Lillian’s head started pounding, and she muttered under her breath, “He’s here! Why’d you let me come in?”
Melissa shrugged. “What, I’m supposed to leave my friend outside just because of a guy?”
“Easy for you to say, but I’m not dealing with the fallout.” As Lillian spoke, she noticed George glancing coldly at Melissa as he picked up his phone. “Alright, I’ll be at the hospital soon.”
Hanging up, he grabbed his coat, adjusted his collar, and glared at Melissa. “We’ll discuss this later. You’d better explain what you meant by ‘a whole box of birth control pills.'”
He hadn’t even slept with her that many times. How could she have prepared a whole box of birth control pills? Was she planning on not having his baby?!
Melissa, “…”
The door slammed shut, and Lillian looked at Melissa. “Did I just interrupt something between you two?”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “Hardly. Go wash up; you reek of men’s cologne.”
“Hey, don’t act so high and mighty.” Lillian raised an eyebrow, laughing. “Want to join?”
“Fine, let’s go.” Melissa grabbed some wine and essential oils, leading them to the guest bathroom. “Last time we took a bath together, we were in high school.”
Back then, the Lewis family was at its peak, and Melissa’s family lived next door. She was always hanging out at Lillian’s place. As teenagers, they barely dared to look at each other, even during a bath. Thinking back, those high school days felt like another lifetime.
Melissa caught sight of the marks on Lillian’s waist and gasped. “Conrad’s a beast, isn’t he? How’d you put up with him for three years?”
Lillian’s skin was sensitive and easily bruised, always leaving red marks that she had to explain away as hives.
Conrad used to mock her for being as delicate as rose, saying she’d bruise after barely a touch, even when he wasn’t rough.
Under the shower, Lillian washed off as much of Conrad’s lingering presence as she could. She glanced at Melissa’s chest and chuckled. “Maybe you should check a mirror.”
Melissa looked down, rolling her eyes. “Oh… No…”
******
At the hospital, George found Conrad smoking on the balcony while the doctor examined Evelyn.
Conrad hung up his phone, frowning. “Check her out. She keeps saying she doesn’t feel well.”
George spoke with the attending doctor, then looked over at Evelyn. “There’s nothing major.”
“You sure?”
“Want to get another opinion? You called me here just for this?”
Conrad stayed quiet as George returned to his office.
Conrad took a seat, eyeing Evelyn while spinning a heavy, intricately designed black lighter in his fingers. It had a black wolf engraved on it, matching his tattoo-the same lighter Lillian had bought him with her first paycheck. He’d never had the heart to replace it.
He thought back to the time she’d brought him that gift but was too nervous to give it to him at his birthday party. He’d only seen it when he pressed her on the bed later, and she’d finally pulled it out with a shy smile, thrilled he actually accepted it. The memory softened his gaze.
Did Lillian think being with Gordon would change anything? Even if Gordon was serious about marrying her, he’d still be the one in her bed on their wedding night!
Conrad’s fingers twitched as he was about to stand, but right on cue, Evelyn opened her eyes.
“Conrad…” she murmured.
He glanced over at her, his gaze ice-cold, making her heart skip.
“You know your eyes are important, right? Have I or haven’t I told you not to waste tears?”
Evelyn flushed, quickly holding back her tears. “I thought… You were mad at me and wouldn’t care anymore.”
She hadn’t expected him to be so controlling, even about her crying.
Conrad looked away. “If you need something, go directly to Ford. Don’t mess around with your health over nothing. I can’t stand people causing trouble for no reason.”
But what about Lillian? Hasn’t she caused him enough trouble? And he’s done so much for her. The words hovered in Evelyn’s throat, but she reminded herself that Lillian was the past. He wouldn’t even let her shed tears; there was no need to let Lillian get under her skin.
As for seeing Lillian at the OB-GYN clinic last time… she’d get someone to look into it. She couldn’t let Lillian have a child!
“And stop hanging around with those low-class friends of yours,” he added before walking out. “They drag you down.”
Evelyn barely had time to respond before he was gone. She sank back on the bed, feeling both thrilled and disappointed.
Whatever. That Janet was nothing but trouble. Just then, a call came in from Janet’s parents, complaining about the medical bill. Evelyn blocked the number. Not her problem-she’d given them enough already.
If it weren’t for Janet, she wouldn’t have been scolded by Conrad!
Meanwhile, as Conrad stepped out, Ford quickly followed him.
“Why are you back? Where is she?”
“She went to Melissa’s place.”
“Gordon seems to have a lot of free time lately. Let’s give him something to do,” Conrad ordered.
Ford nodded. “One more thing. Half an hour ago, Miss Lillian went to the pharmacy herself and bought birth control.”
Conrad’s face darkened, and he headed straight for George’s office.
George looked up as he entered. “That woman’s fine. She’s just faking it to get your attention. Don’t waste my time-I charge a lot for consultations.”
Conrad pulled a chair over with his long leg, taking a seat. “Stay away from Melissa’s place for a while.”
George’s pen stilled, nearly scratching the paper. “Since when do you get to call the shots about Melissa?”
“Melissa’s not my business. Lillian staying there is. And it wouldn’t be appropriate if you were around.”
Because at home, Lillian didn’t wear a bra and just let everything… hang around. He’d rather not have to gouge George’s eyes out.
George closed his file, sneering. “Who I sleep with is none of your business. Melissa is my wife! If you can’t get who you want, find a way to fix it yourself.”
“And you,” he continued, “you’ve got a fiancee, Lillian, and now one in the hospital. Three legs aren’t enough for you, huh?”
Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Why is everyone so concerned about whether I’m getting married or not?”
“No one gives a damn about you,” George retorted coldly. “It’s got nothing to do with my family. Your fiancee, Daisy, is famous for being virtuous-she’d probably even help care for your woman during postpartum recovery. You really picked a good fiancee.”
Conrad suddenly couldn’t remember what Daisy looked like. Not that it mattered-he was more interested in Daisy’s family’s, the White family’s money.
Just as Conrad was about to leave, George spoke up. “Oh, by the way, Lillian came to our hospital for a check-up recently. OB-GYN. Want to know why?”
Conrad froze mid-step. When he turned around, his face showed an expression George had never seen before.
“Congratulations,” George said mockingly.
Conrad glared at him coldly. “Speak plainly.”
George shrugged. “You’re not going to be a dad.”
Conrad kicked him without hesitation. “You’ve got a death wish, don’t you?”
George shot him an annoyed glare. “What’s the matter? Still hoping Lillian would give you an illegitimate kid?”
Conrad let out an arrogant laugh. “A child of mine? Who’d dare make fun of that?”
“Oh, so you’re really planning on having her give birth?”