The night was dark, and the moon was hiding behind the cloud. It was pitch black outside the room, and the cold breeze was howling on the other side of the window.

Axel stood infront of it, his hands interlaced on his back, gazing at the starless sky. His sister, Victoria was lying on the bed, curled up in a fetus position.

Axel's eyes were blazing with the fire of revenge. The fire so fierce, that it wouldn't douse until he see the almighty Chase Morgan on his knees. He  wanted Chase's blood, and his fingers curled up in a fist in rage.

"Axel." A soft whimper left Victoria's mouth and his face snapped back towards the bed. He hastily stormed towards it, and sat down beside Victoria, gently caressing her hair.

"It's okay Vicky. Don't cry. The pain will subside. Just lie down," he cooed his little sister and kissed her forehead. Seeing her in that pathetic condition was bone wrecking for him.

She sniffled and moaned out in pain, and her hand caressed her swelled up belly.

"Take deep breaths. Come on, in and out. Slowly." Axel gently held her hand, and Victoria tried to match her brother's breathing rhythm.

"Yes, just like that. Do you want me to massage your toes. Are they paining too?" Axel asked, his eyebrows furrowed in worry.

Victoria shook her head, and licked ber lips trying to stay calm. It had been dicey 8 months, and the threat was still hanging. She could die any day, and her life was at constant risk.

"No, they aren't aching today. But can you please caress my belly a little. I feel very uneasy today," She pleaded, her voice barely reaching his ears.

Axel gulped down audibly and glared at her protuding belly. He had hated the child inside her, from the very fast day, cause he knew if her sister die one day, it would be because of the child.

"Don't Vicky. I can't touch it. I detest that thing," he growled out lowly, not aiming to hurt his sister's emotions. He didn't understand how could she be so attached with the child, which was literally causing her death. That too, a product of...

"Brother, don't say that. Please, the child would need you after birth. I don't know whether I would even be alive to see the face." Victoria voice cracked and Axel turned to look at her with grief etched on his face.

"Don't say that, little sis. I won't let anything happen to you. Trust you brother, he will take care of you," he kissed Victoria's crown and she nodded feebly.

"I know you will, but promise me you will take care of this child too. Please Axel, promise me," she begged, but Axel shut his eyes and turn his head away.

Slowly taking his hand, she placed it on her swelled up stomach. The moment his hand touched her stomach, Axel felt a strong kick against his hand. His face whirled around and he touched her belly with more urgency with his other hand too. His eyes widened and a look of awe adorned his face, when he felt another kick.

"Isn't it a miracle?" Victoria asked, with a gentle smile on her face and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Axel licked his lips, and pried away his hand slowly from Victoria's belly. He didn't want to admit that he felt something for the baby too. An unnamed emotion. He gently started caressing his sister stomach and she sighed out in pure bliss. Within a few minutes, her eyes fluttered shut and Victoria drifted off to sleep.

Axel ducked his head, kissed Victoria's forehead softly and whispered his words in the silence of the night. The rage and balding anger wouldn't subside in him, until he destroyed the man who was responsible for this of his sister

"I promise sister, I won't let any harm come to this child. But I am also promising, that I will destroy every last person who is responsible today, for this condition of yours."

*******
CHASE

I stumbled down on the bed, with my hands on my temple. How the fuck could I do that? In a spur of anger I uttered that horrible term, which had destroyed everything I had with Sarah. I didn't even think twice how would she feel. When did I become such a heartless monster to her?

A pain rose in my chest, and I tried to run it away with my fist. But it was way too painful to bear. She not talking to me, or letting me touch her was gruesome than any other pain I had eber endured.

She threw me out of the  medical room! How could she!? I wanted to see my baby for the first time, but she snatched away this opportunity from me.

But at the back of my mind, I knew I deserved this. I deserved every kind of torture and pain for  uttering those dreadful words.

I wanted to talk to her, I desperately needed. But everytime I tried, she shut me off. As if my mere presence was pricking her. It had been 4 days, I had hold her in my arms, or kissed her. I was loosing my sanity slowly, and I didn't know what to do anymore.

...fucking surrogate.

My voice echoed in my head, I dug my fingers into my hair and growled out. My stomach churned violently when the scene flashed in front of my eyes and the only thing I wanted to do now was to inflict pain upon me.

My eyes flew to the floor length mirror in my room and my lips curled in a snarl. Striding towards it, I shoved my fist on it and it shattered into million tiny pieces.

My knuckled pricked but the pain did nothing ti satisfy me. How could I say that? She trusted me, and accepted me even after all the horrible things I did, and this was how I repaid her?

2 days ago, I was in the forest trying to channel my pent up anger and frustration through heavy work out. I had target practice for half an hour ago and I was jogging around the compound when I heard Sarah's voice. My legs came to an abrupt halt and I hid behind a tree when I saw Andrew and Sarah talking in front of the cottage.

"Have you decided about the child, little one?" Andrew asked and I saw Sarah's demaneur changing into a perplexed look.

Turning her face away, she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and looked down. This question had been swivelling in my head from a last few days too. No matter what I won't allow her to leave me. She will stay with me at the mansion, with the child. Even if she decide to leave after giving birth, I would chain her to my bed.

Sarah opened her mouth after a few seconds and spoke the words that I was dreading to hear, "I wanted to leave after delivering the child, Andrew."

My heart sank, and my knees buckled. My head spin when her words reach my ears and all I wanted was to go on my knees right now, and ask for her forgiveness.

"But...after I saw him, I couldn't bring myself to do that. He is going to be my blood and flesh, and I could never turn away from my child."

My face whirled at her, and my widened at her words. She still cared about out baby. Did that mean, she was ready to give me a chance?

"But I wanna let you know that if..., no, when  I leave this house, my child would be going with me. I won't leave him alone here," she uttered and caressed her belly lovingly.

And just like that every ounce of hope in me died. She had decided to leave me, with my child. And I kneeled down on the forest floor helplessly.

My eyes burned with self loath and frustration, and I grinded my teeth. I wished I could reverse back the time, and would have slapped myself before I uttered those horrendous words.

A soft knock echoed in the room, and I glanced at the door. Lexi was standing there with a blank look on her face. Her eyes zoned into my bloody knuckles, but her eyes didn't show any empathy or pain.

I straightened my shoulders and sat down on the bed again, keeping my back to her. I was mad at her, cause she stood against me. She was my aunt, and she was supposed to support me, but she didn't. Rubbing my face tiredly I whispered in a heavy voice, "What do you want?"

Silence.

She didn't reply anything, but after a few seconds I felt the bed dipping as she sat beside me. My eyes were fixed on the floor, when she touched my clenched palm and my trance broke.

I felt her passing a small paper into my hand, and gestured me to look at him. My eyes narrowed at her actions, but unfolded the paper with a disinterested look.

But as soon as I saw what was in it, my eyes widened and my mouth opened in agape. Everything else vanished for me, and I looked at the black and white image of a tiny human.

It was soo beautiful that I was awestruck, and spellbound. The tiny fingers were quite visible, and the head was very much prominent. I exhaled a broken breath and squinted my eyes to keep the tears at bay.

"His heartbeat was very strong," Lexi mumbled and my head snapped towards her. Did I hear it correct? Him?

She nodded.

A grin broke out on my lips and I gently caressed the first picture of my baby.

"The future King?" Lexi's eyes glistened with unshed tears and she looked back at the picture in my hand.

Bringing the photograph to my lips, I kissed it and muttered, "I will take care of you, my boy, and I promise to bring back mommy."

Sniffling lowly, she stood up from the bed and sighed out. Unable to control my emotions, I pulled her into an embrace and let my emotions ran.

"My son. This is so surreal Lexi. In a few month I will hold him in my arms."

Lexi gently ran her hand up and down my back and I let her soothe me. She was the only person I was allowed to be vulnerable with, without getting judged. To her, I was the little boy whom she carried in her arms when I was just 2.

After a few minutes I broke the hug and she wiped her tears. A new ray of hope serged with in me, and I took a deep breath. I won't let this beautiful relationship get destroyed because of my stupidness. I would fix it.

I would heal Sarah, as I broke her.

"I wanna ask you something Chase, before you confront her again." Lexi said from my side and I nodded my head. I needed to be true to myself, only then I would be able to  retrieve my deeds.

Cupping my jaw in her frail hands she spoke out, "Do you love her?"

My eyes widened at her question, and my breath hitched in my throat. I gulped audibly. This was most difficult thing to answer. I detested love cause it was a weakness and it had been the reason of my father's doom.

"I don't know what love is Lexi," I answered with a resigned voice and my head fell back.

She shook her head and made me sat down on the bed. Gripping my hand, she casted her glowing eyes at me.

"But..." I hesitated.

"But...?" she urged.

"...if love is when I couldn't dare to imagine to live a single day without her, then it's possible that I love her. If she, not talking to me or looking at me was the reason of that unbearable ache in my chest, that I do love her. If all I want to do is hold her in my arms for the rest of our lives, even at the cost of everything I own, then I definitely love her."

Lexi was looking at me with an unreadable look in her eyes, when my eyes snapped towards the picture in my hand in realisation. Off course, I loved her. I didn't know the exact moment or the exact day I fell for her. But I did, and a warmth creeped up into my heart.

"You are an idiot and a egoistic man, full of shit!" Lexi cursed me and my eyes widened at her words.

"Lexi...?"

"Shut up! Now stop being a woebegone, go and fix her. And I am warning you Chase Morgan, if you ever dare to hurt her I would cut you open with my scalpels," Lexi eyes burned with annoyance and I laughed at her.

"Don't worry aunt. I am gonna do everything now. I won't let her leave me, I promise."

Saying this, I kissed my son's picture, safely tucked it in my drawer, and strode out of the room with a determination ozzing out of my mind.

I would win you back, love.

*******
SARAH

I slowly rubbed my sweeled up belly and sighed out in despair. I needed new clothes, and the old ones were getting too tight. Rummaging through the wardrobe, I finally choosed a white knee length dress and dressed myself up. But it had a deep neckline and I wasn't okay with flashing my clevage.

So I opened the wardrobe again, to search for a scarf to adore my neck. I was trying to find a perfect one when I saw that scarf neatly folded in a corner.

Gently picking it up, I unfolded it and draped it around my neck. It was looking perfect with my dress and I smiled back at my reflection.

Me and Chase, we had a lot of memories with this scarf. It belonged to his mother, and I still remember the day when he proudly draped it around my neck.

I know you deserve it.

His words echoed in my head, and I looked back at my reflection. Was all of it, a drama? Did he really never care about me?

Signing out in distress I decided not to pressurize my brain again on this matter. It had been long painful 3 days, and he hadn't tried to initiate a conversation with me again, after he found me with Andrew in the forest that day.

I needed to take my mind off Chase and this heated atmosphere we were in right now, so I decided to do what I was good at. The urge to go to the cottage arose in me, but then I buried it in.

It held too many memories for me, and it was for the  betterment for both of us, if I stay away from it for a few days.

Taking my oil pastels and sketch notebook under my arms, I strode out of my room and came downstairs. The drawing room was attached to the front lawn and the cool breeze was flowing into the room. I curled my toes at the pleasant feeling and decided to sit there and color something.

Almost half an hour passed and I was busy rubbing the colors with a tissue, when I saw someone entering the room from the corner of my eyes. My back was getting strained from sitting in the same posture for a long time, so I sat up-straight and massaged my lower back.

The man limped towards the couch in front of me, and flopped down on it. My eyes rested on his tired face. His eyes were shut, his head was bend backwards and he was taking low breaths. His right hand was in cast.

I was busy gazing at his features when I felt the sofa dipping beside me. My eyes flew towards Melissa who sat beside me, and wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"What?" I whispered.

"Don't give him that kind of a look. He gets pissed easily," she murmered and stirred the spoon in the soup bowl. The delicious smell drifted into my nose, and I almost moaned at the delicacy.

"What is this?" I asked, looking at her and the bowl again and again.

"This?" she scowled at me, and looked at the bowl.

I nodded eagerly and my mouth watered at the smell.

"Soup for this hot headed jerk," she said and that's when the man's eyes snapped opened. He raised his face up, but his face was still blank, void of any expression.

"Can I have that?" I asked, battling my eyelashes at Melissa, so that she hand me over the soup.

"No, that's mine. Go and make one for yourself, pretty lady," the man said and gave Melissa a flirty smile, daring her to give me the soup.

She narrowed her eyes, and resumed her job. But the smell of the soup was so mouth watering that I couldn't help and peep into the bowl.

"Now, now, now...I would really appreciate it, if you keep you hungry eyes away from my poor soup. You know, it deserves to be touched by this sexy pair of lips. After I taste it, you can have your share." He kissed his fingers and threw a flying kiss towards the bowl.

Melissa groaned in annoyance, and shook her head. Grinding her teeth, she resumed her work, but I couldn't tear apart my eyes from the boul. I gulped audibly and saliva started drooling from my mouth.

Melissa gave me an apologetic look, and stood up to handover the soup to the selfish jerk. He threw me a shark-grin and picked up the spoon to have it.

"Sarah, wait here. I am gonna go and make one for you, okay?" Melissa rubbed my arm and strolled towards the kitchen.

The strong smell of the soup and spices were hanging in air and it was getting intolerable for me to sit and watch Antonio to have his soup. And the way he was licking his lips and moaning at the taste.

Why the fuck!?

On the top of that, my lower back started aching. Climbing down from the couch, I stood up and rubbed  

"Your belly is sexy," The man hooted and my eyes widened at his words.

"Thanks?" I voiced meekly, and started roaming in the room with small steps, massaging my lower back. My soles were also aching and it didn't even took me a minute before I flopped down on the couch again.

"Why are you making me suffer so much, huh? Your daddy doesn't care about your mommy anymore. So stop bothering me, baby," I soothed my belly and tried to raise my feet up on the couch. But due to my big belly, all my efforts went down in vain.

Tears of frustrations welled up in my eyes, and my lips pouted in annoyance. I started wheezing due to the lack of breath. Why was I facing all this alone? A trail of tears ran down my cheek and I choked on a sob.

"Hey, hey, hey....calm down. Take shallow breaths, will you." Suddenly, I saw that man coming beside me and rubbing my back, trying to soothe me down, and calm my erratic heartbeats.

"Shh, yes...just like that. Try to match mine. Yes, in and out, once more....in and out." He inhaled a long breath and exhaled slowly. Again and again, he did that, and I matched with him.

I took him more than 5 minutes to finally calm me down, when the situation registered in my brain. I had cried in front of a total stranger, and he saw me breaking down. I had again proved to another person how much of a weakling I was.

On the top of that, he was the mean man who didn't even gave me his soup. Heat creeped up on my neck and cheek, and embarrassment engulfed me. How could I cry, in front of anyone? Specially after the incident with Chase, when I promised to myself I won't behave like a delicate porcelain doll.

My face whirled towards him, and his lips were adorned with a small smirk. His eyes were taunting, but there were coated with amusement. As if, he had never seen anything which had made him this delightful

"I didn't know you are this sensitive. If I had, I would have gladly shared my soul with you sweetheart," saying this he rubbed my shoulder, sensually and that's when I saw that his hand was still draped on my shoulder.

I tried to shrug them away, and his smirk widened. He rubbed my shoulders once more, and brought his face near me. My eyes widened at his actions and my hand flew to his chest to push him away.

"I didn't cry because I wanted the soup. My lower back and feet are aching. That's why I couldn't control my tears," I gritted and he pursued his lips mischievously.

"Do want you me to give you a sensual massage?" He cocked one of his eyebrow and my jaw hit the floor.

Was he flirting with me?

"What the fuck is going on here!?" A thundering voice resonated in the drawing room and both of our face snapped towards the figure, who was standing at the doorway.

His broad shoulders were stiff, and his eyes were dark with rage as he glared at both of us. His hands were crossed over his chest, his biceps were bulging out of his shirt.

"Get away from me!" I exclaimed out and elbowed his side. He fell down from the sofa and I jumped down from the couch.

"Ahh!" A wave of pain slashed through my body as soon as I landed on floor, and I cried out in despair. My knees felt weak, and I would have fell down on my face, if not for a pair of hands appeared out of nowhere and held me.

"Sarah!" Melissa's panicked voice reached me ears, but my eyes were shut due to ache. Chase's musky smell and his intoxicating body heat engulfed me and I leaned into the familiar warmth.

"Careful," he whispered on my temple, and sat on the couch, with me cocooned into his incredible physique.

"What the hell did you do to her, Antonio?" Melissa's voice rang out and I peeled my eyes open with great difficulty. My soles were throbbing in pain, and my lower back was stiff. I sniffled, trying to keep my pain at bay, and not wanting to appear weak in front of Chase again.

Antonio's eyes were in shape of saucers as he passed me a panicking look.

"I did nothing to cause he any distress. She was crying, and I just tried to stop that!" Antonio exclaimed in indignation.

"Stop lying you asshole! I swear Antonio, if you as much as hur...."

"He didn't do anything," I whispered when Chase's incomplete threat low hang in the air, and his face snapped towards me. He gently cradled my face into his neck, and gently kiss my forehad.

In the moment of unbearable agony, I didnt even bother to push him away. His scent was helping a lot to calm my nerves.

"Do you want me to rub your toes Sarah? I would get the massage oil from the infirmary then," Melissa asked, her voice alarming.

I shook his head, and looked at Chase. Hurt flashed on his face and he swallowed thickly, regarding me with a hankering look.

"Can you give me a foot massage?" I asked, my eyes fixed on Chase. After staying away from him for so many hours, I was craving his touch and smell.

"Me?" His eyes were widened and lips parted, as if he couldn't believe I asked him to do that. Even I was shocked at my own demand. But pregnancy is crazy, and I would blame it later on hormones, if he ask anything else.

I nodded my head, my eyes fixed in his dark orbs.

"Of... of course," he stammered and put me down on the couch gently. Melissa adjusted the pillow on my back and Chase gathered up my feet on his lap.

The moment his expertised fingers touched my soles, all tension flew away from my body and I slumped down on the couch. Waves of pleasure shot through my body, and my mouth parted in ecstacy. He pressed my pressure points with the pad of his thumb and I sighed in relief.

"Ahh, just like that," I moaned out in pleasure. I was getting drown in bliss when I heard a restrained chuckle, and my eyes snapped open.

Melissa was covering Antonio's mouth as she dragged him out of the room. My eyes hesitatingly drifted towards Chase, whose lip was twitching, but he was trying to keep a blank face and was eyeing my toe as if  it was rocket science.

I snapped out of my enchantment as soon as I realised that I had moaned deliciously in the hands of Chase and my eyes widened. Snatching my legs away from him, I sat up. Heat coated my neck and ear and I gulped down audibly.

"Sarah?" Chase's deep voice reach my ears and I unwillingly turned my head towards him. His eyes were twinking with mischief but the arrogant smirk was missing. There was a real smile on nis face, this time.

It was so real and contagious that I wished I could kiss right now.

"Sarah, I..." Chase was about to say something, when I raised my hand and he clamped his mouth shut.

"Don't say anything. I am not in the right mood to listen to your words." I told him and stood up from the couch. My heart was screaming at me to give him a chance, but the logical part of me wanted to drag it a little more.

He grabbed my wrist when I was about to take a step and pulled me towards him. I collided with his chest and gasped. His hoy breath fell on my forehead and I shuddered at our proximity.

"Why are you making us suffer, love? Please give me a chance," He asked, his voice grave serious and vulnerability coated in his eyes.

I shook my head, and touched his stubbled cheek. The strength and danger he oozes all the time, was missing right now, as if he was tired. I leaned on his huge body and he snaked his muscular arms around me.

"I don't want to give up on us, Chase. But right now I am not ready to listen to you. Give me a little time," I murmured against his throat. He swallowed heavily and his adam's apple bobbled.

After a hesitant minute, he nodded and I took a step back. He reluctantly let me loose and I turned away from him.

I needed a little time.

<<~~~~~~~~~~~~∆~~~~~~~~~~~~>>

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