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Emily’s voice trembled with disbelief. “Why? Why would you do that?”
Eva’s response was flat, almost too calm for the situation. “Why else?”
Emily’s frustration was palpable. “You’ve been with him for two years! Does he really not care about you at all? It’s his child. How can he be so cruel?”
Eva fell silent. All the illusions she had about Adrian, the hopes she’d clung to, seemed to crumble at once, leaving her empty.
Emily’s voice softened, but her words were still charged with emotion. “And you grew up together. Doesn’t that count for anything? Eva, did you really make things clear to him? Maybe—”
“Emily,” Eva interrupted, her tone unyielding, “let’s not talk about it anymore.”
It was a request, but more than that—it was a plea. A plea for peace, for quiet, for her own sanity. Discussing it further would only make her feel more exposed, more vulnerable.
She didn’t want Adrian to think she was seeking sympathy or attention. She didn’t want anyone to pity her.
Eva hung up the phone and, in one swift motion, stood up to prepare herself for the day. She forced herself to shake off the emotional weight. There was no room for weakness now. She had a job to do.
When she arrived at the company, her first task was simple: checking her work. After confirming that everything was in order, she took out her phone and made a medical appointment online. If she decided on the abortion, she needed to act quickly.
But when she checked the available slots, the week was fully booked. She could only schedule for next week. Eva hesitated for a long moment, fingers hovering over the screen.
An inner voice, quiet yet persistent, whispered, Are you really going to end this?
Her heart twisted, but another voice, colder and more pragmatic, replied, I don’t want to, but what else can I do? I can’t raise a child on my own. Not like this.
But this child isn’t just Adrian’s. It’s yours too, the first voice protested.
Eva felt the sharp sting of guilt. So what? she countered bitterly. I don’t want my child to grow up in a broken home.
The conflict raged inside her, her thoughts spinning in circles, until a soft knock on the door interrupted her.
“Eva, take a look at this project proposal.”
Jenny’s voice broke through the chaos, and Eva quickly shoved her phone face down onto the desk, desperate to escape the turmoil in her mind.
Jenny, ever the professional, didn’t pry, but the curiosity was evident in her eyes. She handed over the proposal with a forced smile, then lingered for a moment before speaking again.
“Are you feeling better? You fainted the other day. It really scared me.”
Eva looked up, surprised by the concern in Jenny’s voice. She’d barely registered that Jenny had been the one to bring Adrian to her that day.
“You brought him here?” Eva asked, the realization dawning on her.
Jenny nodded, then added, “Yes. I couldn’t wake you, so I called Mr. Blackwood. When I told him you might be unconscious, he rushed right over.”
Eva’s chest tightened as she recalled Adrian’s hurried arrival. So, he did care? But she couldn’t allow herself to entertain that thought, not after everything that had happened.
Jenny continued, her voice softening with admiration, “You don’t know how worried he was. I’ve been with the Blackwood Group for years, but I’ve never seen Mr. Blackwood so flustered before. He left an important meeting and rushed straight to you. He carried you to his car himself.” Jenny even winked at Eva. “Mr. Blackwood definitely cares about you.”
Eva’s mind buzzed with the information, but she couldn’t let herself hope. It was too painful. Instead, she asked, her voice casual, “Is that so? Did you see any other woman with him yesterday?”
Jenny froze for a moment, then the color drained from her face. She clearly hadn’t expected that question.
Eva noticed Jenny’s discomfort but didn’t press further. She could already guess what Jenny was thinking. The rumors at the company were impossible to ignore, and Vivian’s sudden presence at Adrian’s side only fueled them.
Jenny awkwardly cleared her throat, clearly unsure of how to answer. “Well, I… I guess I’ll leave you to it. Let me know if you need anything else.”
After Jenny left, Eva picked up her phone again and confirmed her appointment. She stared at the screen, feeling a sense of finality settle over her. There’s nothing left worth holding onto.
At noon, Carter sent her a message, inviting her to lunch. Eva’s mind was in turmoil, torn between the conflicting thoughts on her pregnancy and Adrian. She briefly considered rejecting the invitation but ultimately decided to accept, feeling that she owed him for covering her work the previous day.
She made her way to the front entrance, where Carter had said he’d pick her up. While she waited, her eyes absently scanned her phone. Suddenly, a voice behind her caught her attention.
“Isn’t that Mr. Blackwood’s car?”
Eva’s stomach churned as she looked up, her eyes drawn to the familiar black Porsche. Her pulse quickened as she realized it was Adrian’s car. The vehicle was speeding toward the entrance, and as it neared, she saw the unmistakable figure of Vivian in the passenger seat.
Vivian’s long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she caught sight of Eva standing there, her eyes locking onto hers for a brief, seemingly purposeful moment. Then, with a soft smile, Vivian turned her gaze away as the car zoomed into the underground garage.
Eva stood frozen for a moment, heart pounding in her chest. Vivian. The name echoed in her mind, and it was only when the car was out of sight that the employees’ murmurs began.
“Who’s that girl? She was sitting in Mr. Blackwood’s passenger seat!”
“I heard she’s Vivian Morrison, his sweetheart. She just got back to the country.”
“But isn’t Blackwood married to Ms. Hansen?”
“Who cares about marriage vows? There’s a rumor that their marriage is a sham. Otherwise, why would she still use her maiden name?”
Eva’s thoughts swirled, but there was no more room for doubt. There’s no place for me in his life anymore.
