Chapter 2
EVELYN POV
I stepped out of the car as soon as it pulled into my parents' compound.
The moment I reached the front door, I heard laughter coming from inside. I recognized the voices immediately.
Amelia.
My mother.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
After everything I had witnessed today, I felt nothing but emptiness.
So she was already here. I didn't need anyone to tell me Jason would be right beside her. I pushed the door open and walked inside.
Just as I expected, everyone was gathered in the living room. Amelia's head rested comfortably on Jason's shoulder while he massaged it slowly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
For a brief second, my chest tightened.
Then I reminded myself of what I had seen outside the restaurant. This shouldn't surprise me anymore.
"Good evening, everyone," I greeted.
Only my parents gave me a brief nod.
"Sister, don't think too much about this," Amelia said in a panic, quickly moving away from Jason. "Jason was only helping massage my shoulder. It hurt."
"Yes. She's right," Jason added calmly. "Don't make a fuss over something this small. You won't, will you?"
His tone wasn't a question. It was a warning. I looked at both of them, then gave a small smile.
"Why would I make a fuss? I'm already used to it. This isn't the first time, is it? Please. Continue."
Neither of them spoke again. I walked past them like nothing had happened.
"Happy anniversary, Mom, Dad." I held out the gift with both hands. "This is for you."
"Thank you." My mother barely glanced at it before waving a maid over. "Take it."
Not even a word of appreciation.
"Mom, won't you at least see what Sister bought you?" Amelia asked sweetly as I sat down on the sofa.
"What could she possibly buy that would compare to what you and Jason gave me? The jewelry you two got me was personally designed by Eve, the famous and hidden designer herself."
"It's probably not as expensive," Amelia said softly, pretending to defend me. "But we should still look at it. My sister must have put a lot of thought into it."
She always knew how to sound kind while pushing everyone to humiliate me.
"Fine," my mother said. "Bring it, since Amelia is so curious."
Since I'd arrived, no one had asked how I was doing. Not even my own husband. He looked at me like I was a stranger he'd agreed to tolerate for the evening.
I should have been used to it by now. The maid opened the gift box.
My father's eyes widened.
"Wait. Isn't this the antique I've been searching for?"
A faint smile touched my lips. At least someone recognized it. My father carefully lifted the antique, turning it over in his hands.
"This... this looks authentic," he murmured. "The craftsmanship is exactly the same."
His eyes moved to me for the first time that evening.
"Evelyn... where did you get this?" Before I could answer…
"How is that possible?" Amelia asked, feigning surprise. "Even Jason and I couldn't get our hands on it.
"You're overthinking it, James" my mother
Said. "If Jason couldn't get it, how could she?" She didn't even bother looking closely before waving her hand dismissively. "It's obviously fake.”
Amelia turned to me, innocent. "Sister, this can't possibly be real. It must be a counterfeit. Maybe the seller deceived her. My sister has always trusted people too easily.”
"Believe whatever you want."
The smile vanished from my mother's face.
"What kind of disrespect is this?" she snapped. "Even if we didn't give birth to you, we still raised you. How could you bring us a fake antique on such an important day?"
"If you couldn't afford a proper gift, you should have bought something within your means instead of embarrassing this family with a counterfeit."
I only smiled.
If they knew how many connections I'd had to call in just to get my hands on something real, they'd choke on the word counterfeit. But I was too tired to explain. Too tired to defend myself.
Not after everything I'd already heard today.
Little by little.
My feelings for this family were disappearing.
Jason, who had stayed silent until now, finally spoke, disdain thick in his voice. "Didn't I give you enough money? Couldn't you buy a decent gift? Do you always have to embarrass me?"
"If you needed more, you should have told me instead of trying to fool everyone.”
I looked at him quietly. Not once had he asked if the gift was genuine. He simply assumed the worst of me. He always did.
"It's okay," Amelia said gently, walking over to hold his arm. "Everyone, please forgive Sister. I'm sure she didn't mean it. She won't do it again."
I smiled faintly.
There had never been a place for me in this family. Not since my grandparents, my mother's parents, the ones who raised me, had passed. My adoptive parents had only ever wanted a child of their own. Once Amelia was born, I slowly became someone they merely tolerated, then sent away to grow up with my grandparents in the countryside while Amelia stayed close, surrounded by everything I never had.
I had always understood, even as a child, that I was only ever meant to be temporary.
"We have something important to discuss with you, Evelyn," my mother said, breaking the silence.
"Yes," Jason added. "It's something that can't be delayed any longer."
I looked at the three of them. So. This was it. Were they finally going to tell me about the engagement that is coming soon? Or had Jason already decided to divorce me?
Either way, I wanted to hear what excuse they'd prepared after everything I'd already witnessed today.
My mother exchanged a glance with Jason. Neither of them spoke. It was Amelia who finally stepped forward.
Slowly, she knelt before me.
Tears filled her eyes.
"Sister. Please." Her voice broke.
The room fell silent.
Everyone stared at her, confused.
She grabbed my hand, tight.
"I know I've wronged you. I know you hate me."
I frowned.
What was she doing?
"But please." Her voice cracked harder. "Please let my baby live."
My heart skipped.
Baby?
She lowered her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I'm pregnant."
She looked up, straight into my eyes.
"I'm pregnant with Jason's child."
The room went deathly silent.
My fingers tightened around the armrest.
So it was true.
The congratulations. The comments outside the restaurant. None of it had been a misunderstanding.
Jason had gotten my sister pregnant. I raised my eyes to him slowly. He didn't deny it. Not even once. Instead, he stood beside Amelia like he was protecting her.
Like she was the woman who belonged at his side.
While I.
His legal wife.
Had become nothing more than an unwanted outsider.
"Sister... Please divorce Jason. I don't want my child to be born without a father.”
