The Surrogate Contract With The Ruthless Billionaire

I used to think guilt was something you could carry in your hands, a weight you could walk away from, but I was wrong. It lives in your chest, eats through your ribs, poisons every breath you take.

I should've been with my mother.

Instead, I was here, in a stranger's mansion, surrounded by luxury I had no right to touch, waiting for the moment I'd hand over the three lives growing inside me like a packaged deal.

I sat on the bed, one hand resting on my belly, the other gripping my phone tightly. 

It has been months since I last saw my mother. It's been about nine months now, and I don't even know how she was doing, months of not being there during the time she needed me the most. 

I had to do what I had to do. 

The only way to survive was to get money, her everyday chemotherapy, and her medication with no one to help. 

 It has been the two of us since that bastard left with her mistress. 

I didn't think twice when I jumped on this offer. It was just for nine months; all I needed to do was carry a living human in my stomach, and my mother's health would be restored. 

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I should be there. I should've never let you go through this alone."

I glanced down at my swollen belly, stretched tight under my dress.

"Just a few more days," I murmured. 

"Then this'll all be over. You'll be with your real parents, and I can finally go home."

The money was enough to cover Mama's treatments for a year, maybe longer. I told myself that made it worth it. That renting out my body to the William's was the only way to fund her treatment, but I was so tired.

I stood up, wincing at the dull ache in my back, and the pressure was worse today. I'd read about how everything got heavier right before labor started.

Still, I might have another week until I have to get this over with.

I took a slow breath, crossing the polished wooden floor toward the window when it happened.

A sudden gush of warmth exploded between my legs.

I gasped, freezing in place as wetness streamed down my thighs, soaking the floor beneath me.

My heartbeat fastened, and my hands trembled in trepidation at how sudden this was.

"No. No, no, please."

Pain struck across my lower back. My knees buckled, and I grabbed the desk to keep from falling.

"Angela!" I screamed, panic tightening my throat. "Angela, help!"

Nothing.

The silence of the estate suddenly felt like a coffin that was too tight even to take a breath.

Another contraction slammed into me, sharper this time. My breath came in rough gasps as I lowered myself into the nearest chair, tears springing to my eyes.

"Angela!" I shrieked. "Please! My water broke, and I need help!"

Footsteps thundered down the hall.

Angela burst