After collecting the drugs from the pharmacy, Eve left the hospital with the driver. She sat on the back seat and closed her eyes, caressing her stomach. No one must know. Ethan must not know that she was pregnant. Otherwise, that man might stop her from going out. He could stop her from working or going to his company, and that would be bad. "Please drop me at Ethan's company," she said to the driver. "Madam, you said you'd only visit the hospital. Besides, the Young Master is not around—""Urgh. Just drop me there. I have some things to take care of. You can come pick me up later. I'll give you a call.""Alright, Madam." The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. Eve stared at her wristwatch then her stomach grumbled. She asked the driver to drop her at the entrance, then she brought out her face mask and wore it. She walked inside the company and headed to the cafeteria. After grabbing some food and some snack, she dropped them inside her bag and walked out through
"Aren't you thinking too highly of yourself?" Eve folded her hands and raised a brow. "You did a nice job in using plastic to conceal the scar on your nose. If you like it that much, I'd be glad to break it into two.""Mrs. Anderson." Jessie covered her nose and glared at her. "If I were you, I wouldn't think of repeating the same mistake twice.""What mistake?" Eve chuckled and cracked her knuckles. "I don't see it as a mistake, Jessica. I was in my right mind and I can repeat it now.""You should be thankful that you're the president's wife." Jessie scoffed, admiring her fingernails. "I swear if you dare cross me again, I won't be very nice."Eve shook her head at the girl, smiling. "You know what, Jessica? Just take your eyes off my husband and we won't be enemies anymore.""You can keep dreaming about that." Jessie rolled her eyes and the elevator came to a stop at the finance department. "By the way." She glanced over her shoulder after stepping out of the elevator. "The preside
Eve stilled for a few seconds and she avoided the woman's scrutinizing eyes. "Erm, what made you guess that, Elena?" She fiddled with her hands and sat on the bed. "I'm not guessing. It is obvious, Madam.""Come on, Elena. You're overthinking again." Eve tried to force her a smile. "If I was pregnant, aren't you the first person I'll tell?""I am a woman, Eve. And I've experienced similar symptoms." Elena sat on a chair, facing her. "If you're right about what the doctor said, then they must have made a wrong diagnosis. I advise you to go see another doctor.""The doctor didn't make any wrong diagnosis." Eve shook her head. "You know my nature, and you know how eager I am to get pregnant. If it was positive, don't you think I would be throwing a party by now?""Let me see your hand.""Why, Elena?" Eve shifted away. "Madam, let me see those drugs the doctor prescribed for you.""Urgh, seriously." Eve put on an offended look. "I implore you to please respect my privacy, Elena. I've to
Argh! Damnit! That man almost gave her a heart attack. What was with that angry tone?Eve left the bedroom the next morning and walked down the stairs. She even had a nightmare that she'd given birth to one baby and Ethan was chasing her with a knife. She patted her chest again then sat on a chair and her eyes surveyed the food. "Good morning, Madam. I hope you slept well." Elena appeared from the kitchen direction and placed more food on the table."Yes, thank you, Elena." Eve picked at her food. "I hope you also slept well." "I did, Madam." The Stewardess smiled then turned around to head back to the kitchen, but Eve stopped her. "Urm, Elena." She shifted on the chair and faced her. "I'm so sorry for yelling at you last night. My tongue lost control and I...""Oh, please don't apologize." Elena shook her head, her eyes widening. "You didn't do anything wrong, Madam. It was my fault for intruding too much."Eve lifted her head and stared at the woman. She sighed inside then looke
The days flew by like a gust of wind. One week's extension turned into another and another and another. It had been always a month and a half since Ethan traveled. Eve couldn't have been lonelier if it wasn't for her work distracting her. Literally, the club had been very active recently. "Madam, you're not thinking of going to work today, right?" A maid stood behind Eve as she slowly ate her food in the dining room. "Camila, stop pestering. I promise I'm fine." Eve gave the girl a helpless look. She'd taken her medication properly and constantly followed the Doctor's advice. But out of nowhere, she fainted again last night, making the maids and the Stewardess alert. "I'm sure there's not much work to do at the company since the Young Master is not around. Can't you rest for some days, Madam? You've also warned us not to let him know of your fainting spree, but if he finds out we'll all be in trouble.""No one will get into any trouble." Eve shook her head. "Now, get me some gluco
"Eve." Ethan looked up from his desk and his eyes brightened. Eve rubbed her eyes. She rubbed it again. Then she screamed and dashed toward him. "Ah! Ethan, when did you return?" She jumped onto his lap and hugged him tight. "I returned last night. I wanted to surprise you.""Really?" Eve giggled and kissed his cheek. "You scared me, Ethan. I thought you were going to live in that city forever. During our phone call, you didn't say anything about coming back. So you're very good at surprises.""Mmm." Ethan nodded and Eve's eyes lingered on his features. Was that a subtle smile she saw? "So you slept here last night?" She asked, playing with his collar. "Yeah, I slept here." Ethan snaked his arms around her waist. "I also needed to look over some work.""Urgh, Ethan... You just spoiled the surprise." Eve pouted. "You could have just stopped at you slept here only to surprise me in the morning. Now, I'd think you only did it for work."But Eve's heart had never been this at ease. Ha
The sun was orange in the sky. The work hours were almost over and night was descending fast. But the whole company was in a frenzy. Employees scattered around the area, bumping into each other and gathering files and everything they could get their hands on. Eve trotted after Ethan as he strode into the company. On the large TV screen on the first floor was the news airing. Almost every channel in the city was showing the news accompanied by those photos. Eve grimaced and she looked away from the screen. They stepped into the elevator but didn't go up to the president's area. The general meeting was being held at the HR department. And not only were the shareholders present, but all the managers and other higher-ups in the company were also present. "What is the meaning of this, Mr. Anderson? Are the rumors correct?""Who published such news by the way? I don't want to believe that it is the truth.""Mr. Anderson, the media claimed that you're having an affair with your secretary
The silence was more deafening than ever. All eyes were now on Eve, including Ethan's. "Eve, what is happening?""Please ask her, Mr. Anderson." Jessie went on. "I didn't see it coming that Mrs. Anderson is also a greedy person. I thought she only came to this company and snatched my position only because of jealousy. Unknowingly, Mrs. Anderson has hidden intentions.""Ethan, don't listen to her—""I implore you to ask her also, Mr. Anderson." Jessie didn't let her finish speaking. "Let her tell you the truth. Is she a member of The Ambitious Employees Club or not?" Ethan stared at Eve... There were so many questions in his eyes and Eve sent a glare in Jessie's direction. "If she doesn't want to admit it, I have evidence that will back up my claim." Jessie smiled sweetly then brought out her phone. "Someone, please connect this to the projector."The man operating the projector took the phone from her and connected it. Not long after, some images started playing. "These are all ph
Not every family stuck with each other forever. But forever is like asking for never. They'd all had their ups and downs. The brothers quarreled, not once, not twice, and definitely not thrice. Yet, at the end of the day, they always came back together, standing strong as one family. As Eve lounged on a recliner, staring at the vast ocean ahead, her mind couldn't help but wander to a few years back. Ethan left the company for Wade, but only to manage the one in the other city, as that city was much closer to the island. Well, they frequented here, and often, the whole family gathered here for vacation. "Mummy, I want more." A tiny voice came from her lap and Eve looked down at the baby. She'd almost been convinced that he was sleeping. Her fingers ran through his hair and she removed the straw from her mouth and let him sip the coconut juice. "This is your last sip, Evan. You can't have too much coconut." "Uhuh." The boy nodded and took a sip, but he didn't let go of the stra
"Eve, please c–calm down. Your babies must not be far," Elena tried to coax her as Eve sat on the bed the next morning, bawling her eyes out. Ethan had ransacked the whole hospital last night. They'd even alerted the authorities, and all the staff that worked in the nursery were investigated, but... Her babies were nowhere to be found, they were still missing. And the surveillance cameras caught nothing. Everywhere was dark. "Eve." The Stewardess rubbed her shoulders. "Please don't cry, it can affect your health. Even if that person is cruel enough to kidnap the babies, I don't think they'll have the heart to hurt them."Hurt her babies? Eve cried harder. "That is what I'm scared of, Elena. What if they harm my babies!?""Shhhh, it's okay." Elena hugged her and patted her back. "Don't cry, Eve. Let's keep praying. Nothing will happen to the babies, the Young Master is out there with the authorities searching for them." "M–My babies." Eve's lips trembled and she sniffed rapidly. "My
Swapping her with another baby? Eve pulled away and stared at the woman in astonishment. "Mum, what did you just say?" "I'm horrible, right?" Her mother covered her face and sobbed. "I understand if you don't forgive me, Eve. I don't think I deserve it. I wasn't in my right mind, I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought..." She trailed off and kept on sobbing. Eve opened her mouth, but no words came out. The accidental swapping wasn't an accident? Her Mum did that? "M–Mum, why did you..." Eve held back her tears from falling, trying her best to control the sudden grief compounding her heart. "Mum..." "Please don't call me that. I feel bad when you call me by that name. After what I did..." "Do you really hate me?" Eve sniffed. "What did Dad do for you to hate me so much? What did he do for you to abandon me?" "I don't hate you now, Eve." Her mother shook her head and looked up. "I am just ashamed to come near you. I am ashamed to be close to you after what I did." Eve
"Please endure it, Mrs. Anderson. We'll soon get to the delivery room."Eve couldn't register what happened next. All she knew was that she was being wheeled down a long hallway and the pain in her stomach kept expanding with each second. "Eve, please keep up with the pain. I know you can handle it." Ethan continuously stroked her hair while wiping her sweat with the other hand. "It's too painful, Ethan. I think I'm gonna die!" Eve cried. How could she handle this pain? It was the most agonizing experience she'd ever gone through. "You can do it, Eve. I believe in you." Ethan's reassuring words were accompanied by the fear in his voice. It took forever before they finally wheeled her into the labor room. Her gynecologist appeared and the staff lifted her on a bed. "Help me, please! I don't wanna die, Doc!" "You aren't going to die, Mrs. Anderson. It's a momentary pain. Luckily, you're already opened.""C–Can I start pushing?""Yes, please. You can start pushing.""Ahhhhh! I can'
As if they were being chased out of the island, the private jet arrived that evening. No one carried anything with them, just their clothes and phones. When the plane descended on the helipad at the rooftop of the hospital, Ethan literally jumped out before it came to a complete stop. "Th–That was dangerous, Ethan!" Eve shouted amidst the blaring sound of the plane. The gynecologist helped her out and she held his hand. "Ethan, please calm down. Let's hope nothing bad happens." The man wasn't looking at her. His mind seemed to have wandered off, the same condition he'd been in since they left the island. Ethan brought out his phone and fiddled with it. Then he made a quick phone call before holding her tight and heading down the rooftop with her. "You can go home, Eve." "No, I must see Grandpa." Her heart was racing and her nerves were wracking inside. She couldn't just go home like a coward. And Ethan wasn't himself, she'd rather be with him. They appeared on the top floor
But Ethan wasn't being too sensitive, he was just smarter than her to see the gynecologist's actions coming. As the weeks passed by, Sara's actions became bolder and more provocative. She'd even resorted to dressing in short dresses without shoulder straps. Sometimes, she'd even walk around the house in a tiny bikini, claiming she was going swimming. But even after returning from the pool, she'd take a long time before changing out of the bikini. And the worse thing was... She would use the pretense to speak about Eve's health in other to spend time with Ethan. Sometimes, they'd be discussing until midnight as she explained some difficult medical terminologies to him. "Eve, I know I'm not supposed to butt in, but you must take action before this girl snatches your husband." Elena came to her room one day and advised, and Eve found it hard to handle the bitter truth. "You also noticed it, Elena?" "Everyone notices it," Elena whispered. "Even the maids speak about it, Eve. S
Eve made sure all the things they would need were set in place three days later. After bidding their families goodbye, they set off to the island in Ethan's private jet and arrived the next morning. "This house is very huge, Madam," Camila said as they toured the mansion."I can't believe we're going to live here until you put to bed.""Won't you miss the city life?" Eve's eyes wandered around the large living room. It was even more luxurious than the one back at the Villa. "Not at all, Madam. Compared to the noises and buzz of the city, this place can be considered a paradise.""Mmm. I also like it." Eve nodded and caressed her bump. "And I think my babies like it also." They didn't kick a lot today, unlike recently when they'd been nothing but active. "This is a generous gift from their great-grandfather. Of course, they'd like it, Madam." One of the maids looked at her stomach and smiled. "Where is Elena, by the way?" Eve's brows furrowed as she asked."She must be in the kitc
Like the sand in an hourglass, the months slowly trickled by. While Ethan worked hard day and night to stabilize the company, Eve couldn't ward off the lingering fear that Wade was lurking in the shadows. Sometimes, she would forget he existed, and other times, the thought of his action and promise made her wake up with a start in the middle of the night. Such as this night. Eve reached for the glass of water on the bedside table. She took a sip of it, patting her chest to ease her frantic heartbeat. Her eyes squinted in the darkness and she turned on the bedside lamp then looked sideways at Ethan. "You're awake?" Ethan turned and opened his eyes. "Is it the nightmare, Eve?"Eve sighed and slowly nodded. "I told you to stop worrying about it. He can't do anything.""We're not sure, Ethan." Eve shifted and rested on his arm. "That man is dangerous, we must be wary of him.""He can't do anything," Ethan repeated, caressing her bump. "I'll make sure he never comes near you."Eve wasn
"You, Evelyn! You think you have finally made it in life! You think you can bully others and do as you please!? Unlike you, I won't go to the authorities. I'll take the matter into my hands and make sure you're dead!"As Mia charged toward her with a knife, Eve stood still, unable to react. But Ethan acted fast and knocked the knife out of her hand. "Ahhhhh! Leave me alone! Let me at her!" Mia screamed as two bodyguards hurried forward and seized her. "I said let me go! You are all bunch of fools and cowards, hiding behind the authorities! If you don't fear me, Evelyn, let's fight barehanded. I'll poke out your eyes and make you regret ever thinking of harming Cole.""This crazy girl. Why did you come here?" Eve's grandfather stood up with his cane. "You have lost your mind by thinking that you can harm my granddaughter.""Are you sure that she is your granddaughter!?" Mia yelled. "You have always hated me, Old Man. I wasn't surprised when you wanted to kick me out. What stupid blood