Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Billionaires Surrogate : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Adrian Blackwell stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office, looking down at the city that bent to his will. Sixty floors below, people scurried like ants, their lives were insignificant compared to the empire he controlled. At thirty-two, he was worth more money than most countries' GDP. He owned hotels, tech companies, and half of Manhattan's real estate. There was nothing Adrian Blackwell couldn't buy.Except time.The legal document on his mahogany desk seemed to mock him with every word. His grandfather's will, revealed only after the old man's funeral last month, contained a clause that would destroy everything Adrian had worked for."Twelve months," Adrian muttered, reading the damning paragraph again. "Produce a legitimate heir within twelve months of my death, or control of Blackwell Industries passes to my cousin, Richard Blackwell."Richard. The thought of that incompetent fool running his grandfather's legacy made Adrian's jaw clench. Richard couldn't ru

The marble lobby of the Manhattan Fertility Associates building was more intimidating than Elena had expected. Crystal chandeliers hung from twenty-foot ceilings, and the receptionist looked like she belonged on a magazine cover rather than behind a desk.Elena checked her reflection in the elevator's mirrored walls. Her best interview outfit – a navy blue suit bought on clearance three years ago – looked shabby in these surroundings. She'd pulled her hair back in a professional bun and worn minimal makeup, hoping to look competent rather than desperate.The elevator dinged softly at the twentieth floor. Elena stepped into a hallway lined with expensive artwork and medical certificates in gold frames."Miss Martinez?" A tall Asian woman approached with an extended hand. "I'm Dr. Sarah Chen. Thank you for coming."Dr. Chen led Elena into an office that looked more like a luxury hotel suite than a medical facility. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Central Park, and the furniture was

Elena stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror of her new Manhattan apartment. In twenty-four hours, her life had transformed completely. Yesterday morning, she'd been living in Queens, waiting tables and struggling to pay rent. Now she stood in a luxury apartment worth more per month than she made in a year.The apartment was beautiful – floor-to-ceiling windows, marblecountertops, and furniture that looked like it belonged in a magazine,but it felt like a beautiful prison. Security cameras monitored every room except the bedroom and bathroom, as she'd negotiated. Her phone had been replaced with one that tracked her location constantly.Her father's voice echoed from the living room, where they were videochatting."Mija, this place is incredible. Are you sure about this job?"Elena had told him she'd accepted a position as a live-in assistant to a wealthy family. The lie felt terrible, but the truth would be worse."I'm sure, Papa. The family is very generous, and the pay will

"How are you feeling, roomie?" Rosa's voice was full of concern."Weird," Elena admitted, shifting uncomfortably on her bed. "Like I'm in some kind of medical experiment.""Are you having second thoughts?"Elena touched her stomach, where a potential life might be growing."It's too late for second thoughts. The embryo transfer is done.""What's he like? The father?"Elena thought of Adrian's cold gray eyes and controlled demeanor."He's... complicated. Rich, obviously. But there's something else there.Like he's hiding something.""Rich guys always hide something. Usually other women."Elena laughed despite herself. "I don't think that's his problem. He seems more like he's hiding from himself.""Just be careful, Elena. Half a million dollars is great, but not if it costs you your sanity."After Rosa hung up, Elena stared at the ceiling of her expensive prison. The apartment was beautiful, but the security cameras made her feel constantly watched. Even now, she knew someone was monito

At eight weeks pregnant, Elena discovered that morning sickness was poorly named. She felt nauseous all day, every day. Dr. Chen assured her it was normal, but Elena had never felt so miserable in her life. She was throwing up in her marble bathroom when her doorbell rang. Elena ignored it, but the ringing became persistent."Coming," she called weakly, pulling on a robe over her pajamas.Adrian stood in her hallway holding a bag from an expensive deli. He took one look at her pale face and immediately stepped inside."You look terrible.""Thanks. That's exactly what every pregnant woman wants to hear."Adrian set the bag on her kitchen counter. "Have you eaten today?""I can't keep anything down.""Dr. Chen mentioned that ginger helps with morning sickness. I brought ginger tea and crackers."Elena stared at him. "You brought me ginger tea?""And saltines. The internet said they help too."The idea of Adrian Blackwell researching morning sickness remedies was so unexpected that Elena