department heads to the meeting room.

Candice’s POVI took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself as Dorian’s arms loosened around me.His voice was soft as he kept talking.“Please calm down, Candice. Please, I’m begging you to calm down. I promised not to do anything that would hurt the kids.”But his words felt like they were bouncing off me, none of his words were sinking in.My chest was still heaving from the sobs, my face wet and sticky from tears.How could I just calm down?Everything felt like it was crumbling. I wiped at my eyes, but more tears came anyway.“You know I can never hurt you or the kids,” he said, his hand gently tapping my back and shoulder.His voice was low and full of emotion. “So please, trust me on this. I wouldn’t do things I’m not supposed to. Just stop crying and calm down.”He kept patting me softly, and slowly, against my will, it started to work.I took a deep breath, then another, forcing the sobs to quiet down.Once I was calmer, Dorian guided me over to the sofa, his hand light on