Chapter 48 Chapter 48

Chapter 48 Chapter 48
After another two days in the hospital, she was finally able to go home.

“I hope this will be the last time I see you two in my hospital,” Thomas said as they packed up to leave.

“I’ll make sure of that,” Evan replied, his voice carrying a quiet, unwavering determination she could feel.

“I hope so. Protect your wife well, Evan. If there’s a third time, she might not overcome it. I advise you to watch over her closely and avoid putting her life in danger,” Doctor Thomas cautioned, giving Evan’s shoulder a firm tap.

Evan let out a slow sigh. “I’ll do everything I can to protect her. I won’t let her get hurt again.”

Thomas shook his head. “Don’t swear. Just do it.”

She chuckled softly and pulled Evan close, halting the heated argument she knew was about to start. She knew exactly where this was going, and wasn’t about to let it escalate.

"Thank you for taking care of me, Doc. We should get going," she said to Doctor Thomas, who nodded.

Once they were inside Evan's car, his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen, saw the caller, and then slipped the phone back into his pocket. She frowned, unable to stop herself from glaring at him.

"Why didn’t you answer the call?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Evan sighed. "I’m not in the mood to talk to him right now," he replied.

Hearing that, she realized who it probably was, it had to be Evan’s father.

"Before we go home, I need to grab something from the office. Do you want to stay in the car, or come with me upstairs?" Evan asked suddenly.

She went silent and fiddled with her fingers, surprised to find she actually missed going to the office and working alongside him.

"I’ll go with you. Besides, I’m going back to work tomorrow, aren’t I? Maybe it’s time I collected some things I need. I’ve been a bit bored, lying in bed for almost a week," she said, pouting slightly.

Evan chuckled and tapped her head. "Alright then, if that’s what you want."

A smile curved her lips. "Thank you, dear," she said sincerely.

Evan stared at her for a moment. "What did you call me?"

She bit her lower lip. "I-I… called you dear. Don’t you like it?" she asked, looking away. She didn’t know why, but a sudden shyness washed over her.

Evan reached for her hand and held it tightly. She gasped when he suddenly brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.

"I don’t just like it. I love it. Why don’t you start calling me that from today?" Evan said happily, as if he’d just won the lottery.

She glared at him but couldn’t help smiling. Seeing him this happy warmed her heart.

"Okay, dear," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder. Evan immediately draped his arm around her, pulling her closer. She smiled, pressing herself against him, loving the comforting warmth of his embrace.

When they arrived at the company, Evan opened the door for her and even offered his hand to guide her out. She smiled and accepted it.

"Thank you, dear."

"You're welcome," Evan replied immediately, holding her hand as they walked toward the entrance.

As usual, the lobby was crowded with people, and many of them were staring, especially at her. She could feel their envy and resentment. After all, she was just a secretary, yet she had married the boss, a miracle in their eyes and completely unacceptable at the same time.

"Can you believe our boss married her? What's so special about her? She's not even as pretty as the models in magazines," one staff member whispered sharply.

She lowered her gaze, trying to calm her nerves and ignore the remarks.

"Right? She’s unworthy of our boss’s wife. She probably used some love potion to make him obsessed," added the companion of the first commenter.

She bit her lower lip, tense and uncomfortable. Suddenly, Evan stopped walking, and she looked up to find him pulling her toward the two women who had been criticizing her.

"Did I pay you to talk bullshit about my wife?" Evan’s voice was sharp, his gaze deadly.

Even she felt a chill at the intensity of his stare. Watching him like this brought back memories of the boss she had once loathed.

"Evan, it's alright. They didn’t mean it—" she tried to interject.

"No, they probably do. Saying it right in front of us like that? That’s bold. Since you’re so eager for attention, I’ll give it to you. Starting today, you are no longer part of this company," Evan declared, his tone ice-cold.

"Sir, please don’t fire us!" one of the women begged.

"My decision is final. You two are fired. I don’t want to see your faces here ever again. What I hate most are people who spread rumors and make remarks about others without knowing them personally. And on top of that, you were standing here gossiping during work hours instead of doing your assigned tasks. That is unforgivable," Evan continued, each word deliberate and unyielding.

"But, sir—"

"Pack your things now, or I’ll call security to drag you out," Evan ordered firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Evan? Is that you?" a female voice called from behind them.

Before she could react, the woman appeared seemingly out of nowhere and hugged Evan, forcing her to let go of his hand.

She glared at Evan, only to see him frozen, his expression betraying genuine surprise. He hadn’t expected to see this woman here.

"It's me, Elaine… I’m back," the woman said, releasing him.

Elaine… That was the name of the woman who was supposed to be Evan’s bride, the one she had replaced. Why was she here? And why was she acting as if nothing had happened, even flirting with Evan so openly?

"I came here yesterday, but you weren’t around… Luckily, I finally got to see you today. Can we talk?" Elaine continued, speaking as though the world belonged only to her and Evan.

She bit her lower lip, heart pounding, unsure of what to do or even what to say.

“Evan, please, give me a chance to explain everything,” the woman pleaded and held Evan's hand. While Evan just stared at her, as if he was having a hard time deciding.

While, she clenched her fist, trying to calm her system and stop herself from doing something she might regret. She should wait for Evan's decision and should not make decisions by herself.