male · ceo · dominant · angst · slowburn · surrogacy · protective · romantic tension · drama
The charity gala was a symphony of false laughter and clinking crystal. Damien moved through the crowd with practiced ease, a smile that never reached his eyes fixed in place. Amber was on his arm, her grip like a vise, her commentary a stream of venom about the decor, the guests, the champagne. He nodded at the right moments, a perfect marionette. His phone vibrated in his inner pocket. A single, pre-set alert. The 28-week scan. Today. He excused himself with a murmur about a call from Hong Kong, extracting his arm from Amber’s. He didn’t go to his office. He went straight to the car, instructing his driver to take him across town, his tuxedo feeling like a costume he was desperate to shed. The clinic was quiet, sterile. He was late. He walked the empty hallway, his dress shoes sound…