Unable to get up, Eva closed her eyes to get a grip on her swooning head. Since morning she had been feeling drained up and more so after the bout of nausea that hit her hard this morning. After being busy the day before with salon visits, bank visits, and so on, she had escaped Alyssa’s curiosity but not for long. She would soon know that Eva was pregnant, that too with Alexander’s baby. Eva couldn’t imagine what her reaction would be. Ever since Alyssa returned from Singapore, they hadn’t been able to catch up much on each other’s lives. Now that she was living with them, she would definitely find out about her pregnancy and the reason for her hurried wedding to Maxwell.
Maxwell’s mom came rushing into the room after Kendall informed her about Eva’s condition. “How did your condition deteriorate, Eva? You’re looking very pale.” Aunt Gloria too followed her to check and shook her head with concern.
“I think she needs to see her doctor.”
“I’ll be fine if I sleep a little, aunt Gloria. If I don’t, I’ll take an appointment,” said Eva.
“Tomorrow is your bridal shower, dear. You need to get well soon,” said aunt Gloria.
“Yes, Gloria is right. Get ready and I’ll tell Max to take you to your doctor,” said Maxwell’s mom. After they left, Eva dragged her tired body up and somehow got ready when Alyssa came rushing into her room.
“What’s going on, Eva? Maxwell’s family is discussing your pregnancy outside. Kendall said that you’re expecting Maxwell’s baby. When did this happen? How is it I do not know of this?” she demanded, looking clueless. Eva massaged her temples, sagging to the bed as she waited for Maxwell to come over.
“I’ll tell you everything later, Alyssa. I’m not feeling well and Maxwell is taking me to the hospital right now.”
“At least tell me what’s going on. I’m dying of curiosity,” coaxed Alyssa.
“Yes, she’s pregnant. What happened, Eva? Mom said you need to see Dr. Miriam Cruz immediately?” asked Maxwell as he walked into the room.
“Yes, I’m very dizzy. I don’t think I can walk down to the hospital.”
“That’s okay. I’ll carry you to the doctor’s chamber,” said Maxwell, picking her up while Alyssa opened the door for them.
“This looks serious, Eva. She might admit you for the day. This dizziness is because you have a tendency to skip meals when stressed,” scolded Alyssa.
“Is she anorexic?” asked Maxwell with surprise.
“Yes, but we don’t leave her alone. The last few months we’ve been living together and my brother and I ensured she ate well,” said Alyssa, and then clamped her mouth shut at seeing Maxwell frown at her.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have brought him up,” she said. Eva rolled her eyes at their topic of discussion.
“Isn’t he the cause of it all?” said Maxwell, looking annoyed.
“Can you two stop? Maxwell, put me down, please. I will crawl to your car, but I refuse to be a part of this discussion.”
“Relax Eva. We won’t discuss him. Let’s go,” he said, depositing her in the passenger seat of his car. Alyssa went inside with a frown on her face, wondering how Eva got pregnant with Maxwell’s baby. It was obvious she still loved Alexander. Then how would she agree to have a physical relationship with Maxwell? Did Maxwell force himself on her?
Eva looked out of her window dejectedly as memories of how Alexander always took care of her came rushing into her mind. Why did they have to bring him up when she was trying so hard to forget him? Her eyes scanned the streets for his silver Porsche. It wasn’t there! Did he give up so soon, without even talking to her?
Strangely, Alyssa didn’t once mention anything about his wedding. She would definitely have attended her brother’s wedding, wouldn’t she? She would have to ask. After the last announcement, there had been no update about his wedding with Beatrix.
“Can you make it to the hospital? Are you very sick? Do you want me to call off the bridal shower party tomorrow?” asked Maxwell.
“I’m fine. No, aunt Claudia will feel hurt. Don’t call off anything,” she said with a sigh.
“I need to talk to you, Eva.” She turned towards him, knowing what he had to say to her. After their last argument, they hadn’t been able to discuss their marriage. While Maxwell had different expectations from his marriage, Eva didn’t have any. She was marrying him for the sake of her baby.
“Not now, Maxwell. I’m not in the mood to argue. My decision about our marriage won’t change because I cannot think of physical intimacy with anyone else. I’m sorry for the misconception.” Maxwell frowned and drove on, and it was obvious he didn’t like her stubbornness.
They reached the hospital and Eva walked down to see the doctor. Maxwell seemed aloof, and she didn’t want to take his help. Maybe he was now having second thoughts about the wedding. The doctor prescribed medicines but if the condition persisted, she would have to get admitted immediately.
“Update me after 24 hours.” They left the hospital and Maxwell drove them home in silence.
However, by afternoon, Eva felt much better thanks to Maxwell’s mom, and they geared up for the bridal shower party the next day. Eva was thankful that Alyssa was at the venue, helping aunt Claudia and she didn’t have to face her questions.
It was evening when Alyssa returned and immediately came over to her room to take an update. “You’ll love it, Eva. Aunt Claudia really went out of her way with the planning,” gushed Alyssa.
“Yes. She’s more like my mom than my actual mother.”
“Yes, she cares more than aunt Stella ever did. So how are you? What did the doctor say?”
“I’m better now, but I have to report after 24 hours. If my condition deteriorates, they will admit me immediately.”
“Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
Alyssa took a deep breath and looked at her friend with curiosity. “You didn’t answer me, Eva. Did Maxwell force himself upon you?” Eva gaped at her friend, but slowly shook her head.
“No, why would he?” she said with a shrug, looking away.
“Then how did you end up being pregnant with his child? As far as I know you, there cannot be anyone else in your life apart from Alexander. You will never willingly agree to have physical intimacy with Maxwell.” Eva sighed, knowing that she could fool the world, but not her best friend. She was glad that Sienna didn’t give away her secret to their friends.
“I didn’t have any physical intimacy with Maxwell.” Alyssa sucked in a deep breath, as if she knew the answer already.
“Then?” she prompted breathlessly.
“It’s Alexander’s baby. He left immediately after and hasn’t contacted me since,” she said, as tears pooled in her eyes. “He is now marrying Beatrix without a thought about me.” Alyssa gaped at her with her jaws dropped to the floor.
“Does he know about his baby?” she asked when she finally came to her senses. Eva shook her head, breaking down into uncontrollable sobs. Weeks of pent-up heartache finally found a vent and she couldn’t stop herself. She was tired of pretending in front of Maxwell’s family.
“He isn’t taking my calls. I gave up, Alyssa. He doesn’t need me or my baby in his life. I’m tired of waiting for him. Maxwell offered me a stable marriage, and I agreed for the sake of my baby. I don’t want my baby to live an orphan’s life as I do. I wanted it to grow up in a loving home amidst his family.” Too stunned to react, Alyssa pulled her best friend close and soothed her.
“Hush, Eva. You’ll fall sick again. Do you want me to talk to Alexander?” she asked softly, but Eva shook her head vehemently.
“No, let him be happy with Beatrix.”
Alyssa released her and shook her head. “As far as I know, Alexander isn’t marrying anyone. Who told you he is getting married?”
“I read in Beatrix’s post. Wait, I’ll show you,” said Eva, wiping her eyes and taking out her phone. She showed her friend the article, and Alyssa frowned after browsing through it.
“There’s no mention of Alexander’s name here. If he was marrying, surely, mom and dad would have informed me. Wait, I’ll find out about what’s going on.” Alyssa got up and left her room while Eva frowned in confusion.
Did she misunderstand everything? Then why was Alexander avoiding her? Why was he stalking her? After a few minutes, Alyssa returned and sat down with her.
“Have you found out?” she asked her.
“Yes. I called up dad, and he said that Beatrix is marrying a family friend, Gregory Cromwell. She isn’t marrying Alexander.” Eva paled, and the phone dropped from her hands to the floor. If Alexander wasn’t marrying Beatrix, then why was he avoiding her?