Ariella's heart raced as she looked at Gabby, whose smile seemed too perfect, like a hidden weapon. Gabby leaned against the doorframe, clapping her hands slowly, clearly amused.
"I must say," Gabby remarked, tilting her head while glancing between Ariella and Wellington, "this is quite a surprise. Or at least it would be if I weren't already ahead of you."
Ariella felt a tightness in her throat. Every part of her warned that she was in danger. But why? What did Gabby know? More importantly, what was her plan?
Wellington, or Leo, tensed beside her, his body coiled like a spring, ready to strike. "Gabby," he said, his tone calm but filled with warning. "Whatever you think—"
"Oh, darling," Gabby cut in, clicking her tongue in feigned disappointment. "You always think I aim low. But I don't. I strategize. And I must say, you've made this plan a bit trickier than necessary." Her gaze turned to Ariella, her smile growing tighter. "It's almost cute how predictable you both are."
Ariella instinctively stepped back, clutching the picture frame in her hand. Her fingers pressed into the edges, trying to hold onto reality.
Gabby's eyes darted to the photograph, and for a moment, something dark flashed in them before she hid it.
"That," she said, nodding at the picture, "is such a lovely memory, isn't it? I imagine you're feeling quite nostalgic, Ariella. Finding out that your childhood sweetheart has been so close all along."
Ariella's nails pressed into her palms. "You knew," she said softly.
Gabby laughed lightly. "Of course I did." She walked across the room slowly, her heels clicking on the wooden floor. "I knew from the first moment I saw you. You think I wouldn't look into the woman carrying my child?" She chuckled softly. "You were easy to read, darling."
The world felt unsteady.
Ariella's stomach twisted. "You mean… you chose me for this?"
Gabby's grin widened. "Oh, Ariella. Let's not pretend. I chose you because you were simple to manipulate."
Ariella felt as if she had been struck in the stomach.
"You needed the money," Gabby continued, circling her like a predator. "You were desperate. Alone. And honestly, who would believe a girl like you if things went… wrong?"
Ariella swallowed hard. "What are you talking about?"
Gabby sighed, as if the talk was tiring her. "You see, dear, you were meant to be an easy fix. A nobody. Just another surrogate. But now…" She glanced at Wellington, raising an eyebrow. "Now, my husband has gotten all sentimental. And that's a problem."
Wellington—no, Leo—stepped forward, his voice icy. "You don't control me, Gabby."
Gabby's smile remained, but her eyes darkened. "Don't I?"
An unspoken tension hung between them, charged and dangerous.
Ariella struggled to breathe.
This was no longer just about surrogacy.
This was a battle.
And she was caught in the crossfire.
________________________________________
The room felt cramped, stifling. Ariella's heart raced, and she clutched the picture frame tightly. Her mind was a whirlwind of broken memories and rising fear.
She had been selected.
Pursued.
And Gabby had planned it all.
She inhaled sharply, her voice shaking with barely contained rage.
What do you want from me?
Gabby tilted her head, pondering the question. "What do I want?" She chuckled softly and leaned closer. "I want you to remember."
Ariella tensed. "Remember what?"
Gabby's smile turned sharp. "Why Wellington abandoned you all those years ago."
Ariella felt her world shift. A heavy weight pressed down on her as she looked at Wellington—Leo—but his face was unreadable.
He didn't deny it.
Ariella's stomach churned. "You chose to leave me?"
His silence hurt more than any words could.
Gabby sighed theatrically. "Darling, let's not pretend you weren't tossed aside like a broken toy. Did you really think your childhood romance was unique?" She laughed coldly. "Leo was never meant for you."
Ariella clenched her fists, her voice trembling. "Why are you doing this? Why try to hurt me?"
Gabby leaned closer, her voice a chilling whisper. "Because you need to know your place."
She straightened, smoothing her silk blouse. "You will have this child. You will vanish when it's done. And you will never speak of this again!."
Ariella felt a chill run through her.
She thought she was making a choice when she signed that contract.
But now, she realized the truth.
She was never meant to walk away from this.
_______________________________________
Wellington stepped in front of Ariella, his body tense. "That's enough, Gabby."
Gabby looked at him with amusement. "Enough? Oh, darling, we haven't even begun."
Wellington's jaw clenched. "This ends now."
Gabby sighed slowly, feigning disappointment. Then, she reached into her purse and pulled out a neatly folded document.
Ariella's heart sank.
Gabby placed it on the desk and slid it toward them. "You should read this."
Ariella hesitated before picking it up. The moment her eyes hit the first line, her blood ran cold.
Termination of Rights Agreement.
Her hands trembled as she read the document. It was a legal paper—relinquishing all claims to the child.
Ariella gasped for air. "You want me to sign this?"
Gabby beamed at her. "Absolutely, darling. You wouldn't want to complicate things, would you?"
Ariella glanced at Wellington, looking for guidance, but his face was blank.
"Don't do it," he whispered.
Gabby's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, Wellington, stop acting like you can save her. You can't even save yourself."
Ariella felt a surge of anger. Every part of her urged her to flee—but there was no escape.
She was caught in Gabby's trap.
But she refused to follow the rules any longer.
Ariella straightened up, her voice firm. "I won't sign anything."
Gabby's smile faded.
For the first time, she looked truly taken aback.
And for the first time since entering this nightmare, Ariella felt strong.
Gabby inhaled sharply and stepped back. "You just made the worst mistake of your life."
Ariella held her gaze, unwavering. "No, you did."
And just like that, the battle officially started.