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Chapter 62
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The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 63
Media StormOn the launching of Allison's reality TV show, the Fernandez family was now more under the public eye, where they had to keep appearances as a united family. Carlos was caught in excruciating indecisiveness regarding how and when to come out to the world about knowing who Jack was and how to do it, with all the backlash it could hold, against the freedom of living honestly.Isabelle had stepped in to handle the public side of the family image and extend the necessary fortitude and flexibility during crises. She knew that Allison's star was just starting to rise and that they had to be prepared."It is impossible Vanessa would come all the way up here for a mountain hike," Isabelle murmured. She paced the study in circles. "We need to get out in front of this before the media tears us apart."Carlos's brows furrowed in worry, and he raked a hand through his hair. "I don't know if I'm ready for that much exposure. Jack's past is…complicated. I'm still trying to wrap my head
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 64
The atmosphere grew heavy as the Fernandez family congregated together in the living room. Sophia and Alex scooted closer to each other on one of the couches, their eyes beginning to water as they nervously glanced at each other and their parents standing before them, their faces really serious.Isabelle took a deep breath and turned her gaze away from the faces of her children and into Carlos's. "Your father has something he needs to share with all of us."Pained, Carlos stepped forward. "I. I haven't been entirely truthful with you about Project Legacy. It was a secret kept within for so many years, and now it has come to haunt us."Sophia frowned. "What is Project Legacy?"Carlos ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture. "It was an initiative my father started, a way to ensure Fernandez dynasty would go on through generations. He believed in building a lasting legacy, no matter the cost."Alex's eyes widened. "What kind of cost?""The kind that led me to make a few… questiona
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 65
Homecoming HeartacheThe Fernandez mansion was silent, a far cry from the bomb that had gone off a few days before inside those very walls. Jack's revelation and his consequent exit seemed to leave behind an almost palpable feel of vacuum that echoed through every single room.Isabelle stood at her study window, her eyes on the horizon, her mind far away. It was almost as if a video of those last week's events played in her head: that stunning revelation concerning Jack's true heritage, the pain and betrayal in Carlos's eyes, and that awful moment when Jack walked out the door forever.A soft knock broke into her reverie. "Mom?" Sophia's voice was tentative, almost fragile. "Can we come in?"Isabelle turned to see her twins hovering in the doorway, their faces etched with concern. "Of course, darlings," she said, managing a small smile. "Come here."As Sophia and Alex sat down on the couch, Isabelle could only admire their strength. Through everything, they had clung to one another—a
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 66
For days following Jack's emotional homecoming, life inside the Fernandez mansion had become a tender dance of healing and reconciliation. While the bonds proved tight, tension still seemed to run at current pace, along with that cold feeling of treading on eggshells around one another.Particularly, Carlos had hardly held up. The revelation of Project Legacy and Jack's true heritage had torn him apart by the same guilt knotting his insides with an identity crisis. He watched his husband growingly alarmed by the dark circles, how he went falling into himself for large periods of time.It is in one of such brooding sessions that Carlos decided on matters that would turn their lives three-eighty."I would like to revive my father's old charity project," he declared one evening as they sat over dinner.What?. "his family received him with a surprised silence. Sophia spoke first. "What charity project, Dad?"Something in Carlos's eyes flickered, and for a moment a glitter of interest that
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 67
Unexpected AlliesThe Fernándezes had breakfast with an air of expectation heavy at the table—Isabelle had finished that conversation with Jack from the night before about the message from Richard and the mandatory family meet.A muscle in Carlos's jaw began to work; his knuckles turned white as he gripped that cup of coffee. "I don't think I'm ready for that," finally said, in a low voice.Sophia, too, had leaned forward, her eyes flashing with interest. "But Dad, don't you think it might help? To clear the air once and for all?"Before Carlos could answer, the doorbell rang out through the mansion, its echo reminding everyone that they didn't have visitors expected at this hour."I'll get it," Alex volunteered, pushing back from the table.He fell back in through the door about a minute later, his face a picture of shock. "Um, you guys aren't going to believe this, but… Allison's here."The whole table gasped. Allison—Carlos's ex-mistress, the woman who had almost fractured their fa
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 68
AlliesCarlos sat in his armchair, frowning at the screen of his tablet where all the news stories flashed one after the other. The twins, Sophia and Alex, were whispering secrets in the corner. Jack was standing near the fireplace, his face telling its own story, one of guilt and concern.The sharp rap on the door set them all off on an uneasy jump. Isabelle smoothed down her skirt, drew a deep breath, and flung open said door on Allison in a blaze of designer perfume and camera-ready makeup.Precious agonizingly shifted between amusement and exasperation. "Well, are you going to invite me in?" Allison asked.Isabelle sidestepped as her ex-best friend barged into the room. The whole feeling in the room shifted, became full of curiosity towards her mixed with caution."Look, I'll get straight to the chase," Allison said, her eyes flickering all around the room. "You need help, and I'm here to offer it."Carlos snorted, but Isabelle held out a hand, silencing him. "Continue," she said,
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 69
CrossroadsWarm light from the morning sun crept through the curtains and reached out to touch Isabelle as she stirred from sleep. She lay there for a few minutes longer, steeping in the peace of a new day, until feelings about the past few days crashed her back awake. She rolled over, only to find that the other side of the bed was empty, save for Carlos's shadow. On his pillow was a note in his handwriting:"Gone for early meeting. We need to talk later. Love you."Isabelle's gut twisted. Those four words: "We need to talk," never seemed to bring her glad tidings. She blew out a loud breath, running a hand through her tangled hair as she padded downstairs.The kitchen was in full swing this morning. Sophia crouched over her laptop on one side of the breakfast bar while Alex rustled around in the fridge. Jack was at the stove, flipping a pancake with an impressive bit of skill."Morning, Mom," Alex mumbled through a mouthful of cereal.Isabelle managed a smile, pouring herself a much
The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire Chapter 70
New HorizonsThe Fernandez family filtered into the living room; the air was heavy with tension. Isabelle's fingers drummed against the sofa's arm. To his left, Carlos paced, which wasn't at all like him. On the floor in the centre of the circle, the twins sat facing each other cross-legged: Sophia and Alex, both torn between excitement and terror; Jack stood leaning on the fireplace, attempting to appear casual but failing – his shoulders were bunched."Okay," Carlos said at last, somewhere around the middle of the night. "We all have had enough time to mull the options before us. It's about time we decide." Isabelle swallowed hard. "We agreed we'd do this together, as a family. So have everybody speak. Sophia, care to begin?"Sophia leaned back slightly and took a deep breath, as though waiting for an obviously analytical mind to digest. "I've been checking online about international schools in Geneva," she began. "The academic opportunities are literally incredible. And the great
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