PART 9 – I Called the Clinic Without Telling My Husband, and the First Question I Asked Changed How I Saw the Entire Arrangement

The next morning, I waited until Daniel left for work.

I watched his car disappear down the street before picking up my phone.

The clinic's number was still saved in my contacts.

I had called it dozens of times before.

But this time, my hands were shaking.

When someone answered, I gave my name and explained that I wanted to speak with someone about my surrogacy arrangements.

The receptionist transferred me.

A woman introduced herself as one of the coordinators.

"Is everything okay?"

I hesitated.

"I need to understand some things about my agreement."

"Of course. What would you like to know?"

I looked at the folder on the desk.

"I want to know exactly who the intended parent is and whether anything about the arrangement can be changed without my knowledge."

There was a short pause.

"Your file identifies Graham Whitmore as the intended parent."

"I know that."

I swallowed.

"But I have some concerns about conversations happening outside the clinic."

She became more careful.

"Are you concerned that someone is withholding information from you?"

I didn't know how to answer.

"I heard my husband talking on the phone. He said I didn't know who I was really carrying the baby for."

The woman was quiet.

Then she asked me to come in for a private appointment.

I agreed.

She explained that I could request an independent review of my paperwork and speak with the appropriate legal professional.

She also reminded me that I should not rely on my husband to explain documents that affected my rights.

I thanked her.

When I ended the call, I sat completely still.

I had wanted someone to tell me that I was imagining things.

Instead, I had been told to get independent advice.

That frightened me more than I expected.

I placed the phone beside the folder.

Then I heard Sophie calling from upstairs.

"Mommy!"

I closed the paperwork.

"Coming, sweetheart!"

I went to help her find her missing school sweater.

For the rest of the morning, I behaved normally.

But inside, something had changed.

I wasn't going to let Daniel answer every question for me anymore.

Click here to continue reading: PART 10: My Husband Asked Why I Was Becoming Distant, but I Was No Longer Sure I Could Trust the Man Sleeping Beside Me