CHAPTER: 04

Eva's Pov:

It was almost laughable — watching them all make decisions for my daughter. Yes, Ryan may be her father, but he had barely been present throughout my pregnancy. His projects, his production company, his endless pursuits kept him away. I tried not to blame him; after all, he was the breadwinner of our family. But the truth remained — he hadn’t been there.

And yet, hearing him and even his father speak a few words in my defense touched me. I hadn’t expected it.

Caroline’s voice cut through the room, sharp and venomous.

“Cole, what is wrong with you? I can understand Ryan having a soft spot for her, but you? You’re hurting Tessa. Look at that poor girl — she wishes to be with Ryan, even loves his children, ready to accept all his flaws and past mistakes. I’m doing this for our family, for our son. Ryan is our only son, and she”

— her eyes flicked toward me with disgust —

“is a stain in his life. Ryan deserves someone like Tessa. Perfect. Someone who can live up to our family’s standards  who is even kind enough to accept and love his kids as her own. Not some low‑life fool like this girl.”

She spoke as if I wasn’t even there, as if I were invisible.

No designer clothes or jewels worth thousands could hide a person’s ugliness, and Caroline was proof of that. She might appear refined, calm, beautiful, but beneath the surface she was nothing but venom—spewing it at anyone who didn’t serve her ambition, bowing only to those who could elevate her status.

“Eva,” she snapped, her tone commanding. “Tell Ryan you’re okay with my decision.”

This time, I smiled.

Openly.

Confidently.

Something inside me had shifted. Maybe it was the accident, that brush with death. Maybe it was the fleeting vision of Shifu. Or maybe it was simply the fire that ignited when they tried to keep me from my daughter.

Whatever it was, I felt stronger. Ready to show them the mirror.

“Caroline,” I said sweetly, feigning innocence,

“If Tessa wishes to start a family, to have children, then she should find someone who can give her that more like she needs to find someone capable enough to successfully knock her up like Ryan did to me. Unless, of course, she’s barren. That would explain her wanting another woman’s husband and children.”

The words hung in the air like a blade.

Tessa’s face drained of color. Shock, embarrassment, humiliation — all painted across her features. She looked to Caroline for rescue, but Caroline was too stunned to speak. Even Collin looked taken aback. And Ryan… Ryan looked amused. Almost impressed. I was well aware no one expected me to speak such harsh words.

“I am not barren,” Tessa stammered, her voice trembling. “I—”

I tilted my head, suppressing my anger with a mocking smile.

“Well, you can’t blame me for assuming. Your interest in Ryan, I can understand. But wanting to be my children’s mother? Wanting to raise Riva as your own while I’m alive, while I’m here, wanting to raise my babies myself? Sweetheart, that’s twisted. There’s only one explanation — you’re barren and you know it. Perhaps you’re trying to hide that truth by pretending to be kind, by pretending you want to raise my children.”

Tessa’s eyes filled with tears. Caroline surged forward, her rage boiling over, her hand raised to strike me.

But Ryan stopped her.

“Mom, have you lost it?” His voice was sharp, angry.

“She’s my wife. She’s still recovering. How can you even think of hitting her? And she isn’t wrong, Mom. No sane woman — especially one of Tessa’s age, status, and background — would want to raise my daughter while Eva is still here. It doesn’t make sense. Even I feel Eva's words makes sense.”

For once, Ryan defended me. For once, he stood between me and Caroline’s wrath.

And in that moment, I realized something. They could scheme, they could threaten, they could try to strip me of everything — but I wasn’t powerless. My words, my bond with my children, my refusal to break… that was my strength.

And I would use it.

“Ryan… I love those kids, that’s—” Tessa began, her voice trembling.

I didn’t let her finish. “No offence, Tessa, but I think it’s fair for Ryan to assume that…”

Her composure shattered. She fled the room in tears, her heels clicking against the sterile floor, leaving behind the echo of her shame.

Watching Caroline’s face turn crimson with rage while Tessa ran away brought me a surge of satisfaction. For once, I felt like I had won.

Yes, it was harsh.

Yes, it was wrong to call a woman barren.

But a woman who tried to snatch my children from me deserved no mercy. My children were my only treasure, my only family, the only ones I could truly call mine. And I knew, the moment I could walk again, I would stand on my own feet.

I had lived for years under Caroline’s shadow, terrified she would take Eric away from me. I had been her obedient slave. But not anymore. Worst case, I would ask Damon for help — financial aid, guidance. He might disapprove of me divorcing Ryan, but he would never deny me the chance to build something of my own. I would finish my degree. I would carve out a life for myself and my children.

As these thoughts spun in my mind, I noticed Ryan’s hesitation. He wanted to run after Tessa. Caroline urged him to.

“Ryan, have you lost it?” Caroline snapped.

“I’m doing this for you, and you’re siding with this wretched girl instead of running after Tess? You know Eva is useless — she can’t help you build your career. But Tess? Your album with her as the lead opposite you was a huge success. She loves you. She could have pursued acting, modeling, even her family business, but she chose you. If it weren’t for this fool, you’d already be engaged. Give Riva to me, Ryan. Go after Tess, apologize to her. I’ll deal with Eva and teach her some manners.”

I held my breath, waiting to see what Ryan would do.

“Mom,” Ryan said firmly,

“I’m not going after Tess. I need to be here — with Eva and Riva. I can’t hand my daughter to you. She needs skin‑to‑skin contact with one of her parents. Since you won’t let Eva hold her, I have no choice but to do it myself. See?"

He gestured towards his body where he had placed Riva on his bare chest.

"Skin to skin contact..... my bare chest..... unbuttoned shirt. Instead of trying to snatch Riva from Eva, you should thank her — for giving birth to a healthy, beautiful baby, given the circumstances.”

It was a low blow for Caroline.

“Ryan…?” she whispered, stunned.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he sat down on the edge of my hospital bed, cradling Riva against his chest.

One surprise after another.

Either he needed something from me, or something had shifted in his mind. Maybe Damon had warned him not to make me sad. Or maybe seeing me bleed, seeing me almost die, had shaken him.

Maybe, just maybe, Ryan was beginning to care.