All Chapters of The Cruel Millionaire's Surrogate: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

AnthonyI nursed a snifter of bourbon, attempting to kill three birds with one stone—numb the pain in my leg, ease my guilt, and forget about my feelings for Simone Livingston that increased with each month that her stomach grew. Soon after signing the contract, I found myself looking for every excuse to be in her presence. I even went as far as stopping by her apartment one day after work to ensure her smoke and carbon monoxide detector functioned properly. She had greeted me with a puzzled yet radiant smile, silently wondering what the hell I was there for, but too polite to turn me away. A two-minute detector check turned into a two-hour chat followed by dinner at her favorite Mexican restaurant. I gravitated towards Simone like the cliche moth to a flame, not because she was carrying my child, but because she was the first woman since my wife who could completely disarm me with a simple smile. My icy exterior, which had built up after years of grief and mourning from losing my par

AnthonyThe throbbing surged from my leg to my head as I tried to wrap my head around what she said. I massaged my forehead with the heels of my palms.“I didn’t know what to do. Nori was all that I had, and suddenly she wasn’t there any longer. I’d become severely depressed and almost swallowed a handful of pills until Jonathan knocked on my door offering me the nanny position.”My vision blurred as I thought about how if it hadn’t been for Jonathan, I would’ve been too late.My selfishness almost killed my daughter’s birth mother….“I’m not telling you this because I want to get back at you or something petty like that, but I wanted you to hear it from me. I didn’t want Jonathan to spill the beans and you were blindsided. I forgive you, Anthony because you’ve been sincere and have taken the appropriate steps to make amends with me, including agreeing to 50/50 custody. I’m forgiving you for myself and for Nori because I want her to live in a happy, loving environment, and that can’t

SimoneThe zoo was exactly as I imagined: full of excitable children, flustered guardians, laughter, and the slight smell of food and animal feces. Nori cooed with excitement from the energy and squirmed to get out of the stroller.“Maybe I should’ve rented it out,” Anthony mused with his large hand wrapped around the head of the cane, his steel eyes sweeping the crowd.“Rent what out?”“The zoo.”“Don’t be a rich jerk. Half the fun is the atmosphere, especially for a kid.”Anthony heaved a burgeoning sigh before shaking his head and smiling. He tapped the side of the stroller with his cane. “The things I do for you, kid,” he remarked with a grin. Nori smiled back at him but was quickly distracted by a lion prowling its enclosure. He tapped me, nodding to the sign.Do not feed the animals!“Do you think lions go for little sharks?” he mused.“Not this one,” I said, grinning back. My eyes widened when I noticed a family leaving a nearby bench. “I think it’s time for a break.”“I—”“You

SimoneOne Month Later“Is that you, Simone?”I turned into the dairy aisle of Whole Foods to find none other than attorney Jonathan Baker with a basket teeming with food. It was enough to feed a basketball team.“Jonathan? What are you doing here?”Anthony emerged from the next aisle. “I found it. We should have everything.” He paused when he finally noticed his friend. “Hey, man. What are you doing here?”Jonathan nodded at his basket. “The same as you. Just trying to get a few things.”“A few things?” I asked, snorting at his response. “I think you might need another cart.”“Let’s hope not. These children are eating me out of house and home. How’s it going?” he asked, his eyes trailing to Nori in the basket. He waved at her. Unfortunately, it was past her nap time, resulting in a half-hearted flap of her hand.“Good. Good. We were gonna put a few burgers on the grill tonight and let Nori play in the kiddie pool,” Anthony explained.“Sounds like a diverting time,” he replied with a

AnthonyI sucked my teeth when I received Simone’s text asking me which dress she should wear on her date with my best friend.Neither was what I wanted to say, but I didn’t want her to think it was because I’d found the dresses unattractive on her. It was the complete opposite. Both dresses were tantalizing—sexy but still modest, something only Simone could pull off. I imagined which dress I would prefer if we went on a date.Anthony: The black one.Simone: You must’ve read my mind. Thanks. How is your appointment going?Anthony: Still waiting to be seen. If they don’t call me back in the next five minutes, then I’m leaving.Simone: I’d drive you right back.I snorted and rolled my eyes. She would.Anthony: How long will you be out?Simone: Why?Anthony: I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing you weren’t home safe.Simone: Who says I’m coming home tonight?My fingers curled around my phone, threatening to shatter it into a million pieces.Simone: I’m joking. I won’t be too late.“Powell