Chapter 46: Eva's Meltdown
Mia's POV
My mind went completely blank in shock.
I never imagined that Gavin would bring me to meet his mother, Hina.
What was going on?
My body froze in place, embarrassment washing over me as I wanted to turn around and leave immediately.
But Gavin, as if anticipating this, grabbed my wrist and held me in place.
Hina noticed me too. She had been sipping coffee when she spotted me, and her expression instantly twisted.
"Gavin, who is she?"
She slammed her coffee cup down on the table with a sharp clatter.
"Don't tell me she's that mistress you've been keeping?"
Gavin neither confirmed nor denied it.
He pulled me to his side and introduced me to Hina: "Her name is Mia. She's my personal translator. From now on, I'll be bringing her with me."
Hearing this explanation, Hina's expression didn't soften. Instead, it darkened further.
She looked me up and down with scrutiny and disdain, as if I were something beneath contempt.
"Translator?" She laughed coldly. "Gavin, you're fluent in multiple languages. Since when do you need a personal translator?"
Gavin raised an eyebrow. "Mom, some matters require someone to handle them at all times. Mia is suitable."
Hina clearly didn't accept this explanation, her brow furrowing.
"Gavin, don't forget you're about to get engaged! At a time like this, you bring some woman of unknown origin before me. What are you trying to do?"
I felt things spiraling out of control.
I had to leave before this situation completely fell apart.
I pulled my hand free from Gavin's and bowed to Hina.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry to disturb you. I'll leave now."
I turned to go.
But Gavin grabbed my wrist again, forcefully keeping me there and pressing me down onto the sofa beside him.
"What's the rush?" A smile played at his lips. "We haven't eaten yet."
"Mom, have them prepare lunch. We'll eat together."
The meal was torture.
Hina sat across from me, her eyes, which bore some resemblance to Gavin's, constantly watching me. I didn't dare lift my head once.
Throughout the entire meal, I said nothing, just silently ate the food on my plate, tasting nothing.
Hina suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
"Mia, how long have you known my son?"
I hadn't expected her to ask this question and froze, unsure how to answer.
Gavin answered for me: "Not long."
Hina pressed on: "Then do you know he's about to get engaged?"
I nodded.
"Since you know, you should understand your position." She warned.
I set down my knife and fork. "Ma'am, you've misunderstood. Gavin and I are just..."
Hina impatiently cut me off. "I don't care what your relationship is. After this meal, you leave immediately. Eva will be arriving at the manor soon, and I don't want her to see you."
But Gavin deliberately said, "Mia is Eva's bridesmaid. They'll have to meet sooner or later."
"What?" Hina was shocked by this. "Bridesmaid? Gavin, have you lost your mind? You're making your mistress your fiancée's bridesmaid? What will the Bell family think?"
"It was Eva who personally asked Mia to be her bridesmaid. I merely agreed," Gavin explained.
Then he looked at me. "I remember you haven't tried on a bridesmaid dress yet, have you?Perfect timing. There's an outfit here at the manor that would suit you."
"I..."
I was about to refuse when Hina angrily stood up.
"Absolutely not! That dress was specially prepared for Eva. Why should she wear it?"
Gavin chuckled, leaning back in his chair with a teasing tone.
"It's just a dress. Aren't they all meant to be worn? What harm is there in letting Mia try it on? Perhaps it suits her even better than Eva."
Under Gavin's insistence, I had no choice but to follow the servant upstairs to change.
The servant handed me the dress.
"Miss Mia, please change into this."
I reluctantly put on the dress, too afraid to go out. I pulled out my phone, wanting to message Fiona for help.
But as soon as I opened my phone, I received a text from Gavin.
[Hurry up. I don't have the patience to wait.]
I had to abandon the idea of asking for help.
Looking at myself in the mirror, bitterness filled my heart.
I couldn't understand Gavin's intentions anymore.
Eva was his fiancée.
Yet now, he was deliberately making me wear the dress meant for Eva.
What was he trying to do?
With a heart full of questions, I pushed open the door and walked out.
I ran right into Eva, who had just arrived at the manor.
Seeing me in this beautiful dress, Eva immediately exploded.
"Mia! You bitch! What are you doing here? That dress you're wearing is mine!"
Gavin stepped in front of me.
His tone was irritated. "What are you shouting about? It's just a bridesmaid dress. Is it worth making such a fuss?"
Eva felt utterly wronged. She pointed at my dress.
"Gavin, this is the dress Hina specially prepared for me to wear to the engagement party! Why is this bitch wearing it?"
Gavin's tone was icy. "Eva, watch your language. Mia is your bridesmaid and my guest."
Ignoring Eva's protests, he took my hand.
That's when Eva noticed the ring on my finger.
She went crazy, charging at me.
"Mia! Where did you get that ring?"
The multiple provocations drove her wild, and she began hurling insults at both me and Susan.
"You and that slut mother of yours are the same, only good for seducing men!"
"Back at the villa, you and your mother were nothing but dogs we kept at the Bell house!"
"Now that you've been thrown out, you still won't give up. You want to latch onto the Adams family?"
Eva's words stabbed into my heart.
She could insult me, but I couldn't tolerate her insulting Susan.
I pulled away from Gavin and shouted at her, "Eva, shut up. You have no right to talk about Susan."
When Eva lost control and rushed forward to hit me, Gavin shoved her away.
Ignoring Eva's cries and screams behind us, he grabbed my arm and led me outside.
Gavin pushed me into the car parked at the entrance, started the engine, and quickly left the manor.
I sat in the passenger seat. Ever since Gavin took me away from the manor, I'd been on edge.
I secretly observed his profile. His expression was calm, as if nothing had just happened.
Maybe he hadn't paid attention to Eva's words and simply found her too noisy.
Thinking this, I relaxed slightly.
Then Gavin suddenly spoke: "Mia, did you know Eva a long time ago?"