When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 507

Chapter 507: The Transaction

The air in the dimly lit corridor felt heavy as Loretta’s words hung between them. “Swapping babies won’t get you anywhere, but if you want to secure a good home for your son and ensure he lives a comfortable life, I can help.”

Rachel blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected offer. Her gaze fixed on Loretta, searching for any hint of deception. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

Loretta’s finger traced a slow circle over her midsection. Only then did Rachel realize the subtle curve beneath the loose fabric of Loretta’s blouse. Her eyes widened in surprise. “You’re… pregnant?”

A cold, mocking smile spread across Loretta’s lips as she reached under her clothing and pulled out a thick cushion, holding it up for Rachel to see. “You mean this?” she asked with a sharp edge.

Rachel’s heart skipped a beat, confusion swirling in her mind. “Madam, is this some kind of act?”

Loretta’s expression darkened, shadows flickering across her face. “I have medical complications that make childbirth impossible for me. Yet, as the matriarch of a wealthy family, I need an heir—a son to cement my position and carry on the legacy. I had arranged with a pregnant woman to bear a son for me, promising her a generous sum. But fate was cruel—the baby suffocated in her womb. Now, my due date is near, and I have no son to show for it. Soon, my deception will be uncovered.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, laden with frustration and desperation. Then, fixing Rachel with a steady gaze, she continued, “Your goal is to give your son a better life, right? Whether you entrust him to the Stone family or to me, the outcome is the same. I promise your son will be cherished above all others in my household. He will inherit the family’s fortune and rise to prominence. You can name your price, but there are conditions. Once you accept the money, you must leave Ocean City forever—never return in this lifetime. You cannot claim your son, nor reveal this arrangement to him.”

Rachel’s mind raced. This was far beyond anything she had imagined. She was overwhelmed by the weight of the decision—her heart torn between desperation and doubt. Raising her son alone was impossible right now. The offer gleamed like a beacon of hope, yet suspicion gnawed at her.

“How do I know you’re not deceiving me?” she asked cautiously. “The Stone family’s wealth is obvious, but you… you look well-off, yet why come to me like this? It could be a trap to steal my child. Tell me—who is your husband?”

Rachel’s sharp mind was not easily fooled.

Loretta hesitated, her usual confidence faltering. Revealing her identity was a risk she had hoped to avoid, but circumstances left her no choice. The woman she had trusted before had lost the baby, and finding another newborn to pass off as a Luke family heir was nearly impossible. Buying a child would involve too many people, risking exposure of her scheme.

Rachel was her last hope.

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