The Surrogate-in-law

"I am going to get married! This spring!"

While shaking the finest wine in his collection, the first thing Knox blurted out was the news of his wedding. It came out of nowhere, like a thunderclap in a clear sky.

At first, I thought I might have been drinking too much. But then I realized I hadn’t even finished my first glass of wine.

"Getting married? To whom?" My gaze locked onto his as I swirled my glass. "You never mentioned dating someone. What is this? A marriage of convenience?"

I tried not to sound bitter, but the news of my first love and best friend of twenty years getting married felt like a slap with thorns.

"No! We met a year ago at a business conference. From there—"

"A year?" I interrupted him. "You never said anything to me. Any reason for that?"

Although my heart was shattered into pieces, what disappointed me most was his silence. Being by his side for twenty years hadn’t made a difference—he still chose not to be honest with me.

"Are you disappointed, Violet?"

A shadow of sadness crossed his handsome face. His jaw muscles tightened, and those beautiful blue eyes didn’t lie—he felt guilty.

But does that even matter?

"I’m not," I said calmly, sipping the rest of my wine before grabbing my suit. "I'm heading home, Knox. Say hello to your fiancée!"

"Violet! Where are you going? I thought you were going to enjoy dinner with me."

He stood up, his expression shifting into something uncertain—something I had never witnessed before. Panic? Sadness or guilt? I couldn't read them.

"I apologize," I muttered under my breath. "I have to go back to work tomorrow. You know, being a CEO isn't easy. Anyway, congratulations on your upcoming wedding."

Turning on my heels, I walked away from the restaurant. Knox started to say something but held himself back.

I thought we never hid anything from each other—especially something as big as marriage. Knox was the heir of the Silverfang Corporation, while I was the heir of Riverwood.

Growing up, we had been partners in crime. We studied together, shared an apartment abroad during our PhDs, and started our journeys as CEOs in the same year.

We had a silent pact. We always had each other’s back.

At least, that’s what I thought until today.

Settling myself in the car, I glanced at the restaurant—our favorite place. I had lost count of how many times we had come here together. Every milestone, every celebration, we had always shared them. But somehow, that stopped.

Why?

The question lingered in my mind like an unwanted guest.

Maybe it was time to move on.

A cold breeze brushed against my cheeks. Thankfully, I hadn’t drunk too much, or I would have had to call my chauffeur.

In my entire life, I had never dated. Not because I wasn’t beautiful or desirable, but because my friends claimed my aura and attitude intimidated most men.

But I never paid attention.

Because all I could see was Knox.

Tall, handsome, blonde, and blue-eyed, with a perfect figure.

I wondered who the woman was.

How did she steal his heart?

My mind raced with thousands of thoughts. Pulling my car into the driveway, I walked into my house—a small, two-story home in the suburbs. I remembered planning to buy two houses next to each other, one for me and one for Knox.

A childish dream.

"Violet!"

My mother's voice cut through my thoughts. She was sitting in the living room, her satin dress draping over her skin with effortless perfection. It wasn’t unusual for her to visit.

"What brings you here, Mom?" I asked, taking off my suit. The temperature outside had been scorching.

"Your dad said you’re going to handle the company's new project?" She put her magazine down on the low glass table, her graceful eyes shifting to me. "Is that true?"

I tossed my suit onto the armrest and sank into the couch with a groan. "I thought that was confidential information."

"Are you going or not?" she demanded, her voice stern. It was rare for her to get upset over anything, but I wasn’t in the mood to entertain her today.

"Well, I think it’s a good idea," I mumbled, slumping deeper into the couch and closing my eyes.

"That’s stupid! Knox is getting married next month. Are you saying you'll be away for a whole month?"

She snarled, throwing a cushion at me.

"What did you just say?" My heart skipped a beat. I straightened my back, looking at her with disbelief,

"He's marrying next month?" The air whooshed out of my chest.

"Yeah. They've already booked the venue. The wedding dress is perfect!"

So not only had he lied about getting married in the spring, but they had already planned everything?

Why?

Why did he lie?

"Good for him," I muttered, shoving down the sharp pain in my chest, like always. "It's not my wedding, so no headache."

"Are you serious? I thought you'd be thrilled to know about this! He’s your best friend!"

Yeah. In different circumstances, I would have been thrilled to do anything for him.

But being lied to—by the very person I trusted most—made it hard to feel welcome in his happiness.

"I’m going to take a shower. If you’re staying over, sleep in the guest room, Mom. Don’t come into my room."

Loosening my tie, I grabbed my suit. My ankles ached after wearing heels all day.

"Listen to this ungrateful child!" My mother pouted, sprawling onto the couch. She was a child at heart, always seeking attention. With Dad away on a business trip, she had found me to mess with.

"Oh! Violet! You got a message! Aren’t you going to check it?" Mom shouted.

I ignored her.

Because at that very moment, I had made up my mind.

I wouldn't attend the wedding.