All Chapters of THE CEO’S SURROGATE(WOMB CONTRACT): Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

### (Elena's POV — Part 2)I watched Xavier's retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner.For a long moment, I remained exactly where I was.His question echoed inside my head.Were you ever happy with me?I answered truthfully.I thought I knew what happiness was until I met Alaric. He might not show it, but I have been the happiest since I met him.There had been a time when I believed Xavier, and I would build a future together. We laughed, dreamed, and made promises. But somewhere along the way, ambition became more important to him than love.And that was where we ended.A soft sigh escaped my lips.Not because I missed him.Because I mourned the version of us that never had a chance to exist."You have a habit of making men emotional." The familiar voice made me jump.I turned to find Sabrina leaning casually against the wall, a champagne flute in one hand.How long had she been standing there?"You startled me," I said, placing a hand over my chest."I've been to

### (Xavier's POV – Part One)Few hours ago. The applause refused to end.Even after Grandfather Gregory stepped away from the elevated stage, the ballroom buzzed with excitement. Reporters swarmed around Alaric and Elena while business executives lined up to congratulate them. Camera flashes illuminated every corner of the room, capturing what tomorrow's headlines would undoubtedly call the engagement of the year.I tightened my grip around my champagne glass.Across the room, Elena smiled as Alaric whispered something into her ear. She laughed softly, and he looked at her as though everyone else had disappeared.My chest tightened.It wasn't supposed to be him.It wasn't supposed to be anyone.She was supposed to leave Carrington Empire quietly, carrying the blame for a crime she never committed. Within months, everyone would have forgotten her.Instead...She was standing beside the CEO himself.Future Mrs. Carrington.Future mother of the next Carrington heir.How had everything

(Elena’s POV – Part Two)The sunroom quickly became my favorite place in the mansion.Unlike the formal sitting rooms with their polished marble floors and priceless paintings, the sunroom felt… lived in.Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the sprawling gardens, allowing warm sunlight to pour across the wooden floors. Fresh flowers filled every corner, and the scent of jasmine drifted through the slightly opened windows.Maria placed a cup of ginger tea in front of me.“Dr. Rowan said this might help.”I wrapped both hands around the warm mug.“I think Dr. Rowan deserves a medal.” I smiled.Maria laughed. “Morning sickness?”“Morning, afternoon, evening…” I sighed dramatically. “Apparently my baby doesn’t believe in schedules.”“Our baby is already stubborn.” she laughed.I smiled. “You sound just like Alaric.” I chuckled.“I’ve known that boy since he was born.” Her eyes softened with affection.“I’ve never seen him this worried.” she added, looking from my stomach to my face.“I k

(Elena’s POV – Part One)I knew something was wrong the moment Alaric walked into the living room, he quickly glanced at me and nodded slightly.He wasn’t alone, he came with two security officers.Alex immediately followed right behind him after he entered the speaking quietly into the communication device clipped beneath his jacket, while two unfamiliar security officers who came with Alaric stood outside the French doors leading to the garden.No one said a word. But they didn’t have to. I could sense it in their body language. Something had happened.I slowly rose from the sofa.Maria immediately reached out as if she expected me to lose my balance.“I’m okay,” I assured her softly.My eyes never left Alaric.He had changed after leaving for the board meeting. Not physically but emotionally. The tension in his shoulders was impossible to miss. His jaw remained clenched.His eyes swept across the room until they landed on me.Only then did his expression soften.“You should be resti

(Alaric’s POV )No one spoke for a while. The silence inside the sitting room became almost unbearable.The package acem in as a letter from my mother—My mother’s handwriting. I would recognize it anywhere. The elegant loops.The slight slant of every letter.She used to leave little notes on my desk before school.“Have a wonderful day, my brave boy.Don’t forget to smile.”I hadn’t seen that handwriting in over fifteen years. Yet here it was. Waiting for me. Waiting all this time. Elena’s hand slipped into mine. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to.Her warmth reminded me I wasn’t standing here alone. Alex quietly locked the doors before returning to my side.“The room is secure.” he said as I nodded absentmindedly.My eyes never left the letter.Lady C leaned forward.“Just open it and read it.” I swallowed hard, a cold chill ran down my spine, my mother has been dead for years, how on earth am I just getting this letter now. “I’m not sure I can.” I signed.“You have to.” l