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Novel Catalog
Eva waited for hours, the sinking sun casting a soft glow through the curtains, but Adrian’s response never came. If not for the full signal on her phone, she might have believed it was out of service. Earlier, in the midst of work, she’d longed for this silence—a reprieve from the noise of the world. But now, this silence felt like an unspoken weight, suffocating her.
She checked her phone again just as the evening set in. It buzzed once, causing her heart to skip. Startled, Eva quickly grabbed the device, her pulse quickening as she saw the name on the screen. But the message wasn’t from Adrian.
It was from Emily: “Have you made up your mind? Did you come clean to him?”
Eva stared at the words for a long moment, the weight of them settling into her chest. She’d known the outcome already. Why couldn’t I let go? she wondered. Why did I have to expose my pain for him to see it only to be met with indifference? The thought of facing him now—of telling him the truth—felt unbearable.
She chuckled bitterly, a sound void of joy. Slowly, she collapsed back onto her bed, her eyes closing against the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Where is he now? What’s he doing? she asked herself. How did he react when he found out I’m pregnant? Will he tell Vivian? How will she see me then?
A suffocating exhaustion seeped into her bones, draining her of all energy.
At dinner, Eva couldn’t bring herself to eat. The food felt like cardboard in her mouth, and the silence at the table was deafening. At 9 p.m., she finally put on a coat and made her way downstairs.
George, who had been quietly sitting nearby, stood up at the sight of her. “Madam, isn’t it almost your bedtime?”
Eva glanced toward the door, her voice barely above a whisper. “Has Adrian not returned?”
George hesitated for a brief moment before answering, “Mr. Blackwood’s assistant called and said he had urgent business and wouldn’t be coming back tonight.”
A cold, sinking feeling twisted in Eva’s stomach. She barely managed to keep her expression neutral. “I see,” she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
George, noticing her pale face, spoke with concern, “Madam, are you alright?”
Eva snapped back to reality, offering him a soft smile. “I’m fine,” she said, before turning to head back upstairs.
Just as she reached the staircase, her phone rang, making her freeze in place. Adrian’s name flashed across the screen.
Didn’t he say he wouldn’t be coming back? Why is he calling now? A lump formed in her throat, and her hands trembled as she took the call.
“Eva?” A familiar, sweet voice greeted her from the other end. “Adrian asked me to call you. He’s got urgent business to attend to and won’t be coming home tonight. Make sure to get some rest, okay?”
A cold shiver ran through Eva’s body. Adrian had asked Vivian to call on his behalf? What does that mean? she wondered. Why not call me himself?
“Eva? Are you listening?” Vivian’s voice broke through her haze.
Snapping back to reality, Eva replied with a choked voice, “I see.” Without another word, she abruptly ended the call, feeling her heart shatter in silence.
Vivian, on the other end, sighed in relief and saved Eva’s number in her phone before returning Adrian’s phone to him.
“Adrian, here you go.”
“Hmm.” Adrian barely glanced up from his papers as he took his phone. “Is she asleep?” he asked.
“Not yet,” Vivian replied, watching him closely.
Adrian scoffed lightly, his tone full of mild annoyance. “Doesn’t she know she’s still sick? She needs to rest, not keep working.”
Vivian’s hands trembled at her sides, the resentment brewing in her chest, though she forced herself to smile. She tried to hide the flicker of bitterness that rose within her.
Adrian, oblivious to the emotions simmering beside him, glanced at Vivian. “You saved her number?”
Vivian blinked, caught off guard. “Yeah… Can I hang out with her sometime?”
“Sure,” Adrian replied, “Better than her being absorbed in work all the time.”
Vivian gave an awkward smile, but as she turned away, a glint of resentment flashed across her features.
The next morning, Eva woke up to find her eyes a little swollen. She quickly applied some ice to reduce the puffiness before checking her phone. There were several messages—most of them from Carter.
“Don’t worry, everything’s going smoothly. Just rest, and if you’re not feeling well, go to the hospital.”
“You awake? How are you feeling? I can take you to the hospital if you need me.”
The messages from Emily followed shortly after, the first one sent after Eva had fallen asleep the previous night, the others this morning.
“Honey, you haven’t replied in so long. Is something wrong? I’m sorry. I gave you bad advice.”
Eva read through them all. Emily was clearly worried, but the words that stuck with her most were Carter’s.
“How are you feeling?”
Before she could respond, her phone rang again. Carter’s name appeared on the screen.
Eva hesitated but answered the call. “Carter,” she greeted softly.
“Feeling better?” he asked, his voice full of concern.
“Much better,” Eva replied, but the strain in her voice was undeniable.
“You sound a little nasal. Still not feeling great?” Carter pressed.
Eva’s stomach tightened. She didn’t know how to explain it. “It’s nothing serious. I took my medicine, and I’m fine.”
Carter sighed, his tone turning softer. “Eva, you’re still as stubborn as ever. If your father knew, he’d be upset with you.”
Eva pursed her lips, biting back the lump in her throat. “I’ll be fine. I’ll take care of myself.”
The call ended, and just as Eva set the phone down, Emily’s name popped up on the screen. She answered with a slight hesitation.
“Eva! You alright?” Emily’s voice was fraught with concern. “You didn’t reply to me, and I hardly slept.”
Eva felt a twinge of guilt for making Emily worry so much. She hadn’t meant to.
“I was so worried about you,” Emily continued. “Thank goodness you’re okay.” Then her voice softened, and she asked, “Did you tell him? How did he respond?”
Eva’s heart lurched painfully. She glanced at the empty side of the bed, the reminder of Adrian’s absence still fresh. He’s avoiding me…
With a calmness she didn’t feel, Eva responded, “Emily, I’ve decided to have an abortion.”
