Chapter 2
905 Words
Now, we were nothing more than two familiar strangers.
Jeffery's worry that I still wanted to cling to him was completely unnecessary.
"Jason Scott. What a simple name." Jeffery stared at my marriage certificate and read Jason's name.
"Well, he's a good man—humble and gentle."
Jason had a completely different personality from Jeffery.
Jason gave me the devotion and care that Jeffery never could, and most importantly, trust.
"Evelyn, you know perfectly well. As far as I'm concerned, your word isn't worth a thing." He stared at me, his voice laced with nothing but doubt.
As the only heir of the Shepherd Family, Jeffery was naturally calm and suspicious.
I knew he didn't believe me.
After all, I had loved him for so many years.
I sighed and tried to reason with him.
"The engagement was dissolved by me. Why would I go out of my way to cling to you with a child? This child belongs to Jason and me. That's all."
Finally, Jeffery spoke. "I want you to go to the hospital with me tomorrow for a test. Once the results confirm the child isn't mine, I'll apologize to you."
In order not to drag things out with him, I agreed.
That afternoon, I returned to the company, submitted the project deliverables, then handed in my resignation to HR.
That evening, I video-called my husband and told him I was planning to book tickets to Luminara. But he told me he had already booked a flight back here and would arrive the day after tomorrow.
"My wife is pregnant. How could I let you fly abroad alone? That wouldn't be safe."
My husband personally flew over to pick me up and go abroad with me. His care and concern warmed my heart.
Early the next morning, I had just arrived at the hospital when I saw Jeffery in a sharp formal suit.
Beside him stood Hailey, wearing a red dress.
She hooked her arm through his and gave me a bright smile.
"Evelyn, you're finally here! We've been waiting for you for ages!"
I glanced at my watch. The hands pointed exactly to nine o'clock.
"We agreed on nine, Miss Brown. Don't make me sound like some deadbeat who showed up late."
The smile froze on Hailey's face, and she looked to Jeffery for help.
We hadn't been at odds for just a day or two. Before, I was always in the wrong, but she had Jeffery to protect her.
Now I was still in the right, but for some reason, Jeffery didn't defend her today.
"Alright, let's go in and get it done."
Hailey pouted angrily and stared at me with a sour expression.
I didn't spare her another glance and walked into the testing department.
The test results would take three days.
The next day, I went to the manor to visit David.
The servant led me into the living room, but David wasn't there. Jeffery was.
He was sitting on the sofa, looking at me with contempt.
"The results aren't out yet, and you're already in such a hurry to tell Grandpa?"
I was so angry I almost laughed.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm here to see Grandpa Shepherd. I have something else to discuss."
Jeffery's face remained blank. "I already knew you were a compulsive liar—you never change."
Even though we had already broken up, his words still tore at my heart.
I raised my voice. "Lie about what?"
"Still pretending?" Jeffery stared at me fixedly.
His intense gaze made me deeply uneasy.
I watched him pull the prenatal checkup form from the day before yesterday out of his pocket and throw it at my face.
"Hadn't I gotten hold of your prenatal report, I would have been deceived again! A fourteen-week fetus! You've only been married for two months. Tell me, if this child isn't mine, whose is it?"
For a moment, I froze, then I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. We were both adults—wasn't it normal to have s*x before marriage?
"So you're using this to conclude I'm carrying your child? That's ridiculous!"
"Isn't that exactly what you're doing?"
Jeffery looked at me, his pupils sharp with coldness.
"I was going to handle this nicely with you and even give you proper compensation, but you… you really don't know what's good for you."
Twirling the ring in his hand, he said, "Evelyn, since yesterday I've been giving you chances to come clean. But you even had Grandpa backing you up. Fine. There's no need to wait for the results. We'll get rid of this child right now."
Jeffery had always been a man of his word, and I could feel he would not budge this time.
My pupils contracted sharply.
"I didn't come here to tattle! I'm going abroad. I came to say goodbye to Grandpa!"
Jeffery refused to listen. He waved his hand, calling his bodyguards to grab me.
"Evelyn, I will not have a child with someone I don't love. I hope you understand that."
"This child must be aborted. I will compensate you with thirty million dollars."
The bodyguards dragged me toward the car. I screamed and struggled, but I could not break free.
Just then, a figure strode in against the flood of light, his presence radiating overwhelming authority with every step.
"I'd like to see who dares lay a hand on my wife."
- Writer
