When Love Dies And Memories Fade

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tiseptic filled my nostrils, pulling me back to a reality I wished I could escape. My head throbbed, and my body felt heavy

red a severe stress-induced episode, compounded by extreme exhaustion and malnutrition. But there's somethin

t was a complex cocktail of fear, disbelief, and a flicker of something undefinable. Eight weeks. That meant... the night of our anniversary. The night

You need absolute rest, no stress, and proper nutrition. Any further complications could lead to a miscarriage." Sh

ched my still-flat stomach, a strange mix of emotions washing over me. How could I bring a child into this world? Into his wor

Allison, I need an heir. Christopher is... complicated. Cory is unsuitable. You, however, possess the strength and integrity this family needs. Ca

had to contact Mrs. McDowell. This was it. This was the one c

s crisp and commanding. "Allison? What is it? I told

my voice trembling, "I...

! My grandchild! You've done it." Her voice was filled with a joy I had never heard from her before. "This changes everything. My legal team will be in touc

e me dizzy. Freedom. A billion dollars. It was real. I c

s. Farmer, your grandmother's condition has deteriorated rapidly. We need to operate immediately. It's a matter of

ce laced with pity. "There's no record of

as per his part of the surrogacy agreement. He knew how urgent it was. He knew. The anger, col

lmost dropped the phone. It rang, and rang, and rang. Finally, his assistant

oice cracking. "My grandmother is dyi

ant said, her voice flat, devoid of

y grandmother die. The betrayal was a fresh wound, deep and festering. All the times I had sacrifice

ally got through to him. His voice was laced with an unnerving

leaded, my voice raw, tears streaming down my face. "The funds haven't been released

I don't recall making any such promise. And frankly, I

stopher! For God's sake!" I was beggi

d calculating. "Something I've wanted for a long time. Cory. She'

ated his actions. "But Cory... she' s the one who lied to you about the bone marrow donation. She's the reason you hate me

your deception on Cory. She's my savior. You're nothing but a cruel imitation." He paused, his voic

s, picturing her frail hand, her loving smile. I would do it. I would do anything. "Fine," I choked out, t

chilling monotone. "Once Cory is

typed out a short, desperate plea. "Christopher. I'm pregnant. This is your baby. Please, don't do this. My grandmother needs you. Our baby needs

ammering. His reply was a single, chilling sentence. "Allison, don't pretend t

nied our child. He told me to get rid of it. All the pain, all the humiliation, all t

ream he might actually care. I remembered the night we were married, a forced union, yes, but for a brief moment, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes

ake me into her, to see her in me. He was trying to rekindle a love that wasn't mine to begin with. He was using me, not just for the surr

that one day he would know, that he would understand. I remembered the secret agreement with Mrs. McDowell, the billion-dollar promise for

treacherous part of the city to retrieve a rare, stolen artifact from a notorious gang. The alleyways were dark, the air thick with menace, and the men I faced were ruthless. I remember the cold press of a kn

ike a trophy. She had smiled, a dazzling, victorious smile, completely oblivious to the terror I had just endured, to the cuts and bruises hidden beneath my clothes. I watched them, my heart a hollow ach

sted game. The weight of it all crushed me. My head dropped onto my pillow, the tears flowing freely now, hot and silent. The cold, hard truth was a physic

sperate plea, a final test of his humanity. "Christopher, please. My grandmother. She's f

ng I despise. Stop bothering me. If your grandmother dies, it's on you for not getting Cory to me

hope, the love, the desperate clinging to a future that would never be-it all