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Vivian’s expression slowly shifted, her face paling as she observed Eva’s condition. Eva, oblivious to Vivian’s growing concern, casually dismissed her state. “It was merely a light shower; I’m fine,” she said nonchalantly, placing the work report on the desk.
“I have other things to do, so I won’t disturb your reunion,” she added, with a polite nod before turning to leave.
As Eva walked out, Adrian furrowed his brows, still looking uneasy, but it was Vivian who broke the silence. “Adrian?” she called softly, snapping him out of his thoughts.
“Hmm?” He looked at her, but there was no hiding the tension in his expression.
Vivian, noticing his deepening discomfort, felt compelled to speak. “I noticed Eva doesn’t seem to be in good shape. Though she’s working as your secretary now, she was still the young lady of the Hansen family before they went bankrupt. You mustn’t be too harsh on her.”
Harsh? Adrian inwardly scoffed. Who could be harsh on her?
Meanwhile, Eva, feeling a wave of dizziness, returned to her office. She barely made it to her desk before her head swam and she collapsed into her chair, her vision blurring. The dizziness quickly overwhelmed her, and she slumped forward, resting her head on the desk, slipping into a deep sleep.
In her dream, Eva found herself back at the age of eighteen—the day of her coming-of-age ceremony. It was a joint celebration with Adrian’s family, a special day she had planned to confess her feelings to him. She had worn a beautiful blue dress, her hair styled in soft waves, her nails perfectly done. She was ready.
But just as she gathered the courage to find him, she overheard a conversation between Adrian and his friends.
“Adrian, you’re an adult now. Got anyone in mind for engagement? Maybe you should consider it.”
Eva paused, straining to listen, her heart pounding in her chest.
“I think Eva’s a good choice. She’s always following you around,” one of Adrian’s friends teased.
Before Adrian could respond, another voice chimed in, “Eva won’t do. Adrian only sees her as a sister. Everyone knows there’s only one person in Adrian’s heart, and that’s Vivian.”
Vivian? He liked Vivian?
Eva’s heart sank. She peeked around the corner and saw Adrian, sitting on a stone bench under the pale moonlight. His expression was soft, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Indeed, Vivian is more gentle, more womanly. Eva is just a little girl,” one of his friends, Michael Cooper, added with a smirk. “Besides, Vivian saved your life. The river was rushing, and if she hadn’t jumped in to save you, you wouldn’t be here today.”
Eva’s world seemed to stop. The weight of the words crushed her. She had never known this.
Adrian, his face pale in the moonlight, nodded slowly. “The place by my side will always be reserved for Vivian.”
Eva felt as though the ground beneath her had disappeared, the color draining from her face. She turned away, her mind reeling. How had she never known this before?
As she wandered in the maze of her thoughts, the dream shifted, and Adrian’s face appeared again, but this time, it was cold, merciless.
“Eva, terminate the pregnancy,” he commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.
Vivian appeared at his side, her arms wrapped around him like a vine. “Eva, by choosing not to terminate the child, are you trying to ruin our relationship?”
Adrian’s eyes grew even colder as he stepped closer, gripping her chin tightly. “Terminate the pregnancy! Don’t push me to act.”
Eva struggled, her chest tightening, her breathing shallow. And then, just as she thought she might drown in the darkness, she woke with a start. Cold sweat clung to her skin, her heart racing.
The landscape outside the car window blurred into view as the sound of the engine hummed.
Just a dream? she thought. It felt so real…
“Eva, you’re awake,” came Vivian’s voice, filled with concern.
Eva blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the remnants of her dream. She looked up and saw Vivian’s worried face. “Thank goodness. I was worrying about you throughout the journey.”
Vivian? What was she doing here? Eva quickly glanced around and realized she was in the backseat of a car. Adrian was driving, and Vivian was seated in the passenger seat.
Adrian noticed she was awake and glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Awake? Do you feel unwell anywhere? You should tell the doctor when we get to the hospital.”
Eva’s heart sank again at the mention of a doctor. The dream, the growing tension between them—this situation was all too much.
“No, there’s no need to go to the hospital,” she answered quickly, trying to steady herself.
“You’re being ridiculous. Do you know you have a fever?” Adrian’s voice was laced with concern.
Vivian, chiming in, added, “Yes, Eva, your fever is quite high. You need to go to the hospital. I heard from Adrian that you got caught in the rain yesterday. What happened?”
Eva stared at Vivian, her pale lips parted, but no words came out. Was Vivian subtly bringing up yesterday to highlight something, or was it an innocent remark? Her mind raced with questions, but she couldn’t answer them just yet. She couldn’t trust Vivian’s intentions.
Vivian continued, her tone laced with genuine concern. “Was it because of yesterday…?” she started, but Adrian quickly cut her off.
“In any case, we’re going to the hospital first. Take a few days to rest while you’re sick. You don’t need to go to the office for now.”
Vivian looked at Adrian, puzzled by his sudden interruption. Eva, however, wasn’t surprised. This situation, the way they were acting, was so tangled, and she could feel the lines of control slipping from her.
Eva bit her lip, her head pounding from the fever and the thoughts swirling in her mind. “I’m not going to the hospital,” she finally said, her voice firm despite the uncertainty raging inside her.
Adrian’s frown deepened, a mix of frustration and concern. “If you fall ill and don’t seek medical care, what do you want to do?”
Eva pressed her lips together, her voice almost a whisper. “I know my own body.”
She couldn’t go to the hospital. If she did, her pregnancy would be exposed—and she wasn’t ready to face that reality, especially not now, not with Adrian and Vivian hovering over her.
