He thought he''d done everything right, that no one would ever find out-not even Reese, the one person who deserved to know. But of course, his grandfather had seen straight through him.


    "I''m asking you. Did you have Reese be your surrogate?"


    Sebastian nodded. "Yes."


    There was a long pause before he added, "I had my reasons. I never meant to keep it from you, Grandpa. It''s just..."


    His words faded. The truth was, he owed Leslie for saving his life. He just wanted to give her somethingsting. As long as Reese never found out, the child would stay with her, would be theirs.


    When Sebastian finally confessed, Mr. Ratcliff closed his eyes, struggling to catch his breath. The silence stretched between them until he managed to ask, "Whose child is it, Sebastian?"


    Sebastian dropped his gaze, refusing to meet his grandfather''s eyes. He couldn''t say the name. Back when he dated Leslie, Mr. Ratcliff had hated her, even told him to break up with her. If he admitted it now, things would only get worse.


    "Speak up!" The old man''s voice shook with anger. He tried to p Sebastian, but his hand was too weak, the gesture falling short.


    "She''s your wife! How could you do something this cruel, this unforgivable?"


    Mr. Ratcliff was breathing hard, his voice rising. "What if she finds out? What if she never forgives you? What will you do then? Won''t you regret it?"


    Sebastian reached for his grandfather''s hand, sitting beside him and quietly trying to calm him down. "Grandpa, as long as you say nothing, Reese won''t ever know."


    Honestly, before all this, Sebastian hadn''t cared whether Reese found out. If she did, so be it. If it meant a messy divorce, he was ready for that too. But now, everything was different. He couldn''t let Reese find out. No matter what, he''d keep this secret. If anyone tried to tell her, he''d make sure they regretted it. Reese was his, and he wasn''t letting her go.


    "Reese is my wife. We''ll have plenty of kids together," he said quietly. "What did was wrong, but I''ll make it up to her if give her as many kids as she wants. She doesn''t need to know about any of this."


    It took a while for Mr. Ratcliff to calm down. He watched Sebastian, seeing the stubbornness he knew all too well. Once Sebastian set his mind to something, no one could stop him. Those two still had a long road ahead.


    With a tired sigh, he closed his eyes. "Sebastian, you''re going to regret this one day. Some mistakes can''t be undone."


    He waved a hand. "Get out. Send Reese in."


    Sebastian opened the door to leave. “Grandpa, please... talk to her for me. I don''t


    want a divorce. I never wanted to hurt her. If this blows up, nobody wins."


    Mr. Ratcliff stared at the ceiling, silent.


    A momentter, Reese walked in.


    The old man looked at her, his eyes suddenly softening. "Reese, I heard


    everything out there. That brat made you upset again, didn''t he?"


    Reese stood by the bed and watched Mr. Ratcliff, frail and tired. Her heart ached.


    "I''m sorry, Grandpa. I didn''t mean to disturb you."


    For the first time, Mr. Ratcliff''s eyes were full of sympathy. He was quiet for a while before finally saying, "Sebastian did you wrong Reese If you wanta divorce, funderstand. F won''t me you.


    "But, can you think about it a little longer? For Robbie''s sake, and for all the years you''ve shared?"


    Reese shook her head. "I''ve already thought it through, Grandpa. I have to end this marriage." There was nothing left between her and Sebastian except secrets, lies, and hurt. There was no way back.


    Mr. Ratcliff saw her red, tear-filled eyes. After a long pause, he asked gently, "Is it because you found out about the surrogacy?"