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EIGHTEEN: Ensnarled by the Fox
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The Surrogate's Vendetta EIGHTEEN: The Aftermath
In the late hours of the following morning, Juniper's eyes snapped open, and the first thing that greeted her was Dylan's peaceful face right next to hers, his arm wrapped tightly around her. But as the fog of sleep cleared, the horrifying memories of the previous night came rushing back in a blast, inducing a severe feeling of repulsion through her entire being. With a blood-curdling scream, she wrenched herself free from his hold and she scrambled out of the bed. Her body trembled with fear and disgust as she snatched the duvet from his body, wrapping it around herself like a shield. The sudden movement startled Dylan awake and his eyes fluttered open in confusion. Unbothered by his current state of nudity and the turmoil he had unleashed, he stirred on the bed, releasing a low groan of exhaustion. "Hey, can you please keep it down?" He grumbled. "I'm so tired. I was up all night. . . um, making mad love to you. I need some rest to recharge my energy." "Asshole!
The Surrogate's Vendetta NINETEEN: Going Against The Powerful
Juniper hopped on the cab she finally succeeded at halting after three attempts. She wouldn't blame the other two cab drivers that had sped past her when she'd hailed them. She would ride past herself if she was in their shoes. She looked like a total hot mess with her hair, clothes, and emotions all disheveled, but her determination was focused more on one thing—to get to the police station and report the crime committed against her. She was resolute in seeking legal action. She was going to make sure Dylan was held accountable for his actions. When Juniper got to the police station, she pushed through the glass doors and headed straight to the front desk. The young officer behind the counter—dressed in a well-fitted smart uniform that looked like it was tailored right on him—rose to his feet and flashed her a cheery smile. "How can we help you, ma'am?" If Juniper wasn't so focused on pursuing retribution, she would have noticed how good-looking the cop wa
The Surrogate's Vendetta ONE: Echoes of Freedom
"CONGRATS, JUNIPER! YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT! THANK YOU FOR BANKING WITH US." Juniper Laurent read the text in her mind's voice over and over again, relishing in the moment, submitting to the fluttering feeling of euphoria surging through her veins. A radiant smile stretched her rosy tinged full lips as she realized that was the last debt she had to settle. Every fiber of her being wanted to leap with joy and let out a triumphant scream, but she retrained herself with what seemed like a century's worth of self-control. Nothing could beat being debt-free. Free from being hounded by loan sharks, free from living under the oppressive weight of their constant threats and demands every waking day of her life. And only those who had walked in her shoes could truly understand how liberated she felt at the moment. What has she not done? She had taken on every job that crossed her path. Waiting tables, bartending, cleaning, tutoring—just name it an
The Surrogate's Vendetta TWO: Old Flame
In the blink of an eye, Juniper felt a forceful tug, wrenching her away just in time, a bare fraction of a second between her and a one-way ticket to the great beyond. Even as she and her rescuer tumbled onto the hard pavement, Juniper's eyes remained tightly shut, her entire body trembling with terror. Then, for some inexplicable reason, she began to feel herself relax in the strong embrace of Mr. Mysterious Savior. She couldn't quite determine if it was the enticing fragrance of his cologne or the feeling of security in his arms, as though she was always meant to be there. She couldn't tell. In that moment, the stranger gently shook her, his voice—a rich baritone and deep with concern—breaking through her stupor. "Juniper! Juniper, open your eyes. Are you okay?" WHAT?! HE KNEW HER NAME TOO! Now that was enough to make Juniper flutter her eyes open, her gaze landing on the masked face of her rescuer. Despite the disguise of a face cap and mask, she recogniz
The Surrogate's Vendetta THREE: At Wits' End
BREAKING NEWS: HEIRESS VIVIENNE BELLEROSE DIES IN A CAR ACCIDENT. The newscaster's voice, deep and sharp, boomed as he began to convey the horrible news to the public. "Good day, everyone. On today's breaking news from Valterre City. . . the heiress of the Bellerose Fragrance, Vivienne Bellerose, has tragically passed away in a car accident. According to sources from the family, Vivienne had embarked on a trip several days ago, with plans to return soon after, but communication with her had abruptly ceased. An intensive search ensued, leading to the horrifying discovery of her car submerged in the Valterre River, having apparently veered off course, skidding down the cantilevered road to Valterre City. Reports allege that the authorities are presently conducting an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident. . ." Bolting upright in shock, Juniper's eyes grew wide with horror, fixated on the television screen as it displayed an image o
The Surrogate's Vendetta FOUR: Meeting The Clermonts
Juniper stood in front of the looming massive metal gate as the morning sun cast its golden rays on the sprawling entrance of the Bellerose Estate. It seemed a world away from the life she knew and had, yet here she stood, ready to take the first step into the heart of the Bellerose family. Today was the day she had to lay everything out on the table. The day she was going to reveal the truth, a revelation that would ripple through her life and the lives of the Bellerose family, leaving no stone unturned. She'd waited for a month. A month was quite enough time for them to mourn and. . . enough for her not to lose her mind from the weight of thinking about the child growing rapidly in her womb. The clock was ticking. It was barely five months remaining before the little Bellerose would be born. The earlier she got this settled, the earlier she could move on with her life. Whatever decision they decided to take over this issue would determine the future of their gra
The Surrogate's Vendetta FIVE: Into The Bellerose Mansion
Antoine began to cough, sputtering and choking as the coffee he’d just swallowed slipped in the wrong direction. He definitely did not see that coming. "Are. . .are you okay?" Juniper stuttered in concern, half-rising to assist the man in any way possible, a deep-seated instinct she'd developed from years of caring for her sick mother—who had eventually passed. "I'm okay!" Antoine managed in a croaked voice, gesturing with a raised hand to reassure her. “I’m fine." He must have been taken aback by that news, Juniper thought. Her eyes drifted to his wife and apparently, Antoine wasn't the only one stunned. Florence was staring at her wide-eyed and her mouth a perfect O. She feared that the poor woman might dislocate her jaw at any moment. Maybe she shouldn't have dropped the bombshell on them that hard. But, some pieces of information were best delivered promptly without a moment of hesitation. And this one fell squarely in that category. Florence’s wor
The Surrogate's Vendetta SIX: Mystery Note
Juniper was beyond startled that she couldn't control her eyelids from fluttering wildly. Who the hell was this weird dude? Smoking hot, no doubt. But also pretty much weird. He released her from the embrace, gazed intensely at her for a brief moment, and then pulled her back into a tight squeeze. OKAY, DUDE, CALM DOWN! PERSONAL SPACE, PLEASE! But it didn't seem like he was going to budge. "Uh. . ." Juniper chuckled awkwardly, her eyes veering to the Clermont sisters, silently pleading to be rescued from the enthusiastic man. And luckily, they picked up on her distress signal. Chloe rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "Alright, Dylan, dial it back a notch. You're creeping our guest out with your over-the-top theatrics." "Not to mention suffocating!" Audrey slotted in, her attitude mirroring that of her sister's. Finally, the man released his grip on Juniper, his moist grey eyes locked onto hers for a delicate moment before they shifted to the Cl
Latest chapter
- The Surrogate's Vendetta NINETEEN: Going Against The Powerful
- The Surrogate's Vendetta EIGHTEEN: The Aftermath
- The Surrogate's Vendetta EIGHTEEN: Ensnarled by the Fox
- The Surrogate's Vendetta SIXTEEN: Treading On Thin Ice
- The Surrogate's Vendetta FIVETEEN: Obsession
- The Surrogate's Vendetta FOURTEEN: Chaotic Confrontation
- The Surrogate's Vendetta THIRTEEN: Guilt
- The Surrogate's Vendetta TWELVE: Now, Cedric! I need you now
- The Surrogate's Vendetta ELEVEN: I still want you, Juniper Laurent
