Chapter 3 I'm Quitting

Evelyn's POV

Violent morning sickness woke me from a deep sleep. I ran into the bathroom, braced myself on the vanity, and threw up until there was nothing left.

Panting, I washed the tears and snot off my face. The mirror showed me exactly how haggard I looked. Pale skin, and dull eyes ringed with dark circles.

That was what carrying pups was like, especially when I wasn't getting enough rest and had no husband taking care of me.

I stroked my belly and said quietly, "This is what you need, babies. We only have to wait three more days, and we'll have a new life."

Enduring was what I did best. It was also the only thing Liam had ever taught me.

The moment I stepped into the company elevator, the employees' gossip reached my ears.

"I swear, I saw it with my own eyes. Lily Berkeley got out of Mr. Dudley's car, and Mr. Dudley even opened the door for her."

"I know her! She's so pretty, especially that blond hair. She was Mr. Dudley's first love back in high school. Just think about the name of this building. L&L. That's so romantic."

They chattered away behind me, while I, Liam's hidden mate, stood at the very front of the elevator like I wasn't even there.

"I bet we can't even call her Mr. Dudley's first love anymore. She's more like the future Luna!"

"I'm so jealous. Some women get everything, and the rest of us just work in a building named after their love story."

The elevator arrived, and I fought back the urge to throw up as I got off. First love? Future Luna? No, none of that has anything to do with you, Evelyn. Stop letting it get to you.

"Are you okay?" Noah came to my desk with a cup of coffee. "You look terrible."

I didn't want Noah to notice anything, so I smiled at him. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Okay." Noah shrugged. "If anything's up, let me know. I can cover some of your work. But for now, could you take this coffee in for me?"

I took the coffee and knocked on Liam's office door, waiting until he answered before I pushed it open.

It felt staged. Lily was getting up from Liam's lap as I walked in. The gossips were right. Lily looked beautiful today, especially in that red dress.

"Oh! Evelyn, it's you. It's been so long."

Lily's greeting was so warm it felt like an act.

I was used to it and didn't react at all. I just set the coffee on Liam's desk and said in my most professional voice, "Mr. Dudley, here's your coffee."

"No, this should be mine." Lily laughed and picked up the coffee. She took a sip and complained, "Evelyn, this is way too bitter. You know I like my coffee sweeter. Make me another one."

She bossed me around without a second thought, just like back when we lived at home.

I refused. "Making you coffee isn't part of my job."

Lily pouted playfully. "Liam, look. My own big sister won't even make me a cup of coffee."

I frowned and was about to turn and leave when Lily spoke again. "Evelyn, can you take me to the restroom? I've been wanting to go, but I can't find it."

I had a bad feeling. She was definitely up to something. I knew Lily too well. But Liam hadn't said a word the whole time. He was silently giving Lily the go-ahead.

I knew perfectly well that if I refused something he'd quietly approved, things would only get messier.

"Sure." I took a deep breath and tried to sound professional. "Follow me."

Lily's heels clicked behind me all the way into the restroom. The moment the door closed, all the friendliness vanished from her face, and she looked down at me with a mocking smile.

"You really love this kind of work, don't you? You used to cook and clean for Mom and me at home, and now you're Liam's nanny. Oh, and if I remember right, you sleep with him too, don't you? Just like those whores out there. Actually, no. Just like your mother."

I hated the look on her face. I clenched my teeth. "You don't get to talk about my mother."

"Is that because you think she was pathetic too?" Lily laughed. Her perfume was so heavy it was hard to breathe. "Think about your mother. She gave everything she had just so someone would love her. And what did she get? No respect at all. Think about how she ended up, Evelyn. You're exactly like her now..."

Smack!

I was breathing hard, my palm stinging. Lily stared at me in shock, a red, swollen mark rising on her cheek. I'd slapped her, giving the mistress's daughter a little lesson. Lily recovered quickly and sneered at me. I realized something was wrong and tried to get out of there, but before I could take a single step, Lily suddenly started screaming like a madwoman.

She tore at her own hair and clawed bloody scratches into her arms. The next second, Liam kicked the door open and stormed in.

Lily threw herself into his arms and started crying pitifully. "Liam, I don't know what's wrong with Evelyn. She suddenly went crazy and hit me!"

"No." I shook my head at Liam. "I didn't..."

"Apologize," Liam cut me off. His face darkened, and his Alpha aura pressed down on me. "Evelyn, don't lie to me. Own up to what you did."

My bones trembled under the pressure. I fought through the pain and looked at Liam. He wasn't joking at all. A chill swept through me, as if I'd been plunged into ice water. It was over. All of it was over, right here and now.

"I won't apologize." I looked at him. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"Don't risk your job over this," Liam warned.

"I don't care." I forced a stiff smile. "I'm quitting."

The whole room went quiet. Lily stared at me in surprise, and Liam froze too. "What did you say?"

"I'm quitting," I repeated. "I'll send the email to HR in a little while. Mr. Dudley, you can find a more suitable assistant for Lily."

I turned and walked out. Liam's voice rang out behind me. "Stop right there, Evelyn! You..."

I didn't stop until I was out of the building. Then I made a call. He picked up right away, sounding pleasantly surprised. "Evelyn? It's been ages since you called me."

He was my college classmate, William Parker.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm leaving him. Can we meet?"