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News spreads fast online. Even though it was the first time it happened, so many people had already seen it, shared it, and some even saved the post.

The program staff were familiar with the entertainment industry, so they immediately understood the weight of Sasha being a talent manager. That’s why when news broke out that she would be joining a variety show alongside a famous actor, there was now a more reasonable explanation as to why she got invited.

From then on, Eloise noticed a slight change in how the production team treated them. The atmosphere was lighter, and there was a trace of respect in the way they were approached, though not in an obvious way.

But as for Eloise and Sasha themselves? Nothing changed. They didn’t flaunt anything, nor did they act cold toward others.

When the news about Eloise’s marriage came out, it had a huge effect inside the industry. Many started comparing her to Elaine. Everyone knew that Elaine had married the illegitimate son of the Montes family, while Eloise, who was only adopted, married into the Dominguez family, a well-known, wealthy household. No matter how you looked at it, it was shocking.

When Elaine heard that Arellano had returned the bride price to Eloise, she went home immediately and confronted her mother.
“Mom, why did Dad suddenly do that? That’s not a small amount of money,” she asked, visibly confused.

“Cosmo gave him a huge project. In exchange, he had to return the bride price. So even if he didn’t want to, he had no choice,” Ardiel replied, her irritation clear on her face. “Eloise has gotten bolder now because Cosmo supports her. Meanwhile, we’re left with our hands tied.”

“Was that Eloise’s idea?” Elaine asked in shock. “Why would she blame you? She agreed to switch parents. No one forced her, did they?”

Ardiel gave her a look. “You were the one who suggested replacing her, and we didn’t even want to at first. You also said Cosmo was injured and couldn’t have children. Maybe Eloise found out the truth after the wedding, and that’s why she’s angry with us.”

Elaine recalled what Caroline had once told her, that Cosmo’s condition wasn’t just with his legs, but also his ability to have children. “But if Eloise didn’t want to be with Cosmo, she could have divorced him, right? Why would she still bother causing trouble for you?”

“That girl is shameless, acting as if she owes us nothing,” Ardiel said bitterly, her anger toward Eloise only deepening.

Elaine couldn’t help but feel jealous when she thought about Eloise holding 200 million. Meanwhile, she was hesitating over buying a new bag because her bank account was nearly empty.

As for Zedrix, he had no real power against his stepmother, Georgina, who constantly belittled and restrained him. Recently, one of her projects in Tagaytay ran into trouble, so she had been staying there for a month. It was still uncertain when she would return.

“If only we hadn’t switched Eloise out, maybe I would have been the one to marry Cosmo. Then I’d be the one with 200 million right now,” Elaine muttered to herself. “Even if Cosmo has a disability, people still respect him. They might whisper behind his back, but in front of him, no one dares to judge.”

As she replayed everything in her mind, Elaine felt another wave of regret. But she quickly buried it deep inside, reminding herself that Zedrix would have his time eventually. She just needed to wait and endure.

“You know what Madam Georgina is like,” Ardiel complained, shifting the conversation back to Zedrix. “Sweet on the outside, but cunning behind closed doors. He’s not her real son, so of course her care isn’t genuine.”

“I know, Mom. I’ll be more careful now,” Elaine answered.

After a pause, Ardiel suddenly asked a question that caught Elaine off guard.
“You’ve been married to Zedrix for almost a year. Why is there still nothing happening with your stomach?”

“Don’t worry, I’m still young. Maybe after two years, we’ll have kids,” Elaine replied, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“The younger you are when you give birth, the faster your body recovers,” Ardiel reminded her. “And Mrs. Montes’s real daughter isn’t married yet. If you’re the first to have a child, then your baby will be the first great-grandchild of the Montes family.”

Elaine hadn’t thought of it that way before, but hearing it made her pause. “That’s true. But having a child still depends on fate,” she said.

On top of that, Zedrix was extremely busy with work. He wasn’t even in Manila, and she and her husband were apart most of the time. It was hard to imagine when they’d even find the time for such a thing.

But even with those thoughts, her mind still lingered on the child. After thinking for a moment, she spoke again.
“Ma, didn’t you ask Eloise about the child?”

“Didn’t you say that Cosmo…” Ardiel cut in, but stopped when he saw the look Elaine gave him. It was as if she was trying to send him a message. He immediately caught on.
“Right… I’ll look for the right time to ask her.”

“Cosmo is the eldest grandson of the Dominguez family. With his situation now, the Dominguez will definitely be more interested in making sure he has a child. If he doesn’t, Eloise will be the one to blame, not Cosmo,” Elaine muttered while staring blankly ahead, her eyes full of calculated intent.

In her mind, she remembered how people once blamed her for not having a child with Zedrix. Now, Eloise would be the one to take on that burden, especially since her marriage with Cosmo was already out in the open.

Meanwhile, after dinner at the Lopez house, Ardiel found a chance to call Eloise.

At that time, Eloise was eating at an outdoor food stall with Sasha. The place was noisy, and the sounds carried through the other end of the line.

“Eloise, where are you? It’s so noisy there,” Ardiel asked.

“Do you need something? We’re just eating out,” Eloise replied calmly, polite but noticeably without emotion.

“Nothing important. I just wanted to check on you,” Ardiel said in a gentle, almost pretentious tone.

“Is that so? I’m okay,” Eloise answered, unconvinced by his reason for calling.

“Now that everyone knows about you and Cosmo, people will be paying more attention to your every move. Remember, you’re not only carrying your own name now, but also the Dominguez name,” Ardiel reminded her.

Eloise stayed silent and simply listened.

He continued, “It’s been more than half a year since you got married. You two have also been apart for a while. Do you have any plans about having a child?”

Eloise paused before responding. “When it comes to having a child, that’s something between the two of us. We’ll just go with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.”

“Saying ‘whatever happens’ sounds more like avoiding the question. You know what that means,” Ardiel replied, his voice carrying a probing tone.

“Having a child is a decision between me and my husband. It’s not something we’ll do just to please other people,” Eloise answered seriously.

“Your situation is different!” Ardiel shot back. “There have been rumors for a while now that Cosmo has… issues, you know what I mean. And now that everyone knows you’re married, and it’s been more than half a year, what do you think people will say if you still don’t have a child?”