Semua Bab My Billionaire Husband Gifted me a Surrogate for Christmas: Bab 51 - Bab 60

Cathy's P.O.V"Hannah?" I said again, my voice barely a whisper. "Is it really you?"Hannah nods, a small, sad smile on her lips as she looks at me. She hasn't changed much since the last time I saw her. Same warm brown eyes, same dark hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, same quiet, steady presence that used to make me feel safe when we were kids."It's me," she says softly. "Do you want to come inside? You can rest for a bit. You look like you need it."I nod without thinking, because I don't have words right now. My throat is raw from the hyperventilating and my mind is still foggy, still trying to catch up with everything that just happened. Hannah helps me to my feet, one arm around my waist to steady me, and guides me gently away from my mother's porch.As we walk, something heavy settles in my chest. Not the panic from before, but something quieter. Sadness, maybe. Or guilt.The last time I spoke to Hannah was during college. We had been sitting in the campus café, sharing a t

Cathy's P.O.VI knew I was only stalling. Accepting Hannah's invitation to stay the night wasn't solving anything. It was just postponing the inevitable confrontation that waited for me outside these walls. But as evening settled over the small house, painting the living room in soft shadows, I found myself curled up on the couch next to Hannah with a steaming cup of coffee in my hands, and for the first time in days, I felt something close to peace.We talked for hours, about everything and nothing. About the weather, about the new coffee shop that had opened downtown, about that terrible movie we had watched together in high school that we both still remembered every ridiculous scene from. We talked about Hannah's first day at law school, about the time she had accidentally spilled coffee all over her professor's notes and thought she would get expelled.We didn't talk about Xavier. We didn't talk about my crumbling marriage or my family's betrayal. We just talked like we had never

Cathy's P.O.VThe morning light felt harsh against my tired eyes as I stood outside Hannah's house, waiting for the cab I had called. I hadn't slept much, maybe an hour or two at most, but I felt strangely alert. Like my body knew that today was going to be a battle and it needed to be ready.Hannah had insisted on driving me back to the mansion. She had practically begged me to let her come along, to have someone by my side when I faced Xavier. But I had refused."This is something I need to face on my own," I had told her, and I meant it. Hannah had already done so much for me by taking me in, by listening to me, by reminding me that I wasn't completely alone in this world. I couldn't drag her any deeper into the mess that was my marriage.Now, as the cab pulled up to the massive iron gates of the Dalton mansion, I felt my resolve waver. The gates opened slowly, automatically recognizing me from the security cameras, and I felt like I was watching the jaws of some great beast open w

Cathy's P.O.VI almost laughed. Standing there, looking down at the two of them on their knees, tears streaming down their faces, hands clasped in desperation, I almost let out a hysterical laugh that would have given away everything.This was ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. After everything I had endured, after all the pain and humiliation and betrayal, these two scheming people were now playing the victims. They wanted to make me into the villain of this story, the cruel wife who wouldn't forgive a simple mistake, who wanted to harm an innocent unborn child.Well, if they were so adamant about playing their roles, then I could play mine too. Two could play in this game.I let my knees buckle beneath me, and I crumpled to the floor right there in the middle of the foyer. The marble was cold and hard against my legs, but I barely felt it. I was too focused on summoning the tears, on letting all the real pain and anguish I had been holding back for days finally pour out.And once I

Cathy's P.O.VI made my way upstairs, but instead of going to the master bedroom, I headed to the guest room where I had shifted most of my belongings after the Christmas incident. Xavier had questioned it at first, saying married couples should share a room and the surrogate will question everything, but I had insisted on having my own space. My own sanctuary.Now I was grateful for that decision.I closed the door behind me and locked it, leaning against the solid wood for a moment as I tried to steady my breathing. The guest room was smaller than the master bedroom, but it was mine. The bed was made with simple white sheets, and my clothes hung in the closet. My books sat on the nightstand, and my laptop was on the desk by the window.I had initially planned to take a long shower, to wash away the feeling of Xavier's hands on me, his lies coating my skin like a layer of grime. But as I sat down on the edge of the bed, a different idea occurred to me.I reached for the tablet I kept