The Surrogate He Discarded

The bedroom before her looked like something designed for royalty.

A massive bed sat elegantly at the center of the room with only its grand headboard touching the wall, yet the space still looked unbelievably enormous. Soft pastel colors painted the walls while delicate golden accents gave the entire room a warm, dreamlike atmosphere.

Sunlight filtered gently through the floor-to-ceiling curtains, bathing the room in soft golden light.

To the side stood a glass sliding door that opened directly onto a private balcony overlooking the estate gardens.

Even the bedsheets and linens looked expensive and impossibly soft.

Everything about the room felt dainty, elegant, and almost unreal.

Like a princess’s chamber from a fairytale.

”Master Morgan instructed Cindy to prepare your clothes and necessities beforehand,” Albert explained politely. ”If there is anything else you need, simply inform the staff.”

Isobel slowly turned around, still overwhelmed.

Then another thought crossed her mind.

”Can I see the nursery?”

Albert nodded immediately and walked toward the door directly across from her room.

The moment he opened it, Isobel’s eyes widened again.

The nursery was enormous—almost the size of an entire apartment.

Two elegant cribs rested near the large windows while two smaller children’s beds were positioned nearby for when the babies grew older. Shelves lined the walls, filled with toys, plush animals, books, and miniature decorations carefully chosen for infants.

Above them, the ceiling had been painted into a beautiful blue sky scattered with clouds.

”And at night,” Albert said quietly, ”the ceiling transforms into a galaxy full of stars.”

Isobel stared upward in amazement.

The room was beautiful.

Painfully beautiful.

”This nursery was personally designed by Madame Kristine,” Albert continued, his voice growing softer. ”Unfortunately... she wasn’t able to see it completed before the babies arrived.”

Isobel immediately looked toward him.

”What happened to Madam Kristine?” she asked carefully, genuine concern crossing her delicate face.

Albert noticed it instantly.

”She suffered from eclampsia,” he answered quietly. ”The twins had to be delivered prematurely.”

Sadness briefly passed through his expression.

It was obvious he deeply respected Morgan’s wife.

Albert fell silent afterward, though inwardly, his thoughts remained restless.

When he first learned Master Morgan intended to bring home a young nanny—and an exceptionally beautiful one at that—Albert naturally became suspicious.

Did his master develop feelings for this girl?

But after observing Isobel...

He began doubting his own assumptions.

She didn’t carry the calculating ambition many women displayed around wealthy men. Her reactions felt sincere. Innocent, even.

And strangely...

There was something about her that felt oddly familiar to him.

A feeling he couldn’t quite explain no matter how hard he tried.

...

After settling into her room, Isobel quietly made her way toward the nursery.

The moment she stepped into the softly lit room, she exhaled slowly, instinctively pressing a hand against her chest. Her breasts felt heavy and painfully full.

It was time for the babies to nurse.

Warm golden light from the lamps bathed the nursery in a peaceful glow. The faint scent of baby powder lingered in the air while the soft creaking of a rocking chair blended with the occasional sleepy coo of the infants.

But the two women inside were unfamiliar.

Isobel paused slightly.

”Where are the other two nannies?” she asked gently.

One of the women immediately stood straighter.

”Their shift ended for the day, Isobel,” she explained respectfully. ”We’ll be taking over until the babies’ bedtime. After that, the night nannies will replace us.”

”I see...” Isobel nodded thoughtfully. ”So there are three shifts taking care of the babies.”

The two nannies nodded in unison.

”What are your names?” Isobel asked.

”You may call me Ella,” the nearer nanny replied warmly.

Ella carefully approached and transferred little Kat into Isobel’s arms. The baby immediately settled against Isobel as though recognizing her warmth and scent even in sleep.

”And that’s Anne,” Ella added, gesturing toward the second nanny who was gently rocking Kit in her arms nearby.

Isobel smiled softly before lowering her gaze to Kat.

The tiny baby stirred almost instantly, delicate fingers curling instinctively against the fabric of Isobel’s dress. Her little face scrunched adorably as she turned her head from side to side, searching blindly.

A faint, needy whimper escaped her lips.

Isobel’s heart melted.

Guided by pure instinct, Kat nuzzled closer against her chest, her tiny mouth rooting gently against Isobel’s skin in search of the familiar sweet scent of milk.

The moment she found her nipple, she latched eagerly.

Soft, rhythmic nursing sounds soon filled the quiet nursery as Kat fed hungrily, tiny lashes fluttering against her rosy cheeks.

Every now and then, she released the faintest contented sigh between swallows, her small hand resting against Isobel’s breast as if afraid to let go.

The tenderness of the moment wrapped around the room like warmth itself.

In just a month, the twins had gained weight and they did not look like the wrinkled and ugly premature babies anymore.

For a while, everything felt peaceful.

Then—

The nursery door opened.

The soft atmosphere instantly shifted.

A tall, slender woman stepped inside with effortless elegance. She was stunningly beautiful, dressed in an expensive cream-colored dress that clung perfectly to her figure. Every movement she made carried an air of superiority, as though the entire mansion belonged to her.

Even the sharp click of her heels against the polished floor sounded commanding.

Isobel looked toward Ella silently, questioning who the woman was.

Ella lowered her voice immediately.

”She’s Madam Kristine’s twin sister.”

At once, both nannies straightened respectfully.

”Good evening, Miss Katherine,” they greeted almost in unison.

Katherine barely acknowledged them.

Instead, her gaze landed directly on Isobel.

Or more specifically—

On the baby peacefully nursing in her arms.

Her eyes narrowed subtly.

For several uncomfortable seconds, she simply stood there watching them, her expression unreadable.

Then she walked forward slowly until she stood directly before the rocking chair.

”Give me my niece,” Katherine said smoothly as she extended her arms. ”I want to hold her.”

Isobel instinctively tightened her hold on Kat.

”Miss,” she replied politely, keeping her voice calm, ”Kat is still feeding. Please wait until she’s full.”

The room fell silent. Ella and Anne exchanged nervous glances.

Katherine extended hand remained suspended in the air for a moment before she slowly lowered it.

Then her eyes sharpened coldly as they locked onto Isobel.

How dare she refuse me?