Evelyn's pov
After the doctor's announcement on my pregnancy, my smile has never left my face since I left the hospital.
This was a miraculous news to me. It was clear to me that Landon and I were destined to have a new beginning. A beginning where our first child would be the light in our lives.
I can't wait to share the news with him once I get back to the house. He would definitely bounce with joy.
Maybe, Landon will learn to be warm towards me. No more cold nights of being alone and abandoned. I have always prayed for the blessing of the womb. And that one day, I will be able to carry Landon's child.
I took out my little note from my purse and wrote down today's date as the precious day I found out about my pregnancy.
The taxi driver threw me a quick glance through the rear mirror of his car and I smiled at him.
"Something good must have happened today, Miss?" He broke the silence between us starting up a conversation between us.
There was no reason not to share the good news with him since he noticed my joyous radiance.
"My husband and I are having a baby," I said. His eyes widened with surprise then softened with joy.
"Congratulations. Your husband is lucky man," he muttered and I swelled with pride.
Yes, Landon and I are they luckiest people in the world today. I could imagine the smile that would break on his face if I told him about our baby.
He will finally be a father to our lovely child and we would live as one family.
"Thank you," I said to the driver. The rest of our drive was quiet until he dropped me off in front of estate gate Landon and I lived in.
I took another cab that carried me up to the main gate of our compound and got off feeling jelly and good.
Striding through the gates, I greeted the security man with a smile which he reciprocated before walking towards the stairs leading to the huge doors of the mansion.
For once I felt alive in this huge space. Nothing made sense to me then because Landon barely paid attention to me. I only existed in the four walls of the house like a doll living in an empty house void of emotions.
But today, I brought our new joy home in my belly. I walked into the lobby and met Kate who seemed to be in a haste. I stopped her and she looked at me with her brows knitted in confusion.
"Kate, where is my husband?" I asked with a melodic voice that entailed my happiness.
"Ma'am, I thought you were instructed to be in your room? Where did you go to this morning?" She asked, ignoring my question.
"Later you will find out. But first, where can I find my husband?" I repeated.
"He is at the garden with your in-laws," she said and it was my turn to look at her preflexed.
"My in-laws?" I repeated with a frown. They never showed up for anything. In fact, they were repelled to their son because of my existence beside him.
Whatever reason they have for being here, is unknown to me.
I head over to the garden with steady steps. As I approached the entrance, the atmosphere slowly turned dense and hostile like a fog filled area with danger tendencies.
However, the picture I saw in front of me was different from the pressuring atmosphere. My in-laws were having tea with my husband and that woman who has refused to know her place.
Jade was clinging on to Landon's arm and he gazed at her with an unfamiliar hue in his eyes. The way his eyes narrowed on her, gently like he was in a daze, captured in love.
He never looked at me this way. He was awestruck by her and the smile on his face, said a thousand things. HE STILL LOVED HER!
I wrapped my nails into my palms and pierced my skin so hard until I could feel liquid drop out of my closed fist.
Jade turned to my direction and a smug grew on her face. It was easy to read the mocking expression on her faceâHE IS MINE.
To make things worse, she yelled my name and got everyone's attention on me. "Why are you standing there?"
"You should come and have some tea," she acted nicely, hiding her ugly nature under her mask. My in-laws, Landon's mother and sister snorted. Their face metamorphosed into that of disgust. Nothing about me appealed to them, not even the fact that I was their son's wife.
I breathed out, calming my heart as today, I had big news to share. And once I am done, Jade and my inlaws will have nothing to mock me about again.
Keeping my head high, strode over to them, building my courage each step I took.
Once I came to a stop in front of them, Jade got up and turned to the table.
"I have an announcement to make," she started with a bouncy expression on her face. "I am afraid that this might hurt you Evelyn. But it was bound to happen," she said, turning to me with that smug still on her face.
"Landon and I had a little bit of moment over the past few weeks and kinda rekindled.......I'm so sorry Evelyn , but you have to forgive me just I pleaded earlier with you at the hospital....I can't..possibly abort Landon's child ," she revealed and my even rounded in shock.'She saw me at the hospital? How? I didn't even see her , not to talk of having a conversation at that ' I pondered in my head as she continued with her announcement.
"Hospital?" Landon cut her off as his brows creased at the center . He was worried.
"Were you hurt?" He asked her, not even looking my direction. He was concerned about Jade and not me.
"I am fine, Lan. I am pregnant," she revealed and everyone including me gasped in surprise. I held my belly and stumbled backwards. THIS WAS NOT HAPPENING, NOT TODAY!!!
Chapter 59 Third-person POVThe car ride to the hospital was quite tense. Cecily was buckled in the back, fast asleep after an emotional afternoon. Evelynâs fingers gripped the steering wheel, her mind racing with everything Bennett had said on the phone. Claire had collapsed. Blood pressure, he guessed.The hospital corridors felt colder than usual as Evelyn made her way to the room where Claire was being monitored. Bennett stood just outside, his arms folded, his eyes weary but calm. As soon as he saw Evelyn, his shoulders dropped in relief.âSheâs okay,â he said. âThey ran a few tests, and itâs just what I thought. Her blood pressure has been unstable for a while. She didnât say anything.âEvelyn exhaled a breath she hadnât realized she was holding. âAnd now?ââThe doctor said she can go home today. Theyâve given her something to stabilize it. Prescribed a few meds. She just needs rest.âInside, Claire sat upright on the hospital bed, sipping from a paper cup. Her cheeks were pale
Chapter 58Third-person POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden rays across the living room where Evelyn sat with her laptop open, halfway through a video call with Mr. Harrington and Carlos.âWe should be done here in about two or three days,â Mr. Harrington said, his voice steady but tired. âOnce we wrap up this presentation in Geneva, weâll be on the next flight back.âEvelyn nodded, her hand gently stroking Cecilyâs curls as the little girl sat beside her, leaning toward the screen. âWe miss you already,â Evelyn said, her eyes soft with warmth.Carlos grinned from his corner of the video. âDonât let her eat too many marshmallows, okay?âCecily giggled. âI only had five yesterday!âEvelyn and Mr. Harrington exchanged knowing glances. After a few more minutes of catching up, the call ended, and just like that, the morning routine resumed. Cecily ran off to get her backpack while Evelyn checked in with Claire and Bennett.Claire and Bennett were t
Chapter 57: The Drive HomeThe mall lights faded in the rearview mirror as Carlos steered them onto the main road, the car humming gently beneath them. The city was quieter now, painted in shades of amber and navy. Evelyn leaned back into her seat, her body relaxed but her mind unusually quiet.Carlos broke the silence with a low chuckle.âNow that⌠that was a scene to behold.âEvelyn turned to him with a teasing brow. âWhat do you mean?âCarlos smirked. âOh, donât play dumb with me.ââIâm not playing dumb.â She folded her arms. âWhat are you even talking about?âCarlos scoffed, shifting gears as they took a curve. âGirl. Come on. The way Zenda was looking at you all evening? That man is head over heels.âEvelyn let out a laugh, tinged with disbelief. âCarlos, stop it. Donât start assuming things.ââIâm not assuming anything. Iâm stating facts.â He glanced at her. âHe wasnât just being nice, Evie. That man was practically breathing in sync with you. Watching your every move. If youâre
Chapter 56: Games and Glancesthird person povThe mall glowed with early evening light, its ceiling lit with warm yellow bulbs and glass panels that reflected the bustle below. After browsing through rows of shoes, handbags, and a few chic dresses that Evelyn didnât need but enjoyed admiring, Carlos suggested they check out the gaming area.âCome on, Doc. Youâve had a long week. Time to unwind a little,â he grinned, nudging her toward the escalator.Evelyn chuckled. âYouâre just trying to make me lose at arcade racing so you can brag all the way home.ââMe?â Carlos raised his eyebrows. âIâm offended you think Iâm that competitive.ââCarlos. Last week, you argued with Dad over chess for three days.ââOkay, mildly competitive,â he said, leading her to the glowing neon lights of the mallâs gaming floor.The area was bursting with sound bumping music, kids laughing, machines flashing. The scents of popcorn and cotton candy clung to the air. Evelynâs eyes widened in amusement.âOh wow. Th
Chapter 55:Sunshine in Small Momentsthird person povCecily was already awake before anyone else in the house. With her curly brown hair bouncing wildly behind her, she dashed into the hallway like a spark of joy, calling for everyone to get ready.âToday is park day!â she sang, jumping onto Mr. Harringtonâs bed with a toothy grin. âUp, Grandpa! Up!âMr. Harrington chuckled from beneath the covers, pulling the child into a warm embrace. âYouâve been up since sunrise, havenât you?âCecily nodded proudly. âMommy promised. Today is our big day.âAnd she made sure no one forgot. She dragged Bennett out of bed, tugged on Claireâs robe, and even knocked on Carlosâ door with a wide grin. By the time Evelyn was out of the shower, the house was already alive with laughter and the faint smell of cinnamon pancakes wafting from the kitchen.By midmorning, everyone was dressed and packed snacks, drinks, Cecilyâs tiny soccer ball, a picnic blanket, and her favorite bubble wand.They arrived at the
Chapter 54: The Cracking Empirethird person povThe sleek Manhattan penthouse, perched above the chaos of the city, looked exactly like Jade Hollandâs life used to be flawless, polished, and expensive. But just like the woman pacing barefoot across its marble floor, that perfection was crumbling fast.Jade stood near the floor-to-ceiling window, her silk robe loose around her frame, a glass of untouched wine in hand. Her eyes werenât on the skyline. They were on her reflection.âYouâre quiet,â Charlie muttered, voice gruff as he walked in from the guest bedroom, pulling a shirt over his head. He tossed his phone on the couch with a grunt. âWhatâs that supposed to mean? You havenât said a word since I walked in.âJade exhaled. âBecause Iâm tired, Charlie.âHe laughed dryly. âTired? Or broke?âShe turned sharply. âExcuse me?ââYou heard me. Landonâs not sending money like he used to, is he? Guess the cash cow finally stopped mooing.ââDonât be ridiculous,â Jade snapped, setting the win