The Billionaires Hired Baby Mother: When the wife and surrogate are two different people Read Online Free Page B

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driving.
    Melissa's body was tired, she was emotionally drained and ready to
give up on becoming a mother. A few months after the failed in vitro
they had discussed adoption. Melissa didn't want to adopt. She knew
that sounded selfish but she wanted a baby that was her flesh and
blood. She was ready to accept that they would never be parents but
Roy refused to let it go. Roy felt guilty, thinking back to how he
had constantly pressured her to start a family these past three
years. He had thought Melissa wanted that too, but maybe it was too
much for her. Maybe she was feeling lost about not getting pregnant,
all the fertility treatments and disappointments. He didn’t
know if he should bring it up. She seemed so fragile these days. Even
when she smiled it seemed so forced. He missed her easy laughter.
    Truth be told, Roy was not the only one confused by Melissa’s
behavior. She felt as if she was watching her life from the outside.
But the truth was Melissa was different. She thought she knew what it
was that she wanted out of life. She had a clear plan since she was
younger. Love, marriage, children. She just wasn’t sure if that
was still her goals. And so Melissa threw herself into her work.
Spending more and more time away from home. Lately they had been
growing even more distant. Only communicating when necessary, if
that's what you would call it. Mostly, Melissa was stuck in her own
little world and changed the subject every time Roy brought up the
baby topic. She felt bad though, about the dinner plans. He didn’t
deserve that and so she followed him into the kitchen. Roy was
already pulling open the drawer with all the takeout menus.
    “ Hey honey,” she said almost startling
him. “How about that seafood restaurant you like?” she
asked.
    “ They don’t deliver,” he said
turning to her.
    “ Well give me about thirty minutes and we
can just go there. Afterwards come home and crack open a bottle of
wine,” Melissa suggested putting on her brightest smile.
    She stood in front of him and ran her hand along his arm coyly.
    “ Okay,” Roy said beaming back at her.
“Sounds like a plan.”
    When they arrived at the restaurant, it was busy, a typical Saturday
night but the owner made sure to accommodate Roy and Melissa. He
quickly set up a quiet table on the veranda with a delightful view of
the stars. People turned their heads watching them, wondering who
they were to get such service. A bottle of wine was waiting at their
table. The waiter poured two glasses before handing them their menus.
    They shared an order of their favorite appetizer, steamed oysters,
covered in delicious siracha sauce. Roy ordered the lobster mac and
cheese with a sirloin and shrimp scampi. Melissa ordered the almond
encrusted tuna. The food was superb, the conversation was strained.
    “ So how was work?” Roy asked.
    “ Fine. Work is work,” Melissa said
toying with her food.
    “ I closed the deal with Harper today. Mark
was really helpful. I’m feeling really good about him taking
over the Southeast division next quarter.”
    “ Hmmm,” Melissa said taking a bite of
her tuna.
    “ I saw Ben at the course today. He and
Clarissa invited us to a get together on the twenty eighth. I think
we should bring the rashi wine that everyone liked before.”
    “ Yes. I’ll pick some up,”
Melissa said.
    “ A funny thing happened at our game. I
was...” Roy began.
    At that moment her phone buzzed. Melissa reached for it, essentially
cutting Roy off.
    “ Melissa Gardner,” she said. “No
Courtney, it’s fine. What happened? Okay. Yes. No, just show
them the permits,” Melissa said obviously agitated.
    She looked at Roy who was now eating, his smile
wiped from his face.
    Melissa feeling responsible tried to start up the
conversation again.
    “ How’s that mac and cheese?” she
asked.
    “ Really good. Want a bite?” He fed a
forkful to Melissa.
    “ This is delicious.”
    Roy just nodded.
    “ Would you like to try