Chapter 41: Jayden's Kiss

Chapter 41: Jayden's Kiss
Mia's POV
I frowned. "Are you insane? Eva, aren't you afraid I'll ruin your wedding ceremony?"
Just the thought of her and Gavin standing together, exchanging rings under the gaze and blessings of all the guests.
They might even kiss in front of everyone. From that moment on, Eva would become Gavin's wife.
And I would be completely reduced to a mistress who could only sneak around with him in the shadows.
My heart twisted uncontrollably at the thought, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe.
Eva shrugged, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.
"No, you wouldn't dare."
Her gaze moved past me to Susan, who was trembling behind me, her voice taking on a threatening tone.
"After all, Susan still needs to come to the hospital."
"If something unfortunate were to happen to her on the way to the hospital, or at home..."
She deliberately drew out the words.
"You!" I trembled with rage.
She tried to reach out and touch Susan, but I grabbed her wrist and threw her hand aside forcefully.
"Don't touch her with your filthy hands!"
Eva stumbled back a few steps, but she didn't get angry. Instead, her smile grew even more smug.
Because she knew she had grasped my only weakness. She had already won this battle.
I took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the fury surging in my chest.
I asked in a low voice: "How do I know that after I agree, you'll really leave Susan alone?"
Eva let out a mocking laugh.
"Mia, do you really think you're in a position to negotiate with me?"
Her tone was supremely arrogant.
"If you don't agree, something might happen to Susan right now. If you do agree, maybe I'll be in a good mood and forget such a person even exists."
"The choice isn't in your hands, Mia."
I said, "Fine. I agree."
Eva's smile widened. "Mia, you really are my good sister."
I ignored her fake facade and spoke coldly: "Can you leave now?"
Eva didn't care about my attitude. She walked to the door and called out.
"You can open it now. I've finished talking with Mia."
The door was unlocked from outside, and Eva left the examination room on her high heels.
After she left, the doctor came in.
He looked at me with an apologetic expression. "Miss Mia, I'm so sorry. I just now..."
I shook my head, cutting him off. "No need to explain."
I wasn't in the mood to hear his excuses about being forced.
After Eva left, Susan's condition didn't seem to improve. I was very worried about her.
"Susan was just badly frightened. Please check on her."
The doctor nodded quickly. "Of course. Don't worry, I'll give Susan a thorough examination."
I let Susan stay alone with the doctor in the examination room and walked out to sit on the bench outside.
I rubbed my face and buried it deep in the crook of my arms.
I felt completely surrounded by a sense of helplessness.
My phone suddenly received a text message. Gavin had sent me a picture.
In the image was an exquisitely designed ring.
The main diamond was very large, surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds that sparkled brilliantly under the light, the glare stinging my eyes.
He asked: [What do you think of this ring?]
I stared at those two messages and suddenly laughed, feeling utterly pathetic.
Eva wanted me to be her bridesmaid, while Gavin wanted me to help him choose a ring.
The anger and grievance I'd suppressed came flooding back, more intense than ever, threatening to consume me.
I typed out a long message, wanting to confront Gavin.
[Gavin, what exactly am I to you? A toy you can manipulate at will?
You clearly know that Eva was behind that video. Why did you cover for her? Why are you still getting engaged to her?
In your heart, who matters more, me or Eva?
Since you chose to protect her, chose your alliance with the Bell family, why not just let me go? Why do you still use my mother to threaten me and keep me trapped by your side?]
My finger hovered over the send button for a long time, long enough for me to calm down again.
In the end, I never sent that message.
I deleted it all.
Because I knew that even if I asked, I wouldn't get the answer I wanted.
I only replied: [This ring is beautiful.]
After sending that text, I turned off my phone.
I suddenly remembered that Gavin had said he would celebrate my birthday with me.
But now, he was in North America with my father Henry, discussing business. There was no way he could return anytime soon.
I felt ridiculous for having had even a shred of hope.
The examination room door opened again. The doctor told me that after taking sedatives, Susan's emotions had stabilized, but she needed rest.
On the way home, Susan was very quiet and didn't mention Eva again.
I was grateful she didn't ask why I had become someone's mistress or why I was being humiliated by my own sister.
At the same time, Eva's words frightened me.
As long as Susan remained in the country, Eva could threaten me with her at any time, forcing me to do anything.
A bold idea suddenly formed in my mind.
I turned my phone back on and contacted Jayden on my own initiative.
[Jayden, are you free now? I need your help with something.]
Jayden replied quickly: [I'm free. What's wrong?]
I asked: [Do you know any psychiatrists in North America, or good sanatoriums? I want to send Susan abroad.]
Jayden was happy I was asking for his help, sending me a smiley face.
[Of course I do, but this isn't something we can discuss clearly over the phone. We need to meet in person.]
[Okay,] I replied.
The next day, Jayden came to my apartment carrying a beautifully wrapped cake.
"Mia, happy birthday." He smiled as he handed me the cake.
I froze for a moment, my mind unable to process.
He tapped my forehead affectionately. "Did you forget? Today is your birthday."
I gave an embarrassed smile. With everything that had been happening recently, I'd completely forgotten.
My face felt hot. "Thank you, Jayden. I didn't even remember today was my birthday."
"It's okay. As long as I remember."
His words warmed my heart, and the gloom of recent days seemed to lift slightly.
I sighed. "You're always so thoughtful."
Jayden looked at me with affection. "Mia, may I give you a kiss representing our friendship?"
I was indeed touched. He not only remembered my birthday but had specially prepared a cake for me.
Meanwhile, Gavin had probably forgotten my birthday entirely and was still in North America conducting business.
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
It was just a friendly kiss. It didn't mean anything else.
Jayden gently kissed my forehead, very gentlemanly.
When I opened my eyes again, I suddenly noticed a familiar car in the distance.
My blood instantly froze. Gavin was sitting inside the car.