Laughter

“She signed up to carry his child and not steal his heart.” Diana Wood agrees to become a surrogate for reclusive, powerful, emotionally distant Billionaire Theodore Smith. It's meant to be strictly business: Twelve months—a discreet legal process. No attachment. Confidential. Life-changing compensation, enough to save her sister’s life. But twelve months is a long time to live in someone else's world, especially when walls come down, unexpected laughter, shared vulnerabilities, and the heart gets involved. Love was never part of the deal, and they both question everything. Was it ever just an agreement or the beginning of something real? What happens when a contract ends but love is just beginning? Will they be able to face what neither of them planned for?

When I hear my boyfriend, Terence Bowen, is trapped in a house fire, I immediately rush back to save him. However, after dragging him out with all my strength, I realize it's just a dummy. Laughter erupts from the house next door. "Ariana Brock is such a fool! She fell for it again!" Through a half-open window, I spot Terence lounging on the couch, casually scrolling through his phone. He looks completely fine. "That's the 47th prank we've pulled on her. Three more to go and we're done." "Serves her right. She shouldn't have stolen Bethany Howard's scholarship. Bethany is the one Terence actually cares about. That's why he decided to fake a relationship with Ariana to get revenge 50 times over. Too bad the game will end soon." I bend over, gasping for air. All this time, the relationship I've worked so hard to protect is nothing but a game to them.