Chapter 4: What Happened Five Years Ago?

Livia Washington’s Point of View 

They say, some dreams are great and some bring you fearful experiences. Dreams are the number one major contributor which is the reason why everyone was successful in their dreams and that is one example of wonderful dreams. However, I can say that mine was amazing neither petrified. 

“Your name?” a woman who’s wearing a dress, has pale lips and short hair asked me. 

I stuttered. “L-Livia Washington, ma’am,” I answered.  

“My husband and I can’t produce a child. I need your help and in exchange, I will reward you with money at your price. Just help me…” she said, her face screaming desperation and almost pleading. 

Without further hesitation, I nodded my head. “Just tell me what you want me to do, Ma’am…” 

“First, my name is Gianna Steel. I am in a dire need of help upon giving birth to a child. I am asking you to be a surrogate mother of our child,” she said, leaving me dumbfounded. 

Surrogacy. Surrogacy is an arrangement, often supported by a legal agreement, whereby a woman agrees to deliver or labor for another person or people, who will become the child's parent after birth. 

“Do you agree to be a surrogate mother, Livia?” 

“Yes. I’m willing to do what it takes, Gianna.” 

I can’t find the joy in her eyes as Gianna only frowned and looked down. “Regardless, I have to tell you something,” she outspoken. “My eggs are weak. We have to use yours instead of mine…” 

The remark she claimed made my jaw drop. 

“H-How is that possible? I am also a married w-woman and I don’t think I can do it if there is a sexual interaction involved-“ I was trailed off when Gianna tapped the table hard. 

“Of course not!” she said. “A professional will handle it. Just sign the agreement and we’ll proceed,” she told me.  

I read the contract she had prepared. I read it all over again how many times before signing. We had to carry on a contract so that I could be paid. Gianna Steel is affluent and so does her family. She is willing to pay me the amount I need without a doubt. 

For months, I carried their child and only had Gianna with me. However, when it was near my due date, Gianna came to another country and fixed a company problem that demanded her presence, and couldn’t decline. The next day, I bore a healthy child, thanks to God. 

I need money and my contract with her was successful. My husband’s company is now in a crisis, so I had no choice but to do it in order to save us. It is not only for us that I’m doing this but also for our future children who would be born with a comfortable life and a silver spoon in their mouths. 

“Livia,” Gianna’s assistant approached me whilst lying on the hospital bed. 

I felt very weak, my body was feeble and unable to move. 

“I received very devastating news,” she said. 

Upon completing giving birth to the child, I had to regain my strength and had no energy to open my eyes. 

“W-What?” I merely said. 

“My boss, Madame Gia, got into a plane crash on her way here after knowing you’re giving birth. U-Unfortunately, she d-died…” her voice cracked. 

I gulped, and the edge of my eyes started to produce water. Even for a short period, Gianna and I formulated a bond and hearing the news about the plane crash tore my heart. 

It is when the door creaked, a man wearing a suit came, talking with Gianna’s assistant in his low yet cold baritone voice. 

“Where is my child?” he asked. 

Gianna and the man who was wearing a suit was talking. I could hear their conversation until the baby I bore cooed. 

Both of them stepped a few meters away from me. And right there, I no longer hear what they were talking about. I tried to open my eyes but failed. The only thing I saw from him was his bare back, clean haircut, and firm callous hands. 

“But-“ Giaanna’s assistant trailed off when I turned my head onto where they were, barely opening my eyes. 

I saw how the man mercilessly got the baby. Seeing him fleeing away from my room made my heart ache. He didn’t give me the chance to see the child’s face. After all, it was still my egg. 

“Livia,” Gianna’s assistant called my name. “It’s Madame Gianna’s husband. He already got the baby,” she said. 

“W-Why…” I merely said. 

“No matter what happens, no one should know it was your egg. Do you understand, Livia?” Gianna’s assistant narrowed her eyes and highlighted her last sentence before I nodded, completely letting the darkness eat me again. 

———- 

Strange. One word I could describe is what suddenly I dreamed of right now. I felt like my world was moving yet my body seemed to be paralyzed to move. When I opened my eyes, the dark sky and multiple lights came across my eyes. 

A man’s nose greeted me when I realized someone was carrying my body. His face remained vague, and seeing a familiar car and lady outside made me realize it was my friend, Janice. 

The man put me inside Janice’s car. Leaning forward, his manly scent goes through my nose. 

“I’m very sorry, Sir. My friend troubled you,” I heard my friend apologizing. 

The man spoke. “Next time, tell her to monitor what she drinks. Your friend is completely insane when drunk.” 

Janice bid goodbye and thanked the man. She started her car when I held on to the mirror, gaining the strength to open my eyes. There… I saw a stagnant, neat-looking man moving motionless whilst a lot of bodyguards were around him. 

Even if Archer was the only person I could consider handsome, this man is different. He’s like a Greek God that fell from the sky. His physical features were well-proportioned. 

He was tall, had dark features, and was still wearing his office suit. His one hand was on his waist and his coat was a bit lifted. Even if Janice’s car was tinted, his straight eyes drifted on the mirror on where I was as if I was his prey he was going to hunt whenever he wants.