Chapter 1

1

Liora's POV

“Miss Wilder, I'm afraid we no longer need your services for the Patterson's family. Mrs Patterson is pregnant!“

That sentence alone feels like a truck crushing my soul. I gulp, my heart splitting into tiny bits. I am happy for them. After trying for seven years, they have finally conceived their own child. But then, this means our contract is void.

In moments like these, I'm tempted to ask God, why? There was just one week left to the insemination. All documents have been signed and processed. All medical exams conducted. I was supposed to bear the Patterson's heir for the sum of $500,000.

Dang it. That money was supposed to change my life. With aunt's cancer in the first stage, Corinne–my younger sister's– college starting next month and my six-year-old Selina about to get into the first grade, that money was very necessary.

Now I'm back to square one.

Tears fill my eyes, which I struggle to blink back, trying not to show how hurt I am by the declaration. I am not successful. The doctor notices, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“I understand how you feel. Don't worry, my dear, we'll try to find someone else as soon as possible. Since you are one of our best candidates, it shouldn't be hard.”

I almost scoff but hold myself back. Find someone else? It isn’t like wealthy families turn up suddenly wanting a surrogate. These things take time. Months. I don’t have months. I need money.

Walking out of his office, I finally let the tears fall. I'm such a disappointment. Dad's words flash through my mind. He was right. Always has been. Always will be.

I just need to find a–”oomph,” I squeal as I'm shoved backwards by a strong force. My bag tumbles to the ground, but I barely pay it any attention. Instead, I choose to turn and give the idiot who pushed me a piece of my mind.

“I am so sorry, miss. He's just in a hurry.“ A gentle voice says, bending with me to gather my belongings.

“We all have somewhere to be. But we don't go pushing others to get there, right? Whoever that was, let him know he's an asshole." I grumble, seizing my pen from the gentleman's grasp.

“I really apologize, ma'am. It wasn't intentional, I assure–”

His words get cut off by a deep, guttural voice booming. “I want a baby, now!“

There's no way to avoid looking up. Not when that voice commands attention with the power radiating from it and bouncing off the walls of the lobby.

I can only see the back of the bearer of the voice as he towers over the obviously frightened receptionist. It's not hard to understand why, not when the normally white and blue lobby is now painted black with numerous men in black suits, the earpieces in their ears giving off their identity as bodyguards.

Oh. So he's a rich man. Guess the clinic is popular after all.

“Sir I understand you. I do. Unfortunately working hours are over for today. You will have to return on Monday morning. Then we can begin the process as soon as–”

Even I jump as he slams hard on the counter. “I do not have time to waste. I need a surrogate who will bear my child. Get me one now.“

Wait, what? I didn't take such a wealthy man to be a dumbo. Does he think this is as easy as buying the latest Lamborghini? It took almost two weeks to get everything ready for me to bear the Patterson's heir. And that was only because they could pay to speed things up.

“Sir I really understand you want this done as soon as you can. However we need to contact our candidates and find a match for you.“

Just as he opens his mouth to continue showing off his arrogance and stupidity, the doctor speaks from behind him. “Mr Valesca, pleasure to have you here sir. May we speak in my office?“

Oh, now I see why he acted like he owned the place. The Valescas are the wealthiest family in Manhattan, if not the whole of new York. They've been for generations and I doubt that is going anywhere.

I huff, casting a pitiful glance at the receptionist who's wiping away a few tears that have managed to escape from the encounter.

As I'm about to get into my blue beat down Toyota Corolla, a voice whispers in my mind 'Liora, this is your chance. The billionaire needs a surrogate. Go now and get that money.'

My hand freezes on the door handle. Yes. This could be my chance. He's desperate, I'm desperate. This would work out perfectly.

'Don't ever give into an arrogant man again. It only causes pain and suffering for you while the assholes asshole only gets bigger' aunt's words resurface in my mind. She's right. After what Ronan did to me, the last thing I'll do is go for the arrogant Valesca in there.

As if the day wasn't already bad, my car breaks down on the drive home, about five blocks from my apartment. Instead of the seven minutes drive, I drag my feet for a whole 30 minutes to get back.

It is always said, think of the devil and he appears before you. I notice Ronan's car first, parked at the entrance to my four story apartment. The rolls Royce sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the numerous old vehicles parked there.

He walks out, a flower bouquet in his hand while heading straight for aunt's door.

I reach him before he can knock.

“Ronan.“

He smiles, extending the flowers to me. “Hey beautiful. Seems I came at the right time huh?“

“Yes Ronan, the right time for you to leave. Get away from here. Now.“

Faster than lightening,his smile drops. He runs a hand through his thick blonde locks and gives me an intense gaze with his bright green eyes. The same eyes my little girl has.

“Liora you know why I'm here. For you and my daugh–”

“You do not have a daughter here. I have told you to stay away from us Ronan. You had your chance and you ruined it. Leave.“

He sighs, “I know okay and I'm sorry. I should have accepted you when you got pregnant. I'm here now though. Amending my mistakes. You're lucky baby. Not all abandoned pregnant mothers get this chance.“

There it is. That arrogance seeping from his lips. I tighten my fists, resisting the urge to slam his face into the wall. That would be cool. A dream come true.

Unfortunately I can't do that. Gritting my teeth, I growl “Ronan, what do you want.?“

“My daughter. I want to bond with her and get to know her”

I chuckle. a humourless laugh I can't help. “Bond. Bond huh, with the same child you asked me to abort after getting me pregnant at 17? Consider her dead Ronan. Because my Selina is not yours.“

The words have hardly left my throat when his jaw tics, and before I can blink, I'm slammed against the wall, pain shooting up my back. Ronan wraps a hand around my neck, squeezing slowly.

I grip his hand, trying to pull them off my neck where a bruise is sure to form. Ronan uses my weakness to his advantage, leaning down to whisper in my ears.

“You don't tell me what I own or do not own. You are mine and so is Selina. If you refuse to be mine, I don't mind. But you see my daughter, you are not throwing me out of her life. I am her father.“

I scratch and kick to free myself. My breaths start coming in gasps and I notice dark spots dancing in my vision. But it's all in vain. He's a buff guy, towering over my 5'7 self with his 6'3 figure. He can snap my neck if he wants to.

“Oh baby” he chuckles, scrutinizing me. “If only you would stop being so proud. We would be such a good couple. We will–”

“Hey! Let her go you big baffoon.“ Ariana, my best friend screams, hitting Ronan's back with her heels like a mad woman.

He lets go and I drop to the floor, clutching my neck while gulping in air. Ariana runs to me, cradling me as tears roll down my cheeks.

Ronan walks away but stops by his car as his bodyguard opens the door. “Have it your way Liora. Since you don't want me in my daughter's life, I'm taking you to court. Let's see how you win. Especially if you don't have a job and a house.“

He gets in and as they drive off, I break down. That was a threat. I need to protect my princess. I don't know what will happen to me if he gets custody of her. No. I can't let it happen.