Ride or Die: Tamed By My Billionaire Assassin

Chapter 2

Evelyn’s POV

I sat on bed unable to sleep all through the night after receiving this text.

He’s been waiting for this?

I just hope I’m messaging the right person?

Now I wanted to know who among his rivals this is.

It’s really hard to figure out who this is. I’d tried all the premium caller ID apps yet none could relay either his name or location.

He must be dangerous.

Morning came and I woke Isabella up, preparing her for school so I could have enough time to deal with the issue I have in hand.

The sound of laughter echoed down the hallway. Chloe again.

I stood rigid in the middle of the staircase agitated, she wasn’t letting me enjoy the peace of my home again. Her voice had completely taken over. I won’t let this happen.

I clutched the railing so hard my knuckles ached. The laughter echoed again in the midst of whatever conversation she might be having with Liam. And Liam must be so smitten by her that he isn’t preparing for work but listening to her. I peered at my phone screen.

8:30 AM.

Chloe. Bright. Mocking. Carefree. As if she hadn’t just taken my husband, my home, and my life.

I descended slowly, each step heavy with anger burning across my chest. The scent of fresh lilies from the foyer mixed with Chloe’s perfume, a sweet, cloying smell I once borrowed for dates. I reached the living room here downstairs and saw them: Liam and Chloe in the sitting room, heads close, Chloe whispering to him.

I got it now. She was gossiping to him, after which she repeatedly burst into laughter. Liam had a steady grin, eventually taking his hand and placing it on her nude lap. Chloe wore a mini-maternity gown.

I balled my fist at the sight, remaining still. Their eyes accidentally landed on me and they jerked out of their comfort zone.

“Evelyn,” Liam called out of shock, rising. “How long have you been standing here?”

I smirked, hoping to see the remorse linger but then his mood switched, he stood tall, his arm brushing Chloe’s, his confidence unshaken. “We need to talk.”

Chloe smirked but said nothing, her hand protectively resting on her stomach. The message was clear: this child is the future, and you are nothing but the past.

I walked into the room, my chin high though my heart raced. “Talk, then.”

Liam gestured to the sofa, as if this was a business meeting. I refused to sit.

His lips curved in a half-smile. “I told you last night. Chloe is pregnant. How things are done like in this family will change to favor her.”

My stomach churned. “I don’t get it.” I c****d my head. “What do you mean?”

He said nothing.

“So you want me to raise her child? To share my home, my marriage, my dignity—while you play foul with her inside my marital home?” I shot it out quickly.

“And that’s what I’m saying, your perception of things must change to accommodate Chloe as a co-wife.”

Liam’s eyes hardened. “Do not dramatize it. This is about the company, Evelyn. You and I both know the Vance empire needs a male heir. Isabella is precious, but she cannot inherit everything.”

My legs weakened. Still keeping on with the old custom?

“And Chloe can?” My voice cracked, but I refused to look away.

“Yes,” he said simply. “Her child can. My heir.”

The words sliced through me. Isabella’s face flashed in my mind—her warm smile, her trust in me, her innocence. My daughter. Now being pushed aside for another woman’s unborn baby.

Chloe shifted in her seat, her lips curling in satisfaction. “It doesn’t have to be a big deal, Evelyn. We have always been sisters, you can still see me as one and our kids will grow as siblings,” she said sweetly, her tone dripping with false sympathy.

“We can still be happy in our place. I’ll be the mother of his heir. You’ll still belong here, in some way.” She twisted her lips with mockery.

Something inside me snapped. “You were my friend, Chloe. My college bestie, which is why I recommended you to be his secretary at the company. I trusted you as the only woman to be close to my husband. And this is what you do?”

She decided to take advantage of me, of my kindness.

Her smile sharpened. “I didn’t plan it. But Liam chose me.”

I wanted to lunge at her, to rip that smug look from her face. But Liam’s voice cut through my rage.

“Enough,” he barked. His gaze pinned me down. “I will not tolerate drama in this house. You will accept this arrangement. We will remain married, but Chloe will have her rightful place. That is final.”

I could hardly breathe. “And what about me? What about my feelings, Liam? Do you care about how I’d feel seeing another woman share your heart and body with me?”

He smirked, then leaned closer. “It’s not the first time, so no big deal.” His words dropped with venom. “Feelings don't matter to me but where my company will be in the next one to three years. Empires are not built by feelings but doing the right thing.”

For a moment, I swayed where I stood. My hand brushed against my stomach, the secret life growing inside me. My baby. His baby. He didn’t know yet. He doesn’t deserve to know.

“You disgust me,” I whispered.

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t reply. Chloe looked triumphant, her eyes glinting with cruel delight. I can tell this is all she wanted.

I turned and walked out before my anger consumed me. Upstairs, I collapsed against my bedroom door, trembling. My reflection in the mirror looked like a stranger. I was a stranger in my own body, feeling the way I’d never felt before. Pale. Fragile. Defeated.

Thank God Isabella is gone to school, I won’t want her to see mama in this miserable state.

Even though Liam could not consider my feelings, he couldn’t consider his daughter’s?

I pressed my palms flat against the dresser, fighting for air. I remembered law school days, late nights with case files, the ecstasy of standing in front of a judge and knowing I was powerful, capable, unstoppable. Where had that woman gone?

I picked up my phone to text my bestie to come over, she and Chloe were my closest girls. Now I needed someone to talk to. Someone I could show the message of last night to.

The knock on my door startled me. Vivian’s voice called softly, “Evelyn, it’s me.”

Relief flooded me, it’s three hours later. I opened the door and pulled her inside, burying my face in her shoulder. For the first time in hours, I let the tears fall.

Vivian held me, her grip steady. “What has he done now?”

I told her everything—Liam’s bringing in a co-wife, Chloe’s pregnancy, his refusal to let me go.

Vivian’s eyes blazed with fury. “I warned you about him. He was never going to be satisfied with one woman. And Chloe—God, Evelyn, she has always been jealous of you to do this. And him, his betrayal—” she breathed uneasy.

“I gave him everything,” I wept. “My career. My life. And this is how he repays me.”

“Then take it back,” Vivian said fiercely. “You are not helpless. You’re Evelyn Reed, the best damn lawyer I ever partnered with. Have you forgotten about that woman? Come on, be that woman again. Fight him.”

Those words aligned with the text of last night. I wanted to know—

Is she the one?

I shook my head. “He controls everything—the money, the company, and commands the influence. What do I have?”

Her expression softened, but her voice stayed firm. “You have me. And if you want to fight him, I will help you.”

I couldn’t relent to ask any longer. “Yesterday, I got the list of his rivals and messaged one, circled with a red.” I paused with a deep breath. “He only replied he has been waiting for this.”

“Which is he?” Her face tuned with shock before she shrugged.

“I don't just know.”

“It must be someone who wants to know about his secrets the most, someone who wants to take him down the most.” I said with a curious gaze.

She hummed. “It could be.”

“The person even offered to help but I don’t know who it is.” I murmured.

“That’s not a problem. You can get to know him but let your location be on while going to meet him. I’ll be watching you.”

For the first time, I felt a wash of relief, that I had someone who at least cared about my feelings.

But later that night, as I tucked Isabella into bed and kissed her forehead, my hope turned to fear. A day has gone by and I haven’t figured out what to do.

I lingered in her room long after she slept, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. My little girl. My reason for breathing.

When I finally returned to the bed, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

The same number. Another message.

“Meet me tomorrow. When you’re ready, reply, I’ll send you my location. I know how to bring Liam down.”

My heart pounded.

Who is it? What does this person want? And could I risk trusting a stranger?

I was the one to chase him but now, he’s taking the lead.

“Okay,” I typed.

I stared at the screen, torn between fright and the need to make Liam know he didn’t have the right to do what he’s doing without my take.

My hand tightened around the phone. Deep inside, I knew I wanted to do this. But what price would I pay to destroy Liam Vance and his budding love with the traitor, Chloe?