Chapter 36

"Adrian, why are you still hesitating? What's so special about that woman? All she's good for is serving tea. It's better this way. Now you can marry Isabella properly."

Margaret Valentine's icy voice came from behind.

A cold glint flashed in Adrian Valentine's eyes.

He turned, lips curling into a mocking smile. "Mother, finding a daughter-in-law who caters to the entire family's every whim is rarer than spotting a unicorn."

"Since you despise her so much, shall I bring Isabella home to wait on you instead?"

Without waiting for a response, he strode away.

Margaret's face turned ashen.

Her dark gaze followed her son's retreating figure.

"Think you've grown wings, don't you?"

The memory of the old woman nearly giving company shares to Evelyn made her blood boil.

"That senile hag wants to hand our fortune to an outsider? Over my dead body!"

She'd make sure the old woman surrendered those shares willingly.

Evelyn sat quietly in the car.

Sophia Blanchet drove in silence.

Not far behind, Adrian watched Evelyn's car disappear into the night from his own vehicle.

Upon arriving home, Evelyn went straight upstairs.

Sophia exchanged a glance with Victoria Laurent, neither daring to disturb her.

Victoria prepared late-night snacks and texted Evelyn that they were in the warmer.

Steam filled the bathroom.

Evelyn gazed tenderly at her slightly rounded abdomen.

"Twins..."

Once, she'd dreamed of having children with Adrian.

Now life grew inside her as their family fell apart.

"Perhaps this is fate."

She changed into loose pajamas and checked Victoria's message.

Just as she finished the snacks, her phone vibrated.

The word "Husband" on the screen stung her eyes.

"Yes?"

"Come get your things now. There's a necklace. If you don't want it, I'm throwing it out."

Evelyn frowned. It was the necklace Scarlett Orlando had given her.

"Can it wait until tomorrow?"

"Sure. You can dig through the dumpster then."

Adrian's voice could freeze hell.

A sharp pain pierced Evelyn's chest.

"I'm on my way."

Thirty minutes later, she stood before what used to be her home.

As she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open abruptly.