07

The Thompson family were all stunned to hear the revelation of Shannon's real identity—even Georgie found it difficult to believe it. How on earth was he going to strike a deal with his foe's wife? What happened to their marriage? Was she sent over to him as a spy?

Georgie stepped back a bit. He took a good look at Shannon and then turned to Tracy, “I've never seen her as Tony's wife. When did they get married that no one knew? Wasn't it Haven, who was his wife?” his palms stuck into his side pockets. “You should bite your tongue…”

“I know what I'm talking about. Haven was the fake wife while she was the real one…..” Tracy gestured, her voice sounded fierce. “She won't tell the truth….I knew it.”

Shannon winked thrice, not sure what to say to defend herself.

“If so—” Helen, Georgie's sister, began from behind as she approached them. “Then she should just get out right away. Tony is our family's rival and should have nothing to do with us. Surrogate or not, I don't care.”

Georgie cleared his throat, shutting up his sister. “I never asked for your opinion here. She's already bearing my child.”

“What?” Mrs Thompson screamed, face wrinkled.

“You can't be in such a mess…” Mrs Thompson added.

Tracy came forward to her ex-husband, “Georgie honey, I believe so well that the child belongs to Tony. Don't let them trick you this way.” her melody voice reverberated between them.

“DNA already proved that the child belongs to me, so I have no time to listen to whatever you all have in store. She is going to be my surrogate, Tony's wife or not….” he slammed and dragged Shannon by the hand as they walked upstairs.

His heart felt shattered, but he had to comport himself because his ex-wife was there. Tracy had told him that he wouldn't find a woman who would take her place, so losing Shannon in her presence was more like rubbing charcoal on his face.

He took Shannon into a certain room and forced her to get seated on the bed, and then he pulled up the sleeves of his shirt. “What was that about? How dare you try to play with my heart? Why did you not tell me that you are married?”

Shannon shook her head. “I was divorced—” she gulped and blew out hot air. “Tony was my husband, but I was shocked when I wasn't known as his wife, but his secretary. He cheated on me with her and told me to sign the divorce papers if I wouldn't be able to stand it any longer. So, I chose to sign the divorce papers…..but I hate it that another woman will relish the wealth I built with him…”

She lifted her face to meet him, gazing at her with his palms transfixed on his waist. “You said he's your foe? Why? How long?”

“That shouldn't be a problem for you. Focus on bearing the child and leaving my life. I must have nothing to do with Tony—” he retorted and turned to leave, but she held him back.

She stood on her feet, swallowing every bit of her saliva. “Mr Georgie, I can do anything for you even after being your surrogate, but could you please help me take down Tony?”

He blinks, his neck swirled to the back to stare at her. “Are you insane?”

She shook her head. “I hate him for mistreating me after getting my help and sweat to build his wealth. I want him down so he can start afresh with his secretary.” She let go of his clothes. “It's okay if you can't do it. You already employed me as a reporter in your newsroom in exchange for being your surrogate—I think that's enough ....”

He spared her one more glance and excused himself from the room.

Shannon got seated again, her palms supporting her posture on the bed. “Tony!” she shook her head. “He has a bad image out here. I almost lost because of him. It's good that he believed what I just said and would keep me till I conceive his child.” she muttered and lay on the bed.

Her eyes darted around the room as she rolled to the sides of the bed.

‘He didn't have a choice because I was already pregnant, or he would have ended everything because of Tony.’ she pondered, biting her little finger.

Time passed by, and she thought it was time for her to freshen up. The sun had set already, and she believed Mr Georgie would send for her anytime soon.

She sat up on the bed. ‘This room is damn empty. I wonder what I would wear after taking my bath.’ she reasoned and slid her feet into the bathroom footwear she saw at the bathroom doorpost.

As she approached the wardrobe to check if there was any cloth in there, the door cracked open, and to her greatest shock, it was Tracy who was standing there, glaring at her.

She heaved a sigh and shut the wardrobe again. “How do I help you?”

Tracy marched forward. “This was my room. What if….”

“You are divorced and have no right over me…” Shannon chipped in, not letting her complete her sentence. “What brings you here?”

Tracy folded her arms to her chest, and her lips pouted angrily. “Well, I am here to remind you that I will soon be brought back to this family, so it would be better if you return to your foolish ex-husband now that you still have a chance.”

Shannon snorted, “and who said that I wish to return to him?”

“You must! I won't let you steal Georgie's heart—”

“Then be patient enough. It's just a contract marriage to be a surrogate. After I conceive his child that I'm bearing—” she rubbed her palms on her belly, “then you can return to him if he permits it.”

Tracy swallowed hard. She never believed that Georgie would easily replace her with some lady unknown to the world. “Mind your words. Be you his surrogate or not, I am still the one chosen by his family.”

“It's okay to be chosen, that's why you must wait till our contract ends. I won't let you get on my way.” Shannon blurted and hissed aloud. If for no other reason, she must fight for her child because he or she can't be a bastard child when she already knows the father.

The only thing in the wardrobe was an immaculate white towel, which she pulled out. “Why not get going? It's my room until further notice…”

Tracy clenched her jaw as if that would solve a problem. She stood there for a few seconds before she made use of the door.

Shannon made her way into the bathroom instantly and undressed. She grabbed the soap and sponge and then turned on the shower. Humming, she was done quickly and dried her body with the towel.

Unsure of whether to put on the cloth, she wrapped the towel around her body and stepped out of the bathroom. She trembled at the sight of Georgie standing beside the table and staring back at her through the mirror.

“Get dressed, I'll get you some clothes from the nearest boutique—” he announced to her.