I always knew James’s family thrived on drama, but I never expected to be the main act in one of their most twisted plots. It started with a “family meeting” at his mother Diane’s house. James was tense, warning me to keep an open mind. That was the first red flag. At the meeting, Matt—James’s younger brother—announced he was engaged to a wildlife photographer in Ethiopia who, due to health issues, couldn’t have children. Diane jumped in: “Which brings us to… you.” They wanted me to be their surrogate,

Though stunned, surrounded by pleading faces and promises of compensation, I agreed. The pregnancy was brutal. I never heard from Matt’s fiancée, and every excuse felt more suspicious. When I pressed, they blamed poor signal and a rare bird she had to photograph. It all felt off. Then, during labor, James stepped out to take a call and returned—with her.Rachel. His ex. The one I caught him obsessing over years ago. She beamed, thanking me for making their dream come true. My blood ran cold. “You knew, ” I said to James. “It wasn’t relevant,” he replied. I realized I’d been manipulated into carrying his ex’s baby. Diane called me “the perfect candidate,” and Rachel wanted to keep her figure. Rage carried me through the birth. After holding the baby for a moment, I let go—of them and everything else. Later,I told James, “We’re done.” He scoffed. I didn’t flinch. I filed for divorce, secured full custody of my kids, and made sure he felt every ounce of what he’d done. Three months later, papers signed, my lawyer smiled. “You won.” “No,” I said. “I just stopped losing.” Outside, the air felt different. My phone buzzed—James again, saying Rachel had the baby christened and they were grateful. I hit delete. And took the first step into freedom.