Chapter 3

At St. Marlowe Women's Hospital, an obstetrician studied Evelyn's results.

"Congratulations. You're eight weeks pregnant. This is a remarkably strong pregnancy considering the trauma you suffered."

Sophie had just finished having her own wounds treated. She brightened immediately. "That's wonderful, Ms. Fitzgerald!"

"Graham will be thrilled. Once he knows, he'll finally support you instead of that manipulative liar."

Evelyn shook her head and spoke calmly to the doctor. "Please terminate the pregnancy."

"Ms. Fitzgerald..." Sophie stared at her with aching sympathy. "Graham still loves you. He's only been deceived by Mara."

But once the harm had already been done, did it matter whether he called it love?

Even under anesthesia on the cold operating table, Evelyn felt as though something precious was being taken from her piece by piece.

Tears slipped silently down her temples, and rain seemed to fall inside her heart.

When Evelyn left the procedure room, she found a message from Graham.

[Evie, I'm traveling for three days. I'll bring you a gift when I return.]

She glanced at it and was about to close the screen when a post from the social platform Pulse appeared.

Little Mara: [Following you has been the great adventure of my youth.]

The photo showed a tall man's back. Evelyn recognized Graham instantly.

They had visited the coast, taken a yacht out on the water, and shared an expensive tasting dinner.

Mara's admiration and devotion filled every line. Before long, strangers were treating them like a romantic couple.

Evelyn knew Mara had posted it for her to see, so she casually tapped the like button.

Three days later, Evelyn was discharged. Sophie hurried in from outside with a grim expression.

"What happened?"

Sophie's eyes reddened with anger. "Ms. Fitzgerald, I didn't want to tell you while the doctor said you needed rest, but Graham has gone too far."

"He took the most important project under your control and said he was giving it to Mara as compensation."

Evelyn's heart sank. Graham knew the project represented half of Fitzgerald Holdings' work. Losing it could cripple the company.

Graham had begun attacking Fitzgerald Holdings.

"I'd like to know how I offended Ms. Holloway badly enough to justify such an enormous gift."

When Evelyn entered Fitzgerald Holdings' boardroom, Graham and Mara were seated at the head of the table. The other shareholders looked bewildered by his sudden aggression.

In Evelyn's nightmare, her father had suffered a fatal heart attack when Graham brought his mistress into the family company and seized a project.

Because Evelyn had warned her parents in advance, Mr. Fitzgerald was furious but remained composed.

Graham looked at Evelyn, his eyes dimming slightly. "Evie, you've lost weight."

A crushing mixture of helplessness and grief rose inside her.

The day before their anniversary, they had still been inseparable, discussing a winter trip to Northstar Ridge to see the aurora.

Now a negotiation table separated them, and their hearts felt a galaxy apart.

"Evie, your assistant injured Mara, and then you bribed a doctor to inject her with something that triggered a severe allergic reaction. She nearly died.

"Don't you owe her an apology?"

Evelyn had repeated the word calm to herself a thousand times, yet the absurd accusation still left her dizzy with rage.

"So you believed her?

"Graham, do you remember the dream you told me about?

"In that dream, you never believed me once."

Graham paused, conflict flickering in his eyes.

"Evie, I want to believe you. I truly do.

"But security footage shows you went to the hospital. Tell me why you were there."

Evelyn wanted to tell him she had gone there to end their pregnancy.

Instead, she remained silent. Some choices couldn't be undone once made.

In the end, one of Graham's men forced her hand onto a voluntary project-transfer agreement.

His grip felt strong enough to break her wrist.

Graham took the signed documents and left with Mara.

At the door, he glanced back. "Come home for dinner tonight, Evie. I told Ms. Dawson to prepare something nourishing."