The Surrogate He Discarded

Isobel would be content to watch father and son together, even if from afar.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she forced herself to speak evenly.

”The fresh sea air and the morning sun are good for babies.”

”They are.” Kristoff nodded. ”I’ll remember that.”

He glanced toward the grand mansion overlooking the shoreline before returning his attention to her.

”Actually...” he said thoughtfully, ”the next time Morgan brings his family here, let me know.”

He smiled as though the idea had only just occurred to him.

”I’ll bring Alexander too.”

Isobel froze.

Her heartbeat stumbled.

Kristoff looked up, oblivious to the storm raging behind her composed expression.

”It’ll be good for him to have children his own age to play with.”

For a brief moment, Isobel forgot how to breathe.

What does he mean by that?

Would he allow Isobel to see her son?

Suddenly, Isobel felt a flicker of hope in her heart.

Perhaps Kristoff wasn’t that cruel after all.

...

Meanwhile, back at the villa, Charlotte slowly opened her eyes.

She stretched lazily before instinctively reaching toward the other side of the bed.

It was empty.

A faint crease appeared between her brows.

So he left without even waking me?

The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.

After freshening up, she stepped onto the spacious balcony overlooking the turquoise sea. The salty breeze greeted her as she found Shania and Phoebe already halfway through breakfast.

The table was filled with fresh tropical fruits, pastries, salads, and freshly squeezed juices.

”There she is!” Shania beamed. ”Sleeping Beauty has finally decided to grace us with her presence.”

Phoebe laughed.

”I was beginning to think Prince Charming had exhausted you last night.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.

”You two are impossible.”

A servant immediately approached, pulling out a chair for her before placing a freshly prepared fruit salad and a glass of green juice in front of her. As a professional model, Charlotte was meticulous about her diet, rarely allowing herself anything beyond carefully measured healthy meals.

Shania rested her chin on one hand, admiring her friend.

”You know, I still don’t understand how your skin looks flawless even after sleeping in.”

”I know, right?” Phoebe chimed in. ”If I woke up looking like you, I’d never wear makeup again.”

Charlotte smiled, clearly pleased despite trying to appear modest. ℯ

”You both exaggerate.”

”We’re stating facts,” Shania insisted. ”No wonder Mr. Dalton can’t take his eyes off you.”

Phoebe nodded eagerly.

”I’ve never seen him voluntarily spend time with another woman before. Giving you this villa in the most luxurious resort? That already says everything.”

Charlotte’s earlier disappointment eased considerably. Maybe they were right. Kristoff wasn’t exactly the type of man to constantly stay by a woman’s side.

Perhaps he had simply gone to take care of some business.

Trying to sound casual, she picked up her fork.

”By the way...” she asked, glancing around the villa. ”Have either of you seen Kristoff?”

Shania shook her head.

”No. We assumed he was with you.”

Phoebe smirked.

”Maybe he’s planning some romantic surprise.”

Charlotte couldn’t stop the hopeful smile that spread across her face.

”I wonder where he went...”

”Ma’am,” the servant said respectfully, lowering her head. ”Sir Kristoff went to the beach early this morning.”

”The beach?” Charlotte repeated.

Without another word, she rose gracefully from her chair and walked toward the balcony railing.

From there, the entire crescent-shaped shoreline stretched before her like a postcard. The morning sun shimmered across the crystal-blue water, while tiny figures moved leisurely along the sand.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes, searching for the familiar broad-shouldered silhouette.

Then she found him.

Her smile froze.

Kristoff was standing in the shallow waters, talking to a woman.

Even from this distance, she could tell the atmosphere between them was unusually relaxed. He was standing far closer to the woman than he ever did with strangers, his posture loose, his attention completely fixed on her.

Charlotte gripped the railing. She looked through the telescope to have a better view.

Who was she?

As though sensing her gaze, the woman tilted her head slightly and looked at her direction. In the process, she revealed the front of her face.

Charlotte’s pupils contracted.

”It’s... her.”

The pleasant expression on her face vanished instantly.

Heat surged through her chest as jealousy and disbelief crashed over her all at once.

Isobel.

Of all the people there could be...why was it her?

Why was Kristoff with her?

From the balcony, they looked less like two acquaintances who had met by chance...

...and more like two people enjoying each other’s company.

Charlotte’s fingers tightened around the railing until her knuckles turned white.

A dangerous glint flashed across her eyes.

”So that’s where you disappeared to, Kristoff...”

”Charlotte?” Shania frowned, setting down her coffee. ”Are you alright? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

Phoebe followed Charlotte’s line of sight toward the beach.

”Oh!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. ”Isn’t that Kristoff?”

She leaned farther over the railing, shamelessly admiring the view.

”Goodness... that man is unfair. Even from up here, I can tell those abs are real.”

She sighed dramatically.

”No wonder women keep throwing themselves at him.”

Charlotte shot her a sharp look.

”Phoebe!”

”Hmm?”

”Would you mind wiping that drool off your face?” Charlotte warned.

Phoebe blinked before laughing.

”What? I’m only appreciating good genetics.”

”Watch yourself,” Charlotte said coolly. ”That man is mine.”

She folded her arms across her chest, her eyes never leaving the pair on the beach.

”So don’t even think about lusting after him.”

Phoebe raised both hands in surrender.

”Relax. I have standards.”

Charlotte arched an eyebrow.

”So does Kristoff.”

The smile on Phoebe’s face faltered.

”...Ouch. What I meant was, I don’t go for my friend’s man.”

Shania couldn’t help but laugh.

”You two are impossible.”

Charlotte didn’t laugh.

Her gaze remained locked on the woman standing beside Kristoff, her possessiveness slowly giving way to suspicion.

”Forget Phoebe,” she murmured, her voice turning cold. ”I’d rather know why he’s talking to her.”