The Surrogate He Discarded

Morgan and Kristine left the twins in Isobel’s capable hands, along with the nannies, before setting off on foot. Their destination was a secluded cave hidden nearly a kilometer away—a place known only to the two of them. It had quietly witnessed some of their most cherished moments during their honeymoon, making it the perfect escape from the noise surrounding them.

The gentle sea breeze carried the scent of salt as they walked side by side along the familiar trail. Morgan’s hand rested comfortably on Kristine’s waist, his thumb absentmindedly tracing small circles over the soft curve that still lingered from carrying their twins.

Unlike Isobel, whose figure had quickly returned to its pre-pregnancy shape, Kristine’s body was still healing. A slight roundness remained around her stomach, and her doctors had forbidden strenuous exercise until she had fully recovered. Though she rarely admitted it aloud, there were moments when she caught herself feeling self-conscious.

Morgan suddenly gave the soft flesh at her side a playful pinch.

Kristine swatted his hand away with an indignant glare.

”I am not that petty,” she said, referring to yesterday’s controversy. ”Besides, I know exactly where I stand in your heart.”

Morgan chuckled, slipping his arm around her again.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

”And why do you keep pinching me there?” she demanded. ”Are you disgusted because my waist isn’t slender anymore?”

There was genuine vulnerability beneath her teasing tone.

Morgan immediately shook his head.

”Never.”

His answer came without hesitation.

He gently cupped her waist instead, his touch warm and reassuring.

”Even if you gained twice as much weight, I would still cherish you.” His eyes softened as they lingered on her. ”This isn’t something I see as a flaw. Every inch of you reminds me that you carried our two beautiful babies into this world. How could I ever dislike that?”

Kristine searched his face, looking for even the slightest hint of insincerity.

She found none.

By then, they had reached the entrance of the cave. Sunlight spilled across the weathered stone, while the cool darkness inside welcomed them like an old friend.

Kristine stepped closer until only a breath separated them.

”You’d better remember those words,” she said, pointing a finger lightly against his chest. A playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips despite the warning in her eyes.

”I’m going to hold you accountable for every single one of them.”

Morgan smiled, catching her hand and pressing a gentle kiss against her knuckles.

”I hope you do,” he murmured. ”Because I plan to spend the rest of my life proving them.”

....

Meanwhile, Isobel knelt in the shallow waters of the beach, laughing as the twins splashed happily around her. Tiny hands slapped against the clear water, sending droplets sparkling beneath the morning sun.

Kit squealed with delight while Kat reached for the gentle waves as if trying to catch them.

Ella and Anna holding them were very attentive. They made sure the babies never swallowed the salty seawater despite their endless curiosity.

For the first time in days, Isobel allowed herself to simply enjoy the peaceful moment.

”It seems fate enjoys surprising us, Isobel.”

The deep, velvety voice drifted over the sound of the waves.

Her smile vanished. Every muscle in her body stiffened.

That voice...

She would recognize it anywhere.

Ella and Anna suddenly stopped playing with the twins and stared curiously at the newcomer before looking at Isobel meaningfully.

Slowly, almost reluctantly, Isobel turned around.

Her breath caught.

Standing a few feet away was Kristoff Dalton.

He wore nothing but a pair of black board shorts. A white towel rested casually over one shoulder, doing little to conceal the broadness of his shoulders or the lean, sculpted muscles of his chest and abdomen. Dark sunglasses shielded his eyes, making him impossible to read, yet his very presence carried the quiet confidence of a man accustomed to commanding every room—and every gaze.

Isobel, however, didn’t notice his physique nearly as much as she noticed the way her heart suddenly refused to beat normally.

What was he doing at the beach?

Then realization struck.

The Horizon. Of course. How could she forget?

The luxury resort belonged to the Dalton Group. This wasn’t merely a vacation destination. It was his territory.

She forced herself to straighten her back, masking her surprise behind practiced composure.

”Good morning... Mr. Dalton.” Her voice remained polite, though she couldn’t completely hide the faint tremor beneath it. ”What a coincidence indeed.”

A corner of Kristoff’s lips lifted into a smile that never quite reached his eyes.

”Is it?”

His gaze lingered on her for a heartbeat longer than propriety allowed.

Behind his sunglasses, his eyes swept over her almost involuntarily. The simple white sundress she wore over her swimsuit fluttered gently in the sea breeze, outlining the graceful curves she seemed entirely unaware of.

”I told you before,” he said quietly, his voice dropping a note lower, ”when we’re not in a corporate setting, you can call me Kristoff.”

There was unmistakable displeasure in his tone when she addressed him so formally.

Isobel lowered her eyes for a brief moment before meeting his gaze again.

”Just the way you used to address me, Isobel.”

A faint chuckle escaped him as if he was trying to reminisce something.

”Sorry. I will remember.”

Silence settled between them, broken only by the rhythmic crash of the waves against the shore and the delighful giggles from the twin.

Finally, Isobel broke it.

”What brings you here?” Isobel asked, determined to keep the conversation on safe ground.

The corner of Kristoff’s mouth lifted into a faint smile.

”The same reason as you.” His gaze drifted toward the endless stretch of blue sea. ”To get away from work... and relax.”

He took a few slow steps closer, crouching beside the twins as if they had become the center of his attention.

Kat giggled when he wiggled a finger at her, while Kit reached toward him with innocent curiosity.

A softness crossed Kristoff’s face.

”I should bring Alexander here one of these days,” he murmured. ”I’m sure he’d love the beach.”

The words struck Isobel like a blow. Her fingers clenched tightly.

If only... If only you had brought him today.