My Billionaire Husband Gifted me a Surrogate for Christmas のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

Catharine's P.O.VMy mind raced back to the way Mr. Hawthorn had offered me that drink. The way he had insisted I take it, the way he had pushed it toward me with such determination. He hadn't just been harassing me randomly. He had planned this. He had already decided to spike that drink, and had already planned on taking advantage of me once the drug took effect.The realization made me feel sick to my stomach. If I had accepted that drink, if I had taken even one sip, I would be the one in Caroline's position right now. Helpless, drugged, vulnerable.I pulled the car over to the side of the snowy road, my hands trembling as I put it in park. The engine idled quietly and I turned in my seat to face Xavier."What do we do?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady even though panic was clawing at my throat. "Xavier, what should we do?"I had already turned the air conditioning on full blast, hoping the cold air would help bring Caroline's temperature down, and would help clear her sys

Cathy's P.O.VHunter's voice comes through the door, muffled but concerned."Cathy? Are you okay in there?"I stare at the bathroom door, my fingers still gripping the edge of the sink. My throat feels tight, like someone has wrapped their hands around it and won't let go. I want to answer him, but I don't know what to say. Am I okay? No. Will I ever be okay again? I don't know.I take a shaky breath and turn on the faucet again, splashing more cold water on my face. The shock of it helps a little, brings me back to the present moment instead of drowning in memories of last night. I cup my hands under the stream and drink a little, trying to wash away the bitter taste in my mouth."I'm fine," I finally call out, though my voice sounds hollow even to my own ears.I dry my face one more time, straighten my wrinkled dress as best I can, and open the bathroom door.Hunter is standing near a small coffee table, placing a plate of food down carefully. He's changed from his formal clothes in

Cathy's P.O.VThe question hits me like a slap. I opened my mouth to answer, to say that Xavier married me because he loved me, because we were happy together, because he wanted to spend his life with me.But the words won't come. After everything I've seen, after everything that's happened, I don't know anymore. Did Xavier ever really love me? Or was I just fooling myself this whole time?"I thought it was because he loved me," I finally whispered, hating how pathetic I sound. "But I don't even know anymore."Hunter's jaw tightens. He looks angry, but I can tell the anger isn't directed at me."Xavier married you because of his grandfather's will," he says, and each word lands like a hammer blow. "The old man left specific conditions for the Dalton fortune. All Dalton heirs must be married for at least five years and produce a legitimate heir from their marriage before they turn thirty. Only then can they inherit their family fortune."I stare at him, trying to process what he just s

Cathy's P.O.VI look up at Hunter, a thought suddenly crossing my mind."Wait…how did you know about a prenup?" I ask. "How could you possibly know that Xavier made me sign one?"Hunter lets out a breath and crosses his arms over his chest, leaning against the dresser behind him."Think about it, Cathy," he says. "A family like Xavier's, one that has such a specific clause built into their inheritance, wouldn't just let their son get married without finding a way to protect what's theirs first. The Daltons have been protecting that fortune for generations. They're not going to let one marriage, one wife, get close enough to take a piece of it. A prenup wasn't just likely. It was guaranteed."His words settle over me like a cold blanket, and suddenly I'm not sitting in Hunter's apartment anymore. I'm back in that day, months ago, standing in the grand foyer of the Dalton estate with Xavier's hand proudly on my waist as he announced to his parents that we were getting married.I remembe

Cathy's P.O.VThe ground is being pulled from under my feet. I stood there in the kitchen, gripping the counter so hard my fingers ache, and try to make sense of what my mother just told me. Colton. My brother Colton. The same Colton who could barely sit still in class long enough to finish a single assignment. The same Colton who struggled so badly in high school that my mom had to beg three different teachers not to fail him. That Colton had somehow landed a job at Dalton Inc. Xavier's company. As an executive assistant.It doesn't make sense. None of it makes sense. Colton had no degree, no experience, no qualifications that would ever get him through the door of a company like Dalton Inc, let alone into a position that paid well enough to renovate an entire house and buy a luxury car.And then it clicks. Like a puzzle piece sliding into place, like a lock turning open after years of being stuck, everything suddenly makes sense.Hunter. Hunter's insistence that I not rush into a di