Semua Bab My Billionaire Husband Gifted me a Surrogate for Christmas: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Catherine’s P.O.VThat night, I quietly made my way to the second guest room, thinking it would be better to just sleep alone. My mind was still spinning from everything that had happened, from the tension with Lydia to the impossible mess of emotions I felt about Xavier. I barely got the door open when I heard his voice behind me.“Cathy, wait.”I froze and turned around. Xavier was leaning against the doorway, looking unusually serious.“I… I don’t think you should sleep there,” he said.I raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”“Because… It's going to be incredibly awkward if Caroline sees us sleeping in different rooms. She’ll tell my mom, and… it’ll just create misunderstandings.” His voice was low, almost pleading, but there was a strange firmness underneath it.I shook my head, trying to keep my voice steady. “Xavier… my mind is a mess. I just can’t… I can’t bring myself to share your bed right now.”He took a step closer, his hands shoved into his pockets. “Cathy… you’re overthi

Catherine’s P.O.VI finally scrambled off Hunter, my heart still hammering from the rush of adrenaline and shock. But suddenly, another thought crossed my mind. Why was Hunter here in the first place?“What… what were you doing here?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. My hands trembled slightly as I took a step back, keeping my distance.Hunter got up slowly, one hand brushing against the snow-covered ground as if it had left a bruise, wincing faintly. “I… I saw someone in trouble,” he said quietly, his voice calm but steady. “And I came to help.”He looked at me then, and for a moment, the tension in my chest eased, replaced by guilt. He seemed hurt, physically or maybe emotionally…I couldn’t tell.“Sorry, I… I didn’t mean to…” I started, but he cut me off before I could stumble through some awkward excuse.“When someone saves your life,” he said, his voice firm, “maybe instead of questioning them, you can just… thank them for once.” There was no anger in his tone, just t

Catherine’s P.O.VI remember the first time I met Hunter clearly, because Xavier and I had just gotten married then, and he was still proud in that sharp, possessive way that made him keep his hand at the small of my back whenever we entered a room. We’d only been married about a year when he took me to that charity auction, all polished smiles and crystal glasses, that made me feel completely out of place.“Just smile, Cathy. It’s for a good cause.” Xavier had leaned down to murmur, clearly noticing my discomfort. “Relax, I know how to behave.” I had smiled, even though my stomach was in knots.He kissed my cheek like he was already preparing for battle. When the emerald ring was brought out…deep green, old, heavy with history, the auctioneer calling it a sixteenth-century piece from England, Xavier straightened immediately.“That,” he said under his breath, “would look perfect on you.”“Are you bidding because you want it, or because you want to win?”He smirked, lifting his paddle

Catherine’s P.O.VI stared at Hunter, my brow furrowed, my pulse picking up slightly. “Wait… are you serious? Do you really believe that, or are you just saying it to get under my skin?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.“Because if this is just some game you’re playing…trying to stir drama in my marriage, I’m not going to tolerate it, Hunter. Not from you. I can’t have you take advantage of my vulnerabilities!”Hunter let out a long, slow sigh, leaning back slightly as he ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not making it up, Catherine,” he said, his voice quieter now, but there was still a tension in it, a seriousness that made me pause.“I’m still getting my proof. I don’t have it yet, but… I need to know your perspective. I need to know what you think about Xavier. What you really think he’s capable of.”I blinked at him, trying to gather my thoughts. There was a moment where I just wanted to laugh, to shake my head at how easily he was trying to create misunderstanding while

Catherine’s P.O.VI stood there, frozen, as the party poppers popped and confetti rained down around me. My eyes widened when Xavier and Caroline stepped forward holding a small cake between them. My mouth opened, then closed, then opened again.“Wait… what… what is going on?” I finally managed to stammer, my voice barely audible over the fading popping noises.“Oh my god! She totally freaked,” Xavier laughed, holding the cake tighter. “Caroline, you’re a genius! I didn’t think this would actually work!”“I told you it would, didn't I?” Caroline giggled, bouncing a little on her heels before stepping closer and taking my hand in hers.“Cathy,” she said, her eyes sparkling, “I found out from Xavier this morning that today, the 27th of December, is actually your birthday. That’s why I wanted to throw you a surprise party.”I blinked at her, completely flabbergasted, trying to process her words. “My… birthday?” I whispered, my voice tinged with disbelief. “You… you remembered?”“Of cours