Chapter 6 Her Return

It was a regular Thursday when Maya heard the knock at her door - firm, sharp, and too familiar.

She opened it to find Ivy.

Perfectly dressed, heels too high for comfort, lips too red for casual. She stepped in without an invitation.

Spencer followed behind, his jaw tight. Behind him, his mother, Victoria Callahan - calm, polished, and unreadable.

Maya looked between them, confused. "What's going on?"

"Ivy has something to say," Victoria said smoothly.

Ivy's eyes sparkled, triumphant. "I'm four months pregnant."

Maya blinked.

Spencer frowned. "That's not possible."

Ivy turned to him with a mockingly sweet smile. "You said you weren't sure when we broke up. Now you are?"

"Ivy," Spencer said sharply, "we broke up over two months ago. And before that, we hadn't touched each other in weeks. There's no way that baby-if there is a baby-is mine."

Victoria raised her hand gently. "Let's not argue. The only way to handle this is with a DNA test. Fair and simple."

Spencer hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

"I already brought a doctor," Ivy said quickly, stepping aside to reveal a quiet, nervous-looking man in glasses holding a small black case.

Maya's stomach twisted. She didn't like the energy Ivy brought into her home.

Victoria turned to her. "Maya, would you mind if we use your living room? Just for a few minutes."

Maya nodded silently, stepping aside.

---

The test was quick. Ivy sat dramatically on the couch, rubbing her perfectly flat stomach as the doctor drew a blood sample from her. Spencer gave his calmly.

Maya watched from the doorway, arms folded, heart racing. She didn't trust Ivy. Not with her eyes, her words, or her intentions.

When the doctor stepped outside to pack his samples, Ivy lingered near the window, sipping the tea Maya hadn't offered.

Maya spoke, finally. "Why now?"

Ivy didn't even turn. "Why not?"

"You left him. And now you're back, pregnant?"

"Maybe I realized what I was giving up," Ivy replied smoothly. "Maybe I'm the one carrying the heir."

Maya's eyes narrowed. "You're lying."

Ivy finally turned. "Then let the results speak."

---

*Later That Night...*

The doctor was preparing to head back when Ivy cornered him by his car in the driveway.

She stepped close, perfume thick in the air, smile practiced.

"I know it's complicated," she said softly, "but if the result says Spencer isn't the father, it could break a lot of things. Family peace. Legal ties. Reputation."

The doctor adjusted his glasses. "That's not my concern, Ms. Monroe."

She leaned closer. "What if I made it worth your while?"

He stiffened.

"I have money. A lot. You'd never have to work small contracts again."

He blinked, uncomfortable.

"If that's not enough..." she trailed her fingers along the edge of his coat, "I can be generous in other ways too."

He stepped back immediately, jaw tightening. "I'm a medical professional. If you approach me again like this, I'll report you."

She smirked, but her eyes were cold. "Then I hope you know what kind of enemies you're making."

He got into his car and drove off without another word.

Ivy stood alone under the porch light, the evening breeze whipping her hair across her cheek.

She didn't care how - but she was going to win.

-

The air inside Maya's house felt different after Ivy left - heavier, tighter, like the walls had absorbed her perfume and pride. Maya sat on the edge of her couch, quietly picking at the hem of her sweater.

Spencer stood by the window, arms folded. He hadn't said much since Ivy's dramatic exit.

Victoria, his mother, lingered near the doorway, watching them both with unreadable eyes.

"She's lying," Maya said quietly, not looking up.

"I know," Spencer replied. "But my mother thinks peace is more important than truth right now."

Victoria stepped forward. "It's not about peace. It's about certainty. If the child is yours-"

"It's not," Spencer snapped, more sharply than he meant.

Victoria didn't flinch. "And if it is? Spencer, if there's even a 1% chance, you need to know."

"I *do* know."

Maya rose to her feet. "Excuse me. I need some air."

She walked outside into the small backyard, letting the breeze cool her face. The garden was overgrown, but she didn't care. It was still hers. Still honest.

Behind her, she heard footsteps. She expected Spencer. Instead, it was Victoria.

"Ivy isn't your enemy," Victoria began gently.

"I don't want to be part of this," Maya said. "I'm just doing what I agreed to do."

Victoria studied her carefully. "But you've become more than that."

Maya turned to her, surprised.

"I see how he looks at you," Victoria said. "And how you soften when he speaks. That's not contract-bound."

"I'm not looking for love," Maya replied.

"No. But sometimes love finds you anyway."

---

That evening, Maya stood at her kitchen counter, making tea when her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number:

*"You may want to ask your doctor friend who visited today what Ivy offered him."*

Her hand froze.

Another message followed:

*"She doesn't play fair. And she always has a plan."*

She stared at the screen, heart pounding.

Before she could reply, another knock came at the door.

It was Ivy. Again.

Maya opened the door only halfway. "What do you want?"

"To talk. Woman to woman."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Oh, come on," Ivy said sweetly. "You've already seen my worst side. You can't be that shocked anymore."

Maya hesitated, then opened the door.

Ivy stepped inside, sauntering like she owned the place. "Cute. Still old, though. You really should upgrade."

"I like old things," Maya said.

"Like old memories? Dead parents? Sweet sentiment."

Maya's eyes narrowed.

Ivy leaned against the wall. "Do you love him?"

"That's none of your business."

"Oh, but it is," Ivy purred. "Because I do. Still. I just... forgot how much until recently."

"You forgot?" Maya asked bitterly.

"I needed time to grow. Spencer couldn't handle the woman I was becoming."

"No, he couldn't handle how you used him."

Ivy smiled. "Maybe. But don't think you're special just because you're carrying something important. I can take that from you too."

Maya stepped forward. "Get out."

Ivy didn't move. "You think this is about a baby? It's about legacy. And I will always fit that world better than you."

"Then why lie about the baby?"

For a brief second, Ivy's confident smile wavered.

Then she turned and walked out.

Maya stood still, fists clenched, heart hammering. She wasn't afraid - not of Ivy's threats.

But she was beginning to realize something: this wasn't just about surrogacy anymore.

It was about survival.

---