Bi understood how far-fetched her allegations sounded. “If it were not for all the hard evidence, it’s too shocking to believe [Rebecca Smith] did what she did to kill my son,” Bi wrote on Facebook, using Smith’s real name. Perhaps a kind friend could have suggested to Bi that there were other explanations. Instead, Bi had a set of legal adversaries and a supportive echo chamber. On Facebook, GCs and IPs alike expressed sympathy for Bi’s tragic posts: Everyone knew bad surrogates existed, and based on Bi’s claims, it sounded like Smith was one. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, a Bay Area fertility doctor and influencer, called Smith “a criminal” and “a psycho.” Bi’s $1,275-an-hour lawyer, Elizabeth Sperling, wondered whether digging through social media posts might show Smith engaging in “strenuous activity” that could explain the death.

Bi’s husband focused on stabilizing the family, a move he credits with saving their marriage. He blamed the hospital, not Smith, but told me that the litigation is “her grieving process.” He tried to stay out of the legal stuff so that Bi couldn’t blame him too.

Smith had planned to go back to work shortly after giving birth. Instead, she couldn’t stop bleeding. Even though SAI had determined she hadn’t breached the contract, the escrow stopped paying, leaving Smith reliant on disability benefits as she faced an increasing pile of terrifying bills.

When Smith was finally cleared to return to work, a month after Leon died, Bi emailed Smith’s HR department to ask about her health plan. Bi also reported Smith to a federal agency, claiming that Smith was committing fraud. The stress on Smith was already high: Her supervisor at work had found her crying on and off for a day.

Smith hadn’t heard from Bi since her terse reply to the condolence email. Then, Bi texted her a screenshot of a Facebook post about another GC who’d had an abruption at almost 32 weeks—but that GC had called 911 and the baby had lived.

Next, Bi iMessaged a photo of Leon’s corpse to Smith’s 7-year-old son’s iPad.

In the months after Leon died, Bi:

Called the FBI 12 times. Reported Smith, SAI, the hospital, and Clarity escrow to more than a dozen state and federal regulators and numerous professional organizations. Launched a new round of her $30 million venture fund, backed by Marc Andreessen and David Sacks, President Trump’s “AI and crypto czar,” on Leon’s due date. Posted Leon’s ChatGPT-written endorsement from heaven, offering his “eternal blessings” for her work. Created TikToks, Instagram Reels, Facebook posts, X threads, LinkedIn Updates, and a website for her advocacy. Posted links disclosing Smith’s full name, photo, address, employer, mortgage license number, and son’s first name to her website. Asked her husband, again and again, how it was possible that Smith had carried her son but felt “nothing” about his death.

Bi has abandonment issues that she traces back to her twenties, when her father divorced her mom for the mistress who’d conceived his long-awaited son. She got on lithium for her bipolar disorder in early 2021 and began looking for surrogates as soon as she stopped feeling “sedated.” I spoke to the therapist Bi hired to consult with her and Valdeiglesias. She told me that, of the 792 intended parents she has evaluated for surrogacy or gamete donation in the last decade, she has declined to recommend only about a dozen. “I’m not gatekeeping,” she said. When it comes to serious mental illness, she added, it’s up to them to disclose. One of Bi’s fertility doctors, meanwhile, told me it’s not his place to scrutinize intended parents. He defers to the recommendation of the psychological interviewer.

If an intended parent gets turned down, they can usually find another therapist, another clinic, another agency. But without anyone questioning her plans, Bi seemed betrayed by the challenges of third-party reproduction. “Surrogacy is supposed to be the safest route,” she wrote on Instagram. It wasn’t just Leon’s death that pushed Bi into her spiral of legal action and social media posts. It was the apparent lack of control of having her child inside another woman’s body—the most basic fact of surrogacy.

Target has set itself apart from big box retailers like Walmart by having trendy clothes, homegoods branded by reality TV stars and, of course, in-store Starbucks. With malls and traditional department stores in decline, Target has even become the go-to destination for stay-at-home parents who need to get out of the house (and maybe get a Frappuccino). In recent years, the store has cemented themselves as a notch above similar retailers with exclusive products with a more high-end feel, while still being inexpensive and regularly holding sales for even more savings. Carrying everything from outdoor gear to clothes to tech and grocery items, WIRED has coupons for specific items as well as weekly deals—including this Target promo code to get $50 off.

Score a $50 Off Target Coupon When You Sign Up

One of the best kept secrets to saving sitewide at Target? Get $50 off orders of $50 or more when you’re approved for a Target Circle Credit or Debit Card. As a bonus, you can also get a $50 credit when you open a Target Circle Reloadable account and spend $50 at Target. The good news is that with this deal, no code is required. Simply sign up for a Target Circle Credit or Debit card, and when approved, you’ll get $50 savings on a purchase of $50 or more.

Get up to 50% Off + a $10 Gift Card With Target Circle Coupons

For even more savings, sign up for Target Circle—a membership program that rewards you for doing the shopping you already are. Target Circle members get 5% discounts in-store and online, free two-day shipping, no-rush returns, and a ton more perks.

Another benefit of being a Target Circle member are also the exclusive offers and limited-time deals, like a free year of Target Circle 360 when you spend $199 on qualifying purchases and a $30 reward when you spend $300 on qualifying purchases. These deals both end on September 20, but even when they expire, you can still find other great offers, like you’ll receive a $10 Target gift card when you buy 3 select household essentials, a $5 gift card with purchase of 4 personal care items, buy-one get-one deals for 25% off beauty and wellness products, and buy-one get-one for 50% off select food and drinks.

Students and Teachers Get an Extra 20% Off Target Coupon

Students can save over 50% on a membership and get 20% off storewide purchases. The student discount gets you a $49 membership, rather than the regular pricing of $99 per year ($50 in savings). Plus, Target has a promo for 20% off sitewide for students through September 27—perfect for back-to-school shopping. To be eligible for student discounts, you’ll need to upload a student ID, class schedule, or tuition receipt for proof.

Other customers can save too, including 50% off for those on Governmental Assistance. Members who qualify can get free, fast shipping, unlimited same-day delivery and more at just $5 per month—$6 off the regular price.

There are even more ways to save. Customers who are enrolled in Target 360 get tons of perks, like one free gift every month, early sale access, free same day delivery, and free 2-day delivery.

How Can I Get 15% Off at Target?

Celebrating life’s big milestones has never been easier (or cheaper) with Target Circle. As you get close to your baby or wedding registry event date, you’ll receive a 15% off storewide Target Circle offer that you can actually redeem twice. Just make sure your registries are active for at least two weeks before.

You’ll get your 15% off coupon for the baby registry eight weeks before your expected due date and you’ll get the wedding registry offer during the week of your event date. And just like that, you’ll be getting 15% off your next in-store or online purchase. Although the offer is limited to one per Target Circle member, you can redeem it up to two times within 12 months. But the offer expires in 6 months, so make sure you check the expiration date on the offer. There are a few ways to redeem: you can Wallet in the Target app, enter your phone number on the keypad or self-checkout screen, or scan your offers barcode on target.com/circle/offers.

More Ways to Save on Your Online Order and Unlock Target Free Shipping

One of the best ways to save at Target is to channel your mom’s couponing and keep an eye out for weekly Target ads with rotating and limited-time deals. These offers rotate weekly, and focus specifically on certain items, like electronics or groceries. In addition to the weekly ads, there are also top deals in various categories, and online clearance items for major coin off major products. You can also get exclusive discounts in the Target App, including digital coupons. And don’t forget to check out Target Circle deals or their Weekly Ad (in just a couple of taps).

Target offers free shipping on orders above $35—convenience for less money. Along with these Target promo codes, Target offers a price match guarantee to show their commitment to making sure you are getting the best deal. Plus, no Target coupon code is needed to save $50 when you’re approved for a Circle card.

With original reporting and sharp analysis, WIRED’s Uncanny Valley podcast covers today’s biggest stories in tech. We demystify companies like Palantir, trends like vibe coding, and figures like Sam Altman; we break down our essential coverage of DOGE and ICE; we guide listeners through breakthrough innovation like generative AI and sweeping policy changes like the Trump administration’s tariffs.

On September 9, at 7 pm PDT, WIRED is partnering with KQED for Uncanny Valley’s first live show of the podcast. The first part of the event will feature WIRED’s editor in chief Katie Drummond in conversation with Jack Conte, CEO of Patreon. As a founder and musician, Conte has been at the forefront of adapting and harnessing the power of changing technological landscapes to the advantage of creatives. This summer, Patreon reached a milestone of $10 billion in payments to creators since the company was founded in 2013.

The roundtable conversation with our cohosts Michael Calore and Lauren Goode will center around how San Francisco grew to be the tech hotspot it is today, and how that role has changed in recent years. Emerging technologies like AI and machine learning have allowed the Bay Area to keep a stronghold in its leadership position—but can it keep it?

You won’t want to miss this event. Get your tickets here.

For those not based in the Bay Area, you can tune in via the livestream on this page: