Chapter 435
"Evelyn and I are completely innocent. But you? You were sneaking around with another man while pretending to be devoted to me. Vanessa, how dare you question me now?"
Vanessa pressed her lips together, her fingers trembling. "I'm your wife! I'm carrying your child, and I just pleaded with Alexander for this baby's sake!"
"Did I ever ask you to beg for me?" His voice was ice. "Don't think this child binds us together. That will never happen."
Before she could react, four broad-shouldered bodyguards stepped into the room.
"With my mother gone, Vanessa, I'm taking you to end this pregnancy."
Her blood ran cold. She had never imagined Ethan could be this cruel.
As the men advanced, she stumbled backward, her hands instinctively cradling her stomach.
"No! You can't do this! I won't let you!" Her voice cracked with desperation.
"Ethan, without this baby, how will you stay in Cresthaven? If you're forced to leave, what will happen to you and Evelyn?"
The words spilled out before she could stop them.
His face darkened with rage. A glass shattered against the wall beside her head.
"Silence! How dare you speak such filth? You will not soil her reputation!"
The ceramic mug struck Vanessa's midsection with brutal force. She gasped, her face draining of color as she doubled over, clutching her stomach. Cold sweat beaded along her brow, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Being treated like this by the man she adored shattered Vanessa completely.
Her vision blurred with unshed tears, shoulders trembling violently.
"Evelyn is your perfect fantasy, isn't she? Just mentioning her name makes you defensive? I'm your wife!"
Her voice cracked with raw emotion.
"You want to divorce me? To discard me like trash? Listen well, Ethan—that will never happen. I know Evelyn. As long as I breathe, she will never take you back!"
A bitter laugh escaped her.
"I want you to suffer as I do. Ethan Caldwell, you will love only me!"
Her venomous words ignited Ethan's fury. If not for his weakened state, he would have lunged at her.
The murderous glint in his eyes made Vanessa shriek, "Help! He's trying to kill me!"
The chaos drew immediate attention.
Vincent and Eleanor, who had barely stepped away, rushed back in alarm.
Assessing the scene, they quickly ushered Vanessa out for medical attention.
The weight of the situation pressed heavily on everyone.
It wasn't just about Evelyn anymore—it would shape Ethan's entire future.
Eleanor stormed back into the hospital room, her voice sharp as she glared at her son. "Ethan, if you even think of harming that child, I swear I won’t let you. Not while I’m still breathing."
She exhaled sharply, frustration lacing her words. "Are you out of your mind? This baby is your only way to stay in Cresthaven. If Vanessa loses it, what then? You’d rather be exiled overseas forever?"
Ethan lay motionless, his hollow gaze fixed on the ceiling. He looked shattered, like a puppet with its strings cut.
As if nothing mattered anymore.
Vincent couldn’t hold back his disgust. "Pathetic. Letting a woman break you like this. I never thought my own son would be this weak."
"Stop," Eleanor snapped, though she agreed. Even she found his behavior inexcusable.
How could he throw everything away over a woman he can never have again?
Evelyn ruined him.
Meanwhile, Alexander drove Evelyn back to Willowbrook Apartments. The moment they stepped inside, she turned and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
His hands settled on her waist. "What’s wrong? Are you upset I was late earlier?"