The Surrogate He Discarded

Again and again, Kristoff’s gaze drifted toward Isobel.

She was seated at the table closest to the stage—the table reserved for the most distinguished guests.

And no one was more deserving of that seat than Morgan Foster.

In the world of AI and technology, Morgan was both his fiercest competitor. But he was also one of his most valuable business partners.

While their companies constantly battled for dominance in innovation, they were currently collaborating on a massive real estate venture—a first-of-its-kind amusement park that was already being hailed as the future landmark of the city.

Its grand opening had been carefully scheduled for a special occasion — the month Alex and Morgan’s twins would celebrate their first birthdays. A coincidence that had amused the media endlessly.

Their children were born in the same month, only days apart.

...

Morgan occupied the seat beside Isobel, while Katherine sat on his other side.

The arrangement should have appeared ordinary.

Yet to Kristoff, it wasn’t.

Baby Kirsten rested comfortably on Isobel’s lap, her tiny body tucked securely against her. Meanwhile, her twin brother, seated in a baby chair to Isobel’s right, demanded nearly all of her attention.

The baby boy was waving his chubby arms excitedly, babbling nonsense only he could understand.

Isobel leaned toward him with a smile. She gently poked his cheek.

The baby squealed.

She made another silly face.

The little boy erupted into delighted laughter.

Soon both twins were competing for her attention, reaching toward her with tiny hands and filling the table with happy giggles.

The sight was strangely domestic and naural, as though she had always belonged there.

As though she were not merely caring for the children, but part of the family itself.

Kristoff’s jaw tightened. He told himself he was only observing.

Yet the longer he watched, the more the scene unsettled him.

Because the twins clearly adored her.

And judging from the way Morgan occasionally glanced at her, they weren’t he only one.

Isobel made an exaggerated expression that caused Kristoffer to squeal in delight. A moment later, Isobel threw her head back and laughed.

The sound didn’t reach Kristoff through the music and conversations. Yet somehow, Kristoff could almost hear it. His chest tightened unexpectedly.

”Kristoff.”

Charlotte nudged him. She noted where he was looking at and her gaze darkened.

He blinked.

”Huh?”

Charlotte frowned.

”The emcee is asking you to say a few words.”

Kristoff turned to his right.

The host was indeed standing nearby, smiling expectantly as he extended the microphone toward him.

A hint of embarrassment crossed Charlotte’s face. She quickly accepted the microphone on his behalf and pressed it into his hand.

As Kristoff straightened, his gaze instinctively drifted toward VIP Table One.

Isobel wasn’t looking at him.

Her attention was completely occupied by Baby Kirsten, who was sitting on her lap and enthusiastically trying to grab one of her fingers.

A small smile played on her lips as she gently put the small hand on her mouth.

For some reason, that bothered Kristoff even more.

...

Across the stage, standing beside the magnificent three-tier cake, Mary Dalton noticed.

A faint crease appeared between her brows.

Following her son’s line of sight, her gaze settled on the young woman seated beside Morgan Foster.

Who was she?

And why had Kristoff been looking at her?

Kristoff tested the microphone and composed himself.

”As everyone knows,” he began smoothly, ”Charlotte is currently at the peak of her career. We didn’t want a pregnancy to interrupt everything she has worked so hard to achieve.”

The audience nodded in understanding.

”After careful consideration, we decided to pursue surrogacy.”

His voice remained steady and confident.

”The child, of course, is biologically ours.”

The words echoed through the ballroom and the audience nodded in understanding.

Somehow, despite the hundreds of guests present, his gaze found Isobel, as if drawn to her against his will.

For the first time, she looked up.

Their eyes met. A flicker of pain crossed her face. It was brief and almost imperceptible, yet unmistakable.

The hand supporting Kirsten tightened slightly. The smile she had been wearing vanished.

Kristoff’s throat suddenly felt dry.

A strange heaviness settled in his chest.

For a moment, he forgot what he had intended to say next.

The silence stretched. Then he simply handed the microphone back to the host.

The emcee stared at him for a second, clearly surprised.

That was it?

The speech felt unfinished. As though something had interrupted his thoughts.

Fortunately, the host recovered quickly.

”Ladies and gentlemen, as we know Mr. Dalton is a man of few words and he believes actions speak louder than words!”

The emcee cracked another joke.

The crowd laughed. A few guests applauded.

”Now let’s invite our honored guests for commemorative photographs!”

The atmosphere immediately brightened.

Guests began gathering near the stage while photographers adjusted their equipment.

From her seat below, Isobel watched quietly.

Onstage, Kristoff held Baby Alex securely in his arms, patiently coaxing him to look toward the camera.

Beside him stood Charlotte. Dressed in an elegant white gown adorned with intricate beadwork, she looked radiant, beautiful, and victorious.

Yet as Isobel watched her smile for the cameras, she looked more like a fiancée basking in her triumph than a mother celebrating her son.

Standing nearby were Henry and Mary Dalton, smiling warmly as flashes from the cameras illuminated their faces.

It was a perfect family portrait. A picture destined for magazines and social media.

Isobel lowered her eyes. Her attention returned to Kirsten peacefully sitting on her lap. She didn’t want to look at the stage anymore because her heart ached.

Then the emcee called for VIP Table One.

Katherine immediately straightened.

Finally. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for.

”Let me carry her.”

She reached for Kirsten.

Without argument, Isobel carefully transferred the baby into Katherine’s arms.

The moment Kirsten felt the unfamiliar hold, her tiny face crumpled.

A second later, she burst into tears.

Her cries were loud and she sounded heartbroken.

Katherine froze. Several guests turned to look. Her smile became strained and panic flashed across her face.