HIS SURROGATE

look like a clinic. Or an offic

were clean and mailboxes matched. Emily stood outside the gate, hands stuffed in the pockets of a coat she hadn't washed

zed the

hrough. Female. Pr

ly C

se. Then the ga

" Just the sound of a heavy lock sliding out

path. She reached the front door,

oard, heels that didn't make a sound. The kind of woman wh

me," s

niture. Everything was spotless. Quiet. Like walking into a fancy therapi

e a library and a small lounge with bottled water and

suite. Soft lighting. A leather couch. A chair angled t

the woman s

leather was too soft, like it would swallow

assed. The

eaty. She wiped t

y get up and leave. This was insane. S

didn't

r opene

der, sharp features, blac

from her. "I'm Dr. Karev. I handle i

," Emily

rre

dn't smile.

scort arrangement. And it's not a favor. It is, in the

use she didn't kno

. No children. No known medical conditions. N

es

ently using c

I-no. I mean, I'

ever been

N

ou sm

N

ri

etim

gal d

yes. "I can't a

mildly amused. Ma

. Emily answered as best she could, feeling like she was

ev leaned for

d what's being

tated. "I

gical screenings. If you pass, you'll be introduced

al being the

prospectiv

e... c

nce known how to smile. "He is meticulous. This

owed. "And

uration of the pregnancy. Under contr

eilla

safety.

Always him. The shadow

a name?" E

N

hy

Karev said simply.

even a little. But she also didn't have the lu

ou wish to proceed, th

omach twis

u'd like t

uld stand up, walk out, take the bu

. Her bank account was empty. She had no papers, no protecti

e still called: "Sometimes, mija, you just have

y st

l do

er and a nice home.'' Emi