Chapter 3 Alexander POV

Alexander went to his desk and pulled out a file he'd made months ago when the succession rule became a problem. I have a plan.

He slid papers across the desk. A business arrangement. I will find a good woman, marry her, and have a kid. She gets money and a good life. I keep control of the company. Everyone wins.

Charles didn't touch the papers. You're talking about paying someone to be your wife.

I'm talking about being smart. Take out the feelings, focus on what we want to happen. A contract marriage avoids problems.

Come on, Alexander, Margaret said. Listen to yourself. You sound like your father at his worst.

The comparison stung, but Alexander didn't show it. My father made choices based on emotions. I make them based on what makes sense.

Your father made mistakes because he was human, Charles said quietly. You're making mistakes because you're trying not to be.

Alexander's phone rang, saving him from answering. His assistant's voice was careful: Mr. Stone, the Sunshine Surrogacy office is calling you back.

Everyone on the board paid attention. Alexander had told them about his other plan three days ago, before Vivian had left him.

Put them through, he said.

Margaret Foster's voice came over the speakerphone, sounding professional. Mr. Stone, thanks for being interested in our services. I have several good candidates who fit what you're looking for.

What are you looking for? Charles mouthed, but Alexander held up his hand.

I want to see the applications myself, Alexander said. Send them to my email in the next hour.

Of course. Because this is a special situation and the pay is high, we have three great candidates. They're all educated, healthy, and have had successful pregnancies before.

Any other qualifications?

One is a teacher, another is a nurse, and the third is in business. They all have kids of their own, so they know what it means to be a parent. They've all passed tests to make sure they're healthy and mentally ready.

After the call, Alexander faced the board members, who looked shocked and disgusted.

Surrogacy? Thomas asked. You want to pay a stranger to have a baby for you?

I want to meet the requirements, Alexander said, turning to the window. A surrogate gives me a kid without all the problems of a marriage. The arrangement is clear, legal, and temporary.

The board wants a marriage, not just a kid, Margaret said, angry.

The board wants things to look stable. A relationship with the mother of my child provides that.

Charles stood up slowly. Alexander, I've known you since you were a boy. Your parents' mistakes don't have to control your life.

Their mistakes almost destroyed everything our family built, Alexander said, his voice full of old anger. I saved this company. I won't risk it again for silly dreams.

What if you get everything you think you want? Margaret asked. What if you get your kid and your company and your perfect agreement? Then what?

Alexander didn't answer right away. In the window, he looked like a king looking at his country-powerful, untouchable, completely alone.

Then I win, he said.

After the board members left, Alexander sat in his chair and opened his computer. Margaret Foster's email was there, marked urgent.

Three applications. Three women willing to have his child for money.

The first was Sarah Collins, 32, a teacher from Connecticut. Divorced, two kids, healthy. Her statement was warm and friendly, full of words like blessed and miracle. She wanted to help a family and pay for her own kids' college.

Alexander deleted her application. Too emotional, too interested in the idea of creating life.

The second was Jennifer Walsh, 29, a nurse from Massachusetts. Single, one kid, great references. Her statement was professional, talking about her good health and easy pregnancy before. She wanted to start her own business with the money.

Better. Smart, focused on results. Alexander made a note to have his lawyers look at her application.

The third application made him stop.

Elena Martinez. 28. Business person.

His business person.

Alexander stared at the name, checking it with his employee records. Same age, same education, same address. Elena Martinez, who worked three floors below him, who'd worked for his company for two years, who made the reports he read every month.

Elena Martinez, who he'd noticed once-during a meeting six months ago when she'd handled a difficult client with surprising strength.

Her application was different. No sweet talk about miracles or cold talk about the process. Just honest:

I want to be a surrogate because my eight-year-old daughter needs surgery that costs $700,000. I've tried everything else. I'm healthy, responsible, and will take good care of any child I carry. I know this is a business deal and will do everything I'm supposed to.

Alexander read the application three times. No talk of helping families or changing lives. No medical words to hide what it was. Just a mother who needed money to save her child.

He opened Elena's employee file. Great work reports. Never late. Single mother, daughter Sofia Martinez at Riverside Elementary. She'd taken medical leave a lot this past year-now he knew why.

Her boss said she often worked late, came in early, and never complained. Her pay barely covered her bills in their expensive city, especially with the doctor bills.

Alexander pulled up security footage from the building, looking at this morning. There she was-Elena Martinez at 7:43 AM, walking through the lobby in a coat that looked old, her hair pulled back. She moved quietly, unseen among the other people going to work.

She didn't look like the women he usually knew. No fancy clothes, no perfect makeup, no trying to impress. Just a woman trying to save her daughter.

Which made her right.

Alexander called Margaret Foster's office.

Mr. Stone? Did you get a chance to read the applications?

I want to meet Elena Martinez. Set it up for tomorrow.

There was a pause. Good choice. Ms. Martinez is great-smart, committed, and what's going on in her life will make sure she's careful. She needs this more than the others.

Meaning?

Meaning she won't cause problems with feelings or hopes. This is just about money for her, which is perfect for someone like you.

After the call, Alexander went back to the window. The city was below him like a game, all plans and risks. Somewhere in the city, Elena Martinez was working late again, probably trying to figure out how to pay for her daughter's surgery.

Tomorrow, he will offer her a solution.

Not because he was nice, but because people who were desperate were easy to control. Elena Martinez needed money more than she needed someone to care about her, which made her perfect for a man who didn't want either.

His phone vibrated. His assistant: Your mother called. She wants to talk about the Vivian situation over dinner.

Alexander deleted the message. Victoria Stone had spent 30 years trying to fix the problems her love affair had caused. She still thought love was real, still thought her son's cold way of life was just a phase.

She was wrong.

Alexander had learned that love was just weakness, something his enemies could use. Better to deal in agreements than words, money than love, business than feelings.

Tomorrow, he would offer Elena Martinez exactly what she needed: enough money to save her daughter.

And she would give him what he needed: someone to be his heir.

It was perfect.

Neither of them knew that perfection, like love, was often just the beginning of everything falling apart.