Late into the night, a woman alone through the dark rain-soaked sheets. The downpour drenched her hair and cloths, her eyes were red and swollen from crying, exhaustion weighing down every step.
she sank to her knees, bowing her head as fresh tears streamed down her face.
A sudden,blinding light forced her to shut her eyes tightly.
"Camilla!" a voice called urgently
________FLASHBACK___________
XANDER
I sighed, listening as my wife recounted her encounter with my mom at the mall today. Her voice trembled, tears threatening to spill again.
My mother seemed to despise her because we've been married for five years without a child.
My mother worried, she often said she was getting old and wouldn't die in peace without seeing a grandchild.
Camilla Ashley and i had tried. We had wanted a family. But despite our efforts, nothing seemed to work.
As the only child of Mr. And Mrs. Revel, i had taken over my father's company when he turned sixty. Yet my parents concerns weren't about business, they were about succession in the family, about heir's and bloodlines. Camilla's delay in giving me a child only seemed to fuel their disapproval.
I sighed again and closed my eyes not knowing how to comfort her
"Camilla"; i called and she turned to look at me.
I think we should go for adoption; i suggested
But----, what if your mom doesn't accept it? She asked
yeah------, you're right, we'll talk to her about it tomorrow; i replied
"I'm scared" she whispered bit i chose to ignore that.
______________________________
CAMILLA
We were planning to visit my mother in law, but instead she showed up on our door step, unannounced and already wearing that cold, judgmental stare that never failed to tighten my chest.
I forced a smile
Honestly, i was scared
Good evening, mom; i greeted softly
she didn't bother returning the greeting. She only hummed, her eyes sweeping over me like i was a stain.
Where's my son? Go and get him. I need to speak to the both of you; she ordered
I turned to search for him, but je was already descending the stairs, his face unreadable.
You said you needed to speak with us; Xander said, breaking the heavy silence.
"Yes"; Mrs. Revel replied lifting her chin.
"I want you both to consider surrogacy"
My heart nearly stopped.
"What?" I whispered.
"You want another woman to carry my husband's child?"
Her lips curled, her voice cold as ice.
"Well, can you carry one? Do you have another option."
We were thinking of adoption; Xander offered
Mrs. Revel scoffed loudly, slammed her hand on the table.
"I will not allow an outsiders child to inherit the Revels wealth! She snapped
" Xander, it's either surrogacy... or a divorce ".
My breath caught
she couldn't mean that, she wouldn't...
Divorce.....? Over this?
"We'll think about it"; Xander replied
" Xan.....!" I tried to speak, but he cut me off sharply.
"I said we'll think about it, mom"
She stood, her eyes landing on me one last time filled with pure disdain before she walked out of the house.