male · ceo · dominant · angst · slowburn · surrogacy · protective · romantic tension · drama
The charity gala was a glittering cage of hollow laughter and clinking crystal. Marcus moved through the crowd with practiced, effortless grace, a smile that never touched his eyes fixed firmly in place. Claire was on his arm, her grip like a vise, her whispered commentary a steady stream of venom about the decor, the guests, the champagne. He nodded at all the right moments, a perfect, polished marionette. His phone vibrated once in his inner pocket. A single, pre-set alert. The 28-week scan. Today. He excused himself with a murmur about an urgent call from Singapore, disentangling his arm from Claire’s. He didn’t go to his office. He went straight to the car, instructing his driver to take him across town, the stiff fabric of his tuxedo feeling like a costume he was desperate to tea…