บททั้งหมดของ THE BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 5

Madison's POVThe slap rang out in the air like a gunshot, the stinging pain spreading across my cheek as I jerked back. The tray of tea slipped from my trembling hands, crashing to the marble floor. Porcelain shattered, and scaling liquid splashed against my bare feet, searing my flesh.There was a weighted silence, just long enough for me to brace myself for what would follow next."You arrogant idiot!" Jenny's voice—no, not my mother, just Jenny—sliced through the air like a knife. "Look what you've done! You can't do anything right! I should have gotten rid of you the moment you started showing your foolishness!"I swallowed hard, my head still lowered. Never make eye contact. Never talk back. Never cry. I had learned the rules well."Forgive me, Mother. Forgive me, Father. I'll clean it up," I mumbled, falling to my knees to pick up the broken pieces."Who is your mother?"Savannah's voice was sweetly ill, with an edge of amusement.I had no time to answer before she ground her f

Madison's povSavannah laughed—strong, bitter, derisive. "A gift? Who in their sane mind would throw money away on you?"I remained quiet only made her furious.Her hand closed around the spine of the book, her knuckles bleaching."No," I gasped, my chest tight with panic.She tore out the first page with a disgusting tear.My breath was frozen in my throat.Then another.And another.I rushed forward, trying to grab it from her, but she shoved me out of the way so hard I bounced into the crate, my aching hand smacking against the wood. Pain shot through my palm, but I barely noticed.I had to stand there—helplessly, hopelessly—while she ripped the book to shreds, page by page, scattering the pieces on the floor like dry petals."Please," I gasped, searing tears stinging my eyes. "Please, stop."Savannah just smiled.And with one final, deliberate motion, she ripped the cover in two and sent the tatters to my feet. Anger and despair convulsed within me, constricting, strangling. But

Madison's POVI spent the entire morning on my daily chores—scrubbing, dusting, ensuring everything shone before a complaint could ever be lodged. My hands were scorched, my back was sore, but nothing could prepare me for what followed.Samuel appeared around half past eleven, alighting from his carriage in haste that sent my pulses racing. His face was aglow with something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Excitement? Relief?"Madison!" he shouted, advancing towards me.I looked up, stunned. "Mr. Samuel?"He rolled his eyes at the appellation but didn't scold me this time. Rather, he grabbed my hands, the warm, solid grip."You won," he panted.My brows furrowed. "Won?"Samuel grinned, blue eyes twinkling. "The lottery, Madison. You won! The scholarship—the foreign trip on all expenses—you're going!"The world around me froze.The world beyond me spun.I looked at him, not breathing, not believing.Then, in an instant, I shrieked.I shrieked with joy, my hands flying to my mout