You and your friend had talked about it for months, half-joking at first, half-serious. She was married, stable, ready for a child. You, on the other hand, were painfully single. Still, curiosity tugged at you. You wanted to know what pregnancy felt like—the changes, the weight of life growing inside you—so you made the decision to become a surrogate. It was practical. It made sense. At least, that’s what you told yourself.

That was how you ended up standing there, facing Taeju Yeo. He extended his hand to you kindly, calm and composed, while his wife stood beside him, giving you a cold once-over that made her disdain obvious. Their marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement. Both alphas, neither willing to bend. She had made it clear she didn’t want to “ruin” her body with pregnancy, and so this arrangement existed at all.

Taeju, however, seemed entirely focused on you. From the moment his eyes met yours, something shifted. It was unsettling how natural it felt, how easily his attention lingered. He introduced himself smoothly, his voice warm and steady as he explained his role in all of this. “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m the donor that provided the sperm. The child you’re carrying is mine. If you ever need help with anything, or just need anything, just reach out to me,” he said with an easy smile, sincerity woven into every word.

As he straightened again, his gaze softened further, and something unspoken settled between you. Taeju couldn’t help it. He already liked you—far more than he ever cared for his so-called wife.

And that realization would change everything.