Evelyn's pov
"You are pregnant?" Landon repeated softly and she nodded with a smile on her face. Landon's mother turned to me and said. "I guess the infidel one was you. You made my son marry you when you are a vagabond who can't get pregnant!"
I closed my eyes, pressing my lips together as pain and anger hammered my chest. Jade was definitely staging her pregnancy just to keep me off from making my announcement.
She was the devil's subordinate in physical form. I looked at Landon and saw he was smiling at her instead of explaining to me what she meant by the mistake they made last night.
"Landon...did..." I found it difficult to ask him because of the hump that formed in my throat.
"It was a mistake Evelyn. We were under the influence of alcohol and you know, some past feelings Rekindled in between," Jade said through her teeth.
This was her telling me to back off like a coward. But I refuse to go down without a proper fight.
"Are you sure that you are actually pregnant? Or are you making things up? Landon you might not believe me, but this woman is a pathological liar. She keeps making up lies just to have me to blame. Just like yesterday at the pool," I blurted out with every ounce in me.
"That is enough Evelyn!" Landon thundered furiously. I shrieked under his voice and moved backwards in fear.
"I haven't even said anything. She told you that I was at the hospital. You didn't even ask me why? Whether I am sick or not, you don't care. I am your wife Landon. Why can't you see that?" I questioned him with pain in my heart.
So he chose her over me?
He wants a woman who abandoned him in the past.
A pathological liar who blames people for no reason.
"Enough with your tantrums, Evelyn. And go back to your room. We will discuss this later," he said coldly, his voice void of emotion.
I thought that one he would look at me with love especially now that I was carrying his child. But it seems that will never happen.
I turned on my heels and trudged out of their presence since I was not needed.
"No, wait. Can we talk? Landon, I would like to set things straight with her. It is not my place to cause a problem between the two of you. Please, let me make things right," she said with a pretentious voice.
I could feel her lies from the tip of her head down to her toes. She was good at pretending and I don't get why no one saw through her.
"We have to go somewhere private and have a heart to heart talk. I want us to be good friends," she smiled at me with an evil glint in her eyes.
I tried not to roll my eyes at her because it would only cause more trouble for me.
"You are so kind, Jade. I hope she gets to understand that better," Landon muttered. Everything about him disgusted me now. He was too blinded by a foolish love that isn't reciprocated.
Jade has a motive for showing up in his life at this point. She is cunny and manipulative. I can see how two faced she is but the question is why? What does she want from Landon? Why did she have to come back now?
"No, it is Evelyn that is being kind to tolerate me. Many women can't be like her," she said with a cunny smile as she linked her arm on mine.
We walked a far distance away from everyone. Jade stopped at the stairs that led into the house and lost her facade.
Her eyes narrowed to irritation as we stood face to face.
"Divorce Landon and I will give you all the money you want once I become the madam of this house," she spewed out another of her nonsense and I snorted in disbelief.
"You must be out of your mind to suggest something like that. Do you think Landon will accept you once he finds out that you have been deceiving him with your lies? I am not fooled by you Jade. Once I tell him about our child, trust me, he will ignore you completely. I know that you are lying about the child in your belly. You think I am dense and without knowledge. But I can see through you and I know that you were pregnant right from the beginning," I exposed her secret to her face.
It wasn't difficult for me to discover that she was pregnant from the beginning. Her body was freshly swollen like that of a newly pregnant woman. Her constantly belly strokes and tired gaze was enough proof for me to know.
No one knows this but I have keen eyes to tell the difference between the human body.
Jade's face contoured into fear then hate as she was struggling to remain composed.
"You have no idea what you are threading on. Landon is mine and I will prove it to you. That baby in your womb is no longer needed," she said with a devious tone that got me on my toes. I had no idea what she was about to do until she pushed me and I rolled down the stairs.
I protectively wrapped my arms around my belly as I rolled down the stairs. This was her plan, to eliminate my baby and have me cast out of the Byers family.
My head hit the foot of the stairs and I lost my consciousness.
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The next time I woke up, I found myself in a plain white room, with a ventilator mask placed over my nose and mouth for proper breathing.
I quickly registered that I was at the hospital and tried to sit up but the pain I felt all over my body stopped me from moving. I groaned from the ache and caught the attention of the person in the room.
“My baby.” I mumbled, rubbing my belly to check if it was still there.
“Sir, the madam is awake,” I heard Kate's voice and later cold footsteeps that was followed by clicking heels.
“Evelyn, I am so glad that you are awake. I was terrified that you wouldn't wake up after hurting yourself,” Jade muttered with a fake pitiful voice.
She was lying again. After pushing me down the stairs, she still has the guts to put the blame on me.
“That is not true…you pushed me down the stairs after I exposed the truth to you. Landon, she tried to harm our baby.” I said holding on to my belly.
The doctor came in to check on me and I grabbed his hand in desperation to know about my baby's condition.
“Doctor, please is my baby alright?”
“What baby? I guess we will have to scan her head. It seems like she has a concussion,” the doctor said without looking at my direction.
He was lying too. “That is not true. I went to the hospital this morning and confirmed my pregnancy. How can you tell me that I was never pregnant?” I raised my voice at the doctor and Landon cautioned me to order.
“Landon, I am telling the truth. Jade must have greased his palm to keep his mouth shut about my baby. She pushed me down the stairs for that purpose,” I revealed to him but he frowned with disgust written on his face.
“How much more do you intend to lie to me, Evelyn? You pushed yourself down the stairs just to put the blame on Jade.” he narrated the false story he was told. I looked at Jade and saw the evil glint on her face as her lips curved up a little by the side.
“That is not true. She pushed me down the stairs…”
“There was a witness, Evelyn and it has been confirmed.” He insisted.
“Fine, call in the witness,” I demanded, holding the sheets anxiously.
“Kate you may come in,” he said, and I felt hopeful that she was the one to testify about the incident. “Tell me what you said earlier, Kate,” Landon ordered her and she cleared her throat looking at Jade as she spoke.
“I saw the madam push herself down the stairs. Ms. Jade tried to help her but it was already to late to do so,” she blurted out and my eyes widened in shock. Kate's betrayal hit me harder than every other person in the room.
After hearing her testimony. I had no other thing to say because Landon was already convinced that I had hurt myself just to spite Jade.
“Now you are speechless? You know what, I will leave you to recover. Once this is over, we will have a proper discussion,” Landon grumbled before he left my ward.
Jade cynically laughed and walked away with Kate following her behind. I was completely abandoned by the last person who I trusted would protect me. I regretted loving him and putting so much trust in him.
Once it was night, heavy rain began to poured down, splattering against my window. I finally made my decision in my mind.
I will never give birth to my child in the same house with jade . My love and obsession over Landon is gone , I need to save myself and my child immediately.
But first I need to leave this hospital and confirm my baby's health.
Chapter 5: Leaving the Past BehindI feel suffocated, like I can’t breathe not because of the rain pouring down on me as I roam aimlessly, not from the cold, but from the betrayal burning a hole through my chest. Betrayal from the one person I gave my all to. I was a good wife to Landon, loyal to the point of self-destruction, and he still threw it all in my face. I can’t even blame him. I should have seen it coming. From the very beginning, he made it clear that I was the only one truly married in this relationship.On our wedding day, I broke tradition. Instead of Landon waiting at the altar for me, I was the one waiting for him. My groom was missing, off chasing the supposed love of his life, Jade Holland. The night before we exchanged vows, he was in her arms, not mine. I knew it, yet I said nothing. I convinced myself that marriage would change him, that he would finally leave her in the past and focus on building a family with me. How foolish I was.On our wedding night, Landon m
Chapter 6: A Fragile ThreadThird Person POVBennett pulled into the driveway, the soft glow from the porch light barely dispelling the tension on his face. He turned off the engine but stayed seated, his hands gripping the steering wheel as though anchoring himself.“She’s in worse shape than she lets on,” Claire said quietly, her voice almost lost in the heavy silence between them. She stared ahead, the image of the young woman lying unconscious beneath the streetlight playing on a loop in her mind.Bennett exhaled, shaking his head. “The cut on her temple looked deep. And those scratches…” His voice trailed off, his brows knitting together. “That wasn’t just a simple fall, Claire. It’s like she’s been running from something or someone.”Claire’s gaze softened, but her tone carried a quiet urgency. “It’s not just the injuries, Bennett. Did you see the way she flinched when the nurse tried to clean her wounds? Whatever she’s been through, it’s left scars we can’t see.”Bennett rubbed
Chapter 7: A New BeginningI woke up to the muffled sounds of hospital life the gentle beeping of machines, the distant murmurs of nurses, and the shuffling of feet in the hallway. The early morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. My head still throbbed faintly, but it was nothing compared to the ache deep inside me, the one that no painkiller could numb.I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, wondering if this was the calm before another storm. My mind wandered back to the events of the past few days, and an overwhelming wave of uncertainty washed over me. What now?Feeling restless, I decided to stretch my legs. The hospital room felt stifling, and I needed fresh air desperately. I slipped into the pair of slippers provided by the nurse and wrapped the thin hospital robe around me before stepping out into the corridor.The hospital grounds were a breath of relief. The crisp morning air brushed against my face, bringing a fa
Chapter 8:A new beginning The silence in the room pressed against me, and for a moment, it felt like the weight of everything, the years of pain, the isolation, the decisions that had brought me here was too much to carry.I walked over to the window and stood there, staring out into the night. The world seemed so distant, so far away from where I stood now. I tried not to think about Landon, not to let my mind wander down that painful path. He’d moved on, hadn’t he? He had his life, and I had mine. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, but here I was, trying to piece together a broken version of myself.A soft knock on the door broke my thoughts. My heart skipped, startled by the sound. I quickly wiped my eyes, then called out, my voice hoarse.“Come in.”It was Claire. She entered slowly, her smile as warm as ever, and she held a tray in her hands. The scent of tea and something baked filled the air as she set the tray down on the bedside table.“I thought you might need this,” she s
Chapter 9The morning light streamed through the kitchen window, casting warm golden hues over the cozy kitchen. I sat at the table, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. It was my first day at work, and I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubble in my chest. Claire had made a light breakfast for us, but I hardly touched it, my stomach too knotted with anticipation.After breakfast, Claire and Bennett both seemed calm, like they’d done this a thousand times before. They spoke as if it was just another normal day at work, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more than just a job to me. This was my chance at rebuilding something. Anything.We left the house in the warmth of the early morning, driving through the quiet streets until we reached the restaurant. The small building was tucked away in a busy corner of the neighborhood, with a welcoming sign above the door. The soft hum of chatter and the clinking of plates inside told me it was already bustli
Chapter 10: A New Light The soft hum of the early morning filled the restaurant as I wiped down tables, my movements methodical and deliberate. Three months had passed since I started working here, and each day felt like a tiny step toward reclaiming myself. At five months pregnant, my belly had rounded, and with every fluttering kick, I felt a mix of awe and trepidation about the life growing inside me.Claire and Bennett had been my rock, their constant presence a soothing balm for my frayed spirit. They helped me with everything making sure I attended my antenatal appointments, reminding me to rest, and even insisting I take breaks during busy shifts. It wasn’t just their kindness that sustained me, though; it was their belief in me.“Evelyn, you’re glowing,” Maggie teased as she passed me with a tray of steaming coffee.I smiled, glancing down at my bump. “It’s probably the baby doing all the hard work.”“No,” Claire chimed in from the kitchen, poking her head out with a knowing
Chapter 11: Shattered CalmThe restaurant was alive with its usual hum when I returned. The sound of clinking glasses and low murmurs of conversation filled the air, but my thoughts were elsewhere. Mr. Harrington’s words echoed in my mind, steady and grounding, like the pulse of a heartbeat I hadn’t felt in years.I stepped inside, closing the door softly behind me, and barely had time to process the warmth of the room before Maggie rushed toward me. Her face lit up like a beacon, her excitement tangible.“You’re a hero, Evelyn!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me with surprising force.I blinked, startled. “What?”Maggie pulled back, her grin so wide it nearly split her face. “The man you saved earlier! Word’s spreading like wildfire. Everyone’s talking about you how you brought him back. It’s incredible!”Before I could respond, Claire appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, her expression a mix of pride and awe.“Evelyn,” she said, her voice thick with emot
Chapter 12: Public Embarrassment Landon and Jade’s povThe soft glow of morning sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows of Landon’s penthouse. Jade was sprawled on the plush couch, her swollen belly prominent as she sipped on freshly squeezed orange juice. Landon sat opposite her, his face buried in financial reports, but his attention drifted each time Jade shifted uncomfortably.“Can I get you anything else?” Landon asked, his voice laced with concern.Jade smiled sweetly, setting her glass down on the side table. “No, darling. You’re already doing so much.” She reached out to hold his hand, her fingers brushing over his knuckles. “But I do need to talk to you about something.”Landon raised an eyebrow, folding his papers. “What is it?”Jade hesitated, looking down as if searching for the right words. “It’s about… Evelyn.”At the mention of her name, Landon stiffened. His jaw tightened, and his hand slid away from hers. “What about her?”“Well, it’s just…” Jad
Chapter 25: A Step Toward the FutureThe morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow across my bedroom. I sat on the edge of my bed, my laptop perched on the desk in front of me. Today was the day. The day that could change the trajectory of my life, the day I had been both dreading and anticipating since the moment I received the email from Karolinska.A soft knock sounded on the door, pulling me from my thoughts.“Come in,” I called, my voice trembling just a bit.Claire entered with a bright smile, a tray of breakfast in her hands. “Good morning, Evelyn! I thought you might need a little energy boost before the big moment.”I glanced at the tray of scrambled eggs, toast, and a glass of orange juice. My stomach churned at the thought of eating, but Claire’s smile was too kind to refuse.“Thank you, Claire,” I said, taking the tray and setting it on the bedside table.She sat beside me, her gaze scanning my face. “You look nervous. I don’t blame you it’s a big d
Chapter 24: Preparing For New Beginnings I woke up to the soft glow of sunlight streaming through my window, the warmth a welcome reminder of the joy I’d felt last night. Karolinska’s email. The words still echoed in my mind.“Congratulations.”The email had marked a turning point proof that I wasn’t just surviving but starting to reclaim everything I thought I’d lost. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, opened the email again, and stared at it, a small smile tugging at my lips.Without wasting time, I forwarded the email to Dad, adding a message filled with excitement:“Good morning, Dad. Look! I got it! Thank you so much for everything. I can't even express how happy and grateful I am right now. 💌”I hit send, feeling a rush of satisfaction. Moments later, my phone buzzed in my hand. His name flashed on the screen.“Good morning, Dad,” I answered, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice.“Good morning, Evelyn,” his voice, as warm and reassuring as ever, carried through
Chapter 23: A Defining CallThe morning light crept through the curtains, gently pulling me from sleep. For the first time in weeks, I woke up without the weight of indecision pressing down on my chest. There was a sense of clarity, a quiet certainty that today would mark the beginning of something transformative.I stretched, rubbing my growing belly instinctively. The baby’s movements had been a constant reminder of the life growing inside me, a life that deserved nothing but the best.After a quick breakfast, I made my way to the living room where Claire was tidying up. Bennett was out running errands, leaving the house unusually quiet.“Morning,” Claire said, glancing up from her task. “You’re glowing today. Did you sleep well?”I nodded, smiling faintly. “I did. I think everything is finally falling into place.”She gave me a knowing look. “Mr. Harrington has that effect, doesn’t he?”I chuckled softly. “He does. It’s like every time I’m stuck, he steps in and just… untangles ever
Chapter 22: A New Light As I walked back to the restaurant, I felt a strange lightness in my chest, like a weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying had finally lifted. The decision had been made by Karolinska. The thought of it brought a smile to my face, wide and uncontrollable, as if my happiness had taken on a life of its own.The streetlights blurred in my peripheral vision, and for the first time in a long while, I felt genuinely excited about the future. By the time I reached the restaurant doors, the smile was still there, warm and unshakable.I pushed the door open, the faint clinking of dishes and the low hum of conversation filling the space. Maggie, who was wiping down a table, looked up and froze mid-swipe, her eyes narrowing in mock suspicion.“Well, well, well,” she drawled, setting the cloth down and crossing her arms. “What’s got you beaming like that, Summers?I laughed, the sound spilling out so naturally it startled even me. “No, nothing like that,” I said, shaking m
Chapter 20:Decisions The glow of my laptop screen lit up the dim room as I scrolled through the websites of the schools Mr. Harrington had given me. Beside me, the untouched mug of chamomile tea had gone cold, but I didn’t care. My heart was racing, my thoughts tangled with possibilities and uncertainties.Harvard Medical School.I stared at the logo, its bold letters practically daring me to consider it. I clicked through the pages, each one describing a world of opportunity. The research facilities were unmatched, the alumni list was a who’s who of medical pioneers, and the programs were designed to push the limits of knowledge.Could I do this? Could I walk those halls, sit in those classrooms, and hold my own?A part of me wanted to close the tab with too much pressure, and too much expectation. But another part, the one that had fought so hard to get through med school the first time, refused to look away.I took a deep breath and moved on to the next tab.University of Oxford.T
Chapter 20The warm rays of the morning sun seeped through the gaps in my curtains, waking me gently. I stirred, my body still heavy with sleep, but a soft knock at the door brought me fully awake.“Come in,” I called, my voice groggy.Claire entered, her ever-present smile lighting up her face, with a steaming cup of milk tea in her hands. “Good morning, Evelyn. How did you sleep?”I sat up slowly, fluffing the pillows behind me for support. “Good morning, Claire. I slept well, thank you. And you?”“Ah, like a rock,” she said with a chuckle, placing the tea on my bedside table. “Drink this before it gets cold. It’ll help wake you up.”I took the cup gratefully, the warmth of it seeping into my hands. The sweet, spicy aroma brought a small smile to my lips. Claire always knew what I needed, even without me saying a word.“Thank you, Claire. You’re a lifesaver,” I said softly before taking a small sip. The creamy tea was perfect, just the way I liked it.Claire gave me a knowing look. “
Chapter 19: A Future ReimaginedI paused mid-bite, the fork still in my hand, as Mr. Harrington’s words settled in the air between us. My appetite suddenly took a backseat.“Now that the adoption process is finalized,” he said, his voice calm but purposeful, “the next step is forging your education.”I blinked, unsure I’d heard him correctly. My education? It felt like a distant dream something I had buried so deep I hadn’t dared to unearth it.I lowered the fork onto my plate, the tiramisu I had been enjoying now forgotten. “My education?” I echoed, barely recognizing the hesitation in my voice.“Yes,” he replied, leaning slightly forward. “You’ve worked hard to get where you are, Evelyn. You have too much talent to let it go to waste. It’s time for you to return to medicine.”The mention of medicine sent a pang through me. Memories of late nights, scrubs, and sterile hospital halls flooded my mind. There was a time when I had been so sure of my path. I loved being a doctor, helping p
Chapter 18: Redemption As I descended the stairs of the administration building, my stomach growled loudly, reminding me of how long it had been since I last ate. The day’s activities had taken their toll, and I had been so focused on completing the necessary processes that I had barely noticed my hunger. Now, it hit me with full force.“Could this baby not be a little patient?” I muttered to myself as I rubbed my belly. “We’re almost done, I promise.”Locating the car park, I walked briskly, scanning the rows of vehicles for the familiar black car. When I spotted it, I knocked gently on the driver’s window to get his attention.The older man quickly rolled down the window, his eyes lighting up with recognition. He stepped out immediately, adjusting his uniform. “Oh, ma’am, I’m so sorry I didn’t see you approaching. Please forgive me.”I waved off his apology with a tired smile. “It’s okay, really. I’m the one who should be apologizing. I didn’t know the process would take this long.
Chapter 17 (Evelyn’s POV)The soothing aroma of chamomile filled my senses as I took another sip from the steaming cup Claire had handed me moments ago. This was our routine; she'd bring me tea to start the day, her soft presence always a comforting balm against the weight of my thoughts.“Good morning, Evelyn,” she said with a smile, sitting at the edge of my bed.“Morning, Claire,” I replied, setting the cup down on the nightstand. My hands instinctively rested on my belly as I leaned back.“How are you feeling today? Did you sleep well?”I nodded. “I did, actually. Yesterday was just… a lot. I guess I was more drained than I realized.”Claire tilted her head slightly. “I noticed you went straight to your room when you came back. We didn’t want to disturb you.”I offered a faint smile. “Thanks for that. I needed the rest. The baby was a little fussy and kept me on my toes for most of the evening.”“Well, at least you’re up now,” Claire said warmly. “Come on, let’s head downstairs. Be