The Surrogate He Discarded

Madam Su San stepped away from the living room and dialed one of her trusted subordinates. The call connected almost immediately.

”I have a task for you,” she said, her tone calm but commanding.

”Yes, Madam.”

”I’ve sent you a photo. Find the girl... and teach her a lesson.”

There was no hesitation on the other end.

”Understood, Madam. I’ll take care of it.”

A faint, satisfied smile curved Su San’s lips as she ended the call. Slipping her phone back into her handbag, she composed herself before walking toward the dining room.

She had expected Richard to stay for dinner.

Instead, he had left without so much as a backward glance.

The realization made her expression darken.

”Mom, where’s Cousin Richard?” a young woman asked as soon as Su San entered.

The girl bore a striking resemblance to her, with delicate features and an elegant bearing. She was Jackie, Su San’s youngest daughter, who had only recently graduated from college.

”He left,” Su San replied as she took her seat.

She let out a weary sigh.

”Your cousin is getting more difficult to handle. If only your brother were still here...”

A hint of regret flickered across her face.

”Mom.” Jackie gently interrupted before the conversation could drift into old disappointments. ”Don’t worry. I can stay here and help Cousin Richard. I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”

She smiled confidently.

”You should return to Shangville and focus on the company. If you stay away much longer, Uncle might start believing Dad’s business belongs to him.”

Su San nodded slowly.

”I’ll remain here for a few more days. There are still some matters concerning your cousin that I need to settle.”

Jackie studied her mother’s expression carefully.

”Mom... does this have something to do with that orphan?”

A cold glint flashed across Su San’s eyes.

”I intend to remind her of her place. Jackie, I want you to create opportunities for Sharina and Richard to spend time together.”

”Sharina?” Jackie raised an eyebrow.

”She’s your friend, isn’t she?” Su San said. ”She’s beautiful, well-educated, talented, and comes from an influential family. A woman like her is worthy of standing beside Richard.”

Jackie nodded.

”Sharina has liked Richard for years. He was practically her first love.”

”Excellent.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Su San’s face.

”Then your task should be easy.”

Jackie hesitated before saying, ”Richard is not interested in her.”

Su San’s expression remained calm, though her eyes turned calculating.

”Feelings can be cultivated.”

She picked up her teacup and took a slow sip.

”All you have to do is make sure they have plenty of chances to be together.”

Jackie smiled knowingly.

”I understand, Mom.”

A faint, triumphant smile spread across Su San’s lips.

...

Monday morning arrived with soft golden rays filtering through the curtains.

For the first time in a long while, Isobel woke before her alarm. She stretched her stiff limbs, rolled her shoulders, and took a deep breath before getting out of bed.

She first checked the surveillance on Alexander.

The baby had already been discharged from the hospital and was recovering well. A new nanny had been hired to look after him, while his grandparents had temporarily moved into Kristoff’s mansion to help with his care.

Seeing Alexander sleeping peacefully made Isobel smile in relief.

Quietly locking her cell phone, she headed to the nursery.

The twins had just finished feeding and were lying comfortably in their crib, their tiny fists waving lazily in the air.

Isobel leaned over the crib, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face.

”Kit... Kat...” she whispered, gently stroking their soft little hands.

”Who would’ve thought that you two are actually my niece and nephew?”

Her eyes softened with affection.

”No wonder I felt so close to you from the very beginning.”

The twins blinked at her with innocent eyes, as though listening to every word.

”You can already drink formula now,” she continued with a chuckle. ”So you don’t really need me anymore...”

She paused before smiling warmly.

”But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop taking care of you.”

One of the babies grabbed her finger with surprising strength, making her heart melt.

”You really know how to make Auntie stay, don’t you?”

Without realizing it, Isobel spent far longer in the nursery than she’d planned.

By the time she reached the dining room, breakfast had already begun.

The moment she stepped inside, however, the atmosphere turned noticeably tense.

Judy abruptly pushed back her chair and stood.

”I’m full.”

Her voice was cold.

”I’m leaving.”

The chair scraped harshly against the marble floor, nearly toppling over from the force.

Without sparing Isobel a second glance, Judy brushed past her shoulder with a disdainful snort before walking out.

”Judy! Come back this instant!”

Julian’s deep voice echoed through the dining room. But Judy didn’t stop. She didn’t even hesitate.

Leanne reached over and gently touched her husband’s hand.

”Honey... let her be.”

Her voice was calm, carrying the patience of a mother.

”She just needs time to accept everything.”

Julian let out a long, helpless sigh.

Near the doorway, Isobel stood frozen, unsure whether she should stay or quietly leave.

”Isobel.”

Leanne looked up at her with a gentle smile.

”Come. Have breakfast with us.”

Isobel instinctively searched the older woman’s face.

She wanted to know... was this kindness genuine?

Or was it merely courtesy?

Their eyes met. There was no resentment in them. No reluctance. Only warmth and quiet acceptance.

Something inside Isobel loosened.

She gave a small nod and walked over, taking the empty seat beside Morgan.

Without saying a word, Morgan reached into his pocket and placed a sleek car key in front of her.

”It’s yours.”

He casually lifted his coffee mug and took a sip as though gifting someone a car was the most ordinary thing in the world.

Isobel blinked in surprise.

”For me?”

Morgan simply nodded. Leanne laughed softly.

”Just accept it, sweetheart. It’s your brother’s gift.”

Emotion flickered across Isobel’s face. She carefully picked up the key.

”Thank you... Brother.”

Morgan only gave a small nod, but the corner of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

Julian looked at her over the rim of his cup.

”Do you know how to drive?”

”Yes, Dad.”

The word came naturally this time.

Julian smiled with satisfaction.

Beside him, Leanne narrowed her eyes in mock displeasure.

”How come you don’t call me ’Mom’?”

The teasing in her voice made everyone at the table smile.

Isobel immediately froze. A blush crept up her cheeks.

She had assumed... Leanne wouldn’t want to hear that word from her.

After all...

She was living proof of her husband’s betrayal.

For a moment, she lowered her gaze before looking back at Leanne.

The older woman’s smile hadn’t changed.

It was still warm. Still welcoming.

Taking a quiet breath, Isobel softly said,

”...Mom.”

The single word felt unfamiliar on her tongue.

Yet somehow...

It wrapped around her heart like a warm embrace, filling an emptiness she hadn’t realized had been there for so many years.