Having Triplets: From My Vegetative Husband

Chapter 3 Daughter's Whereabouts

Ava jumped slightly, then gave a sheepish smile as she stood up and linked arms with Violet, walking out of the room.

"Violet, Henry's been through so much since he was little. I just want to give him all the love he deserves."

Violet visibly relaxed. "I thought so. I mean, you're such a kind person. There's no way you're that heartless woman everyone says you are."

Ava opened her mouth to ask more, to figure out what exactly they'd heard, but in the end, she said nothing.

It was obvious that the Phyllis family didn't just misunderstand her—they hated her.

Back when she gave Ryan the information, she'd made it clear the child was taken away by the Miller family. She had been a victim too.

So where did everything go wrong?

Until she figured it out, it was better to stay quiet. She didn't want Violet thinking she had ulterior motives.

Ava knew she'd come in too strong.

So when they returned to the room and Henry looked at her curiously, she dropped the subject altogether. Instead, she pulled out the toy she'd bought and sat down to play with him.

But Henry was distracted, his little mind still turning over what she'd said earlier.

She said she was his real mom?

No way.

For as long as he could remember, everyone told him he was just some unwanted kid whose mom didn't want him.

A bitter smile appeared on his small face, far too cynical for a boy his age.

Seeing that broke Ava's heart. She pulled him into her arms.

"Don't worry. Daddy will wake up. And Mommy's here now to love you. It's all my fault. I should've come for you much sooner. If anyone ever tries to hurt my baby again, I won't let them get away with it."

Her voice was soft, almost like a lullaby, like she was comforting Henry… or maybe confessing her guilt.

But Henry's face stayed cold. He pulled away from her arms.

Sitting across from her, the little boy seemed like he couldn't wait to get away from her.

Ava clenched her fingers slightly.

In his world, he'd always believed his mother had abandoned him. What kind of sadness must he have endured over the years?

The thought crushed her.

No rush. One step at a time.

She comforted herself with that thought.

Henry ignored her completely. Ava didn't want to push him and risk triggering more resistance, so she let him play and turned her attention to Ryan's medical file.

Violet had brought it by earlier.

If Ryan could wake up sooner, he could finally comfort their son and help uncover what had happened to their daughter. The truth behind everything that had happened years ago might finally come out.

It was late into the night when Ava finally stretched and was about to tell Henry it was time for bed—when the door slowly creaked open.

In the dim light, a shadow slipped into the room.

Ava's senses instantly sharpened. There was zero security in this place now. Anyone—a stray or a lunatic—could wander in.

She wasn't afraid for herself, but she didn't want Henry to see something ugly.

"No matter what happens, don't come out." Ava rushed to the bed, popped a pair of earplugs into Henry's ears, and tucked him tightly under the blanket.

Right as she turned around, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind. The strong scent of cologne hit her nose, and then sticky lips brushed against her neck.

"Ava, do you have any idea how much I've missed you all these years? And now… seeing you again, only to find out you married my little brother? That's like a knife to the heart."

With a swift move, Ava flipped Jack to the ground. Towering over him, she gave a cold laugh.

"Ryan's been in a coma for three years, and you still haven't gotten what you want from the Phyllis family. Now that I'm back, I've messed up your little plan. Isn't that a knife to the heart?"

"No, no." Jack scrambled to his feet, his voice smooth like oil. "Ava, you're here at the perfect time. Help me get rid of that bastard Henry. Then give me a child—one that's actually mine—and as Ryan's wife, you'll have the perfect cover. Together, we'll control the entire Phyllis family."

"As long as you agree, I'll help you take down the Millers. After everything Grace did to you… don't you want revenge?"

Ava raised an eyebrow and looked past him.

"Ryan, did you hear what your dear brother just said?"

Jack froze and spun around in a panic.

Ryan's eyes were still closed.

"You trying to scare me?" Jack snapped, then, red with rage, raised his hand to slap her.

But Ava caught his wrist, twisted it behind his back, and kicked him hard in the lower back.

He collapsed to the floor in an awkward heap, missing the fact that Ryan's eyelids had indeed fluttered open—just for a second.

"You really think when Grandpa comes back tomorrow, I won't have you kicked out with one word?" Jack barked, pointing at her.

"Go ahead." Ava looked down at him, her tone calm and mocking. "You and your older brother are tearing each other apart over power. And Oscar's not a fool—he's been through too much in his life. The more you try to push me out, the more he'll think you're hiding something. Let's see which one of us he punishes first."

"Is that so?" Jack wiped the blood from his mouth, then sneered. "Ava Miller, you're nothing but a used-up slut. What are you even pretending to be innocent for?"

Ava's face turned cold. "Get out."

Jack stood up slowly. "Aw, come on. It's a long night. You're here all alone… and you really think that vegetable over there can satisfy you?"

"What do you mean?" Ava was just about to ask when a wave of heat surged through her body.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You drugged me? It's the cologne?"

Jack laughed. "Still as sharp as ever, Ava. So how about it? Let's make this night… unforgettable."

With that, he lunged at her.

Ava brought her knee up hard into his gut.

Jack stumbled back, clutching himself in pain, his face twisted as he leaned against the wall.

Ava steadied her breathing.

"You think I spent the last few years abroad living it up? Please. That little dose of yours is nothing."

"Oh yeah?" Jack pulled something from his coat pocket—a photograph.

In it was a baby, sound asleep with eyes closed.

Ava only needed one look.

She knew.

Her daughter.

She had only seen the baby for a moment back then, but the image of her three children when they were born had been burned into her memory. She could never forget.

Her eyes narrowed. "How did you get that? Where did this photo come from?"

Whether it was the drug or the shock, Ava's heartbeat was thudding wildly now.

She reached for the photo, but Jack pulled it back, his gaze slipping down her figure.

"Grace told me, of course. I also know where the Millers are hiding your daughter."

"Ava… you want to know where she is? All you have to do is say yes to me."

Ava stared at him, her expression freezing cold.

This scumbag.

He was using her daughter to threaten her while plotting to kill Henry?

Clearly, he didn't know Henry was her son too… and had no idea about the truth between her and Ryan.

*****

Ava quickly realized that most of what Jack had said was likely a lie.

Thinking it through, she gave Jack a hard slap across the face.

"In your dreams."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "Aren't you afraid I'll strangle your daughter?"

Without warning, Ava grabbed him by the throat.

"If you so much as touch a single hair on her head, I'll make sure your whole family pays for it."

"Fiery, huh?" Jack wiped the blood from his lips with a smirk. "Then maybe I should call the whole Phyllis family over. Tell them their beloved third brother's new wife couldn't wait a single night before throwing herself at his older brother. What do you think they'll do to you, Ava Miller?"

"Perfect." Ava's eyes glinted with contempt. "Let them see what kind of pathetic, lowlife mutt you really are. Maybe then, they'll realize you were never fit to inherit anything from this family."

With that, she landed a punch square on Jack's face.

"You think I won't kill you?" Jack spat furiously, but before he could finish, her fist struck the other side of his face.

His whole face swelled up instantly.

"Look at you. You seriously think you can take me down? Please. Know your place and get lost!" Ava flung the door open and kicked him hard in the chest. "Come near me again, and I swear I'll destroy you."

Jack tumbled out of the room, stumbling and cursing.

"Ava! You better watch your back. As long as I'm around, don't dream about staying in the Phyllis family!"

Ava's expression remained ice cold. Meanwhile, the burning heat in her body intensified. She quickly opened her suitcase, pulled out a pill, and swallowed it.

Thank God she came prepared.

A few minutes later, the effects started to fade. But when she turned around, she saw Henry by Ryan's bed, shaking him and prying at his eyes.

Ryan must've briefly opened them earlier—Henry must've seen it.

Ava gently removed Henry's earplugs and said softly, "Just because his eyes opened doesn't mean he's awake. See? No matter how hard you shake him, Daddy doesn't respond at all."

Disappointment flickered in Henry's eyes. But when he looked at Ava again, there was a subtle shift—something like admiration, the kind reserved for someone strong.

Ava could read him like a book and smiled warmly.

"Want to learn how to fight?"

Henry pressed his lips together and gave a tiny nod.

Ava pulled him into her arms.

"I can teach you. But from now on, Mommy's here to protect you and Daddy. You won't have to fight alone anymore."

When he heard the words 'Mommy will protect you,' Henry's small fingers curled up slightly. He looked at Ava's soft profile with a complex expression.

*****

The next morning, in the main hall of the Phyllis estate.

Oscar Phyllis, the head of the family, looked at Ava with commanding presence.

"Ava Miller. Eldest daughter of the Miller family. With your looks and background, marrying into a powerful family should be easy. So why would you choose to marry a comatose man who can't even function as a husband?"

Standing before the entire family, Ava remained calm and composed, unfazed by his authority.

"If you've done your homework, then you should know—I was never treated as a priority in the Miller household. They favored their adopted daughter and treated me like a burden. Being 'the Miller daughter' was never a privilege for me. It was a liability."

"I needed shelter. And in the entire capital, no one offers better protection than the Phyllis family."

Oscar nodded slowly.

"Power, we have in abundance. If you marry into this family, it's only right that we protect you. But tell me… are your intentions really that simple?"

Ava smiled slightly.

"Let's not pretend. Power and money go hand in hand. And the Phyllis family has no shortage of either. It just so happens—I need both."

"Gold digger," a young woman in a beige suit snapped.

"Grandpa, you can't approve this! A woman who only wants money and status isn't worthy of Ryan."

Blair chimed in, "Exactly. She makes it sound noble, but it's all about vanity."

Others around them nodded and sighed, as if Ava's presence was a stain on the family name.

Ava looked at the girl who'd just spoken, her expression half amused.

"Right. I'm so terrible and unworthy of your precious Ryan. Then how about you marry him?"

She took a step forward.

"Your family raised you for over a decade. Ryan treated you well too. Now that he's in trouble, how about you repay all that kindness by taking care of him?"

Ava had already looked into her.

Her name was Chloe Green—Violet's adopted daughter.

After losing her parents in an accident, Violet had taken her in and raised her as her own.

"I…" Chloe stammered, unable to respond.

Violet squeezed her hand.

"Chloe, I know you used to like Ryan. I even hoped you two would end up together. But he wasn't interested back then. If you're willing now, I'll support you. I'll make sure you're taken care of for life."

Chloe looked uncomfortable.

"Violet, I've always seen Ryan as a brother. I don't know why you'd say something like that."

Violet gave a bitter smile.

Back when she tried to set them up, Chloe hadn't objected. But now that their standing had changed, Chloe was clearly keeping her distance—and cozying up to Blair.

Violet quietly let go of Chloe's hand and turned to her father-in-law.

"Dad, regardless of Ava's motives, as long as she truly cares for Ryan, I'm willing to vouch for her as the third daughter-in-law of this family. I promise she'll be protected if you let her stay."

"But Father—" Blair tried to interrupt.

Oscar raised a hand, silencing her.

"Enough. Tyrone, go handle the paperwork. Register their marriage immediately."

Ava let out a silent breath of relief. Now she could finally stay with her son.

But Jack shot her a venomous glare and sneered.

"This woman seduced me four years ago. Now she won't stop clinging to me. Grandpa, are you really going to let her marry Ryan?"

The entire room stiffened.

Ava's heart skipped a beat.

Sure enough, Oscar's face darkened.

"What did you just say?"

Jack shrugged casually.

"It's true. She's just a woman. Why would I lie? She's been giving me all kinds of looks ever since she got here yesterday."

Oscar slammed his hand on the table.

"A shameless woman like that has no place in this family. Someone, get her out of here!"