All Chapters of The Unexpected Surrogate for the Ruthless Billionaire : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Betrayal UnmaskedWith the shot, the first echo rumbled through the restaurant, and the rest of the world fell away from Isabelle. The screams that suddenly filled the air—what had once been an elegant dining room turned into panic, pure and absolute chaos. She felt a vice grip on her arm, tugging her in the direction of the kitchen."Move!" Morris's voice was a knife through all the noise—knife-edged, sharp, commanding.Instinct wrestled through Isabelle. Trust Morris? Run? Her gaze darted to Hawthorne. His face was twisted masquerade of rage. In that half second, she made her choice, allowing Morris to drag her through the panicked crowd.The doors of the kitchen burst open when they stumbled inside. Staff who had been huddled in fear scattered from their paths. Morris didn't slow, tugging Isabelle toward the back exit."Morris, what's going on?" she panted, as she struggled to keep up with him."The operation's been blown," he panted back. "Somebody tipped Hawthorne. We aren't safe

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

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

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

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