Chapter 3
1015 Words
"Evelyn, you're awake!" When Evelyn opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Daniel's worried face.
He grabbed her hand anxiously, his voice still trembling with lingering fear.
"The family doctor just gave you an injection. You're fine now. You have no idea how scared I was when I came back and saw you collapsed. I thought after losing our baby, I was about to lose you too."
Evelyn suddenly pulled her hand away and turned her head aside.
She had gone into allergic shock, yet all he did was call the family doctor.
But the tiny cut on Ivy's hand was enough for him to panic and personally carry her to the hospital.
And once upon a time, he had treated Evelyn like the most precious thing in the world.
If she coughed even once, he would be so nervous that he insisted she be hospitalized.
When exactly had his heart changed?
She tried desperately to recall, but the more she thought, the worse her headache became.
Looking at her pale profile, Daniel sighed helplessly.
"Evelyn, I never expected that brainless maid would even put those things in the bedroom. I've already fired her."
Just then, Ivy walked in.
"Evelyn, I'm sorry! The wool carpet and the jasmine have already been removed. I didn't know your allergy was this serious. I'm really sorry."
Evelyn stared at her coldly.
"If you truly feel sorry, then leave my house immediately. And since you're already an adult, my sponsorship ends here. According to the agreement we signed, once you start working I have the right to demand that you repay all the funds I gave you in installments."
Ivy's eyes instantly reddened. "My internship salary is only five thousand a month. How could I possibly repay that much?"
"Evelyn, are you targeting me like this because Mr. Vaughn cares about me and you're jealous?"
She suddenly dropped to her knees, tears appearing instantly.
"Don't worry, Evelyn. Mr. Vaughn only loves you. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. Once I save enough money, I'll definitely pay you back, okay?"
Daniel looked full of sympathy. He immediately pulled Ivy to her feet and shot Evelyn a reproachful glance.
"Evelyn, why are you scaring her? That little money can wait until she earns enough later."
He patted Ivy on the back. "Go wait in the study first. I'll come teach you in a moment."
"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Vaughn," Ivy replied obediently.
But the moment she turned around, she shot Evelyn a provocative smile.
Anger surged in Evelyn's chest. She asked Daniel coldly, "A front desk intern at your law firm can be trained by any senior employee. Your caseload is piled high. And you still have time to teach her personally?"
Daniel's eyes flickered. "The front desk represents the firm. I feel more comfortable overseeing it myself."
As he spoke, his gaze kept drifting toward the direction of the study. His mind was clearly already elsewhere.
Evelyn took out the document she had prepared and handed it to him.
"I've chosen a burial plot for the child. It requires signatures from both spouses. Sign it."
Daniel took the document, barely glancing at it before quickly signing his name.
"After your confinement period ends, we'll handle the child's affairs together."
Evelyn took back the document. Hidden among the cemetery purchase papers was the divorce agreement.
Calmly, she lifted the bowl of soup he had brought.
"Alright. I can drink the soup myself. Go ahead and take care of your work."
Daniel almost immediately stood up.
"Get some good rest. I'll be back as soon as possible."
He turned and hurried toward the door.
Watching his retreating figure, Evelyn murmured softly, "Daniel, I gave you a chance. You were the one who didn't want it."
She raised her hand and poured the entire bowl of soup into the trash.
Her phone screen lit up. Another message from Ivy appeared: Do you want to know how he teaches me? Don't hang up halfway. I also prepared a big secret just for you.
A voice call request popped up. Evelyn took a deep breath. As she pressed accept, she also turned on the recorder.
The sound of a door locking came through clearly.
Daniel spoke gently, "Use your salary to repay the sponsorship if you want. Take this black card. Buy whatever you like."
"You're the best, Daniel. I want to sleep with you for the rest of my life."
The obscene sounds that followed were unbearable to hear, like a dull blade repeatedly carving into Evelyn's heart.
After a long time, Ivy asked between breaths,
"If Evelyn finds out that I'm actually Richard Shaw's illegitimate daughter, do you think she'll be so angry she'll want to kill me?"
Daniel seemed to pause for a moment before replying in a low voice.
"She will never find out."
"And what if she does? What if she forces you to choose between us? Would you pick me or her?"
Daniel didn't hesitate at all.
"Is that even a question? You're young, good in bed, and you can have children. Even a fool knows which one to choose."
"You're terrible," Ivy giggled.
"Hurry up. Let's do it again."
The phone slipped from Evelyn's trembling hand.
The girl she had sponsored for four full years was actually Richard's illegitimate daughter.
No wonder that right after Richard was imprisoned, Daniel had taken her to the orphanage to meet Ivy. He said they should do a good deed to commemorate winning the case and symbolize a new beginning for her life.
She had agreed without hesitation.
Looking back now, the look Ivy gave her back then had indeed carried a strange chill.
She thought it was just the insecurity of a girl who had grown up in poverty.
She had never imagined it was hatred.
She picked up the phone from the floor, grabbed the suitcase she had already packed, and walked out of the villa without looking back.
"Take me to Maria Postpartum Care Center."
Outside the car window, the passing lights swallowed her tears.
- Writer
