Aunt Claudia arrived with a beaming Sienna and Alexia, who was Lucas’s child from his previous marriage. “Where’s Alyssa?” she asked on seeing Hayley and Skylar chatting with Kendall and Gabriella. Not knowing that Alyssa had been abducted by none other than aunt Claudia’s youngest son, Eva shrugged, looking clueless.
“I haven’t seen her since she went to the washroom.”
“This is so strange. I’ll just ask around,” she said, walking away.
Sienna sat down with Eva and leaned in towards her. “Nicholas has abducted Alyssa to a secluded island to clear all their misunderstandings once and for all. There’s no point looking for her. She won’t return soon. He has asked me to announce it only after the wedding!” whispered Sienna, and Eva’s eyes widened with shock.
“Oh, my God! I needed her with me now. Why did Nicholas have to do it now?” asked Eva with dismay.
“It might have something to do with Maxwell. He came over last night to talk to Nicholas. He might have stuffed Nicholas’s brain with ideas,” said Sienna, and Eva sat dumbfounded by this newest piece of information.
“Why would he?” she asked with dread.
“Maxwell isn’t what he looks like. He is a nice man, no doubt, but he is Alexander’s enemy. He has been forwarding all the information about you to Alexander. All but the news of your pregnancy! He is taking revenge on Alexander by marrying you.”
“What grudge can he possibly have against Alexander? Is it because of Nicholas?” asked Eva, looking clueless. She now wanted to break off the wedding at the earliest.
“No. Alexander had attacked him as well. It took him longer to recuperate. There may be other reasons I’m not aware of.” The picture became totally clear to Eva. No wonder Maxwell pursued her and was ready to take up her responsibility.
“How do you know so much?” whispered Eva, eyeing Maxwell, who glanced at them suspiciously.
“He came over to our house last night and I was there when they discussed everything. Later Lucas told me exactly what was going on,” she whispered. Maxwell came over to them and gave Sienna a look of warning.
“So, what’s the topic of discussion?” he asked with a fake smile pasted on his face.
“Oh, we were discussing our pregnancies,” said Sienna with a smile.
“Yes. I think she needs some tips,” said Maxwell with a laugh.
The rest of the time, he stuck to Eva’s side and they couldn’t talk much. Aunt Claudia seemed to have forgotten about Alyssa and was busy with the activities that had been arranged for their entertainment. The food was great, but Eva lost her appetite.
“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?” asked Maxwell suspiciously.
“Please don’t force me now. I’ll throw up if I eat.” He didn’t force her and went away to attend to a phone call. Eva noticed a change in his demeanour as he angrily accepted the phone call.
“Yes, Alexander. What do you want?” Maxwell spat into the phone. After the picture of Eva Maxwell sent to Alexander earlier, boasting of his victory, he had gone crazy. Maxwell didn’t accept the ten missed calls he received from Alexander since evening, but now he wanted to torture the man a little more.
“I’m sorry, Maxwell, for everything I’ve ever done to you and Nicholas. You have won. Please give me back my Eva. Don’t do this. Don’t marry her!” Maxwell stood still, a triumphant smile lighting up his face on hearing his enemy’s broken voice. It was evident that Alexander wasn’t in his right senses. He was definitely in tears!
“Why not? I like her. Why should I step down? Stop me if you want her so bad.” There was silence on the other side, and Maxwell chuckled.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared!”
“I’m not. I don’t want to hurt your family, but mostly I don’t want to harm Eva. I can stop you, but it won’t be peaceful. It’s better you cancel the wedding from your end.” Alexander sighed, knowing he would never listen. The cops earlier had nabbed the stalkers, and he was now free to pursue Eva and this time he would leave no stone unturned to get to her.
If the stalkers opened their mouths about Beatrix’s involvement in this, she would definitely be penalized. That would serve her right!
“I will never cancel the wedding, Alexander. Do what you want.” Maxwell disconnected the call and walked into the banquet hall. He had challenged Alexander and now waited for him to take action. Knowing his nature, it gave Maxwell a strange thrill to hurt him this way. He purposely didn’t tell him about Eva’s pregnancy, but now the time had come to rub it in his face and see him suffer.
After the phone call, Alexander was in a dilemma. He didn’t want to storm inside and disrupt the family’s enjoyment. They had spent a huge amount on the event. He thought of a way to stop the wedding when he received a call from Beatrix.
“How could you complain to the cops about me? They were here to threaten me.”
“What else did you expect me to do? I’ve asked you nicely, but you didn’t call off your goons. Now they are in police custody and have opened their mouths about your involvement,” said Alexander, satisfied that Beatrix received what she deserved.
“I will get even with you for this, Alexander.”
“Fine, be ready to rot in prison. This time, I will ensure that I have enough proof against you. Learn from your mistakes, Beatrix, and try to move on with Cromwell.” He disconnected the call and felt at peace with everything. He was sure that Beatrix would stop meddling in his affairs after this. With Beatrix now off his back forever, he could now pursue Eva.
Everyone showered Eva with gifts and she pasted a fake smile on her face and accepted them gracefully. “You look pale, dear. Are you sure you’re alright?” asked aunt Gloria.
“My head is spinning, aunt Gloria.” She touched her head and closed her eyes to get a grip on herself.
“Oh! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” gasped aunt Gloria, but Eva’s eyes blackened out and she fell back into the chair, losing consciousness. Everyone came rushing to her and tried to revive her. Maxwell carried her to his car, ready to take her to the hospital. The party was over before it could start and everyone was worried about Eva’s condition.
Alexander was about to call Eva when his eyes popped out at seeing Maxwell carry an unconscious Eva to his car. He followed him to the hospital but couldn’t go inside after seeing the number of people there with her.
They admitted her to the hospital and waited for the doctor to check her condition. Dr. Miriam Cruz arrived after a few minutes and went up to the Critical Care Unit to take a look at Eva. Eventually, everyone left after doctor Miriam revived her and put her on IV drips.
“Extreme stress, her pregnancy, and her past anorexic condition have led to this relapse. We will monitor her for 24 hours, but I would suggest letting her rest for a fortnight at least. Many triggers have to be avoided till her condition is stable,” said the doctor while Maxwell’s mom looked at her husband for help.
“Eva and my son are about to get married in two days, doctor. All the arrangements have been made,” said Maxwell’s dad.
“Scale it down. Her emotional condition isn’t stable.” Maxwell looked at the doctor with curiosity. He knew exactly what Eva was going through. Should he marry her against her wishes? Was he taking his revenge too far?
‘Not at all. Alexander deserves what he is receiving. Don’t forget that you lost Teresa because of him!’ reminded his inner mind.
It was true. It was at the hospital where he was admitted that Teresa met her multi-billionaire husband and started seeing him behind his back. If Alexander wouldn’t have injured him, he wouldn’t have landed at the hospital. Teresa wouldn’t have come over to see him and therefore wouldn’t have met the guy. Everything happened because of Alexander. He should also suffer for the woman he loved, just like he had!
“Do we need to cancel the wedding, doctor?” asked his mom with dread.
“Do what Eva wants. If she wants to get married, then go for a simple wedding,” said the doctor, before leaving.
“No, I won’t cancel the wedding, mom. We can summon an officiant and have it at home,” said Maxwell with a grim look on his face. With Eva sleeping peacefully, his parents left to go home. Maxwell and his cousin Isaac took turns staying back at the hospital. Ashton had to return to Florida for an emergency and therefore Hayley and Skylar too took turns staying back with them.
“Are you here? I have to go back home. Penny called to say that the twins aren’t well. She needs help,” said Isaac, and Hayley nodded.
“Sure. I’m here. You can go ahead!” Isaac left and Hayley sat on the sofa in Eva’s room with a book to read. She wasn’t sleepy yet and waited for Ashton’s call. However, after five minutes, the door opened and instead of the nurse, Alexander stepped into the room, making Hayley gasp with shock.