CHAPTER: 03

Eva's Pov:

And just like that, the room fell silent again — cold, sterile, heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. I could feel it in my gut, a warning that something bad was about to unfold. But exhaustion pressed down on me, and I had no strength left to dwell on it. I let my eyes close, hoping for a brief escape.

The door creaked open. I forced my eyes open, expecting Damon perhaps— or Ryan, though hope was a fragile thing. Instead, Ryan’s parents walked in, their faces etched with disappointment. Yet, to my surprise, they managed a smile. And then I saw him.

My little boy.

No wonder they smiled they loved to pretend like the loving gradparents around Eric.

Eric rushed toward me, his small arms wrapping around me with a desperate strength only a child could muster.

“Mommy…” he whispered, his voice trembling as tears streaked his cheeks.

“You scared me, Mommy. Daddy said a car hit you… Daddy said Uncle D will punish the bad woman who hurt you.”

His words broke me and healed me all at once. His nose was runny, his cheeks flushed pink from crying, and yet he looked so heartbreakingly adorable. His concern reminded me why I had never given in to despair, why I had never taken a drastic step to end my life.

He was my anchor.

My reason.

“Baby, Mumma is fine,” I cooed, stroking his hair, forcing a smile through the ache in my chest.

Ryan’s parents tried to pull him back, but Eric clung tighter, pushing them away. The sight made me smile. Caroline Williams hated it — hated that no matter how hard she tried, my son couldn’t be turned against me.

For years she had whispered poison, belittling me while glorifying her son’s every action. But Eric never wavered. He trusted me, only me.

Even at eight, his instincts were sharp. He couldn’t articulate manipulation, but he sensed ill intentions. He kept his distance from those who tried to sway him — and that included his grandparents, and sometimes even Ryan himself.

As I caressed his hair, Eric bounced suddenly, pressing against my stomach. Pain shot through me, sharp and merciless, thanks to the fresh wound of my C‑section. I bit back a gasp, hiding the agony behind a smile. I couldn’t let him see my pain.

“Mumma, I saw Riva baby!” he exclaimed, eyes shining.

“Mumma, she is so beautiful.... so little..... I love Riva baby. I suggested that name! I read it in a book — the little fairy’s name was Riva. And Mumma, you call me Eri, and everyone calls you Eva… Eri and Eva so Riva! Eva Eri and Riva our family Mumma.”

His joy was pure, unfiltered.

Tears filled my eyes — tears of happiness. But across the room, Ryan's parensts — Caroline and Collin Williams stiffened. Anger flickered in their eyes. Eric’s words had made it clear: his world revolved around me and now his baby sister, Riva.

Not Ryan.

Not this snobbish prudes.

Even though Ryan tried to play the role of a good father, Eric’s heart had already chosen.

And it wasn’t him.

The realization made my heart smile, though I dared not show it in front of them. I hadn’t even realized I was smiling until the stress and pain I carried seemed to dissolve, replaced by the warmth of my son’s chatter. His little bickering, his banter about school friends, the hospital staff, even the pizza his father had bought him — it all reminded me of the simple joys that tethered me to life.

Eric spoke with no care in the world, and most importantly, he didn’t spare his grandparents a single glance. They sat scrolling on their phones, ignored, irrelevant in his universe.

Then the door opened.

And there he was — my husband, the great Ryan Williams. Or rather, Ryan Wills, the Hollywood star. He wasn’t alone.

In his arms, like a porcelain doll, was my sweet girl, Riva. She looked so delicate, so perfect, even from across the room. My body ached to hold her, to press her against my chest, but I was too weak, and Eric clung tightly to me.

I stretched out my hand toward Ryan, desperate, silently pleading to hold my daughter. I didn’t care that Ryan was accompanied by Tessa Brown, his ever‑present PA, her hand linked with his as if she belonged there.

His parents looked ecstatic, their faces lighting up at the sight of Tessa. Caroline Williams, especially, seemed smug. Tessa wasn’t just Ryan’s assistant — she was the Brown family’s youngest daughter, the prized jewel of one of Caroline’s elite social circles.

Few years back, Caroline had forced Ryan to take Tessa as his PA, that was around the same time when I was first introduced to Caroline and Collin as the woman carrying his child.

Caroline had tried to force me into an abortion then, stubbornly insisting I wasn’t fit to bear a Williams heir. She even threatened me; when that didn't work, she tortured me, pushing me to the verge of death, and took me to the hospital, but to her dismay, the doctors declined to perform an abortion, even after her offering millions of money in return.

They had warned it was too late to perform an abortion and that it could destroy my chances of ever conceiving again and as doctors, they couldn't do such brutality towards any woman, but Caroline didn’t care and to appease her, Ryan had agreed to take Tessa as his PA.

At first, Ryan hated her at least he pretended to.

Later, she became his closest confidante — maybe even more. I had seen them together in compromising positions more times than I could count. Each time, Ryan had excuses ready, showering me with gifts and temporary affection until I brushed it off, convincing myself to believe him.

But now, on the most important day of our lives, as he held our daughter, I saw Tessa’s gaze linger on Riva with a possessive tenderness — as if she were her child, her family. Something twisted inside me, but I forced calmness. Suppression was my only weapon. If I showed no reaction, it would rattle Caroline and Tessa more than any outburst could.

Ryan stepped closer, almost placing Riva in my arms with that tender smile of affection and something else I can't define.

Almost.

Because before I could hold her, Caroline snatched Riva away.

“Ryan, she’s too weak. And did you forget what we decided? I will raise Riva, well me and Tessa.” Caroline said, her tone sharp, more warning than suggestion.

Tessa’s eyes sparkled, her expression practically screaming Aunt Caroline, you’re such a lovely person.

Caroline turned her gaze to me. Eric was fast asleep against my waist, his small arms locked around me. She sneered.

“Eva, all these years you’ve forced Eric to distance himself from us. Look at him — he still doesn’t accept us, not even his father. And poor Tessa, she loves children, yet Eric is always cruel to her. At least Riva will love Tessa, get to know her, and us. So I will raise Riva. It’s final. Ryan agreed. If you object, be ready to sign divorce papers and hand over custody of both children. I’ll make sure Ryan marries Tessa. Once they’re married, custody will be easy. And if we prove you’re unfit — mentally, financially — it’s a piece of cake. So choose, Eva. Either remain Ryan’s wife and Eric’s mother while we raise Riva… or lose everything. Your children, your status, your home. You’ll be left on the streets.”

Her smugness was venomous.

I looked at Ryan. He couldn’t even meet my eyes. He stared everywhere else, avoiding me, while Tessa’s cheeks flushed with excitement. She was everything Caroline wanted for her son — gorgeous, ambitious, bold, elegant, from a powerful family. She was the perfect pawn in Caroline’s hunger for status.

Caroline thrived on power. Unlike Ryan and Collin, she craved influence within the Williams family. She had tried to turn Ryan into Damon’s lapdog, but Damon’s kindness had saved him. Damon treated Ryan like a brother, supporting him at every step, and that alone forced the family to respect Caroline’s schemes.

“You didn’t say anything, Eva. Does that mean you agree?” Caroline pressed, her eyes narrowing.

Ryan glanced at me sideways, guilt flickering in his expression. Tessa struggled to contain her joy.

I sighed, knowing my next words would ignite Caroline’s fury. I chuckled softly, making everyone stare at me.

“Caroline… give me some time to think.”

Her face twisted.

“What’s there to think, you thankless girl? Can’t you see how happy Tessa is? She loves children!” Caroline hissed, her voice rising until Eric stirred in his sleep.

“Mom, enough!” Ryan snapped, his voice sharp with frustration.

“She just asked for time. And what’s wrong with you? Let her hold our baby. She carried Riva — she deserves to hold her once. She’s still recovering, Mom. She had a C‑section, an accident — it’s sheer luck she’s alive. Give her time. That’s the least you can do after dropping such a bomb on her.”

For once, Ryan sounded protective. But I knew him too well. Caroline had likely been at him for hours, wearing him down until he gave in. She had her ways — threats, manipulation, even cruelty.

Knowing Ryan, he would agree to anything under pressure. No matter how chaotic our marriage was, he would never wish harm on me or Eric.

Collin finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. “Caroline, in your busy schedule, how will you care for Riva? You’ll hire nannies. Tessa may love children, but will she change diapers? Feed her? Calm her when she cries? Only a mother’s instinct can do that.”

I almost laughed when Tessa’s face twisted in disgust at the mention of diapers.