Chapter Eight

Grace’s POV

The next morning, I arrived at the office earlier than usual, hoping to bury myself in work before my thoughts could catch up to me. Last night with Max had been… unexpected.

Not just because he had been charming and made me feel like I was someone outside of being Helena’s surrogate, but because it was the first time in a long while I had felt seen. I wasn’t sure what that meant yet. But he had asked me to lunch today, and I was going. Normally, I would just have a sandwich at my desk. But not today. Today, I was going to enjoy the company of Max, and it was an enjoyment.

What I did know was that today would be difficult. I could feel it, an unease settling in my stomach. Maybe it was just my nerves after the doctor’s appointment yesterday. Maybe it was the memory of overhearing my mother and Helena talking, confirming that I was nothing more than a tool to them. It could be the confrontation I had with Hunter. Or maybe it was something else entirely.

I had just sat down at my desk when I heard the sharp click of heels against the floor. Helena had arrived. She never usually came to the office unless she had a reason. So twice in as many days was strange. “Hey, Helena.”

“Grace, how are you feeling, honey? I hope last night wasn’t too taxing on you?”

I shook my head. I knew the doctor said to take it easy, but I wasn’t going to lay in my bed for a few days and do nothing. Being with Max wasn’t stressful, so what was her problem? “Hunter is free if you want to go in. He doesn’t have a meeting for an hour, though.” Hunter had barely spoken to me this morning. He sure had a burr up his ass. Hopefully, Helena could pull it out for him and put him in a better mood.

“Thanks, Grace. I’ll go straight in.” She smiled before walking into Hunter’s office without knocking. That told me he knew she was coming.

Five minutes later, the intercom on my desk went off. Shit. This couldn’t be good. I picked up the phone. “Yes, sir.”

“Grace, come into my office, please.” His voice was clipped. He didn’t wait for my reply, just hung up. He really didn’t like me calling him “sir.”

I forced a neutral expression and stood, smoothing down my blouse before heading toward Hunter’s office. When I pushed open the door, both Hunter and Helena were waiting.

Hunter’s expression was unreadable, but Helena? She was smiling sweetly. That was never a good sign.

She was perched on the edge of Hunter’s desk; her manicured fingers lazily stroking along his arm as if she was idly claiming ownership. Her other hand rested on his shoulder, squeezing lightly as if to punctuate her presence. The sight still made my stomach twist for reasons I didn’t want to examine.

“Sit down, Grace,” Hunter said, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.

I hesitated, then did as he asked. “Is something wrong?”

Helena let out a small laugh, her fingers now running absentmindedly through Hunter’s hair. “No, of course not. We just wanted to talk about something important.”

I looked between them. Important? That could mean anything.

Hunter leaned forward, forcing Helena’s hand to drop from his hair, though she recovered quickly, moving to trace patterns along the fabric of his sleeve instead. “You know how much we appreciate what you’re doing, Grace. Carrying this baby is a huge responsibility, and we just want to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”

I stiffened slightly, nodding. “I am. The doctor said to take it easy, and I am. Let’s not jump too far ahead yet. We still don’t know if I’m pregnant.”

Helena sighed, her nails lightly scratching down Hunter’s forearm before she laced their fingers together. “Yes, but that’s exactly why we think it would be best if you moved in with us.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What?”

Hunter, ever the strategist, kept his tone calm and reasonable. “You know that many surrogate pregnancies result in more than one baby. If you are pregnant and the pregnancy progresses, you’ll need more rest, and you won’t be able to work up until the due date. We have a housekeeper who can take care of you during the day, help you with anything you need. It just makes sense.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. How the hell was I going to get out of this? I could not live with them.

Helena tilted her head, watching me with a soft smile as she leaned into Hunter’s side. “It’s what’s best for the baby, Grace. And for you. Don’t you want to make this as easy on yourself as possible? Make sure the baby or babies are safe?”

There it was. The argument that would control me. The carefully chosen words meant to push me into a corner without outright forcing me. If I said no, I would be painted as selfish, as ungrateful. But if I said yes… I would be under theirroof, with no escape. I would see them together. It was bad enough at family events, but every day? Did I really have it in me to bear witness to their love?

“I… I don’t know,” I admitted, choosing my words carefully. “I hadn’t really considered moving in. I have my own space, my own routine. I like living alone.”

Hunter’s jaw tensed. “And that won’t change. You’d still have your own space at the house. No one’s saying you’ll be confined, Grace. But we need to think ahead. If something were to happen, if you needed help in the middle of the night, wouldn’t it be better to have us close by?”

I exhaled slowly. He was using logic, playing the protector role. And damn it, he was good at it. Because part of me knew he had a point. It did worry me about having more than one child. I didn’t know how I was going to give up one, let alone two or even three. But the doctor had told me there was little chance of three babies. They had implanted three embryos, and the chances of all three taking were slim. I was small—only 5 feet 2 and very petite. I couldn’t imagine being big and round with three.

Helena moved her body against Hunter, her gaze flicking toward me as she did. “It’s not a demand, sweetie. Just a suggestion. A very, very smart one.”

I forced myself to meet her gaze. “And if I say no?”

Hunter and Helena exchanged a look before he answered. “Then it’s your decision. But I’d really like you to think about it.”

I swallowed hard, nodding. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

Helena squeezed Hunter’s arm before pulling back, a satisfied gleam in her eyes. “That’s all we ask. Now I better go. I have a session with my personal trainer.”

But I could see it in her expression. She didn’t expect me to say no. And that terrified me more than anything else.

I left Hunter’s office feeling like I had been wrapped in a beautifully crafted net, one that I hadn’t even noticed tightening around me until it was too late. They had played their roles perfectly. Hunter, the logical protector, and Helena, the sweet, supportive wife and caring sister. But I felt controlled.

I should have been grateful. They wanted to take care of me.

So why did it feel like a trap?

At lunch, I told Max about the meeting.

He listened carefully, his jaw tightening as I spoke. When I finished, he leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Grace… this isn’t just about making things easier for you. They want to keep you close.”

I swallowed. “I know.”

Max leaned forward, his voice lower. “So, what are you going to do?”

And for the first time, I had no idea how to answer.