Elizabeth Bennets face flushed with embarrassment as the reality of her situation settled in. Fitzwilliam Darcys voice cut through the tension in the hospital room, "Mother, please refrain from such talk."
Mrs. Bennet dismissed her sons plea with a wave of her hand, "Am I wrong? After all, its because of her that our familys lineage is at risk. If not for her inability to bear more children, we wouldnt be considering such measures."
Elizabeth bit her tongue, holding back the retort that desperately wanted to escape. She recalled the harsh winter when Darcy was away on business, and she had carried Mrs. Bennet to the hospital through the snow after she fell and broke her leg. That night, in the freezing cold, had left Elizabeth with a body too damaged to conceive easily.
Now, with Jane Eyres health hanging in the balance, Elizabeth was willing to do whatever it took to save her daughter. The doctor had suggested surrogacy, and Elizabeth had taken ovulation drugs, enduring the painful egg retrieval process for the sake of her child.
Isabella Thorpe approached Elizabeth, concern etched on her face, "Elizabeth, are you still in pain?" Elizabeth glanced at her, knowing that the pain was worth it if it meant saving Jane.
Thorpe, sensing Elizabeths determination, offered a solution, "Elizabeth, Ill be the surrogate." Elizabeths eyes widened in shock, "Isabella, do you understand what youre offering?"
"Ive always wanted to repay you for your kindness, and now I have the chance," Thorpe said with a resolute expression. Elizabeth, however, refused outright. She could not allow this woman, who had already encroached on her marriage, to bear a child for her and Darcy.
But before she could argue further, Darcys voice interjected, "Ive already agreed." Elizabeth looked at him, her heart aching with betrayal and anger. "Isabella is young and hasnt had her own children yet. I cant ask her to do this for us," Elizabeth protested.
"Finding a suitable surrogate is difficult, and Janes condition cant wait. Isabella is the best option, and if shes willing, I dont see why you should object," Darcy reasoned, his voice brooking no argument.
"This is my child too, and I say we move forward with this," Darcy declared, leaving Elizabeth feeling helpless and furious. She knew that Thorpe had ulterior motives, but Darcy seemed blind to them, or perhaps he was willfully ignoring them.
Despite Elizabeths objections, the surrogacy arrangement with Isabella Thorpe was set in motion. Three days later, as they waited outside the operating room for the embryo transfer, Mrs. Bennet was already pressing the doctor for details, even suggesting that they choose the gender of the child.
"Mother, please," Darcy chided, trying to calm her enthusiasm. "The gender doesnt matter."
But Mrs. Bennet was not to be dissuaded, "Nonsense, it matters a great deal. If the Darcy line ends with you, how will I face your father in the afterlife? Ive tolerated your refusal to replace Elizabeth, but cant you at least give me a grandson through surrogacy?"
Elizabeth knew Mrs. Bennets traditional views all too well, but to hear such callous words even as Jane was fighting for her life was too much to bear. She had to stand up for her daughter, even if it meant defying her mother-in-law and husband.
Just then, a loud pop startled everyone in the waiting area, silencing Mrs. Bennets complaints. Jane Eyre, who was playing with a balloon, had blown it up and let it burst, her innocent laughter a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere.
Mrs. Bennet huffed, "That girl is far too bold for her own good. She needs discipline."
Elizabeth, who had been patient for so long, had reached her limit. "Fitzwilliam, you must tell your mother to stop speaking this way about Jane. Not in front of her at least."
She could ignore how Mrs. Bennet treated her and the lingering scent of perfume on Darcy that hinted at his infidelities. But she would not stand by while they mistreated her daughter.
"Do you understand?" Elizabeth asked, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and sadness. Would Darcy even care about her feelings anymore?