pregnancy contract a love triangle dramashorts

Here is a dramatic short based on the "pregnancy contract" trope, weaving in a love triangle. Title: The Heir & The Substitute Characters: Elena: A struggling artist, desperate for money to save her mother's medical clinic. Lucas Kane: A cold, ruthless CEO. He needs an heir to secure his inheritance from his dying grandfather. Isabelle: Lucass elegant, long-time girlfriend. She is supposedly infertile. Marco: Elenas childhood best friend and secret admirer, a gentle mechanic. Scene 1: THE CONTRACT INT. KANE CORP OFFICE - DAY An imposing glass desk. LUCAS KANE (30s, sharp suit, cold eyes) slides a thick document across the table. ELENA (20s, nervous, wearing a simple dress) stares at it. LUCAS (Voice flat, clinical) Read it. A one-year surrogacy contract. You will carry my child. You will live in my guest house. You will be discreet. In exchange, your mothers debt is cleared, plus a million dollars. ELENA (Whispering) This is insane. What about... your girlfriend? Isabelle? LUCAS (A flicker of annoyance) Isabelle is part of the plan. She will be a... maternal figure once the child is born. You are merely the vessel. There is no emotion. Only biology and business. Elena closes her eyes. She sees her mothers face, the "For Sale" sign on the clinic. She picks up the pen. ELENA (Signed) Fine. Scene 2: THE SPARK INT. KANE GUEST HOUSE - THREE MONTHS LATER Elena is painting a vibrant sunset. The door opens. Lucas stands there, loosening his tie. He seems tired, not cold. He stops, looking at her painting. LUCAS (Softly) Thats... not what a contract usually buys. ELENA (Startled) Its just light. You cant buy light. He sits down, watching her. The usual icy barrier is gone. He tells her about his cold, loveless childhood. She listens. She sees the hurt in the monster. Scene 3: THE RIVAL INT. FIVE-STAR RESTAURANT - NIGHT Lucas and Isabelle are at a table. Isabelle is all perfect smiles and sharp eyes. ISABELLE (Touching his hand) The baby is coming along well, my love? Ive bought so many things for the nursery. LUCAS (Distant) Its fine. Isabelle sees Lucas's gaze flicker towards his phone. A text from Elena: The baby kicked for the first time. It felt like a butterfly. Isabelles smile freezes. Her fingers dig into her champagne flute. She isnt the maternal figure. Shes being replaced. Scene 4: THE CONFESSION INT. MECHANIC SHOP - DAY Marco (30s, grease-stained hands, warm eyes) sees Elena looking pale but glowing. MARCO Elena, why won't you tell me who the father is? You can barely look at me. ELENA (Tears in her eyes) Because its not real, Marco. Its a contract. Im selling my body. MARCO (Takes her hands) Then stop. I dont care about the money. Ive loved you since we were kids. Marry me. Well raise the baby together. Elena looks at his honest, loving face. She feels the safety of his world. But she also remembers Lucass hidden sadness, the way he looked at her painting. Scene 5: THE COLLISION INT. KANE MANSION - NIGHT Isabelle finds Lucas next to Elena, his head resting on her swollen belly, a soft, genuine smile on his face. ISABELLE (Voice like ice) Get away from her. Lucas stands up, protective. LUCAS Isabelle, this has changed. Im sorry. ISABELLE (Stepping closer to Elena) You think he loves you? Youre hired help. A womb with a heartbeat. The contract says the child is ours. ELENA (Looking at Lucas, then at Isabelle) Actually... the contract says his child. And Im done being a vessel. Elena picks up her purse, holding her belly. ELENA (To Lucas) If you want this family, you come find me. Not as your surrogate. As the woman you choose. She leaves. FINAL SCENE: THE CROSSROADS EXT. BUS STOP - NIGHT Elena waits in the rain. A beat-up truck pulls up. Marco, his face hopeful. MARCO Get in. Lets go home. She looks at him. He is safety. He is love. She steps forward. Suddenly, a black Rolls Royce skids to a halt. The window rolls down. Lucas, drenched, looking desperate. LUCAS (Yelling) Marco can give you a life. I can give you a universe. But more than that... I can give you the light. You showed me light. Isabelle is in the passenger seat, screaming through the window. ISABELLE LUCAS! YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE! Elena looks from Marcos kind, safe eyes to Lucass desperate, chaotic ones. She places a hand on her belly. ELENA (Softly, to both of them) Whose baby is this? Really? (FREEZE FRAME on Elenas torn face) TEXT ON SCREEN: Whose choice will she make? END OF EPISODE.