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Vivian’s outburst, rare and unexpected, had stunned her friends into silence, but it also served as a reminder of the pressure she was under. As she apologized repeatedly, tears slipping down her cheeks, the sympathy from her friends grew. They wiped away her tears, their concern apparent as they offered words of reassurance, though there was an unsettling undercurrent to the way they spoke.
Vivian, with her usual grace, tried to regain composure, though her mind was already spinning with thoughts of how to turn this situation to her advantage. The news of the surgery delay, coupled with Adrian’s and Eva’s still-intact marriage, meant that Vivian’s long-awaited goal had been postponed once again. She had to bite back the frustration bubbling inside her, but it was hard to ignore the fact that things weren’t moving as quickly as she had hoped.
“Vivian, don’t worry,” one of her friends said, her voice filled with confidence. “Eva doesn’t stand a chance. If she tries to get in the way of you and Adrian, we’ll make sure she knows her place.”
Vivian’s gaze darkened, her thoughts turning more and more toward Eva’s pregnancy. The baby was the one thing that had been hanging over her head, a constant reminder that Eva wasn’t just Adrian’s wife, but also the mother of his child. Vivian could already see how the situation could be turned in her favor. If she could somehow… remove the baby, things might shift permanently. Adrian would have no reason to stay with Eva, and with her being the only one left, she could finally claim what she believed was rightfully hers.
But for now, Vivian masked her emotions with a soft smile, pretending to be the ever-caring, kind woman everyone thought she was. “Please don’t do anything rash,” she said, her voice sweet. “Eva might have her reasons, and I’m sure we’ll figure this out. Let’s not make any hasty decisions.”
Her friends, eager to help, didn’t question her. They were more than happy to let Vivian lead, her charm and calm demeanor guiding them. “We’ll wait for you to handle it,” one of them said, almost eagerly.
Vivian’s insides churned, but she nodded as if everything were fine. “Let’s focus on the dinner,” she suggested, pouring some wine to distract them all from the tension that still hung in the air. “We’ll celebrate later, once things settle down.”
Back at the hospital, the atmosphere was considerably more somber. Eva had spent the entire day by Granny Blackwood’s side, her exhaustion and worry weighing heavily on her. Adrian, concerned for her well-being, had tried to encourage her to eat something, though she had little appetite. She felt drained, physically and emotionally, and it showed.
Adrian, ever the attentive figure in her life, handed her a bowl of porridge. “Just a few bites,” he urged gently.
Eva looked at the bowl, her brow furrowed. She didn’t feel hungry, and yet, something inside her shifted when she thought of the baby growing inside her. This wasn’t just about her anymore. She had to take care of herself, for the sake of the life she was carrying. Slowly, she took the spoon and forced herself to eat, taking a few bites.
Adrian watched her quietly, surprised at her change of heart. He had noticed her growing thinner lately, but this was the first time she had willingly eaten since arriving at the hospital. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
As they finished the meal, Adrian noticed Eva’s tired eyes, the heaviness that still lingered despite her attempt to care for herself. He had always been the one to clean up after their meals, a habit that had started when they were younger and had grown into something unspoken between them. It felt natural, but now, as he tidied up the room, he couldn’t help but feel a certain distance between them.
Eva sat on the couch, her gaze distant. She had spent so much of her life depending on Adrian’s care, never questioning the way their relationship had unfolded. But now, with the pregnancy and the uncertainty of their future, she couldn’t help but wonder if things had always been this way—if the marriage, despite its formality, was built on something more than just habit and obligation.
She glanced at Adrian, watching him for a moment before her thoughts clouded over. Was this all just part of the illusion? Was she still just playing the role of the dutiful wife, or was there something more that she needed to realize?
Adrian, feeling the weight of the situation, finished cleaning up and then turned to her. He could tell something was on her mind, but he didn’t press her. Instead, he simply offered her a small, reassuring smile.
“How are you feeling?” he asked gently, his concern evident in his eyes.
Eva met his gaze and, for the first time in a long while, felt a twinge of uncertainty. “I’m just… thinking,” she murmured, her voice soft. “I’m trying to figure things out.”
Adrian didn’t say anything more, understanding that this wasn’t the time for questions. He simply sat beside her, offering his presence in the way he always did. But as he sat there, with the quiet hum of the hospital around them, both of them knew that the answers they were seeking were still out of reach.
