The Surrogate He Discarded

But there were no what-ifs in this world. Denise could never have a child.

And Carlos would never love her.

She had spent years waiting for something that was never going to happen. At some point, she had finally understood that she could not force a man’s heart to change.

And if Carlos refused to love her, then she would no longer love him either.

At least, that was what she kept telling herself.

”Sis, the carousel stopped.”

Denise immediately smoothed the front of her dress, checking her reflection in the polished screen of her phone before slipping it back into her handbag.

”Come on. Let’s get ready.”

She stepped toward the carousel exit, her expression already composed.

She had no intention of letting anyone see what was going on inside her.

...

The moment the carousel came to a complete stop, Carlos reached out and lifted Kai from the wooden horse.

The boy was still beaming, his cheeks flushed with excitement.

Carlos glanced toward Alena.

He waited.

He expected her to turn around, even if only for a brief moment. But she didn’t.

Instead, Alena moved toward Randy, apparently more interested in helping him take selfies than acknowledging Carlos.

A faint disappointment flickered across Carlos’s eyes before he suppressed it.

He turned his attention toward Kristoff.

”Mr. Dalton, congratulations on the opening of Wonderland. And happy birthday to your son.”

His voice was polished, then he extended his hand.

”Thank you, Congressman Foran. And thank you for coming.”

Their handshake was brief and formal.

Kristoff’s attention then shifted to the little boy in Carlos’s arms.

”It looks like your son really enjoyed the ride.”

”He certainly did,” Carlos replied with a warm smile.

For a moment, the usually composed congressman looked less like a powerful public figure and more like a proud father. His gaze softened as he looked down at Kai, who was still brimming with excitement.

The little boy had giggled throughout the entire ride, especially whenever the wooden horse rose and fell in a convincing imitation of a galloping horse. His laughter had been so bright and carefree that even Carlos couldn’t help but smile.

Kristoff studied the boy for another moment.

”Why do I have the feeling I’ve seen him somewhere before?”

Isobel, who had been standing beside Kristoff, glanced at Kai as well.

She couldn’t explain it, but she felt the same strange sense of familiarity.

Carlos gave a light laugh.

”Todd­lers tend to look alike. Especially good looking ones.”

But even as he said it, his gaze drifted toward Isobel.

The moment he looked at her properly, something inside him stilled.

She looked...achingly familiar.

Not merely familiar in the vague way strangers sometimes resembled one another.

There was something about her face that tugged at a memory he couldn’t quite grasp.

Carlos’s brows drew together slightly.

Then his eyes shifted past her.

Alena had moved farther away and was now standing beside Randy, helping him take selfies.

Carlos’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before returning to Isobel.

Now he could tell. Alena and Isobel had a resemblance.

Kristoff noticed.

His expression tightened.

He didn’t like the way Congressman Foran was looking at Isobel.

Without thinking, Kristoff slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her a little closer to his side.

Carlos’s brows lifted slightly.

”And this lady is?”

”My girlfriend,” Kristoff replied.

There was the briefest hesitation before the words left his mouth.

He had almost said my son’s mother, but this wasn’t the right time to reveal that.

Nor could he call Isobel his fiancée. He hadn’t proposed to her yet.

So, for now, girlfriend was the only title he could give her.

Isobel looked up at Kristoff, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.

Girlfriend?

When had she become his girlfriend?

For a moment, she almost wanted to correct him. But then she thought about it.

What else could he have said?

Calling her his son’s mother would only invite a dozen uncomfortable questions, and calling her his fiancée would be an even bigger lie.

If she was going to be standing beside Kristoff and Alexander, girlfriend was probably the simplest explanation.

Kristoff caught the look on her face.

For a brief moment, their eyes met.

There was a hint of amusement in his eyes, as though he knew exactly what she was thinking. But beneath that amusement was something more deliberate—a quiet warning not to question him in front of everyone.

Isobel pressed her lips together, suppressing a small smile.

So that’s what I am now?

Carlos’s gaze shifted back to Isobel.

Something about the situation still didn’t make sense.

If Isobel was Kristoff’s girlfriend, and Isobel and Alena were cousins, then why had Julian and Morgan been the ones who intervened when Alena needed to be freed?

What exactly was the connection between these people?

And why did it feel as though there was a piece of the puzzle he was missing?

”Congressman Foran.”

Morgan’s cool voice came from behind them.

Both Kristoff and Carlos turned at the same time.

Morgan approached with one of his young sons comfortably settled in his arms. Unlike his usual reserved demeanor, there was a noticeable warmth in his expression. His wife and children were happy, and seeing them enjoy the celebration had put him in an unusually good mood.

”Mr. Foster,” Carlos greeted.

”Happy birthday to both your children.”

”Thank you,” Morgan replied with a faint smile. ”And thank you for coming.”

His gaze swept over the group before he gestured toward the photographers waiting nearby.

”How about we take a few photos together?”

That was all the cue the photographers needed.

”Everyone, please move closer!”

The photographers immediately raised their cameras.

”Let’s get a group photo!”

The moment passed. Everyone gathered together.

After taking several photographs, the Morgans joined them for another round.

”Cousin! Come here and join us!”

Isobel waved enthusiastically toward Alena.

She already knew Alena would probably refuse, so before Alena could make an excuse, Isobel walked over and gently pulled her into the group.

”Come on, Cousin. Just one picture.”

Alena had no choice but to follow.

The photographer gave them a few instructions, arranging everyone until they were standing shoulder to shoulder.

And when the group finally settled into position, Alena found herself standing directly beside Isobel.

She released a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, I am not standing beside him.

Behind her—

stood Carlos.

For one brief moment, Alena’s back stiffened.

She could feel his presence without even turning around.

And somehow, that was worse than seeing him.