THE SURROGATE WHO STOLE HIS HEART

he city below like it was his. At 34, he ran a $12 billion business, employe

o was currently grinding his engagement

anger of a woman pushed too far. Three years of waiting for you to be a real person. Three years

ark shape against the glass-tall, broad, and wearing a perfect suit.

lking about the weather. We will announce the merger tomorrow. Yo

Vivian had knocked his coffee cup off the desk, and t

erneath. Everything is business with you. Everything has a price, a profit, a

as the only sign he allowed himself, and V

lly. We have the same goals, fit into the same social circles, and share bu

ing without any humor. You sound like yo

es often are

other with love, she said quietly. Everyone knows the story of Richard and Victoria Stone, how their big passion burned through

ander's face didn't change, but som

ood sense, let wanting things destroy their discipline. They wasted a 200-year family

ned to b

ed to b

controlled anger. The board meeting is in a

over the intercom, clear and professional: Mr. Stone, the board m

on without looking away from

prised, just disappointed. They want their CEO to be married with

didn't say

ou're not married with a kid on the way by your 35th birthday, the board can vote you o

he door, her han

love you, she said without t

Alexander alone with the pieces

irst minute after something bad happened. His father had proposed to his mother 30 seconds after meeting her at a party. Thre

dn't make choices

up, he pressed the i

h representing family money and old connections. They'd been in his life since h

heir betray

chair across from Alexander's desk. At 72, Charles still took over rooms just by being there

ed you, Alexander said. He stayed standin

60, crossed her legs and opened a briefcase. Which brings us to the poi

need to be married with a kid on the way

n a wedding, and have a kid, Charles s

now how fas

deal, Alexander. This is marriage and

Alexander said co

since he was 10, had watched him save the compa

e stable, consistent, and appear to have traditional values. O

hat our

al life says otherwise. No serious relationships that last.

l life is

s Ashworth, said. People need to think we're stable. A married CEO with kids su