The Surrogate He Discarded

The nanny stepped out of the vehicle carrying Alex, who was dressed in a miniature tailored suit that made him look impossibly adorable.

Another one followed carrying a baby bag and a stroller.

A crowd had already begun gathering nearby, eager for a glimpse of the Dalton heir.

Kristoff gently guided Charlotte toward the entrance.

The revolving doors turned. The noise of the crowd faded behind them.

Then—

He saw it again. A flash of champagne-colored fabric.

A familiar silhouette disappearing around a corner beyond the lobby.

Kristoff’s steps faltered. His heartbeat stumbled. The woman moved exactly the way Isobel did.

The same graceful stride. The same slight tilt of her head. The same figure that had haunted his memories for months.

His eyes locked onto the distant figure.

Just as she turned the corner—

A loose strand of hair slipped free from her messy bun. And for the briefest second, he saw her visage.

Kristoff stopped dead in his tracks. His heart beat faster for reasons he could not name.

Was it because the woman he had just seen...

looked exactly like Isobel?

”Charlotte!”

Denise’s voice rang out above the chatter of the crowd as she hurried toward them. Her burgundy evening gown hugged her curves elegantly, the plunging neckline revealing a generous amount of cleavage. The rich color complemented her carefully styled hair and flawless makeup.

The moment she reached Charlotte, Denise leaned in and pressed her cheek lightly against hers, taking care not to ruin either of their meticulously applied cosmetics.

”Hi, Kristoff,” she greeted warmly, flashing him a bright smile.

Her gaze swept over the couple, admiration sparkling in her eyes.

”You two really look perfect together,” she said. ”Like a match made in heaven.”

Charlotte responded with a graceful smile as they continued toward the hotel’s grand ballroom.

The venue was dazzling. Crystal chandeliers cast warm golden light across the marble floors, while elegant floral arrangements adorned every corner. The soft hum of conversation mingled with the music drifting from the orchestra.

Before they could go much farther, several prominent businessmen approached Kristoff. Within moments, he was drawn into a discussion about investments and upcoming projects.

A few steps behind them, the nanny carrying baby Alex hesitated. Unsure whether she should follow Charlotte or remain near Kristoff, she glanced between the two. After a moment’s consideration, she chose to stay where she was and wait for Kristoff.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Denise hooked her arm through Charlotte’s and guided her toward a quieter corner.

”Such a grand celebration,” Denise murmured.

Her eyes drifted toward the enormous LED screen beside the stage.

Displayed prominently was an engagement photograph of Kristoff and Charlotte. The image captured them smiling at one another, looking every bit the happy couple. Beside it was an enlarged photograph of baby Alex, his tiny face lit up by a toothless grin that instantly charmed the guests.

Denise frowned slightly.

”Why did you agree to combine your engagement party with the baby’s thee months celebration?” she asked. ”If it were me, I’d never be happy with that arrangement.”

Charlotte’s smile softened.

”It was Kristoff’s idea. His parents supported it as well.” She paused. ”I couldn’t openly object, even though I hinted to Kristoff several times that I wasn’t entirely comfortable with it.”

Denise sighed.

”Well, I have to admit, he spared no expense.”

She reached out and lightly brushed her fingers over Charlotte’s gown. The fabric shimmered beneath the ballroom lights, every bead and crystal meticulously placed by hand.

”Even this dress...” Denise shook her head in amazement. ”This must have cost at least a million.”

Charlotte smiled again.

”Kristoff adores me.”

The words sounded affectionate enough, and here eyes sparkled.

”He was desperate to marry me,” she continued.

Her gaze shifted toward the giant photograph of baby Alex.

”And he needed someone to give him a son.”

Bitterness seeped into her voice despite her efforts to hide it.

That decision—more than anything else—had become the greatest regret of her life.

The operation to save her life years ago, had also removed her uterus, and the hope of bearing a child.

Kristoff had been guilty because he was driving the car when the accident happened. Though it was not his fault because it was the other vehicle that slammed into their car, hitting the passenger side where Charlotte was, at that time he was still the one who invited Charlotte to a date.

But what he did not know and what Charlotte would never let him find out, was the fact that even without that procedure, she could never gave him a child because she was suffering from a rare disease where she couldn’t ovulate.

”I know, right? And it shows in the way he looks at you.”

Denise’s voice pulled Charlotte from her thoughts.

”What?” Charlotte asked, feigning innocence.

”The way he looks at you, girl...” Denise lowered her voice dramatically and placed a hand over her chest. ”It’s like you’re the center of his entire world. Honestly, it looks as though he forgets how to breathe whenever you’re around.”

Charlotte laughed softly. Her smile widened despite herself.

This was exactly why she kept Denise close. Denise always knew what to say, always knew how to stroke her ego at just the right moment.

”That’s enough flattering me.” Charlotte linked her arm through Denise’s. ”Come on. Let me introduce you to—”

Her words were abruptly drowned out by the loud, piercing cry of a baby.

The cheerful atmosphere of the ballroom faltered.

Conversations paused as guests instinctively turned toward the source of the disturbance.

Near the side of the hall, baby Alex was squirming in the nanny’s arms, his tiny face red from crying. His wails echoed through the elegant venue, drawing curious glances from every direction.

Charlotte’s smile instantly stiffened.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kristoff excuse himself from the group of businessmen. Without hesitation, he strode across the ballroom toward the crying child.

Charlotte pressed her lips into a thin line before following behind him.

”What’s wrong?”