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Chapter 042
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The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 043
Cracks in the FacadeOn the soles of her shoes, Isabelle smoothed at her silken dress as her eyes darted from one face to the next around their dinner guests. This was supposed to be a celebration party, all revolving around Carlos's exonerated state and his return to business as usual, but it felt like a powder keg ready for a spark."More wine, darling?" It was honey-sweet, the tone alone as sensual as the feel of his hand resting possessively on the small of her back, leaning close. She shook her head and forced a smile. "No, thank you. I'm trying to avoid too much alcohol, for the babies' sake."Carlos nodded assent, but the flicker of suspicion in his eyes was not lost on Isabelle. It was hawk-eyed watching since their fight about the Maldives trip—this new edge of desperation to his love.As Carlos sidled off to join one of his business friends, Isabelle's eyes pursued around the room until they fell upon a sight far too familiar. Her heart stopped for a beat as Morris seized he
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 044
Breaking PointTension filled Fernandez Mansion as Isabelle paced back and forth across the living room, her hands nervously cradling her swollen belly. She had kept out of Carlos's way all day, but there was no hiding from what was about to happen now—the impending confrontation that loomed above them like a threatening storm cloud. It had been grueling on her nerves for the past couple of weeks, and she felt like she was walking on eggshells around her home.Carlos strode in, his eyes flashing with hurt and anger. "We need to talk," he said very low, yet shaking with restraint. Isabelle took a deep breath, bracing her chest for what was to come. "Yes, we do," she replied softly."I saw you with Morris last night," Carlos began, his words clipped and accusing. "Don't even try to deny it. You were laughing, touching his arm. I saw the way you looked at him."Isabelle felt a spurt of anger. "We were just talking, Carlos. He's been helping me understand some of the legal implications of
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 045
Choices and ConsequencesThis sterile hospital waiting room was, to Carlos and Morris, a prison. Hours ago, Isabelle had been rushed into emergency surgery, and there still was no news. Here were two men who once were bitter enemies against each other now bonded by anxiety and fear for the woman they both loved.Carlos paced relentlessly; a man normally immaculate was now rumpled, his eyes red-rimmed from unshed tears. Morris sat rigidly in an uncomfortable plastic chair, his hands clasped so tightly that the knuckles turned white."This is all my fault," he mumbled finally, breaking a tense silence. "If I hadn't confronted her, if I had just kept my jealousy in check."The vulnerability in Carlos's openness tipped Morris's face upwards in surprise. "You can't blame yourself," he said softly. "Complications can happen in any pregnancy."Carlos turned to him then, a mix of gratitude and lingering suspicion etched on his face. "Why are you here, Morris? After everything that has happene
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 046
Uneasy ReconciliationStepping across the corridor, leaving the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital across his path, Carlos strode up and down. With every pace, his glossy, designer shoes scuffed at the shiny, polished linoleum floor. It was as if every step he made required great effort to execute; his strides felt heavy from the weight brought upon him by the recent events.Dr. Kim had just emerged from the operating room, slightly fatigued, with that slight tinge of relief. "Mr. Fernandez," she called out, and Carlos whirled around, feeling the thump of his heartbeat in his chest. "Isabelle?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's stable," Dr. Kim said with a slight smile. "We managed to stop the bleeding. She is in recovery now."Carlos let out the shaking breath he had been holding and felt his knees weaken at the thought of the baby. "And the baby?""Your son's doing fine," replied Dr. Kim. "He is in the NICU but has good vitals. He is a fighter, just like his m
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 047
Through the kitchen window, Morris watched seven-year-old Jacob Jr. kicking a soccer ball around the backyard. He seemed to have no regard for the fact that the sun was already below the horizon. Bursts of laughter from the young boy resounded in the air and, for one moment, it didn't lose the ability to warm up Morris's heart in light of the complicated arrangement of their family.A rap at the door drew Morris out of his reverie. Allison entered, her face pulled into equal parts exhaustion and determination. "Hey," she said softly. "How was he today?"Morris came up with a tired smile. "Good. We worked on his math homework, then he wanted to practice soccer. He's getting pretty good."The silence was awkward between them, heavy with unspoken words and lingering resentments. It was now seven years since this co-parenting arrangement was established, yet all of the hurdles seemed sometimes to never be totally out of the way."Jacob's coming by tomorrow to take him to the science museu
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 048
It had been an inundation of emotions and realizations during the past couple of months, after which Carlos stood more vulnerable than he ever did. He realized that it was time for him to right his misdeeds with Isabelle, to show her the man he really wanted to be.He took a deep breath and then dialed his assistant. "Anna, need you to clear my schedule for the next week, and book two tickets to Bora Bora. Whatever's most exclusive you find."As he hung up the phone, doubt crawled in like a shadow. Would Isabelle even accept his invitation? Things with her had been strained of late. Their relationship was barely hanging by a thread, but he had to try.That evening, Carlos went home earlier than usual, carrying a bouquet with Isabelle's favorite flowers—lilies. He met her in the nursery, gently swaying their babies, Sophia and Alex, to sleep."Isabelle," he whispered, not to wake up the kids or her. "Can we talk?"She looked up in evident surprise. It was not very often that Carlos man
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 049
Family DynamicsThe soft whine of the engines on the private jet hummed through the cabin as Isabelle pressed her face against the window, watching as the blue waters of the Pacific gave way to the familiar cityscape below. She felt Carlos squeeze her hand lightly, and she turned to meet his eyes, filled with both hope and uncertainty."Ready to face the real world again?" he asked, his voice chipping with a hint of his humor.Isabelle smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "As ready as I'll ever be," she returned. Their week in Bora Bora had seemed like a dream, an opportunity to plug back in and heal old wounds, to rediscover that giddy love that brought them together. Now, though, as they made the descent back into the messy lives awaiting them at home, she couldn't but help wonder how well their progress was going to stand up against the stresses that reached out to them from there.As soon as she stepped off the plane, Isabelle's phone buzzed with a message from Mrs. Winston - the
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 050
Growing PainsIsabelle Fernandez stood fixed at the wall clock on the counter. 10:30 PM and Sophia still wasn't home. She had promised to come home by 9:00 PM, and Isabelle's gut writhed with worry. She turned toward her phone lying on the counter. A fifth call to make or wake Carlos, usually snoring away in the study?Just as she was about to dial the phone, the creak of the front door announced someone's entrance. In a mad rush to the foyer, relief washed over her as she saw Sophia trying to slip in unnoticed."Where have you been?" Isabelle demanded, a mix of anger and concern in her voice.Sophia rolled her eyes in a manner so reminiscent of Isabelle during those exact years of teenager-hood that it almost made her laugh. Almost. "Chill, Mom. I was just at Jade's house. We lost track of time."The smell of cigarette smoke wafting from Sophia's clothes told an entirely different story. Isabelle's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, Sophia. You reek of smoke, and I know for a fact that
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