Alexander parked his car and sighed at seeing Beatrix’s car in his parents’ driveway. So she was here just as he had expected. Anger boiled inside him and he stormed inside, ready to face them all. Yes, he loved Eva. Now what? Would Beatrix break off with him? Nothing would be better than that! He wanted to be free from her!
His mom opened the door with a grave look on her face, avoiding looking him in the eye. Her behavior irked Alexander. It was alright to feel threatened by Beatrix, but couldn’t she support him for once?
“At last you get the time to see me. I’ve been calling you for the last forty-five minutes, Alex,” said his dad, sitting with a sulking Beatrix beside him. His blood boiled at seeing the woman seeking sympathy with her fake tears.
“I was on my way back, dad. I forgot to switch on my phone afterwards.” He sat on the sofa opposite and waited for him to speak further.
“Who were you with, Alexander? Beatrix has proof that you were with Eva. Is it true?” his dad asked, clasping his heart and wincing with pain. “How could you, Alexander? You know how much we hate her. How could you betray my trust?” he demanded, upset and agitated.
“Please calm down, Daniel. You’ll fall sick. I’m sure there’s some misunderstanding! You aren’t even giving him a chance to speak,” said his mom, warily glancing at Beatrix. Alexander felt shocked to hear her support him for the first time in front of Beatrix.
“What plausible explanation can he have, aunt Jodie? He went with that woman, betraying me and my trust. I can’t overlook this, I’m sorry to say,” said Beatrix, wiping her tears angrily. “I will take matters into my own hands if you don’t and the consequences won’t be nice.”
“I’m talking to him, Beatrix. Calm down,” said Daniel Van Every, fear clear in his eyes.
“Just talking won’t do, uncle Daniel. I want him to stay here with me right under your surveillance until the wedding!” cried Beatrix angrily. Alexander just watched the melodrama, unable to decide what to tell his dad. He didn’t like the way his dad was getting worked up unnecessarily. The way he was clutching at his chest didn’t sit well with him. Could he tell him the truth about his feelings for Eva under the circumstances? He could have if he was alone with his parents but with Beatrix present, he was afraid she would harm Eva if she knew the truth.
“You can’t force someone that way, Beatrix. I’m sure there’s an explanation for this. Alex, tell us what’s going on, please?” said his mom desperately.
“Yes. Eva and Alyssa agreed to accompany me. So what’s the big deal?” His mom looked relieved, but Beatrix sprang up from the sofa to show him the picture on her phone.
“You’re lying Alexander. Where is Alyssa in this picture? My friend saw you with this bi*ch.”
“Your friend must be dumb and blind, just like you are. Don’t act saintly here, Beatrix. We all know what you do the whole day with Fairfield, despite him being a married man.”
“It’s no use accusing one another. Alexander, stay here with us for a few days,” said his dad, getting up. “I’m going inside to rest. I hope you found the answer you needed, Beatrix.”
“No, uncle Daniel, I,” she started, but Alexander gripped her arm tightly, glaring at her angrily.
“Yes, dad. I’ll stay over.” He gestured to his mom to take his dad away. After they left he whirled Beatrix to face him.
“Now, tell me the truth. What the f*ck is going on? Why are you so adamant about marrying me when we both hate one another?” he demanded, while Beatrix looked ill at ease.
“I don’t hate you,” she said, hesitating a little.
“Cut the crap and come to the point or I’ll resign from Rotterdams and get out of your life forever,” he threatened, making Beatrix’s eyes go wide with horror.
“If you do that, I’ll sue you on false allegations and drag you to court. I’ll malign your name and destroy your goodwill in the market. You won’t find work anywhere. Mark my words,” she said, yanking her arm free from his hold.
“Let’s see you try,” challenged Alexander. Beatrix laughed, a shallow, mirthless, sinister laughter that immediately alerted him. What was now going on in her mind?
“This is about that bit*h you were with, right? You can fool the world, but not me, Alexander. I know you were with that wh*re.” Alexander grabbed her neck with fury.
“Mind your words, Beatrix,” he said, his eyes flashing fire.
“I will finish that bit*h and you won’t be able to do a thing about it.” Alexander left her and sighed, all the fight leaving his body. He couldn’t let the crazy evil woman harm his Eva in any way. He loved her so much, he could protect her with his life.
“What do you want? Why are you after me, Beatrix? I don’t love you. I have nothing to offer you. Why don’t you choose someone who will love you and give you a good life?” he asked, turning away from her to pour himself a drink. He was tired of this topic.
“I just need you to marry me, that’s all. If you marry me, I won’t harm anyone, I promise,” she said, following him.
“You won’t be happy with me after such a forced marriage. What’s the use?” Alexander continued.
“I’m not marrying you for happiness.” Perplexed, he turned to face her.
“Then why are you marrying me?” he demanded, watching the painful expression on her face.
“I’m pregnant, Alexander. I just need a father for my baby,” said Beatrix, covering her face and weeping brokenly. Alexander stood stunned and gaped at her wordlessly. What? Whose child was she carrying?
“Why don’t you marry the actual father? Does he know?” Beatrix nodded and wept even more.
“Yes. He is married and refused to take responsibility.” Alexander knew instantly who the as*hole was! Sean Fairfield!
“Is Fairfield the father? Why didn’t you threaten him instead?” demanded Alexander furiously.
“He threatened to expose me. He will destroy Rotterdams, my dad’s dream. I didn’t have any other way, Alexander. Please marry me,” she begged. Alexander was in a state of dilemma and released a staggering breath.
“I’ll think about it. Go home, Beatrix. Dad’s unwell and I can’t think straight now.” He went inside to his childhood room to rest while Beatrix went home. There was nothing to think about. Why would he father another man’s illegitimate child? Anger boiled inside him, but he preferred not to anger her at the moment. What if she harmed Eva? He didn’t care about himself, but Eva was so vulnerable. She had struggled to achieve everything all by herself.
His mom came into his room, looking worried, and sat down beside him on his bed.
“Has she left?” Alexander nodded, wondering if his mom knew Beatrix’s true motive.
“Is she pregnant?” she asked, and Alexander nodded, looking at her with curiosity.
“How did you know?”
“She told us. Is the baby yours, Alexander?” she asked him, hesitating a little. Alexander frowned with disgust, looking away.
“Not at all. Did she tell you it’s mine?” His mom shook her head with a sigh.
“No, the way she announced, we concluded that it’s yours. Your dad wasn’t feeling well, and I didn’t ask her anything further.”
“It’s Fairfield’s illegitimate child, mom. He has refused to take responsibility because he’s already married.” His mom’s eyes widened with shock and she looked worried.
“She should threaten him instead of forcing you to father someone else’s child,” she retorted.
“Fairfield threatened to destroy her and Rotterdams if she tried anything with him. Knowing that she slept with Fairfield, I refuse to marry her and father his illegitimate child. I don’t love Beatrix. I don’t care about the business anymore. She can find someone else for herself to look after her and her business.” His mom looked a little uncomfortable and shook her head vehemently.
“No, Alexander. Don’t do that. She’ll destroy you for life.”
“I don’t care, mom. I’ll destroy her too.”
His mom left after trying hard to convince him to lie low for the next three months before the wedding. However, he didn’t agree. What was the use? He might as well decline Beatrix and resign from the company before things went downhill. He wondered what Eva was doing. Would she be happy with his decision and accept him if he was jobless? Would she love him if he wasn’t well known and agree to marry him?
He closed his eyes to sleep when his phone buzzed with back-to-back messages. Who could be messaging him so late? Was it Eva? He picked up the phone to check and found two messages from an unknown number. Who could it be? He swiped his phone to read them.
Working on my promise to you. Soon I’ll whisk Eva from right under your nose.
Wait and watch me marry her. Good luck stopping me, Alexander!
He blinked with confusion and re-read the two messages. Who could this be?