Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Surrogate-in-law: The Billionaire CEO's Deception : Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

"I don't understand! What happened seven years ago that caused you to lash out?" I scoffed, standing up. I had been an expert at feigning my emotions. Hopefully, he wouldn't see through me. "You are childish. You better clean up yourself before returning home."I said, walking out of the bathroom. However, he stopped me, holding my wrist. "You never said what made you leave the country so suddenly. It's a mystery to everyone, even me!"My eyes widened when he said that. I thought he believed me when I said I needed to leave for some personal reason."It's even!" I said, my voice light. "Let's not dwell on this anymore!""What do you mean by 'it's even'? What is even?" he asked, his voice frantic.My eyebrows arched as I faced him. "Since I ghosted you for six months when we were in senior school, and now you ghosted me for a whole year... I think we both know what kind of pain we felt when we were ghosting each other and prioritizing anything else!""Wh-What? No. That's not the same!"

Knox,Practically, I was unaware of what I was labeling the relationship that had suddenly taken a turn between us. Although I hadn’t met her in the last ten months, I came to see her every day in secret. I watched the coldness in her grow—slowly, gradually—towards everyone around her.If someone had asked me what I thought about Violet, I could never imagine her as a romantic partner. Not because she wasn’t beautiful or someone that sparked desire. It was because… she was beyond reach.People call me ruthless, a dominating businessman who never bowed to defeat. But that wasn’t true.Violet was the true example of dominance. She was everything a human wished they could become.She doesn’t fake. She doesn’t sugarcoat. She won’t pose in front of the camera to look perfect. She is the example of perfection itself.She never stammered, never hesitated, and never stopped doing what she truly wanted to do.I always wanted to reach her, walk beside her—whether as a man or a best friend. Eith

Violet,In this family, I am the black sheep. A daughter who was never perfect enough for their flawless family portrait. So, when Knox asked why I was wearing a sweatshirt and pants instead of dressing formally, I wanted to laugh. Just ten months were enough for him to forget that I meant nothing to them. They would never hold a family gathering just for me. At that moment, I had no idea I was about to receive the biggest slap in the face. I was enjoying my ice cream while my parents were planning a trip—for their daughter. The kind of daughter they proudly acknowledged—like Sarah and Knox, obviously. I didn’t feel anything toward them. Not anymore. Although, I felt a twist in my stomach when Knox remained silent about the trip and didn’t say no. “So… everyone!” My mother’s voice was light and cheerful, as if she was about to announce the source of her true happiness. Her eyes briefly met mine before her smile deepened. “I think you’ve all met my second daughter, Anna R

"And—" He looked directly into my eyes and said the cruelest words I’d ever heard from him. "I wouldn’t have a child if it wasn’t for Sarah. So you should respect her as the child’s mother. You’re nothing but the surrogate mother."What do you think I felt at that moment? Heartbreak? Anger or humiliation? No... Nothing. Literally nothing. Not a single heartache. I was frozen—blank and numb inside. The person I had once loved, the person who had once been my world, now looked unrecognizable and cruel. I smiled dryly and then nodded with my body shaking with overwhelming emotions. "Good," I muttered, swallowing the pain that cut through my throat like a thorn. "But in that agreement, I said I had the right to terminate the pregnancy. Since you’ve proven just how ungrateful you truly are, I don’t want to waste my time or body for a bunch of ungrateful bitches." Knox’s eyes widened as I smirked. And it wasn’t a smirk of vulnerability or empty threats. I meant it. "You won’t do it," K

Sarah turned to me, her expression collapsing into panic. "What does she mean?" she asked, her voice trembling. Her mother clutched her arm, trying to steady her, but Sarah shoved her away, her breathing turning frantic. "What is she talking about? Knox—what does she mean? What does she mean you're married?" I didn't answer fast enough. Her face twisted as realization dawned like a thunderclap. "No. No! Tell me she’s lying. Please—tell me she’s just trying to get back at me! Tell me this is all fake! "Sarah..." I tried to speak, but my voice came out too quiet, too slow. "You married her?!" she screamed, her voice breaking apart like glass. "You married her?!" She dropped to the floor, hands shaking violently as she pulled at her own hair. Tears streamed down her face in ugly sobs. “Why?! Why would you do this to me? Because I can’t get pregnant? Is that it?! You married her behind my back?!” "Sarah—" "You could’ve told me! You could’ve said something!" she wailed, pou