Eva’s head swooned under the effect of a panic attack, and she gasped for breath. Before she could reach the washroom door, her feet buckled, and she felt dizzy. Alexander rushed to catch her just in time to arrest her fall. Alyssa too rushed in followed by the others, too shocked by everything to react. Alexander’s parents gaped at the scene before them, finally realizing how deeply their behavior had affected the poor girl.
“Eva, no one can separate us, baby! Please take a deep breath and calm down,” cried Alexander, but she lost her senses in his arms. Alexander carried her limp body to the bed.
“I’ll get some water,” said Alyssa, rushing to the washroom.
“Eva wake up. I’m right here with you. You’ve been brave for so long. You can’t fall sick now,” said Alexander, patting her cheeks. Alyssa rushed in with the water and sprinkled it over her face. It worked, and she slowly opened her eyes to look at Alexander with wide eyes.
“Take deep breaths, baby. I don’t want to admit you to a hospital again. You know I can’t see you there. It breaks me,” he whispered, stroking her cheeks. Tears pooled in her eyes, and she nodded. Alyssa brought her a glass of water to drink.
“Have a sip, Eva. You’ll feel better,” she said, placing it to her lips. Eva’s glance fell upon his parents and she looked petrified, clinging to Alexander for more.
“I think we should leave, Jodie,” said Alexander’s dad, looking solemn and a little guilty. Alexander was too lost in his wife to hear him. He kept on urging Eva to get a grip on herself. Alyssa sighed and gestured to Nicholas to leave them alone.
“We’ll see you later, bro. Call me if you need me,” she said. Alexander nodded in a state of daze as he stroked Eva to calm her down. He didn’t know why his parents were here? If it was to threaten Eva, then maybe it was time to address the issue. Maybe it was time to clarify with them that he had no plans to separate from Eva. He had married her for life and no amount of money could separate them. He didn’t want his penthouse, nor did he need his bank balance, having saved enough of his hard-earned money to take care of his wife.
Eva fell asleep and Alexander didn’t disturb her. He made some soup for dinner in case she woke up in the middle of the night to eat. He stayed by her side the entire time, caressing her softly, and providing her with the warmth she needed as she slept.
She didn’t wake up at all and Alexander too dozed off.
The next morning, Eva felt much better and got ready to report to work. “Finish your breakfast before you go, baby. I’ll drop you at the hospital,” he urged her. They didn’t once address the pressing issue, although Eva was curious about why his parents had visited them last night.
Later, he dropped her off at the hospital and drove over to his parents’ house for a confrontation. He had to know what was going on!
His mom opened the door and looked behind him as if searching for someone. “Where’s Eva?” she asked curiously.
“Gone to work,” said Alexander, walking inside.
“Come, son. I was about to call you,” said his dad.
“Breakfast?” asked his mom while serving her dad his breakfast.
“No, thanks. I’ve had mine.”
“How’s Eva? We’re sorry for the misunderstanding! We didn’t realize her condition is so delicate,” said his mom. Alexander stood broodingly, not knowing how to start. He had to talk to them. Their threats couldn’t go on!
“You can tell me what you wanted to say to Eva, dad. I know you have been offering her millions to walk out of my life, but let me assure you that you are wasting your time and effort. I have married her for life! She is the mother of my unborn child. No one has the right to separate us. If you visited us last night to separate us, then I’m afraid I cannot forgive you. I don’t need access to those bank accounts under you, dad. You can freeze them permanently. Neither do I need the penthouse. You can sell it and keep the money. I only need my little family to live.” He released a staggering breath and turned to leave.
“We didn’t visit you to threaten her, Alex. We went there to tell her we have accepted her into our family, but she misunderstood us and panicked beforehand. I know I’m at fault for everything that happened. Alyssa opened our eyes to the truth! I cannot undo the past, but I want to make amends for the future. Now I want our little family to be together always! I want to have the privilege of playing with my grandchildren. Surely you won’t deny me, son,” said his dad. Alexander froze with shock, not having expected his parents to change their mindset about Eva.
“Your dad is right. The penthouse is now completely yours. Your dad has gifted it to you. As for the bank accounts, your dad has given you full access. We want nothing in return except acceptance. Let us into your life, into your world, Alex. I’m tired of living a lonely life away from my little family. After years, we have finally made peace with Alyssa and Nicholas, and now we want the same with you and Eva.”
Alexander’s eyes filled with tears of joy. He couldn’t believe that his parents had accepted Eva into the family. It was a dream come true. He went forward and hugged them, relieved that everything fell into place.
“Thank you, mom, dad. I can’t believe this. I’ll explain it to Eva in my own way since she’s going through a difficult phase with the pregnancy. Any stress makes her violently sick,” said Alexander.
“I understand. Tell her and bring her over for dinner tomorrow,” said his mom.
“Sure. I’ll call you to confirm.”
“When are you shifting to the penthouse? It’s difficult to find a parking space near your apartment in Bronx,” said his dad. Alexander smiled and nodded.
“I’ll talk to Eva when she returns from duty.” He sipped coffee and spend the day with his parents, feeling much more relaxed than ever before. Alyssa and Nicholas too came over for lunch.
Alexander’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from his lawyer. “Yes, Mr. Fitzgerald, tell me.”
“Mr. Cromwell has been arrested in South Africa where he had been hiding in a relative’s place. Now the trial date will be fixed soon.”
“That’s good news indeed. Has he accepted to his crime?”
“No, he’s still pleading innocent.” Alexander rolled his eyes at the man.
“I couldn’t come over yesterday evening, as I was with Mrs. Beatrix. She was asking for you. I would suggest that you see her once,” said the lawyer.
“Fine, I’ll visit her house.” Alexander knew he had to talk to her since there were many loopholes in her version of the story and he wanted to know the truth.
“She isn’t staying there. She lives with Sean Fairfield at his mansion. You need to fix an appointment with her over the phone before you go. There’s tight security all around,” said the lawyer. Alexander’s jaws dropped with surprise after hearing about the latest news. How did Beatrix land up at Fairfield’s place? Had he accepted her into his life? There was only one way to find out. He had to visit her soon.
They talked about the case, and he disconnected the call.
“Mom, dad, I’ll leave now. I have to pick up Eva on my way home.”
“Sure, but don’t forget to bring her to dinner tomorrow,” said his mom.
Eva grinned at seeing him waiting for her. Climbing in, she planted a kiss on his lips. “I missed you, Alexander!” she whispered, making his heart skip a beat. “What did you do the whole day without me?” He smiled and started the car, driving them home.
“I missed you too. What was there to do than think of you?” Eva giggled at his answer and Alexander thought of ways to tell her about his parents’ acceptance of her.
“Okay, and what else did you do?”
“Talked to Mr. Fitzgerald. He called to inform that Cromwell has been arrested in South Africa. Now the trial with be hastened. He’s still pleading innocent,” said Alexander with an eye roll.
“That’s great news indeed, Alexander, but I would have been happier if he accepted his crime.”
“We’ll fight him, Eva. I’m sure we will prove him guilty,” said Alexander.
They reached home and Alexander made dinner while Eva freshened up. Eva noted his cheerful mood and wondered if it was because of the news of Cromwell’s arrest.
They sat down to eat, and Eva couldn’t stop herself from asking him. “You look very excited, Alexander. So spill already!”
Alexander chuckled, amazed that she could read his mind so effortlessly. “I went to visit mom and dad in the morning . They have accepted you into the family, Eva. That was what they wanted to tell you last night.”