Chapter 1

"Claire's not well enough to get pregnant. We need you to carry the baby for ten months," Henry Sutton said.

At Christmas dinner, my husband told everyone I'd do surrogacy for the other woman, since she couldn't have kids.

And the whole family actually treated it like I was being given a gift.

I touched my belly, already two months pregnant. The father was Henry's uncle, Liam Sutton.

I smiled. "Sure. Sign the divorce papers first."

On the day of my divorce, I married Liam, the head of the Sutton family.

Ten months later, Henry completely snapped when he saw me holding Liam's baby.

*****

On Christmas Eve, the Sutton Estate was glowing with lights. The long oak table was piled high with everything from roast turkey to fancy desserts, each plate looking almost too pretty to eat.

But even with the heat blasting, I still felt cold inside.

I sat quietly next to Henry, acting as the perfect, compliant Mrs. Sutton. After three years of marriage, I was already used to this whole fake peace thing.

Across the table, my mother-in-law, Linda Carter, set down her ivory-handled fork. Her carefully made-up face held a note of indisputable authority.

"Amelia," she said, "you've been with the Sutton family for three years now, haven't you?"

I nodded and replied softly, "Yes, Linda."

"You know how Henry's been with you all these years, and how the whole Sutton family has treated you," she continued, but her eyes kind of drifted off, like she was talking about some business deal.

"Look, the Suttons are decent people. Even when you didn't get pregnant, we never said a thing against you," she said.

My stomach dropped, and my fingers curled tight under the table. Here it comes.

Every Christmas Eve was like some kind of judgment day for me. Year one, they nudged me about having kids.

Year one, they nudged me about having kids.

Year two, they let me know there were plenty of women out there dying to give the Suttons a baby.

And now year three, they finally showed their hand.

Sure enough, Henry, who had remained silent throughout, spoke. His voice, like the man himself, carried a habitual air of condescension.

"Amelia, I've talked it over with my parents. You can't have children, so step aside and let someone else take your place."

I looked up at him. That face I'd loved all those years was still good-looking, but what came out of his mouth was pure poison.

"Claire's pregnant, but her health is poor. The doctor says she can't carry the baby herself." He paused, like that was supposed to mean something, like it was some kind of favor.

"So we're going to use your womb for ten months. You'll do the IVF. The baby goes under Claire's name, and you will have nothing to do with it," he said.

"We're going to use your womb for ten months." Those words hit me like a bomb. My ears were ringing, and I could actually hear the blood pounding in my head.

I looked at Henry, then at Linda, then at my father-in-law Richard Sutton with that stern look on his face. None of them looked guilty or uncomfortable.

They acted like this was all completely normal, like I was supposed to feel lucky.

Seeing my face turn pale, Linda frowned impatiently and added, "Relax, we'll make sure you're taken care of.

"Once it's all over, you'll get a payout big enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your days.

"Then you'll divorce Henry, and you'll be done with the Sutton family for good. Honestly, this is the best you could hope for."

The best outcome?

I glanced down at my flat stomach. I was already two months pregnant, a secret I'd meant to reveal tonight, as a Christmas surprise for Henry.

Now, all that was left was shock, no joy at all.

How ridiculous. They thought I couldn't have children, but the truth was, I refused to have a baby with a man who loved someone else.

And when I finally decided to try for a child to save this sad marriage, and actually got pregnant, they wanted me to be a surrogate for the other woman.

Something deep inside me shattered right then, gone for good.

I felt blood rising up my throat, but I swallowed it hard. I wasn't going to cry. I wasn't going to lose it. Tears didn't mean anything in this house.

Slowly, I lifted my head, letting a smile bloom across my face.

Henry, caught off guard by my smile, frowned. "Why are you smiling?"

"Because..." I looked at him, pronouncing each word clearly. "Because you worked out such a clever deal, Mr. Henry Sutton. It does sound like a good arrangement."

Linda's expression eased, her tone suddenly generous, as if she were granting me a favor. "Glad that you understand. The Suttons won't treat you unfairly."

"Yeah, it does sound rather fair." My smile grew so bright it was almost unsettling. "Use my womb to give you a Sutton heir.

"Then I leave with nothing, clearing the path for Henry's true love. Isn't that wonderful?"

I picked up my wine glass, filled with tonight's celebratory red. Standing up, I swept my gaze over the cold, selfish faces of the Suttons.

Then, I downed the wine in one gulp and smiled at their startled expressions. "Fine."

A flicker of joy flashed in Henry's eyes, but it quickly turned wary. "So, what's your condition?"

"Simple." I set my glass down. The crisp sound as it hit the table was like something snapping. "Sign the divorce papers. Right now."