Chapter 4

Earlier that day, Damien had a hard time explaining to his wife Chloe the gravity of the situation. It wasn’t just about finding a surrogate anymore; it was about something much deeper and more intimate. With the doctors confirming that Sienna couldn’t conceive through artificial means, the only option left was for Damien to be intimate with her. Chloe had listened in stunned silence, her possessiveness for him clear in her eyes, but even she knew the harsh reality.

At first, Chloe wasn’t okay with it. Their marriage was supposed to be a business arrangement, but over time, it had grown into something more. She had come to love him, and Damien, in turn, respected his duties as a husband. However, that didn't make this any easier. They had an unspoken understanding of their roles, and even though they weren't truly in love, the bond between them had grown strong. But this? This was different. It involved another woman, another layer of intimacy that Chloe wasn’t prepared to share.

Damien had suggested finding another surrogate, but that wasn’t an option. The process had taken too long, and the doctors confirmed they didn’t have much time left. Chloe didn’t have much of a choice but to agree, albeit reluctantly. She could feel the sting of jealousy and possessiveness clouding her judgment, but she understood the stakes.

The evening had come quickly, and Damien was set to meet Sienna for dinner. It wasn’t just a meal—it was an opportunity to discuss the one thing they had both been avoiding: intimacy. Damien wasn’t sure how to approach the subject, especially after the news he’d received that morning. His mind was clouded, and his heart ached with uncertainty.

Dinner was arranged in a private VIP section of a hotel. The soft, dim lighting around them only heightened the tension. Sienna sat across from him, her plate untouched as she seemed lost in thought. Damien watched her quietly, noticing the unease that lingered in her eyes.

He had hoped the conversation wouldn’t be as difficult as it had seemed in his mind, but it was clear that Sienna wasn’t entirely at ease with the situation. Neither of them was.

“Everything will be okay, Sienna,” Damien finally said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, trying to reassure her. “I know the doctor’s news was... a lot to process, but we’ll figure this out. You’re not alone in this.”

Sienna didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes were cast downward, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her napkin. Damien couldn’t help but feel the weight of her silence. She was struggling with something far more than the logistics of being a surrogate.

She hesitated before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s not just that... it’s... because I’m still pure. I’ve never... not like this.”

The words hung in the air, thick and heavy. Damien paused, his fork halting midway to his mouth. He hadn’t expected that. Sienna, a woman so beautiful, so kind, had never been with anyone? At her age, he couldn’t understand how this was possible, but then again, she was different from other women. She was a woman of integrity and strong values, and this purity—this untouched part of her—was something she cherished deeply.

He set his fork down slowly, his mind racing as he processed her confession. He didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable or pressured, but how could they move forward with their arrangement when something this personal was at the center of it?

Sienna’s face flushed, and she looked away, clearly embarrassed by her vulnerability. Damien’s heart softened, but his own emotions were a mixture of confusion, respect, and an undeniable need to protect her.

“I didn’t realize,” Damien murmured, his voice low and sincere. “I didn’t know this would weigh so much on you.”

Sienna met his gaze then, her eyes searching his face for something—perhaps reassurance, or understanding. “It’s not just about the pregnancy,” she said quietly. “It’s about me. About what this means for me—and for you.”

Damien swallowed, feeling the weight of her words. He had been so focused on the logistics of the situation, on how they could make this work for the sake of the child, that he had overlooked the deeper, more intimate consequences. The purity she held dear was more than just physical; it was a core part of who she was, and to ask her to give that up—especially for him—was more complicated than he had ever anticipated.

A silence stretched between them, thick and charged with unspoken words. Sienna’s discomfort was palpable, but it was clear she wasn’t going to back down. She wasn’t just a vessel for a child; she was a woman, with her own emotions, fears, and desires.

“I... I don’t know what to say,” Damien admitted softly, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “I never imagined this would be so difficult. I respect your purity, Sienna. More than I think you realize.”

Sienna nodded, her hands fidgeting nervously. “It’s not about losing something physical. It’s about losing something that’s been part of me for so long. I don’t want to lose it, not just for the pregnancy, and certainly not just because it’s the only option.”

Damien felt a pang in his chest. This was far more complicated than he had thought. He had always respected her, but this was something else entirely. He wasn’t just asking her to carry a child for someone else; he was asking her to make a sacrifice that would change her forever.

“We don’t have to do this,” Damien said suddenly, the words escaping before he could stop them. “If you’re not ready, I understand. We can figure something else out.”

Sienna shook her head slowly, her eyes meeting his with a mix of gratitude and sadness. “No, Damien,” she whispered. “I agreed to help, and I’m not backing out now. It’s just... I need to be sure I’m ready for this. For you, for this moment.”

Damien’s heart ached as he looked at her. She was so strong, so determined, yet so vulnerable at the same time. It wasn’t just about the pregnancy—it was about the emotional and intimate bond that would form between them, something he hadn’t anticipated.

The rest of the meal passed in silence. Damien couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in his chest. He had hoped the dinner would provide clarity, but instead, it only deepened the complexity of the situation. He had always respected Sienna’s strength, but now he saw her vulnerability in a new light.

As they left the restaurant, the cool night air seemed to sharpen his thoughts. He was unsure of the next steps, but he knew one thing: This wasn’t just about the pregnancy. This was about what would happen next—what was going to change between him and Sienna, and how they would navigate the intimacy they were about to share.

And as he walked beside her, he knew that no matter what happened, this would change them both forever.