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Eva had always perceived Vivian as gentle and charming, a woman who exuded grace in public. Yet since her return to the United States, she’d noticed something off—Vivian had mentioned her “gratefulness” twice, but each time, Eva felt it wasn’t true gratitude. It was an assertion of ownership, as if Vivian believed she held some claim over Adrian or Eva’s life. But why? If Vivian and Adrian were truly in a romantic relationship, her remarks might have been justified. But they never had been a couple. Eva couldn’t understand what Vivian was trying to prove.
Moreover, if they had been in a relationship, Eva wouldn’t have agreed to a fake marriage with Adrian in the first place. Nonetheless, Vivian had offered her help, and now Eva found herself questioning the motives behind this assistance.
Suppressing her discomfort, Eva offered a faint smile, though her silence spoke volumes. Her passive demeanor seemed to frustrate Vivian, who could feel the distance growing between them. She knew she couldn’t delay things any longer.
With a strained smile, Vivian suggested, “Shall we talk in the small garden?”
Eva’s indifference had unsettled Vivian, so she lowered her voice, almost pleading, “It’s too crowded here. It’s not a good place for a serious conversation.”
Eva nodded, though she wasn’t keen on the idea. “Alright.”
They made their way outside, and though Eva didn’t want to talk to Vivian, she recognized that, in this world, kindness was one of the hardest debts to repay. She led Vivian to a secluded corner of the garden, away from prying eyes and ears.
Vivian let out a sigh of relief, glad to finally be in a place where she could speak freely. But even here, her concerns lingered. “Nobody’s eavesdropping, right?”
Eva paused for a moment, carefully choosing her words. “The servants rarely come here, and the gardener usually only comes in the morning to water and prune the plants.” It was almost noon.
“Good,” Vivian murmured, her tension easing as she smiled kindly at Eva. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope, handing it to Eva. “This is for you.”
Eva glanced at the envelope, then at Vivian, her expression unreadable. She didn’t take the envelope immediately. Vivian, sensing the hesitation, stepped closer and placed the envelope directly into her hands.
Eva held it, feeling its thinness, already knowing what was inside. She couldn’t help but feel her heart sink.
“What does this mean?” she asked quietly, her voice betraying the unease she felt.
Vivian cleared her throat awkwardly, trying to mask the underlying tension. “Eva, you’re clever—you must understand.”
Eva bit her lip, her gaze fixed on Vivian. “If you don’t say it explicitly, I might not really understand what it means.”
Vivian’s face darkened, but she didn’t have the courage to address the real issue—Eva’s pregnancy. Adrian still didn’t know, and Vivian had no intention of revealing anything too directly. She had come to Eva with a hidden agenda but could only imply so much without going too far. What if Eva was recording this conversation? What if Adrian found out? Vivian needed to maintain her carefully crafted image.
Prior to this meeting, Vivian had assumed Eva would be easy to deal with. Now, however, that assumption felt naïve. If Eva were so easily manipulated, how could she be pregnant?
Vivian opened the envelope, revealing a check for five million dollars, placing it gently before Eva.
She explained softly, “You’ve worked hard for Adrian these past years. He’s always praised your competence and resilience. You’ve gone through a lot since your family’s bankruptcy. This is the least we can do—use it to pamper yourself, take care of your health.”
Vivian’s fingers tightened around Eva’s wrist, and she even rubbed her palm in an attempt to convey sympathy.
Eva looked up, meeting Vivian’s gaze directly. She felt a lump form in her throat as Vivian let out a sigh, patting her shoulder as if expressing regret.
A brief flash of hurt crossed Eva’s mind. Yesterday, Adrian had also suggested she rest for her health. Was this some indirect attempt at helping her dignity?
Eva’s lips parted, her emotions conflicted. “What should I say?” she asked, her voice soft with disbelief.
Should she thank them for their concern? For the vacation, the money, and their well-wishes? If she rejected it, wouldn’t she appear ungrateful?
But how absurd it was. She had made her decisions on her own, and now they were trying to control her future with their money.
Vivian, sensing Eva’s sorrow, misinterpreted it as anger. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Eva pushed the check back toward her.
“Eva…” Vivian said, her voice faltering.
“You don’t want the money?” Vivian’s mind raced. ‘Does she want Adrian instead?’ The thought flashed across her mind, and a sharp pang of jealousy and possessiveness flared. Her friends were right—Eva had been Mrs. Blackwood for so long, and now she refused to let go of her position.
Eva’s response was firm and unwavering. “I don’t want the money.”
Vivian froze, the words catching in her throat. “Not the money?”
Eva’s decision was already made. She had chosen to keep the child and raise it on her own. The child would have ties to her alone—no one else.
Even if Adrian were to offer her money now, she wouldn’t take it. What if he tried to take the child away from her? What if Vivian couldn’t accept the child?
For Eva, neither Vivian’s nor Adrian’s financial support held any value. Not anymore.
