Chapter 9 Fear of losing
Eva felt her heart clench, a sudden pain twisting inside her chest.
How was she supposed to answer that question?
He's a stranger. A no one. Or should she tell her daughter the truth that He's your birth father?
None of those answers felt right.
Deep down, Eva's thoughts spun with confusion. Part of her really wanted to protect Lily from the truth, to keep the past and present separate.
But how could she look at Adrian and not remember everything they had lost, everything she had tried to bury?
She felt guilty, so strongly she could almost taste it, and wanted something she didn't want to admit, mixed with the fear that life would never be simple again.
Before Eva could answer, Adrian bent down so he was eye level with Lily. His whole mood changed. The cold look was gone, and he suddenly seemed warm and kind.
"Hello," he said gently. "My name is Adrian. I'm a friend of your mother's."
Lily studied him with the fearless curiosity only a child could possess. "You have the same eyes as me."
Eva held her breath, her nerves tingling.
Adrian looked surprised at first, then his face relaxed, almost looking amazed.
"I suppose I do," he murmured.
Lily tilted her head. "Are you my uncle?"
"Lily—" Eva started.
"Something like that," Adrian said smoothly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped candy. "Do you like sweets?"
Lily's eyes lit up. She looked at Eva for permission.
Even though she felt scared and confused inside, Eva nodded.
Lily took the candy with a bright smile. "Thank you, Mister Adrian!"
"You're welcome." Adrian stood up and turned to Eva. The kindness left his face, and he looked serious again.
For a moment, a hidden guilt showed in his eyes, there and gone in a second, like he was carrying a burden only he knew about.
"I meant what I said. I'm not here to take them from you. But I am here to make sure no one else does," he said.
Eva frowned. "What do you mean?"
Adrian's jaw clenched. "Derek isn't your only problem."
"What?"
"The other company he's been working with isn't just another business." Adrian's voice got quiet. "They're dangerous people, Eva. People who don't like loose ends."
Eva felt a shiver go down her back. "Are you saying I'm in danger?"
"I'm saying that when Derek sees you really want the divorce, he'll get scared. And desperate men do desperate things." Adrian moved closer. "He won't let you leave easily. Neither will the people helping him."
Eva held Lily closer, her body stiff with tension.
"I can protect myself."
"I know you can." Adrian's gaze softened. "But you shouldn't have to. Not alone."
He pulled out a business card and pressed it into her free hand.
"My personal number is on the back. If anything happens—anything—call me. Day or night. I'll be there."
Eva looked at the card. It was simple and neat, with just his name and a phone number.
Adrian Cavanaugh.
The man who had saved her once before.
The man who had haunted her dreams for seven years.
The man who was now offering to save her again.
She didn't know if she could trust him.
She didn't know if she should trust him.
But as she stood there in that parking lot, holding her daughter in one arm and a stranger's business card in the other, Eva realized something.
She was tired of fighting alone.
Maybe, just maybe, it was time to let someone fight with her.
Eva drove home in a daze.
Her mind raced with shock, confusion, anger, and fear. Adrian's news had changed everything she thought she knew.
Derek was a criminal.
Adrian was the biological father of her children.
And somewhere out there, dangerous people were watching, waiting to see what she would do next.
It was too much.
Far too much.
By the time she parked in the driveway of what used to be her home, Eva's head was pounding.
She unbuckled Lily from her car seat and carried her inside. The little girl was fully awake now, chattering about the candy Adrian gave her and asking when they could see Ethan.
"Soon, sweetheart," Eva promised, setting her down in the living room. "Why don't you play with your dolls for a bit? Mommy needs to take care of something."
Lily nodded and scampered off to her toy chest.
Eva watched her go, her heart aching with a strong need to protect her.
I'll protect you, she vowed silently. No matter what it takes.
"So you finally decided to come home."
Eva stood up straighter.
She turned slowly and saw Derek leaning against the living room doorframe. He wore jeans and a button-down shirt, arms crossed and a cold smirk on his face.
"Derek."
"Eva, my dear wife." He pushed off the doorframe and sauntered toward her. "You caused quite a scene last night. Running off like that. Very dramatic."
Eva's hands curled into fists. "Our daughter was in the hospital."
"And she's fine now, isn't she?"
Derek shrugged carelessly. "Children get sick all the time. It's not the end of the world."
"You didn't even show up."
"I was busy."
"Busy." Eva let out a bitter laugh. "Yes, I saw exactly how busy you were."
Derek's smirk faded for just a moment. Then it came back, even meaner than before.
"About that." He stepped closer, getting in her space. "I hope you're not planning to make a big deal out of it. These things happen, Eva. Men have needs. You should be more understanding."
"Understanding?" Eva stared at him in disbelief. "You cheated on me. In our bed. With the woman who destroyed my life. And you want me to be understanding?"
"What I want," Derek said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "is for you to stop being so damn dramatic and remember your place."
He reached out and gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"You are my wife. The mother of my children. And you will behave accordingly."