Chapter 2: Name of Love

Rosella’s POV

It took just a month for my smooth-sailing life to crumble before my face and the captain of the wrecked ship was none other than me! Rosella Beauregard!

When did things start going wrong for me?

Was it when my father was killed and I was left alone in this world five years ago? Or when I trusted life for a second chance by devoting my heart?

My guess is neither…

I know exactly what went wrong and that’s ‘Love’

I loved wrongly, for five years I kept watering a poisonous plant and eventually it bloomed and poured out its venom.

I still remember the bright smile on my lips as I tried on various wedding dresses. The fitting was going smoothly and the attendants praised my beauty. I wasn’t new to such compliments but I felt especially pleased on that day and I wondered if it was because Jake was a few steps away.

I know, I should’ve gone for the fitting with a friend but welcome to my antisocial life. I had no friends and I’ve grown quite used to being alone.

In any case my fiancé Jake accompanied me, and every time I emerged in a new gown his eyes would sparkle, at least that’s what I thought!

Shortly after the fifth dress trial he excused himself for a call, this seemed normal at the time and I couldn’t have guessed the havoc soon to be reigned upon me!

With him away the attendants finally gossiped the most pressing topic circulating in every woman’s lips!

“Oh my God, I can’t believe the Dalgliesh family announced a selection for a surrogate”

“It’s crazy right? If only we had a shot our lives would be made, the benefits are off the charts! I heard if she delivers a boy then she’d get a lot in Sterling estate and five percent shares of Maston Corp…”

“Forget the benefits, the prestige that’d come with birthing a Dalgliesh heir is indescribable!”

“You’re right!”

They tried to keep it down but the excitement in their voice was profound. My gaze shifted to the huge TV screen that displayed the announcement but I had no outward expression.

The hatred I harbored for that family was unimaginable. The announcement was a slap to my prayers, I always wished their lineage would die with the monster named ‘Donovan’ but now it seems even the heavens wouldn't grant my wish.

Am I wrong for wanting that much? He f*cking killed my father! He took away the only happiness in my life, my only family! And so he doesn’t deserve a family of his own!

The brewing rage within me spoilt my mood but surprisingly I wasn’t the only one with a fowl expression. Jake looked worse off as he talked to his phone.

Something about his gestures were troubling. The call was obviously bad news and not a moment later he walked over and ended our session. He seemed rushed in his actions and we eventually picked a random gown from the selection.

Maybe that was my cue to draw the line and notice something off but I didn’t!

My anxiety only skyrocketed as I feared he’d call off the wedding.

Two weeks past and Jake completely cut me off, all my attempts to reach him was futile until one cold evening when he surprisingly rang my door bell.

My emotions were complex as I watched him walk right through the door and find solace in my home away from the raging blizzard. Seeing him in the sorry state dispelled my anger and I found myself fixing up a cup of tea for him.

We said no words still as I presented the hot mug to him which he greedily drank despite the boiling temperature.

“Why are you here?”

I finally decided to break the ice. “Didn’t you want to cut me off completely?”

Even when I said those words my heart was pounding with expectation, I wanted an excuse, I wanted him to say he didn’t mean to ignore me few weeks to our wedding, I wanted anything! As far as he gave an explanation I’ll believe, no matter how stupid it sounded.

To me anything was more believable than calling off the wedding, than ending our five years relationship, than losing the only person in my life!

I just wanted to believe that I can make things work and maybe he knew exactly what was running through my mind, or maybe he could always see through my pathetic self because his next words were exactly what I craved to hear!

“I could never do that, how can I live without you Rose? Don’t say that again, don’t even think that. I would never do such a thing to you”.

Like a fool these very words pacified my heart and I sought to inquire more, not knowing I was walking right into his well scripted plan.

“Then what’s wrong? You look so pale…Does any of this have something to do with the call you received in the fitting room?”

My words grabbed his attention and he acted surprised as if this wasn’t all part of his grand scheme!

The thought of it right now irks me to death! How low Jake was willing to go and how foolish I continued to be all in the name of love!

“Yes” he affirmed my suspicions “It all started with that call Rose, I promise I didn’t mean to ignore you these weeks but the situation keeps getting worse…the way things are going the wedding might really get canceled”

He dropped what seemed like a bomb on me and my lips trembled in fear, those words were the very ones I didn’t wish to hear!

“Why? What’s going on? I’m sure there’s a way I can help, I’ll surely help no matter what but we shouldn’t cancel the wedding Jake, there must be a way out right?

I was vying to penetrate his heart and that’s surely what he wanted! He led me to a desperate situation and whatever he asked right now would be granted!

“It’s the company Rose, it’s facing a very tough time, I’m talking bankruptcy…”

I didn’t let him finish when I opened my mouth and made the dumbest decision of my life!

“I’ll give you my father’s company seal, wouldn’t that help? It was going to be yours once we’re married anyways, why not now?”

Finally his eyes glistened, he looked genuinely surprised and pleased.

I thought I was making the right decision. Our love was unbreakable and nothing could come in between. Jake was the perfect gentleman who helped me all these years since my father died, his parents adorned me mostly for my beauty.

They pride themselves in their superior genes, having a son as dashing as Jake must’ve fueled their ego so recreating their ‘awesome genes’ seemed to be their top priority so the moment they saw me they liked me.

“So the wedding can go on as planned right?” My face beamed as I spoke but Jake expression went downhill making my smile fade in worry.

“What’s wrong?” The question blurted itself from my lips and I watched him withdraw his gaze with an even more troubled expression.

“What’s going on Jake?! If you don’t tell me I won’t be able to help”

My voice went up a notch, his constant cowardice peeved me but it also made me wary. Whatever the issue, it was definitely a difficult one and what sacred me even more was the effect it was going to have on me!

Eventually he spoke and honestly, it would’ve been better if he hadn’t!

As expected his words were venom to my blood and acid to my skin. Even in the cold I felt a burning rage boiling within me.

“I’m facing criminal charges, I didn’t do it! It’s just complicated, I got mixed up with a criminal gang and somehow faced with some heavy charges…” before I could speak he added.

“…But it can all go away, everything can go away and our wedding can go on smoothly…the thing is the only one that can get me out of the mess is Donovan. I know you wouldn’t like this-”

“What the hell Jake?! How can you even say his name, let alone demand his help?! That man is a murderer! He killed my father and I know it! You of all people should be on my side!”

I was foaming in anger and disbelief, why does that name keep showing up in front of me! Haven’t I had enough?! Can’t the universe give me a f*cking break?!

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you Rose, I knew you couldn’t handle it, still it’s my only chance, otherwise I’ll end up behind bars”

I’ve never felt so cornered and frustrated in my entire life, I didn’t want Jake to go to prison and because of this I compromised yet again! I threw my pride out the window and voiced.

“Okay then, what’s the situation. What does Donovan want in return?”

A beast like that would never do a charitable deed, he wasn’t the most powerful and ruthless man for nothing! I knew the price to pay would be big but I was thrown off when Jake spoke. Nothing prepared me as the words reached my ears.

“He demanded you become his surrogate”