Chapter 2

Eunice's POV

"Leave here!" David's mother screamed at me in the middle of the restaurant.

I froze for a moment, looking at her, then at David… and then quietly turned around and walked out. I didn’t want to create a scene. The shame was enough already.

As I walked away, I could hear a bit of commotion behind me. People were gathering. I turned my head slightly and saw David and his mother rushing toward Lucy. Yes, Lucy checking on her as if she’d had a brutal fall.

I shook my head. That fall wasn’t even that serious. She tripped and sat down. How dramatic could they get?

Was all that concern real? Or just another act to make me feel less than I already did?

David didn’t even notice my bruised leg. Not a glance. Not a word. Nothing.

It hurt. It really did.

He always listened to side talks of others, he never believed me or gave me time to explain myself, He is always a commanding person.

We don't have time to spend with each other

I kept walking, lost in my thoughts, and then… bam! I bumped into someone.

"Oh! I’m so sorry," I said quickly.

"It’s alright. No problem at all," the man replied kindly.

He looked at me and smiled. “You must be David’s wife, right?”

My heart skipped. Another member of David’s family? Oh God, not another round of hatred and cold stares.

I looked up carefully, trying to recognize him. He looked older than David, had full curly hair, and a beard that suited his face.

“You must be David’s uncle,” I said, my voice cautious.

“Oh yes, I am. You’re quite smart,” he replied with a friendly smile.

I managed a faint smile. “Thank you.”

There was an odd silence between us. The atmosphere felt a little tense but not in a bad way.

His voice was calm; so unlike David’s mother’s shrill tone. He seemed… different. Softer.

I remembered David once mentioned an uncle who stayed mostly away, busy with businesses and helping manage the family investments. This must be him: Uncle Benard.

“Hello?” he waved gently at me, noticing I’d zoned out.

“I have to go now,” I said quickly. “I need to get home.” I turned and walked toward the road, hoping to get a cab.

The wind was biting cold. I shivered so hard it felt like someone had poured a bucket of ice water on me. I hugged myself tightly. The weather really wasn’t helping today.

“Eunice!!”

I heard someone call my name and turned around, surprised.

David?

No… it was Uncle Benard.

He jogged over to me, holding something in his hand. “You look really cold. Here, have this,” he said, draping his jacket over my shoulders.

“You don’t need to run from me,” he added with a kind smile. “I don’t bite.”

I blinked in surprise. Someone in David’s family actually being… kind?

There was a strange flutter in my stomach. His voice was warm. Gentle. He placed the jacket on me with so much care. For the first time, I felt seen. I felt like someone in this family cared.

“Where are you headed?” he asked.

“Home. I was going to take a cab.”

“Let me give you a ride,” he offered.

I hesitated. I knew he came for the family dinner, but of course, no one had told me about it. Classic David.

“But” I started to say.

“Don’t worry. I insist. Let’s go.”

We walked to his car, and I appreciated that he didn’t force any conversation. He could read my body language. He just turned on soft music and let it play while driving.

After a while, he asked in a calm voice, “Do you want to flip through the newspaper? There are some interesting stories.”

“Sure,” I said, a bit surprised.

He handed it to me, and I flipped through quietly, trying to take my mind off everything.

I couldn't help but compare. If it were David, he would’ve already started arguing with me for being silent. He rarely respected my emotions.

When we got to the house, Ruth, our maid, came out and gasped a little when she saw Benard.

“Good evening, Mr. Benard! You’re welcome. I didn’t know you’d be here this early,” she said, clearly surprised but cheerful.

“Good evening, dear,” he replied warmly. “You’re looking well. You’ve really grown.”

She smiled shyly.

Then he turned to her. “Please get some bandages and help Eunice treat her leg.”

I looked at him in shock. How did he know I was injured?

Did he have some superpower or something?

He laughed softly, as if reading my thoughts.

“How did you know?” I asked, still in awe.

“Let’s leave questions for later,” he said with a wink.

I went to my room, took a bath, and changed into something more comfortable.

As I soaked in the warm water, my mind replayed the events of the evening like a broken film reel. I had become so used to being invisible in that house, so used to walking on eggshells.

But Benard’s kindness… it caught me off guard. Was it just simple courtesy, or did he actually see my pain? I didn’t know. But for the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel completely alone.

Ruth came in with the first aid box and gently dressed my leg. It stung, but she was careful.

Afterward, I headed to the living room. Benard was already eating rice and chicken, probably Ruth’s handiwork. She always cooked well.

I had barely sat down when David walked in.

“Wow, Uncle Benard! When did you get here? Why didn’t you join us at the restaurant?” he asked, surprised.

Before Benard could answer, I replied coldly, “He drove me home.”

David looked slightly annoyed, like he wasn’t pleased with that answer. “Mother wants to see you,” he told Benard

Uncle Bernard stepped away briefly to meet with David’s mother.

Then, surprisingly, David turned to me and noticed the bandage on my leg.

“What happened to your leg?” he asked, a bit concerned.

I was stunned. So… he could care?

Even if it was just a little, it still meant something.

Maybe… just maybe… when I tell him about the pregnancy, his love for me will come back.