Chapter 50

The car ride to the hospital was tense.

Ana sat in the back seat, sandwiched between Sasha and Soraya. The air was thick with unspoken resentment and fragile civility.

Ana stared out the window, one hand unconsciously resting on her abdomen. Was there really a child growing inside her? A child born from betrayal and deception… a child she had no claim to, yet one her heart was already tying itself to.

Sasha, dressed immaculately in a silk cream blouse and designer sunglasses, kept glancing at Ana with a triumphant gleam in her eye. She had what she wanted now a child to solidify her place in the Fairchild family. She didn't need love. Power was better. And with this pregnancy, Ana would become the faceless womb. Nothing more.

Soraya, however, wasn't so easily fooled. She saw through Sasha's rehearsed smiles and her desperate need to establish dominance. Her eyes occasionally shifted to Ana with something softer,concern, perhaps, or even guilt. After all, they were both victims in different ways. But that didn't mean she trusted her.

"You should relax, Sna," Sasha said with a sugary tone that made Ana's stomach churn. "Stress is bad for the baby. Our baby."

Ana didn't respond. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

Soraya gave Sasha a cold look. "You speak as though you conceived it yourself. The baby is not even born yet, and you're already writing the script."

Sasha chuckled, not looking at her. "Well, I am the legal mother, am I not? It's only right I take responsibility."

Soraya scoffed and leaned back. "If only responsibility was the same as decency."

Ana kept her eyes down, her palms clammy. Her mind raced with worry. What if she didn't want to give the baby up? What if she ran away before the birth? But how could she? They had power, resources, eyes everywhere. She would be hunted down and brought back like a fugitive.

The doctor, seated in front, glanced at the rearview mirror and noticed the growing tension. "Ladies, we're almost there. Let's keep the environment calm for the sake of the baby, yes?"

Silence followed.

The hospital was sleek, private, and undoubtedly expensive. The type reserved for the elite.

Ana was taken into a private suite while Sasha and Soraya waited in the lounge. Sasha pulled off her sunglasses and looked around the luxurious room with a satisfied smile. Everything was unfolding just as she planned.

"She's awfully quiet for someone about to change her life," Soraya said.

"She's in shock. It happens. Especially to the help," Sasha replied, crossing her legs. "She should be honored. After all, what other girl in her position gets to carry a Fairchild child?"

Soraya turned to her, voice laced with disdain. "You really think you've won, don't you?"

"I already have," Sasha said simply. "What do you have, Soraya? A failed past with Harry and a dream that never came true?"

Soraya leaned in slightly. "At least I didn't have to trick anyone into loving me. And I won't stand by if I see you hurting her."

Before Sasha could answer, the door opened. Ana stepped out slowly, followed by the doctor who carried a folder in his hand.

Sasha stood immediately. "Well? What did the test say? How far along is she?"

The doctor adjusted his glasses and smiled faintly. "Approximately six weeks. Everything appears normal, though we'll continue monitoring both mother and child closely."

Sasha's eyes gleamed. "Six weeks? That's perfect."

Sasha clutched her designer handbag tighter and turned to Ana. "We'll make sure you're taken care of properly. Nothing will be spared for the sake of my child."

Ana merely nodded, her expression unreadable.

Back at the mansion, Nina anxiously awaited their return. The moment she saw the car pull into the estate, she ran down the stairs and nearly knocked into Ana as she emerged.

"Well?! How did it go? Is everything alright?"

Ana gave a small smile. "I'm... pregnant. Six weeks."

Nina let out a little gasp and pulled her into a hug. "Oh, Ana! I'm so happy for you. I had a feeling when you started eating like a lumberjack!"

Ana let out a faint laugh. "You and your suspicions."

Kimberly appeared soon after, her smile stretching from ear to ear. "Aunt Ana! Or should I say Mama Ana? I can't wait to tell my brother!"

Sasha emerged behind them, her expression stiffening slightly. "Let's not confuse anyone. She's the surrogate, not the mother."

Kimberly frowned but said nothing. Nina's smile faded slightly, but she held onto Ana's hand protectively.

Ana sat anxiously on the edge of the bed, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of her phone. Kimberly, seated beside her, flashed an encouraging smile as she connected the conference call. The doctor's report rested on the nightstand positive, official, undeniable.

The screen lit up with Harry's face, grainy from the overseas signal, but still very much him. His voice came through with a soft echo.

"Hello, Ana? Kimberly?"

"We're here," Kimberly said warmly, nudging Ana with a wink. "We have news."

Ana's voice trembled slightly. "Harry… I...I'm pregnant."

There was a beat of silence. Then

"What?" Harry's eyes widened in disbelief. "Say that again."

Ana laughed through a well of emotion. "You're going to be a father."

Harry's face broke into a grin so wide it lit up the screen. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply as though he'd been holding his breath for days.

"I can't believe it… I'm going to be a father," he repeated, more to himself than to them. Then his eyes locked on Ana. "God, I wish I was there with you right now. I want to hold you, to see you, to feel…"

He paused, swallowed hard. "Ana, I promise...I'll return soon. I'll take care of everything. You won't go through this alone."

Ana blinked away the tears. Kimberly smiled, then excused herself to give them a moment alone.

Harry's voice softened. "Are you happy?"

Ana smiled. "I think I'm still in shock. But yes… I'm happy."

"Good," he said, his voice low. "Because this baby… it's the most beautiful thing that's happened to me in a long time."

Later that night, Harry leaned against the balcony rail of his hotel, the city lights glowing beneath him. the lines of concern etched deep into his face. Though the news of Ana's pregnancy had filled him with joy, he couldn't shake the nagging sense of danger looming over everything. He knew Sasha, with her cunning and manipulative ways, was not someone to be underestimated.

He dialed Soraya's number, his hand gripping the phone tightly as he awaited her answer.

She answered almost immediately. "Harry. I was wondering when you'd call."

"You knew, didn't you?" he asked.

Soraya chuckled. "Of course I did. I was there."

Harry let out a long breath. "I'm going to be a father."

"I know," she said with a warm softness. "Congratulations."

There was silence between them for a moment, heavy with history.

"Do you think I've gone mad?" he asked suddenly.

Soraya smirked. "Only if falling in love is madness."

He chuckled. "I didn't plan any of this, Soraya. But Ana… she makes me feel again. Like I've been sleepwalking for years and suddenly I'm awake."

Her heart clenched at his words. She had waited so long to hear him speak like that, to hope he'd say it to her. But he never did.

"I take it you've finally given your heart away?" she asked, attempting a light tone.

Harry's voice dropped. "Yes. I think I have."

Soraya looked away, her throat tightening. She remembered their youth-long afternoons under the sun, whispered dreams of the future.

Once upon a time, she thought they'd marry. That one day, her name would be the one Harry called out with joy. But fate had ripped that dream apart the night his parents died. From that moment, he had shut the world out. Including her.

"I always thought it would be me," she admitted softly. "That we'd grow old together."

Harry's silence was gentle, respectful.

"I'm sorry, Soraya," he said at last.

She nodded, though he couldn't see it. "Don't be. You've found someone who can warm the cold corners of your heart. That's all I ever wanted for you." She smiled faintly. "Even if it hurts… I'm happy for you."

"Thank you," he said, his voice rough with emotion.

There was a pause, then Harry cleared his throat. "I need a favor."

"Anything."

"Keep Ana safe while I'm away. Don't let Sasha near her. I don't trust what she's capable of. She's already done too much."

Soraya's eyes narrowed. "You have my word. Sasha won't get close to her. I'll watch over Ana like she's family."

"Thank you," Harry said. "That means everything."

As the call ended, Soraya stared at the blank screen.

Letting go never looked so quiet.

But for once, her heart felt light not because it wasn't breaking, but because it was finally done.