Chapter 7

Clara followed her into a sleek, modern room with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. Nathaniel was seated at the head of a long conference table, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. He looked up as she entered, his expression unreadable.

“Here she comes. The rude one. Miss Clara,” he said, standing to greet her. “I wasn’t sure you’d show up.”

Clara met his gaze, her own filled with determination. “I’m here, but I have conditions.”

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on.”

Clara took a deep breath, steadying herself. “If I agree to be your surrogate, there will be no public announcements, non invasive questions, and no interference in my personal life. I have my own reasons for considering this, and I need to maintain my privacy.”

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. “Privacy is important to me as well,” he said after a moment. “I can agree to those terms. Anything else?”

“Yes,” Clara said firmly. “I need a part payment.”

Nathaniel’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Smart. I like that. Consider it done.”

For the first time, Clara felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps this arrangement would work. But deep down, she knew this was only the beginning of a complicated journey: one that would test her resolve and challenge everything she thought she knew about herself.

“My own condition,” Nathaniel began, his tone firm and unwavering, “there should be no emotional feelings involved. This is strictly a business arrangement.”

Clara chuckled, her laughter cutting through the tension like a blade. “Feelings? With someone as rude and arrogant as you? Please,” she scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Nathaniel’s lips twitched, but he masked it quickly. “Good. I couldn’t care less about feelings either. The only reason we’re in the same room is this surrogacy agreement. Let’s keep it that way.”

They sat across from each other, the air thick with unspoken challenges as they finalized the half payment. Every clause, every condition was scrutinized. Clara made sure her privacy was protected, while Nathaniel ensured the deal was as ironclad as his ego. After what felt like hours, both parties signed the documents. Nathaniel’s assistant, efficient as ever, gathered the papers and filed them away.

Clara stood, her bag slung over her shoulder, ready to leave. “Pleasure doing business with you,” she said dryly, heading for the door.

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, watching her retreating figure with a mix of amusement and curiosity. “Don’t make me regret this, Miss Jones,” he called after her, his voice laced with warning.

Clara paused at the door, turning slightly. “The feeling’s mutual, Mr. Brooks,” she shot back, disappearing into the hallway.

…..

As Clara exited the office, the sound of high heels clicking against the marble floor drew her attention. A tall, elegant woman with a striking resemblance to Nathaniel approached, her sharp gaze sweeping over Clara. Annabelle Brooks, Nathaniel’s younger sister, was every bit the epitome of class and sophistication.

Clara offered a polite nod as they passed, but Annabelle stopped, her curiosity piqued. She turned and watched as Clara disappeared down the corridor, then pushed open Nathaniel’s office door without knocking.

“Who was that?” Annabelle demanded as she entered, her tone brimming with excitement. “She’s gorgeous! Is she the one? Have you finally found a girl? Oh my God, tell me everything!” Her questions spilled out in rapid succession, her energy filling the room.

Nathaniel groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Are you spying on me now, Annabelle?”

“Of course not,” she replied, feigning innocence. “But I know you don’t bring women to the office, so naturally, I’m curious. Who is she?”

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, irritation flickering across his face. “She’s someone you don’t need to concern yourself with,” he said sharply.

Annabelle arched an eyebrow, undeterred. “That’s not an answer, Nathaniel. You’re always so secretive. What are you hiding?”

Nathaniel stood, his towering presence casting a shadow across the room. “I have work to do, Annabelle. Unless you want to help with these reports, I suggest you leave.”

Annabelle crossed her arms, her playful demeanor replaced with a knowing smile. “Fine, bro. But I’ll figure it out eventually. You can’t keep secrets from me forever.” With that, she turned and sauntered out of the office, her heels clicking against the floor.

As the door clicked shut, Nathaniel exhaled, running a hand through his hair. Annabelle was right about one thing: he never brought women to the office. Clara was the first. But this wasn’t about romance or intrigue. This was business, plain and simple. At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.

Meanwhile, Annabelle walked back to her office, her mind racing. Nathaniel’s defensiveness only fueled her curiosity. She made a mental note to dig deeper. Whoever Clara was, she clearly had an impact on her brother and Annabelle intended to find out why.

……

The house was eerily quiet as Clara's stepmother, Regina, sat in the living room, scrolling through her phone with a devious glint in her eyes. Her lips curled into a sly smile as she found the number she was looking for and pressed the dial.

On the other end of the line, a deep, gravelly voice answered. “Hello, ma.”

“Hello,” Regina purred, her tone dripping with satisfaction. “The work has been done well. I believe she’s pregnant now.”

The man chuckled softly, his voice carrying an edge of smugness. “Glad to hear it, ma. When should I expect my balance?”

Regina leaned back on the couch, her fingers tracing the rim of her phone. “Soon. In fact, as soon as this call ends, I’ll transfer the money to you. You deserve every penny for such a clean job.”

“Thank you, ma. You can always count on me,” the man replied, his tone laced with pride.

Their conversation continued for a few more minutes, filled with vague acknowledgments and veiled implications. Regina gave the man specific instructions to stay under the radar and not contact her unless absolutely necessary. When the call ended, she immediately opened her banking app and transferred the remaining balance to him. A sense of triumph washed over her as she hit send, watching the confirmation screen with satisfaction.

She set her phone down, her thoughts racing. Everything was falling into place, just as she had planned. But who was this mysterious stranger, and what role did he play in Clara’s life?

Regina stood and began pacing the room, her mind replaying the series of events that had led to this moment. Months ago, she had grown increasingly irritated with Clara. The girl was too perfect in her father’s eyes: hardworking, respectable, and, most annoyingly, loved by everyone. Regina couldn’t stand living in Clara’s shadow, always feeling like the “second wife” rather than the woman of the house.

When Clara had turned down multiple marriage proposals, Regina saw her opportunity. The rejections made Clara appear self-righteous to the community, and Regina intended to use that perception to her advantage. She devised a plan that would tarnish Clara’s reputation, forcing her into a position of vulnerability.

She had reached out to a man known for his shady dealings, someone discreet and skilled in manipulation. His task was simple: find a way to compromise Clara during one of her daily routines. A drugged drink here, an accidental bump there: it didn’t matter how, as long as the result was clear.

Regina didn’t care to know the exact details. All that mattered was that Clara was now carrying a child: something that would bring shame to her pristine image and give Regina the upper hand in the household.

Meanwhile, Clara remained blissfully unaware of the sinister plot unfolding behind her back. She was still grappling with the shocking news of her pregnancy, clueless about how she had ended up in this situation. The idea of someone tampering with her life in such a vile manner never crossed her mind.

But secrets have a way of unraveling, and Regina’s triumph was built on a fragile foundation. The stranger she had hired, confident in his handwork, might not remain as silent as promised. And Clara, though overwhelmed, was not someone easily broken.

Little did Regina know, her actions would soon set off a chain of events that no amount of scheming could control.

……..

Clara stepped into the house, clutching a folder tightly in her hands, her heart still racing from the meeting at Nathaniel’s office. The signed agreement had given her a sense of relief, but it also tethered her to a complicated web of emotions she wasn't quite ready to face.

“Welcome, dear,” her father said warmly from his favorite armchair in the living room. His voice was calm and comforting, as always.

“Thanks, Dad. Good afternoon,” she replied with a faint smile, trying to mask the storm brewing inside her.

Her stepmother, Regina, who had been arranging some throw pillows on the couch, turned her sharp gaze toward Clara. “What’s that you’re holding?” she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.

Clara hesitated for a moment, her grip tightening on the folder. “It’s none of your business,” she said curtly. “It’s just a file from work.”

Regina raised an eyebrow, smirking as though she knew something Clara didn’t want to share. “Hmm... If you say so,” she said, her voice dripping with skepticism. “But tell me, have you finally decided to share your pregnancy news?”

The words hit Clara like a thunderbolt. Her heart skipped a beat as she struggled to maintain her composure. Pregnancy? Why was Regina so fixated on this? And how could she possibly know?

“Pregnancy?” Her father’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. He turned to Clara, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. “What is she talking about, Clara?”