Chapter 4 —Such A Big Surprise!

Evelyn's POV

Disappointment weighed on my chest like a boulder as I watched Adrian yield to Bianca's theatrics and coddle her like a child. I thought his words were supposed to mean something. Where did the merit go?

Adrian wouldn't meet my gaze as he continued to remain locked on Bianca like he was afraid she'd shatter against the weight of her own tears.

I couldn't believe it!

So much for keeping Bianca at an arm's length, and so much for her supposedly saying she would "do better"!

If this was what it was going to continue to be like, then I needed to go elsewhere. I wasn't going to be made to be the third party in my OWN marriage and home!

I stomped my way upstairs and slammed the door behind me. Once I'd rummaged through our walk-in closet for a suitcase, I began to pack. Clothes, shoes, and anything necessary. I figured that maybe I could crash at a hotel for the duration of Bianca's stay. Clearly, her needs were more important than my boundaries.

"Eve!" Adrian's voice sounded from outside the closet. "Where are you—" That was when he opened the door to see me on the floor mid-packing.

"What are you doing?" He kneeled beside me and placed his hand on mine.

I snatched my hand from his touch like it had burned me. "What does it look like I'm doing?" I hissed. "Clearly, my concerns and boundaries come second to Bianca. And I don't know about you, but that doesn't exactly make me feel like I'm valued here."

"B-but wait!" Adrian's eyes filled with panic. "I don't understand what you're—"

"I'm leaving." I stated coldly. "Even if I were to breathe the wrong way, I would offend her, and you'd tell me to apologize!"

"Eve, please, it's not like that." Adrian grabbed my hand. "L-look, this whole thing with Bianca's just got me so worried, okay? Before Zane passed, he made me promise him to always take care of her as if she were my little sister. It was like he knew something was going to happen…"

Then he sighed. "I didn't want to let him down. He's family—and so is she. You know I'm a man of my word, and what would I be if I didn't keep it?"

Before I could even argue with him about him not keeping his word to me, he pulled me in for a hug.

His strong arms wrapped around me as he squeezed me tight. It was like I was his anchor and the only thing tethering him to this Earth.

"Don't leave…" He murmured against my skin.

I couldn't be mad at him… Not while he was holding me like this and showing remorse. The sudden display of affection warmed my chilled heart and I felt myself relax into his embrace.

I sighed. "I can't stay mad at you…" I leaned my head against his.

Adrian gave me another reassuring squeeze and reached into his pocket to pull out one of his credit cards. "I'll put up the clothes and suitcase. Go treat yourself, hon. Whatever you want, okay?"

Even though it wasn't about the money, I nodded my head and took the card anyway. At least I could still get out of the house for a little bit to try and clear my head.

I hailed a taxi to our city's largest mall, and immediately integrated myself into the crowd. There were a few jewelry and clothing stores I thought about going into. There was even a new store dedicated to babies and young children up to age five.

It was then that I was reminded of my own pregnancy… I couldn't believe that I'd forgotten.

My hands protectively cradled the little life growing inside. I was supposed to tell Adrian… This wasn't supposed to feel so bittersweet.

But I couldn't trust him—at least, not like before. If it was so easy for him to cast his wife's opinions and boundaries aside for another woman, who was to say he wouldn't treat his own child the same way?

A twinge of pain pinched at my heart. I knew I needed to tell him… But how?

Before I could mull over my options, I was suddenly approached by someone in a teddy bear costume. For a moment, it startled me and my mind went dark. Was I about to die? I wasn't sure why that came to mind. Maybe I'd been watching too many horror movies in my downtime…

But then the mascot pulled something from behind its back—a large bouquet of red roses.

My eyebrows shot up. "W-what's this for?"

"A surprise!" A man's voice came through. "Come, come! The biggest one waits for you outside!"

My survival instincts told me to run, but surely nothing was going to happen to me in broad daylight in front of all these people. So, against my better judgement, I followed the mascot.

He led me outside of the mall and towards Time Square. Tall, imposing buildings stretched into the skyline, as their big screens flashed with various advertisements from fashion brands, to musicians, and movie premieres.

"Behold!" The mascot announced as he pointed towards the center-most screen of the intersection. "A testament of what it means to truly love!"

I lifted my gaze to the large screen as it flickered. What came next was truly unexpected.

Bright red text that read: 'HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, EVELYN LANGSTON!' appeared with a wedding photo of the kiss between Adrian and I that sealed our marriage.

My heart swelled, as the warmth of love and happiness spread throughout my entire body. I had to try hard not to ugly cry, but I couldn't stop a few tears from falling anyway.

Just as I pulled out my phone to call Adrian, the crowd parted to reveal him standing right at the intersection.

I moved as fast as my feed could carry me as I jumped into his arms. Overcome with joy, I kissed him right then and there.

"Evelyn Langston? Wife to CEO Adrian Langston?" A stranger asked in awe. "Wow, what a display of affection!"

"Right?" Another chimed in. "Only someone with his money and connections could pull off something as grand as this!"

"It's like something out of a movie!" A third clapped their hands.

When I pulled back from Adrian to look in his eyes, I couldn't help but cry even more. "Y-you did this? For me?"

"I told you I was going to make it up to you." He smiled. "And I'm not done, by the way."

"What do you mean you're not done?" I laughed. "What other things do you have hidden up your sleeve, o' husband of mine?"

A playful smile bloomed across his lips. "I brought some extra tissues for you for this next part. It's a video on how we first met."

At that moment, I almost felt foolish for doubting Adrian yet again. It was so clear that he loved and cherished me.

Was it a possibility that I was just overthinking things with Bianca?

Maybe my pregnancy hormones were making me act crazy—

"Put me down!" A familiar female's voice played through the speakers. Her musical laugh reverberated throughout Times Square as she squealed playfully.

Yet… it wasn't mine.

It was Bianca in a two-piece bathing suit, sitting on top of Adrian's shoulders. From the looks of it, they were on a cruise of some sorts.

"What are you scared for?" Adrian laughed as he squeezed her legs against his torso reassuringly.. "You know I won't let anything happen to you!"

Bianca's fingers threaded through his hair. "You better not! Or you're going down with me!"

The blood in my veins ran ice cold as I jumped out of Adrian's embrace.

"Who is that woman?" A stranger asked in shock. "That doesn't look like Mrs. Langston at all!"

"And why is Mr. Langston acting so carefree with this woman? They look a little too close to be just friends!" Another exclaimed.

Bile rose in my throat, and I had to fight the urge to throw up right then and there.

Was this some kind of sick joke?! What kind of fucking surprise was this?!