Chapter 16

"Who told you Dominic has someone he likes? Where did you hear that? Do you know her name?"

Bianca's confident demeanor wavered slightly, though she had been certain that no other woman existed in Dominic's life besides her.

Evelyn shook her head. "It was just speculation... I don't know him as well as you do."

She caught herself, realizing she had spoken too freely.

The situation was more complicated than she had initially thought, and she had no intention of getting entangled in it.

All she wanted was to safely deliver her babies and live a quiet life.

"You scared me! I thought you'd actually seen him with another woman!"

Bianca exhaled in relief after Evelyn's clarification.

"Dominic isn't the type of man you assume he is. He despises women and children."

"Do you know why he dislikes children?" Evelyn asked casually.

"Honestly, I have no idea. And I don’t care to find out. If he doesn’t want them, then I won’t have them," Bianca said, then frowned slightly, murmuring to herself, "Though he’s always been kind to me."

"As long as you're happy."

Evelyn gave up trying to reason with her.

Everyone had the right to make their own choices—what mattered was being prepared to face the consequences.

She thought Bianca was foolish, but then again, others might see her own decision to carry Dominic’s children as equally irrational.

When their food arrived, Evelyn ate hungrily, her appetite unaffected by the conversation.

Bianca, however, barely touched her plate, lost in thought.

"Are you absolutely sure you haven’t fallen for Dominic?" she pressed.

"Completely sure," Evelyn answered without hesitation.

Bianca studied her, perplexed.

"Why not? He’s powerful, wealthy, and undeniably attractive."

Evelyn met her gaze. "If I had to choose between you and him, I’d choose you."

At least that way, she wouldn’t get hurt.

Bianca blinked, stunned.

"Why?! Are you—"

Evelyn waved a dismissive hand. "It was just an example. The point is, I have no interest in him."

Bianca’s defenses crumbled, and she found herself softening toward Evelyn.

She remembered how Evelyn had been the only one in her family to fight for Thornfield Industries after her father’s death. A pang of sympathy struck her.

"You’re still in college, aren’t you?" Bianca asked.

Evelyn sipped her water. "Graduating next year."

"Ah. About your father’s company… His debts aren’t your responsibility. You should focus on finishing school and moving forward," Bianca advised. "How could you possibly repay that much? Don’t destroy yourself over it."

Evelyn lowered her eyes, silent.

Everyone around her urged her to abandon Thornfield Industries.

One hundred and twenty-five million dollars was an impossible sum.

Even her own mother had told her to walk away.

But Vincent kept insisting their new product was revolutionary—that if they could just push through, everything would turn around.

The conflict gnawed at her relentlessly.

Bianca paid for lunch when they finished.

Since they’d mostly ordered salads, the bill was modest, so Evelyn didn’t protest.

"Give me your number," Bianca said as they stepped outside.

"What for?" Evelyn replied. "Once the divorce is finalized, there’ll be no reason for us to see each other again."

Bianca stiffened at the rejection, but the thought of never encountering Evelyn again soothed her irritation.

"True. Once that happens, I’ll be the only one by Dominic’s side," she said, shooting Evelyn a triumphant look before striding away.

——

At 2:30 p.m., Evelyn met with her doctor after receiving her test results.

The doctor adjusted her glasses, scanning the reports. "Everything looks good. But it seems you’re carrying fraternal twins!"

Evelyn froze.

"Still considering termination?" the doctor teased. "The odds of conceiving fraternal twins are like winning the lottery. You’ve hit the jackpot!"

Evelyn’s heart pounded wildly.

Fraternal twins.

She’d heard of them but had never met any in person.

"If you do proceed with an abortion, the sooner the better. The risks increase with time—for you and the babies. Right now, they’re already forming inside you," the doctor said gently.

"I’m keeping them," Evelyn declared.

Her mind was made up.

"Excellent. Fill out these forms, and I’ll set up your file."

——

By 4 p.m., Evelyn stepped out of the hospital, exhaustion weighing on her.

The lack of sleep and early start left her vision blurry, the world around her fading in and out of focus.

She hailed a cab, returned home, and collapsed onto her bed, sinking into a deep sleep.

When she woke, dusk had settled.

She sat up slowly, her mind blank, her stomach hollow with hunger.

Her phone buzzed. She answered.

"Evelyn, did you contact the investors I listed?" Vincent’s voice crackled through the line.

She exhaled. "Not yet. I’ll do it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow’s the weekend! You can’t bother them then. Call them now," he urged.

"Fine."

"Do you need me to resend the list?"

"No, I have it."

"Good. Be persuasive—"

"I know what to say. I need to eat first."

"Right. Where are you staying now that your house was repossessed?"

Evelyn glanced around the guest room. "I rented a place. Don’t worry about me."

"Alright. I’m counting on you."

Dinner tasted like ash.

Back in her room, she dialed each number on the list.

Every single one rejected her before she could finish speaking.

Twenty minutes.

That was all it took for her hopes to shatter.

No one wanted to hear about Thornfield Industries’ new product.

Defeat settled heavily in her chest.

Should she give up?

If she did, Thornfield Industries would be lost forever.

If she didn’t—what else could she possibly do?

The walls of the room seemed to close in.

Evelyn grabbed a cardigan and stepped outside.

The house was silent, the living room empty.

She wrapped the cardigan tighter around herself and wandered into the night.

The wind tugged at her hair, cold biting through her clothes.

She walked aimlessly, memories flooding her mind.

To the world, she had been the untouchable heiress of Thornfield Industries.

No one knew about the lonely meals, the nights spent sick and alone.

A sleek black sedan rolled into the neighborhood.

It slowed to a stop.

Dominic’s eyes opened.

Through the window, he saw a woman crouched under a streetlamp, arms wrapped tightly around her knees.

Evelyn’s shoulders shook with silent sobs.