The Surrogate He Discarded

After the engagement party ended, Kristoff drove Charlotte to one of the most exclusive residential communities in Novare.

Throughout the journey, a silk blindfold covered her eyes.

”You’ll see soon,” he said whenever she tried to guess their destination.

The mystery only heightened her excitement.

Charlotte sat quietly in the passenger seat, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Kristoff had always been generous.

Over the years, he had showered her with diamond jewelry, designer gowns, luxury handbags, and even two sports cars.

But tonight was different. Tonight was their engagement.

Surely, the gift he had prepared would surpass everything that came before.

When the car finally stopped, Kristoff helped her out and guided her forward.

The night breeze carried the scent of the sea.

Charlotte’s pulse quickened.

Then she felt his hands move to the blindfold.

”Ready?” he asked.

She nodded eagerly.

The silk slipped away.

Charlotte’s breath caught.

For several seconds, she could only stare.

Before her stood a magnificent three-story villa perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

The sprawling estate glowed beneath carefully placed lights, its white walls bathed in soft gold. Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the moonlight, while expansive balconies offered uninterrupted views of the endless sea beyond.

It was located in The Horizon, the most prestigious residential enclave west of Novare. The kind of property most people could only dream of owning.

”Oh my gosh...” The words escaped her in a whisper.

Her eyes widened as she took in the breathtaking view. The ocean stretched endlessly into the darkness, its waves shimmering beneath the moonlight.

”It’s beautiful.”

Kristoff watched her reaction with quiet satisfaction.

”I know you’re afraid of heights,” he said. ”I considered buying you a penthouse, but I thought you’d be happier here instead.”

Charlotte turned toward him, speechless.

The villa looked enormous, elegant and luxurious. A place worthy of a magazine cover.

There had to be more than ten bedrooms inside.

Kristoff handed her a leather folder.

Confused, Charlotte opened it.

The moment she saw her name on the property deed, her eyes widened.

Her breath hitched.

”Kris...”

”This is yours.”

Charlotte looked up at him in disbelief.

”Mine?”

A faint smile touched his lips.

”An engagement gift.”

Emotion surged through her. Without thinking, she threw her arms around his neck.

Kristoff caught her easily and pulled her into his embrace.

Together, they walked toward one of the expansive balconies overlooking the sea.

Above them, thousands of stars glittered against the black sky.

”It’s a shame we arrived after sunset,” Kristoff said as he rested his hands on the railing. ”The view here is even more spectacular during golden hour.”

Charlotte barely heard him. She was too overwhelmed by the gift.

Too overwhelmed by the future she imagined waiting for them.

Her eyes shimmered with happiness.

Tomorrow, she would took pictures and post them in her social media account. She would call her friends over and have a photo op.

Rising onto her toes, she pressed a soft kiss against his lips.

”Thank you,” she whispered.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The cool sea breeze drifted around them as they stood together beneath the stars, the living room glowing warmly behind them.

Then Kristoff gently took her hand.

”Come,” he said. ”Let me show you the rest of the house and the bedrooms.”

A blush spread across Charlotte’s cheeks as countless possibilities raced through her mind.

With her fingers entwined in his, she followed him inside.

...

The master bedroom occupied nearly half of the third floor, a private sanctuary designed with understated luxury. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined one side of the room, allowing streams of golden afternoon light to spill across polished hardwood floors and elegant furnishings.

But it was the walk-in closet that immediately captured Charlotte’s attention.

It was as large as an ordinary bedroom, with rows upon rows of custom-built shelves, glass cabinets, and illuminated display racks. Designer dresses hung in perfect order. Shoes of every style and color lined the walls.

Handbags rested like prized collectibles behind glass panels.

For most women, it would have felt like stepping into an upscale boutique.

For Charlotte, it felt strangely familiar.

As a model, she had accumulated an impressive wardrobe over the years. Fashion was part of her life, part of her career. Variety was expected. Still, even she found herself lingering among the displays, running her fingertips along luxurious fabrics and admiring pieces she had not worn in months.

Then her gaze settled on a black lace lingerie set tucked neatly inside one of the drawers.

Her fingers paused.

A slow smile curved her lips as an unexpected thought slipped into her mind.

She and Kristoff had been together for years.

Yet their relationship had never progressed beyond kisses, embraces, and quiet nights spent in each other’s company.

When they were younger, she had accepted it without question. They had been focused on their careers, their families, and their futures.

But as time passed, the unanswered question continued to linger at the back of her mind.

Why?

Her friends never believed her when she admitted that she and Kristoff had never taken that final step in their relationship. Some laughed. Others assumed she was joking.

But it was the truth.

Kristoff had always drawn a firm line. He insisted that he wanted to marry her first. According to him, some things were meant to wait.

Charlotte had tried to accept that explanation. His family was known for their traditional values. Her friends often reminded her that perhaps the Dalton family simply regarded intimacy as something sacred—something reserved for marriage.

Still, she could not completely silence her doubts.

At one point, she had even wondered if something was wrong.

But that theory had been shattered the moment Kristoff spent a year with Isobel—and returned with a child.

The memory tightened something inside her chest.

No matter how many explanations she considered, she could never fully understand why Kristoff had always kept his distance from her in when it came to making love.

Her gaze drifted back to the black lace resting in the drawer.

But tonight would be different.

Tonight, she would officially become his woman.

A slow smile returned to her lips as she lifted the garment from the drawer.

Tonight, she intended to make sure Kristoff could no longer look away.