Evelyn's pov
"You are pregnant?" Landon repeated softly and she nodded with a smile on her face. Landon's mother turned to me and said. "I guess the infidel one was you. You made my son marry you when you are a vagabond who can't get pregnant!"
I closed my eyes, pressing my lips together as pain and anger hammered my chest. Jade was definitely staging her pregnancy just to keep me off from making my announcement.
She was the devil's subordinate in physical form. I looked at Landon and saw he was smiling at her instead of explaining to me what she meant by the mistake they made last night.
"Landon...did..." I found it difficult to ask him because of the hump that formed in my throat.
"It was a mistake Evelyn. We were under the influence of alcohol and you know, some past feelings Rekindled in between," Jade said through her teeth.
This was her telling me to back off like a coward. But I refuse to go down without a proper fight.
"Are you sure that you are actually pregnant? Or are you making things up? Landon you might not believe me, but this woman is a pathological liar. She keeps making up lies just to have me to blame. Just like yesterday at the pool," I blurted out with every ounce in me.
"That is enough Evelyn!" Landon thundered furiously. I shrieked under his voice and moved backwards in fear.
"I haven't even said anything. She told you that I was at the hospital. You didn't even ask me why? Whether I am sick or not, you don't care. I am your wife Landon. Why can't you see that?" I questioned him with pain in my heart.
So he chose her over me?
He wants a woman who abandoned him in the past.
A pathological liar who blames people for no reason.
"Enough with your tantrums, Evelyn. And go back to your room. We will discuss this later," he said coldly, his voice void of emotion.
I thought that one he would look at me with love especially now that I was carrying his child. But it seems that will never happen.
I turned on my heels and trudged out of their presence since I was not needed.
"No, wait. Can we talk? Landon, I would like to set things straight with her. It is not my place to cause a problem between the two of you. Please, let me make things right," she said with a pretentious voice.
I could feel her lies from the tip of her head down to her toes. She was good at pretending and I don't get why no one saw through her.
"We have to go somewhere private and have a heart to heart talk. I want us to be good friends," she smiled at me with an evil glint in her eyes.
I tried not to roll my eyes at her because it would only cause more trouble for me.
"You are so kind, Jade. I hope she gets to understand that better," Landon muttered. Everything about him disgusted me now. He was too blinded by a foolish love that isn't reciprocated.
Jade has a motive for showing up in his life at this point. She is cunny and manipulative. I can see how two faced she is but the question is why? What does she want from Landon? Why did she have to come back now?
"No, it is Evelyn that is being kind to tolerate me. Many women can't be like her," she said with a cunny smile as she linked her arm on mine.
We walked a far distance away from everyone. Jade stopped at the stairs that led into the house and lost her facade.
Her eyes narrowed to irritation as we stood face to face.
"Divorce Landon and I will give you all the money you want once I become the madam of this house," she spewed out another of her nonsense and I snorted in disbelief.
"You must be out of your mind to suggest something like that. Do you think Landon will accept you once he finds out that you have been deceiving him with your lies? I am not fooled by you Jade. Once I tell him about our child, trust me, he will ignore you completely. I know that you are lying about the child in your belly. You think I am dense and without knowledge. But I can see through you and I know that you were pregnant right from the beginning," I exposed her secret to her face.
It wasn't difficult for me to discover that she was pregnant from the beginning. Her body was freshly swollen like that of a newly pregnant woman. Her constantly belly strokes and tired gaze was enough proof for me to know.
No one knows this but I have keen eyes to tell the difference between the human body.
Jade's face contoured into fear then hate as she was struggling to remain composed.
"You have no idea what you are threading on. Landon is mine and I will prove it to you. That baby in your womb is no longer needed," she said with a devious tone that got me on my toes. I had no idea what she was about to do until she pushed me and I rolled down the stairs.
I protectively wrapped my arms around my belly as I rolled down the stairs. This was her plan, to eliminate my baby and have me cast out of the Byers family.
My head hit the foot of the stairs and I lost my consciousness.
âąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâąâą
The next time I woke up, I found myself in a plain white room, with a ventilator mask placed over my nose and mouth for proper breathing.
I quickly registered that I was at the hospital and tried to sit up but the pain I felt all over my body stopped me from moving. I groaned from the ache and caught the attention of the person in the room.
âMy baby.â I mumbled, rubbing my belly to check if it was still there.
âSir, the madam is awake,â I heard Kate's voice and later cold footsteeps that was followed by clicking heels.
âEvelyn, I am so glad that you are awake. I was terrified that you wouldn't wake up after hurting yourself,â Jade muttered with a fake pitiful voice.
She was lying again. After pushing me down the stairs, she still has the guts to put the blame on me.
âThat is not trueâŠyou pushed me down the stairs after I exposed the truth to you. Landon, she tried to harm our baby.â I said holding on to my belly.
The doctor came in to check on me and I grabbed his hand in desperation to know about my baby's condition.
âDoctor, please is my baby alright?â
âWhat baby? I guess we will have to scan her head. It seems like she has a concussion,â the doctor said without looking at my direction.
He was lying too. âThat is not true. I went to the hospital this morning and confirmed my pregnancy. How can you tell me that I was never pregnant?â I raised my voice at the doctor and Landon cautioned me to order.
âLandon, I am telling the truth. Jade must have greased his palm to keep his mouth shut about my baby. She pushed me down the stairs for that purpose,â I revealed to him but he frowned with disgust written on his face.
âHow much more do you intend to lie to me, Evelyn? You pushed yourself down the stairs just to put the blame on Jade.â he narrated the false story he was told. I looked at Jade and saw the evil glint on her face as her lips curved up a little by the side.
âThat is not true. She pushed me down the stairsâŠâ
âThere was a witness, Evelyn and it has been confirmed.â He insisted.
âFine, call in the witness,â I demanded, holding the sheets anxiously.
âKate you may come in,â he said, and I felt hopeful that she was the one to testify about the incident. âTell me what you said earlier, Kate,â Landon ordered her and she cleared her throat looking at Jade as she spoke.
âI saw the madam push herself down the stairs. Ms. Jade tried to help her but it was already to late to do so,â she blurted out and my eyes widened in shock. Kate's betrayal hit me harder than every other person in the room.
After hearing her testimony. I had no other thing to say because Landon was already convinced that I had hurt myself just to spite Jade.
âNow you are speechless? You know what, I will leave you to recover. Once this is over, we will have a proper discussion,â Landon grumbled before he left my ward.
Jade cynically laughed and walked away with Kate following her behind. I was completely abandoned by the last person who I trusted would protect me. I regretted loving him and putting so much trust in him.
Once it was night, heavy rain began to poured down, splattering against my window. I finally made my decision in my mind.
I will never give birth to my child in the same house with jade . My love and obsession over Landon is gone , I need to save myself and my child immediately.
But first I need to leave this hospital and confirm my baby's health.
Chapter 59 Third-person POVThe car ride to the hospital was quite tense. Cecily was buckled in the back, fast asleep after an emotional afternoon. Evelynâs fingers gripped the steering wheel, her mind racing with everything Bennett had said on the phone. Claire had collapsed. Blood pressure, he guessed.The hospital corridors felt colder than usual as Evelyn made her way to the room where Claire was being monitored. Bennett stood just outside, his arms folded, his eyes weary but calm. As soon as he saw Evelyn, his shoulders dropped in relief.âSheâs okay,â he said. âThey ran a few tests, and itâs just what I thought. Her blood pressure has been unstable for a while. She didnât say anything.âEvelyn exhaled a breath she hadnât realized she was holding. âAnd now?ââThe doctor said she can go home today. Theyâve given her something to stabilize it. Prescribed a few meds. She just needs rest.âInside, Claire sat upright on the hospital bed, sipping from a paper cup. Her cheeks were pale
Chapter 58Third-person POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden rays across the living room where Evelyn sat with her laptop open, halfway through a video call with Mr. Harrington and Carlos.âWe should be done here in about two or three days,â Mr. Harrington said, his voice steady but tired. âOnce we wrap up this presentation in Geneva, weâll be on the next flight back.âEvelyn nodded, her hand gently stroking Cecilyâs curls as the little girl sat beside her, leaning toward the screen. âWe miss you already,â Evelyn said, her eyes soft with warmth.Carlos grinned from his corner of the video. âDonât let her eat too many marshmallows, okay?âCecily giggled. âI only had five yesterday!âEvelyn and Mr. Harrington exchanged knowing glances. After a few more minutes of catching up, the call ended, and just like that, the morning routine resumed. Cecily ran off to get her backpack while Evelyn checked in with Claire and Bennett.Claire and Bennett were t
Chapter 57: The Drive HomeThe mall lights faded in the rearview mirror as Carlos steered them onto the main road, the car humming gently beneath them. The city was quieter now, painted in shades of amber and navy. Evelyn leaned back into her seat, her body relaxed but her mind unusually quiet.Carlos broke the silence with a low chuckle.âNow that⊠that was a scene to behold.âEvelyn turned to him with a teasing brow. âWhat do you mean?âCarlos smirked. âOh, donât play dumb with me.ââIâm not playing dumb.â She folded her arms. âWhat are you even talking about?âCarlos scoffed, shifting gears as they took a curve. âGirl. Come on. The way Zenda was looking at you all evening? That man is head over heels.âEvelyn let out a laugh, tinged with disbelief. âCarlos, stop it. Donât start assuming things.ââIâm not assuming anything. Iâm stating facts.â He glanced at her. âHe wasnât just being nice, Evie. That man was practically breathing in sync with you. Watching your every move. If youâre
Chapter 56: Games and Glancesthird person povThe mall glowed with early evening light, its ceiling lit with warm yellow bulbs and glass panels that reflected the bustle below. After browsing through rows of shoes, handbags, and a few chic dresses that Evelyn didnât need but enjoyed admiring, Carlos suggested they check out the gaming area.âCome on, Doc. Youâve had a long week. Time to unwind a little,â he grinned, nudging her toward the escalator.Evelyn chuckled. âYouâre just trying to make me lose at arcade racing so you can brag all the way home.ââMe?â Carlos raised his eyebrows. âIâm offended you think Iâm that competitive.ââCarlos. Last week, you argued with Dad over chess for three days.ââOkay, mildly competitive,â he said, leading her to the glowing neon lights of the mallâs gaming floor.The area was bursting with sound bumping music, kids laughing, machines flashing. The scents of popcorn and cotton candy clung to the air. Evelynâs eyes widened in amusement.âOh wow. Th
Chapter 55:Sunshine in Small Momentsthird person povCecily was already awake before anyone else in the house. With her curly brown hair bouncing wildly behind her, she dashed into the hallway like a spark of joy, calling for everyone to get ready.âToday is park day!â she sang, jumping onto Mr. Harringtonâs bed with a toothy grin. âUp, Grandpa! Up!âMr. Harrington chuckled from beneath the covers, pulling the child into a warm embrace. âYouâve been up since sunrise, havenât you?âCecily nodded proudly. âMommy promised. Today is our big day.âAnd she made sure no one forgot. She dragged Bennett out of bed, tugged on Claireâs robe, and even knocked on Carlosâ door with a wide grin. By the time Evelyn was out of the shower, the house was already alive with laughter and the faint smell of cinnamon pancakes wafting from the kitchen.By midmorning, everyone was dressed and packed snacks, drinks, Cecilyâs tiny soccer ball, a picnic blanket, and her favorite bubble wand.They arrived at the
Chapter 54: The Cracking Empirethird person povThe sleek Manhattan penthouse, perched above the chaos of the city, looked exactly like Jade Hollandâs life used to be flawless, polished, and expensive. But just like the woman pacing barefoot across its marble floor, that perfection was crumbling fast.Jade stood near the floor-to-ceiling window, her silk robe loose around her frame, a glass of untouched wine in hand. Her eyes werenât on the skyline. They were on her reflection.âYouâre quiet,â Charlie muttered, voice gruff as he walked in from the guest bedroom, pulling a shirt over his head. He tossed his phone on the couch with a grunt. âWhatâs that supposed to mean? You havenât said a word since I walked in.âJade exhaled. âBecause Iâm tired, Charlie.âHe laughed dryly. âTired? Or broke?âShe turned sharply. âExcuse me?ââYou heard me. Landonâs not sending money like he used to, is he? Guess the cash cow finally stopped mooing.ââDonât be ridiculous,â Jade snapped, setting the win