CHAPTER 025
CHAPTER 025
AVA’S POV
The question echoed in my head, and for a moment, I felt like the ground should just open up beneath my feet and swallow me whole.
I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. My heart hammered so loudly in my chest that I thought it might burst.
I tried to steady myself, to pull it together, but panic surged through me. My hand was on my stomach, and I could feel the small flutter of life growing inside.
It was real. But I couldn’t let anyone know. Not now. Not like this.
“Are you pregnant?” Evelyn repeated, her voice calm but fin.
“No,” I said quickly, maybe too quickly.
My heart pounded so loudly, that I was sure everyone at the table could hear it.
The lie felt horrible in my mouth, and I felt bad for denying my unborn child.
But what could I do? I couldn’t reveal the news to them because Jason might try to take the child away from me once I asked him for a divorce.
He was wealthy so he could easily beat me in court if I tried to sue him.
I have read stories like this online but I never once imagined I’d find myself in such a situation.
What a world!
I saw Jason’s cold stare from the corner of my eye. We’d been married for three years, he should’ve noticed the changes in me.
But no, he didn’t.
It just showed how careless he was when it came to me.
And it broke my heart.:
I forced a smile, but it felt like my face might crack. “I’m not pregnant, Evelyn.”
Jason leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “Of course, it’s impossible,” he said, his words cutting through
the silence.
Impossible?
The word knocked the breath out of me, and a wave of nausea rolled over me.
He didn’t even look at me when he said it. His tone was dismissive and cold like the idea of me carrying his child was a joke.
I knew I hadn’t been able to conceive for three years but it wasn’t my fault.
Why was he using words like ‘impossible‘ making it seem like 1 was barren?
Why does he keep hurting me with his actions and words?
I felt tears prick at the corner of my eyes but I blinked them away.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. “Impossible?” she asked, her voice curious. “And why would that be?”
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CHAPTER 025.
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Jason shrugged, avoiding her gaze and question.
And Grandpa spoke up. “Ava, I’m not pressuring you, but appreciate it if you and Jason give me a grandchild soon. I’m not getting any younger.”
The look on his face made my heart break again. I was carrying his grandchild, and it hurt that I couldn’t tell him.
“Grandpa, don’t worry,” I said, giving him a reassuring look. “I’ll give you a grandchild very soon.”
Just as the tension seemed to ease, the door to the dining room opened.
“Am I late to the party?”
That voice.
I turned toward the doorway, and my whole body went rigid
It was Laura.
What was she doing here?
She stood there, smiling slyly as if she owned the place. My stomach dropped and I felt blood drain from my face.
“Laura?” Grandpa said, his voice filled with disbelief.
She stepped into the room, and It was like a cold breeze had swept in with her. She looked flawless in her peach. dress, her hair neatly arranged.
Her lips curled into a sly smile and her eyes scanned the room like a queen surveying her court.
“Surprise,” she said casually like she was just popping in for a drink. “Sorry, I’m late. Happy birthday, Grandpa!” she said, her voice sweet as honey.
I glanced at Grandpa, expecting his face to light up like everyone else in the room.
But instead, his face darkened, his brows furrowed and his lips pressed into a tight line. “I don’t remember inviting you, Laura.” He retorted. “It’s rude to show up uninvited,”
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Laura’s face went pale for a second before she quickly masked it with an artificial smile.
I was sure she didn’t expect those cold words from Grandpa and neither did I. And I couldn’t help but smile inside.
I felt an odd sense of satisfaction knowing that Grandpa didn’t like her, it would have shattered my heart if he did.
“Or did anyone invite her?” Grandpa asked, his gaze moving around the room.
“I did,” Richard replied, shocking everyone, and Grandpa didn’t say anything else.
Why would he invite Laura? She wasn’t family, she wasn’t even married into the family.
In the middle of dinner, Richard’s voice rang out. “Laura, it’s so good to have you in our midst.”
“You remind me of your late mother. I remain grateful for what your parents did for us,” he said, his expression tinged with sadness.
Laura’s expression softened.
I couldn’t tell if she was faking it or not.
Richard turned to the rest of the room, completely ignoring me. “I’ve always said Jason deserves someone like you.”
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CHAPTER 025
“Someone well–educated, caring, and driven like him.” He shook his head as he continued, “It’s just a shame, you
know. If only you two had gotten married. I can only imagine how much happy tinued, “It’s just a shame, you
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Jason would have been.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I felt like I was choking on the words I couldn’t say.
Richard was making it clear that Laura was everything Jason could have wanted, while I was left to sit there in silence.
I tightened my hand around my glass of water, trying to steady my nerves.
Jason didn’t say a word. He just sat there, his gaze softening as they remained fixed on Laura
My heart felt heavy as I watched him.
What was I even doing here?
But I reminded myself I wasn’t here because of them but for Grandpa.
Grandpa, who had been watching quietly, suddenly spoke, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.” Enough,” he said firmly, his eyes burning as he looked at Richard.
Everyone fell silent, and all eyes turned to Grandpa. “This is my house, Richard and I will not have you say such rubbish in front of Ava.”
Richard looked taken aback for a moment, but Grandpa’s gaze didn’t waver. “Ava is part of this family. And if anyone here doesn’t respect that, they can leave.”