The Surrogate's Vendetta

"CONGRATS, JUNIPER! YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT! THANK YOU FOR BANKING WITH US."

Juniper Laurent read the text in her mind's voice over and over again, relishing in the moment, submitting to the fluttering feeling of euphoria surging through her veins. A radiant smile stretched her rosy tinged full lips as she realized that was the last debt she had to settle.

Every fiber of her being wanted to leap with joy and let out a triumphant scream, but she retrained herself with what seemed like a century's worth of self-control.

Nothing could beat being debt-free. Free from being hounded by loan sharks, free from living under the oppressive weight of their constant threats and demands every waking day of her life. And only those who had walked in her shoes could truly understand how liberated she felt at the moment.

What has she not done?

She had taken on every job that crossed her path. Waiting tables, bartending, cleaning, tutoring-just name it and Juniper would be there to grab it as long as it was legal. No opportunity was too small or insignificant.

She'd worked tirelessly, juggling over eight jobs a day to pay off monstrous loans with their outrageous interest rates that multiplied every second.

But now she was totally free from the shackles of debts! Hurray!

It felt so surreal, too good to be true.

And it was all thanks to her half-sister, Vivienne Bellerose, who had offered her the whopping sum of ten million in exchange for becoming her surrogate mother. With half of the amount as a down payment and the other half to be received after the child was born.

Now she was done settling the debts her late father left behind, all she could concern herself with was to deliver a healthy baby and get what was left of her payment. Once all that was said and done, she would treat herself to a lavish vacation filled with a good amount of pampering because she deserved that much for the countless hardships she had faced.

"Miss Laurent. . .? Miss Laurent!" The obstetrician's brilliant voice, firm and insistent, cut through Juniper's thoughts, hauling her attention back to the moment at hand.

Juniper blinked, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she focused on the woman before her. "Um! I'm sorry, Dr. Harrison," she apologized, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. "I was distracted by a text." She quickly darkened her phone and tucked it into her purse. "Could you please repeat what you just said?"

In her excitement, she had momentarily forgotten that the only reason she came to the hospital and waited for hours for her doctor's availability was to discuss the results of her recent ultrasound.

During her last visit to the hospital, the ultrasound technician who had gone through the process with her was good at her job and all but had left her feeling unsatisfied with her vague explanations. Hence, she'd scheduled today's appointment to speak to her doctor who had been unavailable at the time.

Now here she was getting all distracted.

The good doctor returned Juniper's smile, her eyes crinkling warmly at the corners. "I mentioned you have an incredibly healthy fetus. You have nothing to worry about." She adjusted her horn-rimmed glasses, perched neatly on the bridge of her nose. "Also, from your overall test result, you seemed to be in excellent health as well. That's wonderful. It's clear you've been taking good care of yourself."

Halting to jot down a few notes, the doctor continued, "Even though both you and the baby are doing great, I'd like you to start taking some supplements to ensure you both receive all the necessary nutrients." After a moment of scribbling, she handed the note to Juniper. "Here's a prescription for the vitamins you'll need. You can pick them up at the pharmacy."

Juniper glanced at the note, nodding even though what was written on it was a mystery to her. Rising from her seat, she smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much for your help, Dr. Harrison."

Dr. Harrison flashed her a warm smile of her own. "That's my job, Miss Laurent. I'll see you at your next appointment."

After her trip to the pharmaceutical department, Juniper left the hospital with her prescribed supplements in hand and a sense of relief contrary to the unease she had experienced upon arrival.

With a beaming smile adorning her face, she gently stroked her still-flat abdomen. Learning that there were no complications whatsoever filled her with joy. Though it was still too soon to conclude, knowing the little guy. . . or girl in her uterus was in immediate great condition brought her immense comfort.

Once again. . . All thanks to her sister.

Vivienne had made it her personal mission to spoil her with the finest foods that she could never dream of, even insisting she took a break from working. In barely three months, she went from her usual scrawny 43 Kg to a healthier 51 Kg.

Speaking of her sister. . .

Juniper had been trying relentlessly to reach Vivienne for the past three days, hoping to remind her of the upcoming doctor's appointment. However, each call she made was met with the cold indifference of her sister's voicemail.

Juniper couldn't forget the hurt in Vivienne's eyes the last time she had attended an appointment without her, and she had vowed never to repeat that mistake.

But now that her sister's phone was seemingly disconnected, what was she supposed to do?

It wasn't like she could postpone the appointment when it was crucial for the well-being of the baby.

Something did not feel right.

She barely knew Vivienne given the fact they'd met a few months ago, but the brief time with her was enough to recognize that her sudden silence was out of character.

Ever since Juniper had agreed to become her surrogate, Vivienne had made a point to stay in constant contact, checking in daily and always answering her phone on the first ring.

At this point, Juniper couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

Retrieving her phone from her purse, she scrolled through her call history and attempted to reach her sister for the tenth time that day.

As the call went unanswered, eventually leading to voicemail. . . once. . . twice. . . Juniper decided to leave a message on the third try. "Hey, Vivienne! I've been trying to reach you for a while now. I hope everything is alright. Please call me back when you get this-"

"HEY, WATCH OUT!" A woman's voice rang out from across the bustling highway, interrupting her message.

Juniper's breath caught in her throat as her gaze darted towards the direction the woman was pointing. There, barreling down the road at breakneck speed, was a car that she had failed to notice before crossing the road.

In the face of imminent danger, most wise people would instinctively flee for their lives. But not Juniper! All her brain cells tend to die off in situations just like this one.

She found herself rooted to the spot, paralyzed with fear. It was as if her mind and body were disconnected, rendering her as immobile as a statue, powerless against the rapidly approaching threat.

As the vehicle closed in on her, Juniper could do nothing but squeeze her eyes shut, bracing herself for the collision that would surely bring her inevitable doom.

In the blink of an eye, Juniper felt a forceful tug, wrenching her away just in time, a bare fraction of a second between her and a one-way ticket to the great beyond. Even as she and her rescuer tumbled onto the hard pavement, Juniper's eyes remained tightly shut, her entire body trembling with terror.

Then, for some inexplicable reason, she began to feel herself relax in the strong embrace of Mr. Mysterious Savior. She couldn't quite determine if it was the enticing fragrance of his cologne or the feeling of security in his arms, as though she was always meant to be there.

She couldn't tell.

In that moment, the stranger gently shook her, his voice-rich baritone and deep with concern-breaking through her stupor. "Juniper! Juniper, open your eyes. Are you okay?"

WHAT?! HE KNEW HER NAME TOO!

Now that was enough to make Juniper flutter her eyes open, her gaze landing on the masked face of her rescuer. Despite the disguise of a face cap and mask, she recognized him immediately. Those striking blue eyes were just too difficult to mistake.

Juniper blinked her eyes, hauling the name of the man she thought she'd never see again out of her lips in a ragged whisper. "C-Cedric?"

Cedric shut his eyes for a brief moment, his chest expanding with a deep, relieved breath. "Thank God!" He muttered under his breath. As his gaze returned to meet hers, he carefully scanned her face. "Are. . .are you okay? Can you stand up?"

Yes! She could stand up if she wanted to, but her useless legs were the issue. They were not proving to be a very reliable part of her body at the moment. She couldn't blame them, though. Not after the double shock she'd experienced in mere minutes.

CEDRIC?! Her inner voice echoed again. What on earth was her ex-boyfriend doing here? Wasn't he supposed to be on the other side of the world, recuperating?

When Juniper remained silent, gaping at him with her jaw slacking loose like a cartoon character, Cedric climbed to his feet and helped her up as well.

Clearly eager to avoid attracting further attention to himself than there already was, he intertwined his fingers with hers and hastily led her toward the parking area where his Lambo awaited.

Opening the rear door, Cedric gently guided Juniper inside before climbing in through the opposite door. He turned to his driver-who was no doubt unsure of what was going on-instructing him to leave the vehicle.

As the driver stepped out of the car, Juniper couldn't help but stare in fascination as Cedric removed his cap, revealing a head filled with flourishing, lush blonde hair-a stark contrast to its condition two years ago when she'd last seen him. Next, he peeled off his face mask, uncovering the rest of his stunning features.

Uncontrollable tears welled up in Juniper's eyes as she witnessed the vision of good health that danced on his face. His once ashen skin and pale lips now bloomed with exuberant life.

She knew it was a bad idea, given their relationship was way over since a couple of years ago, but she couldn't stop herself from stretching her trembling hand to caress his face. Slowly, her fingers gently grazed his cheek, jawline, his lips. . . as if trying to confirm that the man before her was, indeed, the Cedric she once knew.

As she tenderly stroked every inch of his face, Cedric's gaze remained fixed on her, taking in the play of emotions on her face that she was doing a bad job at hiding.

Just as she was about to slip her hand away from his face to touch his hair, he captured it, lavishing soft kisses on it and nuzzling his cheek against her palm. All the while never breaking eye contact.

Juniper felt her toes curl in her loafers and in that instant, she wanted to forget everything and surrender to the happiness of seeing him fully recovered- which she'd prayed for amidst the chaos of her life. But then, the memory of why she had ended their relationship in the first place rose to the surface, reminding her that letting him believe she had missed him every breathing second was certainly not a good idea.

Without warning, she retracted her hand from his reach, averting her eyes from the confusion engraved on his face.

Clearing her throat, she spoke the first thought that came to mind. "What are you doing here, Cedric? When did you get back?"

Cedric halted, watching her for a moment before he eventually answered. "A few months ago. I've been meaning to come see you ever since I arrived but it's been quite hectic for me." A smile lit his face as he continued in a dramatic gesture. "Well, I'm less choked with responsibilities these days. Hence, my utmost determination to see you."

Juniper peeked at him from under her lashes, the corners of her lips tilting slightly with the hint of a smile. "How did you know I'll be at the hospital?"

Cedric shrugged. "I didn't! I went to your apartment first, but you weren't there, so I got a coffee and thought I'd try again later. But then, I saw some beautiful idiot crossing the highway without looking. Turned out to be you."

Now, Juniper's smile widened. He always had that effect on her. "Oh, thank you for saving this idiot's life."

"Anytime," he replied with a wink. Then, abruptly the mischief in his face shifted, reflecting sincere concern. "Oh, and why were you at the hospital? Are you all right? You're not ill, are you?"

Juniper contemplated whether it was wise to share her news with him or not, but then again, she realized that if she wanted to keep him at arm's length, she had only one quick option.

She faced him squarely, struggling to keep her tone as firm as possible. "I was there for an appointment with my obstetrician. I'm pregnant."

The spirited glimmer in Cedric's eyes waned, swirling into a turbulent blend of confusion and anguish. A deafening silence stretched between them for what seemed like minutes but was probably only seconds. Eventually, Cedric's voice emerged, hoarse and unsteady. "Are you. . ." he cleared his throat and tried again. "Are you married?"

"Not quite."

"Then who is the child's father?"

Juniper arched a well-carved eyebrow. "Um! That's quite personal, don't you think?"

"My apologies!" He murmured with a barely hidden undercurrent of irritation in his voice.

Juniper could already imagine the thoughts racing through his mind, but she tried to convince herself it didn't matter. He was her past. And the past should remain in the past.

Desperate to break free from the suffocating silence and the penetration of his gaze, she feigned a lighthearted chuckle, striving to keep her voice even. "Um. . . I have to go now. I need to be somewhere," she lied, desperately seeking an escape. "I'm rather busy, you see."

Just as she began to exit the car, Cedric swiftly reached out and clasped her hand. "Hey, let me drive you home."

With a smile, Juniper shook her head. "Thank you, but that won't be necessary. My house is close by, and I could use the walk."

Cedric opened his mouth to press further, but Juniper was already out of the vehicle. She paused to meet his gaze one last time. "I'm relieved that you're well now, Cedric. Really. And thank you again for saving me back there."

With a swift wave to the driver waiting outside patiently, Juniper hastened out of the parking space, fleeing before she succumbed to any stupid actions, she might live to regret.

After a short walk, Juniper found herself at the entrance of her modest, self-contained apartment that was about the size of a shoe box.

All she'd done on her way back was think of Cedric, unable to resist the lure of their history. But now that she was back, she scolded herself to focus on the more pressing concern at hand which was finding her sister's whereabouts.

Sinking into the sole couch in her living room, Juniper dialed her sister's number. As she listened to the voicemail, she reached for the remote control lying next to her, subconsciously switching on the TV.

Just as she was about to leave a message, the unique tone of the breaking news chimed from the TV, stealing her attention.

[BREAKING NEWS: HEIRESS VIVIENNE BELLEROSE. . .

BREAKING NEWS: HEIRESS VIVIENNE BELLEROSE DIES IN A CAR ACCIDENT.

The newscaster's voice, deep and sharp, boomed as he began to convey the horrible news to the public. "Good day, everyone. On today's breaking news from Valterre City. . . the heiress of the Bellerose Frangrance, Vivienne Bellerose, has tragically passed away in a car accident. According to sources from the family, Vivienne had embarked on a trip several days ago, with plans to return soon after, but communication with her had abruptly ceased. An intensive search ensued, leading to the horrifying discovery of her car submerged in the Valterre River, having apparently veered off course, skidding down the cantilevered road to Valterre City. Reports allege that the authorities are presently conducting an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident. . ."

Bolting upright in shock, Juniper's eyes grew wide with horror, fixated on the television screen as it displayed an image of her sister and footage of a crane hauling a waterlogged car from the depths of the Valterre River.

The world around her began to spin, time slowing to a crawl as the report echoed in her ears. Her heart slammed against her chest, thudding with every fiber of her being.

With panic consuming her entire being, she reeled from the crushing realization that her sister who she'd been desperately trying to reach had met an untimely, horrific end.

What was going on? An accident? Just like that?

Her mind raced in a wild blur, struggling to comprehend the devastating news. She'd just seen her four days ago and now she was no more. How could this have happened? What was she supposed to do now?

"No, no, no, no! This can't be real," she pleaded in a whisper as if her denial alone could reverse the cruel situation.

With trembling hands, Juniper's fingers closed around her phone, lying face down on the floor from her abrupt rise. In a last-ditch attempt, she dialed her sister's number, pacing frantically and pleading with fate for Vivienne to pick up, saying it was just an elaborate prank.

But once again, she was met with the familiar sound of voicemail, leaving her feeling hollow and helpless.

With the last shard of her fragile hope shattering, Juniper flung her phone onto the couch, sliding to the floor. Her heart withered in despair as she buried her face in her hand.

What was she supposed to do now?

In a bleak aftermath, Juniper found herself enveloped in the sobering atmosphere of her sister's funeral, surrounded by mourning strangers, each of their faces was an unfamiliar visage in a sea of grief.

Vivienne, the woman whose kindness had warmed her despite the fact they'd barely known each other, now stood as a silent centerpiece amidst the cold stone and muffled whispers.

For the past few days, all the entire nation had talked about was the tragic news of Vivienne's passing. Her untimely death dominated every conversation, radio broadcast, TV segment, and online discussion. People from all walks of life raved about nothing but the kindness, generosity, and selflessness Vivienne had shown them and how death was so cruel to have taken such a beautiful soul too soon.

And wholeheartedly, Juniper couldn't agree more.

She couldn't help but reminisce on those brief moments she'd shared with Vivienne. Those moments that made her pause for a while and wondered if Vivienne's kindness was solely due to the fact she was carrying her child. But as time went by, she came to realize that Vivienne's compassion and generosity knew no bounds. She was truly an angelic person who did not deserve the cruelty that life had dealt her.

However, from the look of things, there was no doubt that Juniper wasn't the only one who had partaken of the beauty of her sister's heart. Vivienne's love and generosity had touched the lives of many, and it was evident in the diverse crowd of people-from the elite to the lower class-who had gathered to pay their respects and bid farewell.

The funeral grounds were a poignant canvas of pure mourning as the air thickened with nothing but sadness. The mourners in black attire stood solemnly together as their murmurs carried the weight of their sorrow, rendering tributes and memories as they commemorated Vivienne's remarkable life

Among the sea of black, a medley of prestigious people gathered, from high-ranking business leaders in their well-tailored suits to members of the royal family, exuding an air of grave respect.

Yet, at the heart of it all was the Bellerose family who couldn't prevent the tears from pouring down their face. Their tear-stained faces screamed how much agony they were passing through from their loss.

Juniper knew for sure that she couldn't compare the grief she felt for the passing of her sister with that of the raw pounding feelings of her family who had been with her for ages.

As swiftly and undetectable as possible, she offered her respects before dissolving back into the crowd. She couldn't exactly introduce herself to the bereaved family at the moment. That was a step too far. She had to respect them.

They were still griefing, revealing the existence of an unexpected additional to the family would be a little too much for them to bear. . . or believe. Especially coming from a strange woman they've never met in their life.

She had to give them time to process their grief, biding her time until a more opportune moment to introduce herself and the little Bellerose in her womb.

Because she couldn't do this.

She'd finally been moving forward with her life, getting used to the idea of being free from the burden of responsibilities. And now this?

It seemed the universe was hell-bent on cruelly wrecking her attempts to build a reasonable life for herself.

She really felt horrible about her sister's passing, but she wasn't going to lie and say that she was a hundred percent affected.

She wasn't cold-hearted. She was just used to people walking out of her life and it didn't seem to hurt that much anymore.

Moreover, the child in her womb only added to her turmoil. She couldn't deny feeling guilty for the child's circumstance, but the prospect of raising a child, be it hers or not, was too great a burden to bear.

And she was not willing to carry it. Not now! Not even in the near future.

She'd been through a lot already and going into single parenthood was something she would never bargain for.

She had to get her life back. And there was only one way to achieve that. . .