Chapter 2
Just then, my lawyer called.
"Miss Lane, your divorce ticket is ready. It's only good for thirty days, so if you really want out, you'll need to sign the papers soon," he said.
"I've already sent the draft agreement to your email," he added.
I just gave a quiet "okay."
For the next few days, Samuel acted like he was really trying to be a family man again.
He took evening walks with me to watch the sunset, rolled up his sleeves to cook dinner by my side, and even joined in games he never cared for, only to keep me company. It was like Evelyn had never been part of our lives at all.
After a crazy night together, he leaned in close and whispered, "I'm heading out on a business trip tomorrow. Want to tag along?"
I shook my head. "No, you know I get nervous on planes."
He just laughed softly and didn't insist.
Once he was in the bathroom, I grabbed his phone to check his flight details. He was heading to Tisland.
Just then, a message from my lawyer popped up on my phone.
He texted: [By the way, Miss Lane. Evelyn, you asked me to investigate, is currently staying at an estate in Tisland.]
I stared at the screen for a long moment, my eyes bouncing between the flight info and the lawyer's message.
"Hah," I let out a bitter laugh.
I set the phone down, and whatever hope I'd had was crushed for good.
I didn't say a word. After putting the phone back, I closed my eyes.
When I woke up, Samuel was already gone.
But there was a sticky note on the nightstand. [Vivian, I'm heading out. When you wake up, just have the maid make you breakfast. I'll be back in two days. Take care.]
I read it with a blank face, then just ripped it up without a second thought.
I booked a ticket to Tisland.
As the plane took off, my whole body was trembling. I was terrified. It had been eight years since I last got on a plane.
But as I stared at the estate address my lawyer had found, the shock of seeing it started to drown out my fear.
I knew that place.
That place belonged to Samuel.
He'd bought it especially for me back then. That was a whole estate overflowing with roses.
Even our wedding took place there.
My fingers were clenched so tightly that my knuckles turned white. As soon as I landed in Tisland, I headed straight for the estate. But when I got to the gate, I saw something that made my blood run cold.
Evelyn was sitting on the swing, and Samuel was behind her, gently pushing.
Whenever she complained it was too high, he'd just laugh, spin around, and wrap her up in a warm embrace.
Right in front of me was the picture of them being all lovey-dovey.
I pulled out my phone and tapped open the bugging app I'd set up last night. Instantly, their voices came through, clear as day.
"Sam, are you sure it's okay for you to come here? What if Vivian finds out?" Evelyn asked.
Samuel knelt down on one knee in front of her.
"Don't worry. I've been playing the role of a loving husband these past couple weeks. She won't suspect a thing," he said.
He placed his hand on her stomach.
"Don't worry, just relax. You're pregnant, so focus on resting here. I'll make sure no one hurts you," he said softly.
It felt like a bomb went off inside me—I was so stunned, my whole body trembled.
My ears were buzzing. My gaze locked onto Evelyn's belly, and almost without thinking, my hand instinctively went to my own stomach—where I once carried a child.
Three years ago.
When I was three months pregnant, I got kidnapped.
The guy who took me was one of Samuel's business rivals, pushed over the edge. He didn't want ransom or anything. He only wanted to vent his rage on me.
He hung me up like some kind of trophy.
"Samuel thinks he's so untouchable, huh? Let's see how long it takes him to find you." Victor sneered.
Whips and iron rods came down on me like a storm.
He called Samuel.
"Samuel, listen to your woman scream while I break her." Victor shouted.
Samuel was losing his mind on the other end. "Let her go, Victor. If you hurt her, I'll drag you straight to hell."
Victor just laughed coldly.
He turned the phone camera on me. I was a mess—blood everywhere, pain tearing through my body. But I clenched my teeth and didn't make a sound.
On the screen, Samuel's eyes were wild and red as he raced through the city. Even though I was barely conscious, I still tried to reassure him.
"Samuel, I'm fine," I whispered.
Victor, pissed off, slammed an iron rod right into my stomach. "Ah..."
I couldn't help but scream, my heart breaking. The baby was gone forever.
And I lost the ability to ever have kids again.
When I woke up in the hospital, Samuel was there, eyes red, guilt written all over his face.
"Forget about kids. I don't care if we never have any. Vivian, I'm so sorry," he said.
But now, he was saying...
"Eve, I can only stay until tomorrow morning. If you need anything, just tell my assistant. He'll pass it on to me, alright?" Samuel said.
"You're carrying my one and only child," he added.
A dull ache hit me right in the chest.
Finally, I got out of the car and walked slowly toward the estate. Just as I was about to put my phone away, I heard Evelyn's voice, all coy and teasing.
"If you love kids so much, why did you scheme to have Vivian kidnapped? Why did you make her lose her baby?" Evelyn pouted.