My baby's milk mother, my opium

ole through her jacket. She had been here before-offered help from people with too much money and too little empathy. The memories of her previous surroga

neatly printed name: Clara Anindya. Beneath it was a number and an address

ain, she thought bitterly.

had gone to paying off a portion of the debt that still lingered like a storm cloud over h

She had always prided herself on her independence, her ability to fight through whatever life threw at her

ying in. It was nothing more than a rundown room with peeling wallpaper and a creaky bed, but it

s shouting about their goods, children laughing as they played near the sidewalks. It all felt so dis

ered her small room and locked the door behind her, sinking down onto the bed. The faint buzzing

deniable. There had been something in the older woman's eyes that didn't match the cold detachment of the wealthy people Tania had dealt with befor

She opened her contacts list and hesitated, staring at the empty number field. A wave o

inger hovered over the call button for a long moment before she pressed it. Her hear

ice answered on the th

s Tania," she said, her voice barely above a

ra's voice returned, warm and steady. "I'm glad you

he had already made up her mind, even if she didn't want to

nuine relief. "I'll send my driver to pick you up tomorr

ugh Clara couldn'

d. She stared at it, her emotions a tangled mess of fear, regret, and a flicker of hope she didn

-

sn't much-just a few changes of clothes and a worn-out book her mother had given her years ago. She hadn't slept well the night befor

d, and the door swung open as the driver stepped out. "Mis

shed vehicle. She hadn't been in a car like this before-i

itated for a moment, glancing down the street as if hoping for some kind of escape. But there wa

t the window, watching as the familiar streets began to fade, replaced by wide, tree-lined avenues and towe

es swung open automatically, and Tania's breath caught in her throat as she stared up at th

er decision pressing down on her even harder now. She was about to enter a

expression calm and welcoming. "I'm g

stomach churned with unease. "I didn'

t's go inside. We can talk more about

terior was just as lavish as the exterior-marble floors, chandeliers, and expensive art

itting room. Clara gestured for her to sit on one of the plush sofas

s from her. "But I want you to feel at ease. You'll have your

uneasy. "You mentioned that... I wou

baby a few times a day. Other than that, you're free to come and g

"Why me? Why not

e in second chances, Tania. And I thin

ond chance. Was that what this was? Or was

me woul