Chapter 4 The Past and The Night

Flashback

Five years ago...

"Sierra! You won't believe what I have to tell you!"

Sierra winced as she heard Callie’s enthusiastic voice over the phone. People next to her shot irritated looks her way as if she had just made a huge mistake.

Well, accepting a video call while sitting in a waiting room for a job interview was probably a criminal-level offense that deserved to be considered a fatal mistake.

"Callie, can I hear the news later? I’ll be happy to hear whatever you have to tell me, but right now, I’m about to interview for a job, and I don’t know when they’ll call me in."

Callie frowned, "Hell! Since when was a job interview more important than me? Do you really not want to hear my story?"

"You know that’s not what I meant. I just said I’d hear it later after my interview is done. They might call me at any moment, and I don’t want to make you cut your story short."

"Oh my gosh! Why aren’t you prioritizing me right now, Sierra? Is that job really more important than my story?" Callie pouted, and Sierra knew her friend was upset with her.

"This job is really important, but of course, not more important than you. Don’t worry. I’m free this afternoon, so I can come over to your apartment, or you can come to my place to spend the night."

"Do I really have to wait until this afternoon to tell you my story? This is so unfair because—"

"Miss Kayleigh,"

Sierra looked up from her phone as a blonde woman opened the door and called her name. She quickly hung up the phone and stood up, "That’s me." she said.

"You’ll be interviewing directly with Mr. Scott, as you’ve been selected as a candidate for his new secretary. It’s important for him to know your character to determine if you’re a good fit for the position." The woman spoke while walking beside her, leading her to the room where the interview would take place.

"Me?" Sierra pointed at herself, "As far as I remember, I didn’t apply for a secretary position, did I?" She was a little panicked at this new information and couldn’t stop thinking about how mad Callie probably was for hanging up before she could finish her story.

"Yes, but the company is in need of a new secretary for Mr Scott, and HR believes your background fits the role. If you’re willing, you’ll be interviewing with Mr. Scott. However, if not, you can leave now."

Sierra blinked.

Becoming a secretary was a crazy opportunity.

It was insane.

For whatever reason, there was no way she was going to pass up on this crazy opportunity.

"Of course, I’m willing to interview with Mr. Scott. I was just a little surprised. That’s why I reacted that way."

"Sure, Miss. You can meet him in his office."

Sierra nodded and followed the blonde woman down a long hallway, then took the elevator to the top floor, which she guessed was Mr. Scott’s personal floor.

Oh God, she really hoped luck was on her side this time.

She also wanted to share the good news with Callie, not only hear her good news.

"Good morning, Mr. Scott." Sierra bowed her head as she entered the spacious, luxurious office at the very top floor—the most lavish space in the entire building.

The woman who had guided her quickly left the room, leaving Sierra alone with the man in the black suit sitting behind a laptop. Her legs felt a bit shaky from nervousness, but she prayed her luck wouldn’t allow her to mess up.

"Miss Sierra Dove Kayleigh, please have a seat." The man looked up from his desk, and Sierra was met with his piercing black eyes framed by long lashes. His jawline was strong, his nose sharp, and his tan skin didn’t come from sunlight—it seemed natural. His tanned complexion complemented his jet-black hair perfectly.

Sierra blinked several times, realizing her potential new boss was incredibly handsome. Hell, was this a blessing or a curse for her?

She could work under pressure, but could she work under the influence of a good-looking man every day?

"Miss Kayleigh? Are you okay?"

Sierra cleared her throat and nodded. "Sorry for that, Mr. Scott," she said as she sat down in the chair in front of him.

"That’s okay," the man nodded. "My name is Axton Frederich Scott. I believe my staff already told you I need a new secretary, right?"

***

Sierra swore this was one of the most uncomfortable moments of her life. If the awkwardness of this morning wasn’t enough, tonight wasn’t much different as she sat with Callie in the lounge on the second floor.

Two cups of tea and Callie's favorite biscuits were placed on the table. All the maids in the house knew what Callie liked and would prepare it before she even asked.

"There’s something I need to tell you because..." Sierra couldn’t find the right words to explain, so she stayed silent for a few seconds.

Right after Callie knocked on her door, Sierra jumped off of Axton and forgot everything they had done. She dressed quickly and slipped out of the room without letting Callie see that her husband was in bed with her.

Sierra hadn’t said anything to Axton because she was sure he knew what to do. Rather than letting Callie into her room, she chose to sit in the lounge, as they often did in the evenings after work.

"You’re making me a little worried." Callie frowned and shifted closer to Sierra, "Why didn’t you go home with Axton? This place is farther from your home, so it would’ve made sense to go with him, Sierra. He acted strange when he came home with a cut on his face, and you disappeared all afternoon, too."

Sierra shook her head.

Going home with Axton, when her mind was about to explode from what he had done to her, was the last thing on her mind.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about what happened today." Sierra let out a long sigh.

"What happened today? Is there a problem?" Callie frowned. "Look, I didn’t come to your room to ask about what happened. I came because I brought you a new hair dryer. But you brought me here, and now I know something's up with you. Tell me, what’s going on?"

"The debt collectors came to the office, and they caused a scene there. Axton came to help me. He hit the debt collectors, but unfortunately, someone hit him in the face, and he got hurt."

Sierra watched as Callie’s shoulders slumped upon hearing the truth. From her reaction, she realized Axton hadn’t told his wife what had happened.

"Did you get hurt?" Callie asked softly.

Sierra shook her head. "Axton paid off my debt and handed over my house deed."

Callie gave no response, and Sierra began to feel worried. She reached for Callie’s hand, gripping it tightly. "Nothing will change between us if you’re worried about that. Our agreement still stands, and I’ll give you a child, Callie," she said earnestly.

Callie looked up, and Sierra saw her face streaked with tears. "You won’t go back on your promise, will you?"

Sierra shook her head. "No, Callie. I would never do that."

Callie didn’t respond, and Sierra knew her friend was doubting her words.

"Do you know that Axton’s family never fully accepted me because they know I can’t give him a child?" Callie wiped her tears, but they kept flowing down her face.

In all the years Sierra had known Callie, she had never seen her in such a bad state—not even when she was first diagnosed with lupus four years ago. Callie had remained the same, even though her life had never been the same since the illness. But now, her best friend was crying in front of her, and there was nothing Sierra could do to fix things except try her hardest to give her a child with her husband.

Having a child and then giving it to her best friend.

It was the craziest idea that had ever crossed her mind, but she knew it was the only way to make things right.

"Axton is an only child, but his father has several brothers. In their family, it’s normal for them to undermine each other. His uncle wants Axton’s position, but they know they can’t take it yet. The family business has never truly been run by a family; everyone is trying to bring Axton down and profit from him. And I’ve given them an opening because they know I can’t give him a child." Callie closed her eyes, and her breathing became irregular as if she was struggling to catch her breath.

"Callie," Sierra looked at her, worried.

"When I was diagnosed with lupus, you were the first person to hug me and tell me everything would be okay. I thought the world worked the way you said it did because I always trusted you. But when I found out that Axton’s parents were worried about him because he married a woman who can’t have children, do you think I would be okay?"

Damn. Sierra wanted to curse the lupus that had taken away all of Callie’s happiness. It wasn’t fair to her best friend. This disease had taken things it had no right to take from Callie.

"I don’t mind the idea of never having my own child. But Axton needs to have a child of his own blood, Sierra. They need an heir with Scott's blood, and I could never allow Axton to lie to his family if we adopted a child and said it was ours. Axton thinks it’s the easiest way, and he doesn’t mind lying to his family, but I can’t."

"You’ll have an heir soon, Callie. You’ll have one soon, trust me." Sierra hugged Callie tightly, feeling her own tears flow as they cried together.

"Do you know how much I’ve wanted to help you since I found out you were in trouble, Sierra? I wanted so badly to pay off all your father’s debts and make your life easier. But I also needed a guarantee that you’d help me until this is all over. I hate myself for not trusting you enough, which led you to be in the mess you're in now."

Sierra tightened her embrace.

She knew how much Callie needed her. She also knew how much this woman loved and cared for her, just as she cared deeply for her. They had been together and known each other for years—no one had ever cared for her more than Callie had since her mother passed away. And for Callie, Sierra would do anything, even sell herself.

"Promise me you’ll end my suffering and give me and Axton a child. That’s all I’ve ever wanted in life, and what I want can only come from you, Sierra."

Sierra closed her eyes.

What could she not give to Callie? If she could, she’d take on Callie’s illness herself. There was no need for Callie to lose the happiness she deserved. Callie had everything—a family that loved her, a husband who was in love with her, a business in the heart of New York City that she had entrusted to others, a lovely home, and a future full of hope. The only thing she needed was a child, and then her life would be perfect.

Compared to Sierra, who had lost everything—her mother, her father’s betrayal, the many hardships she had faced in school, and her struggle to survive with the debts her father had left behind—she was far more deserving of Callie’s disease. At least she wouldn’t mind if she couldn’t have children because she... didn’t plan on getting married or living the life she had always dreamed of. But Callie?

"Sierra, you’re all I have. If you don’t help me, I don’t want to live anymore." Callie’s voice broke through Sierra’s thoughts, pulling her back to reality.

"Callie, of course, I’ll help you. Didn’t I already tell you that I would—" Sierra looked at Callie in shock and fear. "Callie!" she screamed as she realized Callie had fainted in her arms.

"Callie!"