Falling For My Surrogate Mistress

The soft hum of fluorescent lights filled the room as Dr. Hamilton glanced at the chart in her hands. She turned to Fiona Woods with a practiced smile, her voice steady yet kind.

"Ms. Woods, congratulations. You're eight weeks pregnant!"

The words hit Fiona like a thunderclap. For a moment, she couldn't move, couldn't speak. The sterile air of the doctor's office seemed to thicken, pressing down on her chest.

"What?" she finally whispered, her voice faint. "Pregnant?"

Dr. Hamilton nodded, her smile unwavering but cautious, as if she anticipated resistance. "Yes, eight weeks along."

Fiona's mind spun. Eight weeks? How could that be?

She and Darwin Solomon had always been careful. Painstakingly careful. Memories flitted back to his birthday two months ago. A night that began with champagne and laughter, and ended in a fleeting moment of recklessness. Just once, she reminded herself. It was only once.

Her expression must have betrayed her thoughts, because Dr. Hamilton spoke gently. "It's rare, but sometimes it only takes once. From your records, it seems this wasn't an easy conception. If you're considering your options, I'd suggest keeping them in mind."

The subtle weight of her words settled in Fiona's chest. She gripped the edge of the examination table, her knuckles white. Was this a blessing or a cruel twist of fate?

When she finally stepped outside, the crisp afternoon air did little to steady her. She stood on the hospital steps, staring blankly at the test results in her trembling hands. The corners of the paper flapped in the breeze, but she didn't notice. Her thoughts were elsewhere-five years in the past.

The past wasn't a place Fiona liked to visit often. Five years ago, creditors had pounded on the door of her childhood home. Her grandmother, frail and ailing, needed expensive treatments to stand a chance. Fiona had been drowning in despair when Darwin Solomon walked into her life.

Darwin. The enigmatic CEO of the Atlas Group. He'd appeared like a mirage, offering salvation. A man who had seen in her the shadow of someone else: Lilian Robbins, the woman he had loved with every fiber of his being.

The whispers had been unavoidable. Lilian, the one who abandoned him when he lay comatose, only to marry into a noble family overseas. Fiona had been nothing more than a convenient echo of his lost love.

But in exchange for her mimicry, Darwin had given Fiona everything she needed to survive-money to clear her family's debts and ensure her grandmother's treatment. In public, she was his efficient secretary. In private, she was his obedient lover. A role she had played for five long years.

The bitterness that rose in Fiona's throat now was sharp and familiar. How much longer could she keep this up?

She glanced down at her flat stomach, her fingers brushing against it lightly. The thought that life was growing inside her was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. A life she couldn't keep.

Fiona arrived back at the Atlas Group's sleek high-rise that evening, her mind still a storm of conflicted emotions. She barely noticed the receptionist's cheery greeting or the hum of activity around her as she stepped into the private elevator.

Yesterday, Darwin had returned from a two-week business trip. Unusually, he hadn't taken her with him. Fiona had assumed he was finally growing tired of her.

She had been glad. Hopeful, even.

But Darwin had surprised her. He hadn't even let her finish her workday before pulling her into the secretary's lounge.

Now, as she stood in the same lounge, the memory of their encounter lingered. Her dress and his tailored suit had been carelessly discarded on the sofa. His hands had been demanding, his lips relentless. The moment had left her breathless, dazed.

Darwin's voice snapped her back to reality. He emerged from the bathroom, crisp and composed, adjusting his cufflinks. Fiona, wincing at the lingering discomfort, handed him his spare suit. She stepped forward to help him with his tie, as she always did.

As her fingers worked the silk fabric into a perfect knot, Darwin studied her with detached approval.

"There's a check on the table," he said, his tone casual. "Two million dollars. The villa at Emerald Pool will also be transferred to your name."

Fiona froze. Her fingers stilled against the knot as she looked up at him, her brows knitting together. "Mr. Solomon...why?"

Darwin's expression shifted, a flicker of irritation crossing his sharp features. He raised his hand and gently pinched her chin, tilting her face up. "It's a reward," he said, his voice cold.

Reward. Or perhaps, Fiona thought bitterly, a prelude to goodbye.

Darwin's thumb brushed against her swollen lips. "As long as you stay obedient, I'll give you more."

Fiona's lips parted as if to speak, but she caught herself. She schooled her features into the practiced look of demure compliance and nodded. "I understand, Mr. Solomon."

His irritation evaporated. He nodded in approval and stepped back. "Go home this afternoon."

Without waiting for her response, Darwin left.

Fiona stared at the check on the table, her fingers curling into fists. Her phone buzzed with a news alert, breaking her trance. She glanced down at the screen and froze.

Breaking News! Atlas Group President Engaged to the Ross Family Heiress!

Her stomach churned violently. Fiona rushed to the bathroom, her nausea boiling over. She leaned over the sink, gasping for air.

The reflection staring back at her was pale and drawn, her makeup smudged. Her lips trembled as she steadied herself against the counter.

She laughed, bitterly and without humor. Darwin Solomon, the man who couldn't let go of his first love, was preparing to marry a woman of status while keeping her as his mistress.

And now, she was carrying his child.

Her fingers brushed against her stomach again. Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away.

"Screw this," she muttered to her reflection. "Whoever wants to be his substitute can have him."

This time, she wouldn't stay. Not for him. Not for anyone.

a worked late into the night, her desk cluttered with documents. She sorted through notes, outlined pending tasks, and drafted her resignation letter.

But her mind wasn't on the handover process or the large infrastructure project she had poured her heart into last year. The worry about leaving it incomplete loomed over her, but the reality of her pregnancy was heavier.

Last night's nausea still lingered, a dull reminder of the life growing inside her. Her best friend, Thalassa Carey, had been relentless in urging her to see a doctor. Thalassa had returned from her studies abroad just weeks ago, and her sharp eye had immediately noticed Fiona's pallor.

"You look like a ghost," Thalassa had said, her tone half-joking but laced with concern. "Go to a doctor, Fi. And no arguments."

Reluctantly, Fiona had taken the advice. It was supposed to be routine-a quick check-up to appease her friend. Instead, she had walked out of the hospital clutching test results that turned her world upside down.

The next morning, Fiona arrived at the Atlas Group with her resignation letter carefully folded in her bag. Her heart pounded as she made her way to the CEO's office. She had rehearsed this moment all night, but when she reached the door, voices from within stopped her.

Darwin's friend, Wyatt Durham, was laughing. His voice carried an edge of mischief that always grated on Fiona's nerves.

"Darwin, you're getting married. What are you going to do about Ms. Woods?"

Inside, there was a brief silence before Darwin's cold voice cut through. "Nothing. Business as usual."

Wyatt chuckled. "She's willing to be your mistress?"

"If you pay enough, why wouldn't she be?" Darwin's tone was laced with mockery, as if the idea amused him.

Fiona's stomach twisted. She gripped the resignation letter tighter, her nails digging into the paper.

Wyatt pressed on, his tone turning sly. "Really? So, if I offer a higher price than you, would she sell herself to me?"

Before Darwin could respond, a voice interrupted from down the hall. "Ms. Woods?"

Fiona turned sharply to see Henry Clark, Darwin's assistant, standing a few steps away. His polite smile was a contrast to the storm brewing inside her.

Composing herself, Fiona nodded at Henry and knocked firmly on the office door. She didn't wait for a response before stepping inside.

The conversation died the moment Fiona entered. Wyatt's amused expression faltered as he registered her presence, but he quickly masked it with a charming smile.

"Hello, Ms. Woods," he greeted warmly.

Fiona ignored him, her eyes fixed on Darwin. He was seated behind his desk, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. The air between them was thick with tension.

"Mr. Solomon," Fiona began, her voice steady. She didn't bow her head or soften her tone. Not this time.

She placed the resignation letter on his desk. "This is my resignation letter."

Darwin's brows furrowed. His cold gaze flickered to the letter, then back to her face. "What do you mean by this?"

Fiona straightened her shoulders, her resolve unshaken. "Five years ago, we had an agreement. I wouldn't be a mistress. If you got married, I would leave." She nodded toward the letter. "I'll ensure a smooth handover of my projects. I won't disturb you or Mr. Durham any further."

With that, she turned to leave, her steps brisk and purposeful.

As she passed Wyatt, she paused. Her cold eyes locked onto his amused face.

"To answer your earlier question," she said icily, "I won't sell."

By the time Wyatt processed her words, Fiona was gone.

Fiona returned to the secretary's office, diving straight into the handover process. The sooner she tied up loose ends, the sooner she could leave. But her focus was shattered when she sensed a presence behind her.

Turning, she found Darwin standing in the doorway. His expression was stormy, his usual composure cracking.

"Mr. Solomon," she said coolly, "is there something you need?"

Darwin stepped inside, his presence commanding and suffocating. "Fiona, haven't I been good enough to you?" His voice was low, dangerous. "What are you making a fuss about?"

Fiona took a step back, instinctively trying to create distance. But Darwin closed the gap in an instant, his hand clamping around her wrist.

"I'm not making a fuss," she said, her voice trembling but defiant. "I'm leaving, as we agreed."

Darwin sneered. "So twenty million dollars and a villa aren't enough for you?"

Fiona froze. The venom in his words was like a slap, but it was the familiar sting of humiliation that hurt the most. She yanked her wrist free, her voice rising.

"Darwin, let go of me!"

But he didn't. His grip tightened, his cold eyes locking onto hers. "Stop playing hard to get, Fiona. Just name your price."

The bitterness she had buried for five years spilled over. She laughed, the sound hollow and broken.

"You still don't get it, do you?" she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm done with this. Done with you."

Darwin's eyes narrowed, but Fiona pressed on, her anger rising. "My mother was driven to her death by a mistress. I swore I'd never become one, yet here I am." She ripped her arm from his grasp and took a step back.

"But no more. I would rather die than continue this farce."

Her words hung in the air, cutting through the silence like a blade. For the first time, Darwin seemed taken aback, his usual confidence faltering.

Fiona didn't wait for his response. She turned on her heel and walked out, her head held high. This time, she wasn't looking back.

Inside the secretary's office, silence hung heavy in the air.

Darwin Solomon stood motionless, his eyes fixed on Fiona. For a man who controlled boardrooms with his mere presence, he now seemed lost. It wasn't until the realization sank in-that Fiona was truly serious about leaving-that he spoke, his voice unusually subdued.

"You haven't visited your grandmother in a while," he said, suppressing his anger and softening his tone. "I'll give you a month's leave. Think it over before making any final decisions."

Fiona's expression didn't waver. If anything, her resolve hardened.

"There's no need to think it over," she replied evenly, meeting his gaze. "I've already decided."

Darwin's patience snapped. "Fiona!" His tone was sharp, his frustration boiling over.

For five years, she had been his constant-obedient, loyal, reliable. And now, she was throwing it all away.

"You're just a stand-in for Lilian," he hissed, his voice dripping with disdain. "I've used you for five years. Do you really think I can't live without you?"

Fiona flinched inwardly but kept her composure.

"I know my place," she said coolly. "I've never had any illusions otherwise."

Darwin sneered, his anger masking the faintest flicker of something else-regret, perhaps. "Very well." He released her wrist with a sharp motion, his tone turning icy. "You're not the most like Lilian; you're just more obedient than anyone else."

Fiona's stomach churned at his words, but she kept her head high. "Thank you, Mr. Solomon," she said calmly. "I'll finish my tasks and ensure a smooth handover. You won't have to worry about me."

Darwin waved her off, his cold demeanor returning as he turned on his heel and left without another word.

For him, this brief attempt to retain her had been about convenience. She had played her role perfectly for years. But now that she dared defy him, his patience was gone.

Fiona watched his retreating figure, her wrist still red where he had gripped it. Despite the sting of his words, she felt a strange sense of relief. For the first time in years, she was truly free.

---

The news of Fiona's resignation spread through the office like wildfire. Speculation ran rampant. Fiona had been the only person who could handle the notoriously difficult Darwin. Who could possibly take her place?

The answer arrived the next morning, striding into the office with a confident air. Bella Robbins, the new secretary, bore an uncanny resemblance to Fiona-enough to turn heads.

Henry Clark escorted her to the secretary's office. "This is your new workspace," he announced, placing her bag down.

The resemblance wasn't lost on the employees. Whispers circulated in hushed tones. Some remarked on Bella's striking similarity to Fiona, while others theorized about Darwin's motives.

Bella seemed unfazed by the attention, but her eyes gleamed with something sharp and calculating.

---

Darwin, oblivious to the buzz outside, was locked in a marathon meeting with the overseas project team. By the time he returned to his office, it was well past noon.

Bella entered a few moments later, her face clouded with feigned worry. "Darwin, I've taken over Ms. Woods' responsibilities, but she hasn't come to teach me anything. Is she upset with me?"

Darwin barely glanced at her. "Where is Fiona?" he asked curtly, turning his attention to Henry.

Henry hesitated before replying. "She mentioned family matters and left for Serene City. It's my fault, sir-I forgot to inform you amidst the morning's preparations."

"Family matters?" Bella interjected, her voice tinged with concern. "She must have left urgently if she didn't even say goodbye to you."

Darwin's expression darkened. Without a word, he turned back to his desk and opened a file, signaling the end of the conversation.

Bella lingered, hoping for a reaction, but Darwin's silence was impenetrable. She finally excused herself, her cheerful facade slipping as she walked out.

Standing outside the CEO's office, Bella glanced at the secretary's desk-Fiona's old workspace. Her jaw tightened, her cheerful expression replaced by a cold determination.

'Fiona,' she thought bitterly, 'how dare you make me look bad on my first day. This isn't over.'

---

"Mr. Solomon, you have a 3 p.m. golf appointment with Mr. Wallace from Oberlin Construction," Henry reported.

Darwin took a sip of the coffee someone had left on his desk, only to grimace in disgust. His irritation flared.

"Call Fiona," he ordered sharply. "Tell her to come back and hand over her work properly."

Henry hesitated, his hand hovering over his phone.

Darwin sighed impatiently and waved him off. "Forget it."

He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. Fiona's absence gnawed at him, though he wouldn't admit it. He told himself she had gone to visit her grandmother, likely because of her failing health. After all, she hadn't visited Serene City in months.

Shaking off the thought, Darwin picked up a document, but his focus was gone.

---

In Serene City, rain fell softly, a light drizzle casting a somber mood over the landscape. Fiona stepped out of the cab, her hands full-roses, purple daisies, and two bottles of wine.

The cemetery caretaker spotted her and hurried over with an umbrella. "Fiona, it's not your usual time. What brings you here today?"

"I just wanted to visit," Fiona replied with a polite smile.

The caretaker nodded and watched as she made her way to the graves, her figure slender against the gray sky.

Nearby, a cleaning lady whispered, "Is she a relative of yours?"

The caretaker shook his head, his voice low with sympathy. "She's had a hard life. Lost her mother as a child, then her grandfather, and recently her grandmother. When her grandmother was buried, she knelt by the grave all day without eating a bite."

---

Fiona reached the familiar tombstone, her steps slowing. Her grandparents rested side by side, with her mother's grave beside them. She knelt, placing the roses on her grandparents' grave.

"Grandpa," she murmured, "I brought roses. Just like you always did for Grandma."

She set the purple daisies beside her mother's grave. "These are for you, Mom. Your favorite."

Finally, she poured a glass of wine and placed it on the tombstone.

"Grandma, Grandpa, Mom," she began softly, her voice trembling. "I came back because I have something to tell you. I'm pregnant. I shouldn't keep this child... But you're all gone, and I have no one left. This baby is my only family now."

Tears slid down her cheeks as she took a deep breath. "The doctor said it would be hard for me to conceive again, so I've decided. I'll keep this baby. I hope you'll bless them to be born healthy and grow up strong."

She stood in the rain, her heart heavy yet resolute, as if the heavens themselves were weeping with her.